Wüsthof’s heritage, tradition of craftsmanship and wealth of experience spans two centuries (they’re one of the oldest and most respected knife makers in the world). From utility to carving needs, their collection now includes nine specialty lines.
Wüsthof knives are exported from Solingen, Germany, aka the City of Blades, to 80 countries around the world – from Reykjavík to Cape Town and from Tokyo to San Francisco. The seven-generation family business produces knives that adhere to Solingen’s strict quality standards.
Their modern factories are some of the planet’s most efficient, limiting wastewater, emissions and other gases, as well as doing their part to reduce noise pollution. Additionally, they use sustainable products wherever possible.
With so many knives to choose from, we selected a couple from their flagship line-up, the Classic, as we head into holiday season. With triple rivets and a timeless design, these are revered by chefs across the globe for their precision handling and great balance in the hand.
Over 50 knives comprise the Classic line, so you’re guaranteed to find enough choices to fill your knife block or strip. Quality control is key here: Wüsthof Classic knives go through a 40-step process before they hit the store shelves.
These beautifully-designed knives sport a traditional-style black handle with a full tang, three steel rivets and a thick bolster, with a smooth, shiny and thick blade to boot.
9” Carving Knife
The first thing I notice when removing both this and the salmon slicer (outlined below) are defined oval indents on both sides of the blade, designed for very smooth and precise cutting.
Wusthof Classic blades are made from a single blank of high-carbon stainless steel, designed for maximum hardness, corrosion resistance and years of use. CAD $164.99
12″ Salmon Slicer
Like the full-tang carving knife above, the 12” salmon slicer is precision-forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel and sports a new handle design made of a highly durable synthetic material, Polyoxymethylene (POM), which has a tighter molecular structure to resist fading and discolouration.
Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) yields a 20% sharper blade with twice the edge retention. Its handle has a curve to protect fingers and though the blade is relatively lightweight, the knife feels sturdy and solid in the hand.
At 44 cm (17.25”) from tip to tip, this one won’t fit into a standard knife block but it will fit on a wall-mounted rack and work through a salmon fillet with ease. CAD $205.00
Elegantly boxed and protected by a black velvet holder, these also present nicely for gift-giving. All Wüsthof knives are backed by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship or materials under normal use and conditions.