Here's Why I Still Love the Wüsthof Chef’s Knife After 9 Years of Use

A good chef’s knife is an essential in every kitchen. From slicing and dicing to chopping and mincing, just one chef’s knife can manage nearly all knife-related tasks, effectively eliminating the need for a knife set — unless you really want the variety.

The trick, though, is in knowing which chef’s knife is the best fit for you. There are so many available, ranging in price from a few dollars to a few hundred — the choice can be overwhelming. Personally, I’m happy somewhere in the mid-range when it comes to kitchen knives. I want quality, but I’m not going to pay extra for flashy branding or unnecessarily decorative handles. Enter the Wüsthof 8-inch classic chef’s knife. 

This is a knife that Food & Wine staffers have tested thoroughly and recommended several times — even against the competing German knife brand, Zwilling — and it’s one I’ve had in my own kitchen since I moved to Germany almost nine years ago. I’ve added a few more knives to my collection since — a handmade blade from a tiny shop in Kyoto, a Zwilling cleaver that was priced right on a day I felt like buying a cleaver, the ubiquitous three-pack of ceramic knives from IKEA — but the Wüsthof is the one I reach for most often.

Wüsthof 8-Inch Classic Chef's Knife

$170 $129 at Amazon $135 at Williams Sonoma $170 at Sur La Table

How I Use the Wüsthof 8-Inch Chef’s Knife 

I use this knife almost every day, whether I’m working through a recipe or cobbling together a hasty dinner after looking up from whatever I’ve been typing away at and realizing it’s past 6 PM. I used it just last night to chop a bunch of garlic and ginger for a coconut sauce to pour over pan-seared cod, and I’ll use it tonight when I make a quick salad to pair with store-bought tortellini. A few weeks ago, I used my Wüsthof chef’s knife to carve a chicken I’d roasted in my air fryer.

It’s an all-rounder of a knife that I use for just about everything, what else can I say?

What I Love About the Wüsthof 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

Mostly, I love how the Wüsthof feels in my hand. It’s well-balanced, so my wrist doesn’t tire, and I don’t feel like I have to maintain a death grip on the handle to keep the blade steady. And the blade itself? It’s super-sharp and gently curved, facilitating a rocking motion when I want one, but not forcing it when I don’t.

The Wüsthof chef’s knife is also easy to clean. I never put it in the dishwasher, but it only takes a few seconds to wash by hand. I dry it thoroughly before I put it away, and it has stayed in tip-top shape for years.

The Caveats

The only possible downside I can see about the Wüsthof 8-inch classic chef’s knife is the price. At $170, it’s not exactly a budget buy, though I believe you do get what you pay for when it comes to blade quality and balanced construction.

Tips and Tricks for the Wüsthof 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

Remember how I said I never put my Wüsthof in the dishwasher? Yeah. Dishwashers are great, but between the high temperatures and detergents, they create kind of a harsh environment. Just wash your knives by hand and make sure they’re thoroughly dried before stowing.

It’s also a good idea to sharpen your knives — Wüsthof or otherwise — on a regular basis. The process may sound intimidating, but it’s really not. I have a simple pull-through manual sharpener that does the job just fine.

How It Compares

Though the Wüsthof 8-inch classic chef’s knife is our pick for best overall chef’s knife, we also like the Mac Knife 8-inch hollow edge chef’s knife. Those hollows help stop food from sticking to the blade as you’re chopping, which, if you’ve ever accidentally flung a tomato or cucumber slice to the floor mid-use, you’ll understand is a perk.

If you’re looking for a Japanese chef’s knife, we like the Shun 8-inch knife.

The Verdict

It’s tough to beat the Wüsthof classic chef’s knife. Besides being reasonably priced for the quality, the knife feels great to hold, and the blade is sharp and precise. Wüsthof has been producing knives since 1814 — the company knows what it’s doing.

Warranty

Another great reason to invest in a Wüsthof knife? They carry a lifetime warranty.

Our Expertise

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, The Kitchn, and more.