Wusthof Classic

*Est. $150 for three

Reviewed October 2009

Best kitchen knives

Forged blade
Good balance
Resistant to staining
Other handle options available

Some find the handle too thin
Expensive

Where to Buy

for 159.95

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Wusthof's top-of-the-line, high-carbon-steel kitchen knives are rated the best or close to it in every credible review we saw. They are heavy and balanced, reviews say, but the grips vary by line, and the comfort level may vary. Choice magazine says male testers found the Classic's handles to be thin. The Wusthof Classic's handle is polypropylene riveted to the metal within. Other handle options include the Grand Prix II (polypropylene molded to the metal) and the Culinar, which is all stainless steel but not universally liked in reviews. The blades on all three are highly resistant to stains. User reviews are complimentary to an almost-bizarre degree. If you want to spend less, reviews say RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox (*Est. $65 for three) knives are an excellent value, although these knives are stamped from a sheet of metal rather than forged.

Cook's Illustrated magazine and ConsumerReports.org conduct thorough tests of kitchen knives. ConsumerReports.org tests many more knives, but Cook's Illustrated magazine offers more extensive commentary. We found additional professional reviews at Fine Cooking and Choice magazines. Owner reviews at Amazon.com are extremely positive but worth a look.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
169 store reviews	In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!	$179.95	See It
0 store reviews	In Stock.	$159.95	See It
40 store reviews	In Stock. In-Stock: Your item ships the next business day	$159.95	See It
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Our Sources

1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe

Seven chef's knives are rated, with all but one getting a Recommended tag. This is easily the most detailed test we found.

Review: The $90 Chefs Knife Meets the $30 Upstart, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, Nov. 2002

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org rates almost 50 knife sets. The overview is free, but the ratings chart is behind a subscribers-only wall.

Review: Kitchen Knives: Cutting-Edge Performance, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2009

3. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe

Australia's Choice magazine is similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. Thirteen knives are tested by both men and women, and the knives are lab-tested for sharpness. The Wusthof Classic is a runner-up here; it was not quite as sharp out of the box as testers would have liked.

Review: Test: Kitchen Knives, Editors of Choice magazine, Jan. 30, 2008

4. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe

We didn't find many tests of serrated bread knives, but this one from Cook's Illustrated rates 12 knives, including the Wusthof Classic version. Knives are tested on bread, as well as on tomatoes and sandwiches.

Review: Serrated Knives, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, March 1, 2008

5. Fine CookingDetails/Subscribe

Twenty-five forged knives are tested chopping vegetables, but no two testers choose the same five favorites. The magazine lists four favored knives (among them the Wusthof-Trident Classic), but there are no overall ratings.

Review: A Chef's Knife is Your Most Valuable Kitchen Companion, Maryellen Driscoll, Oct./Nov. 2005

6. Fine Cooking Details/Subscribe

This guide to knife buying lists four favorites among German-style knives, but it doesn't detail testing. Driscoll says the Wusthof-Trident Classic is "tapered in the right places and beefy in the right places" with "subtle details that make the knife work naturally for you."

Review: How to Choose a Chef's Knife, Maryellen Driscoll

7. Good Housekeeping Details/Subscribe

In this undated report, Good Housekeeping magazine lists its top four picks. Testing is mentioned briefly, however, no methodology is described. Testers choose the Wusthof Classic as the best knife overall.

Review: Kitchen Knives, Editors of Good Housekeeping magazine

8. Amazon.com

More than 40 owner reviews give the Wüsthof Classic chef's knife an extremely high average score. The only mildly critical review basically says it does every task acceptably well but none extraordinarily.

Review: Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife, Contributors to Amazon.com