About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the knife, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2023.

My take

The Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife is a great knife for any home cook who is looking for a tool that can do all tasks in the kitchen. I have found it excellent for slicing, dicing, and prepping all types of meats and vegetables.

About the knife I own

• Model: Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife
• Knife type: Chef Knife
• Blade Length: 8 inch
• Handle Material: Resilient Synthetic Handle
• Handle Shape: Traditional

About me

• Experience: 35 years as a professional chef

Test conditions

• When I bought it: April 2023
• Days tested: 14
• What I’ve used it on: Slicing, dicing, carving, and chopping
• Foods I’ve found it best for: Vegetables, fruits
• Surfaces I’ve used it on: Wood cutting board and antibacterial plastic board
• Sharpening/Honing routine: Currently it has remained sharp and I have not had to re-hone the edge

How it performs

What I was looking for

I love knives, and as a professional chef, I am always looking to add a new knife to my collection. The Wusthof Classic Chef's Knife is a great addition to my set and one that I will reach for often.

Why I chose this gear

I love this knife’s classic design. If something works, then there is no point in redesigning it, and this design is timeless. I had considered other knives which had lower price tags, but after many years of using Wusthof in my professional career, I knew that this knife would be my best option.

What I love about it

• Durability: While I haven’t had to sharpen it yet, I know that this blade will be easy to sharpen based on the shape of the knife and its ability to hold an edge. Plus, Wusthof offers an excellent warranty which covers defects in workmanship or materials under normal use and conditions. There are some limitations to this warranty, but in my experience, they do stand behind their craftsmanship.
• Versatility: This knife can be used for multitudes of tasks, including cutting, chopping, and slicing. It is truly a workhorse.
• Balance: This is a very happy surprise; I was worried that the knife would be too heavy, and what I found is a perfect balance with an excellent ability to rock on the cutting board as I slice my vegetables.
• Weight: Because I have larger hands and like a knife that has a bit more weight but isn’t too heavy, this knife is just right for me.
• Flexibility: There is no flex, and that is a good thing. With a chef’s knife, you want the knife to hold firm as you are chopping, dicing and slicing.
• Performance with Hard Vegetables: I have been using this knife to cut large butternut squash in half and there are no issues with it bending or breaking. The performance is excellent and the knife cuts the squash into large pieces with ease.
• Handle Profile: The handle is very classic and fits nicely in my hand. Holding the knife closer to the blade lets me do fine, detailed work such as thin-slicing mushrooms or onions.
• Blade Profile: This German-forged blade keeps its shine without watermarks and is easy to clean. I clean all of my knives by hand and have found that hot, soapy water, then drying with a soft cloth, is the best way to clean knives. I would not put any knives in the dishwasher.
• Blade Length: The blade is what I had expected in length. This knife is eight inches in length, with the handle being just over 4.5 inches. This size of the knife is great for larger heads of cabbage, large fruits, lettuce, and herbs. I have also found it to be easy to manage for chopping vegetables and cutting meats.
• Blade material: The blade is forged and will not patina.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Protein fabrication: I would use this for cutting filets, both meat and fish, but not for deboning poultry, since I use a thinner knife for that type of task. This knife is best utilized for less precise tasks.

Favorite moment with this gear

I prepare my lunches every day for work; it is a labor of love, and now I will use this knife to do it. My lunches always contain sliced vegetables such as peppers, onions, mushrooms, and a bit of protein. I love how I was able to switch seamlessly from vegetables to meats to lettuce using the same knife. A breeze!

Value for the money vs. other options

I think this knife is well worth the money for home cooks or rising professionals because it will be with them for years. I could purchase a cheaper option, but why would I? I have owned Wusthof knives my entire career, and I still use one of the first knives I purchased at 18 years old—35+ years later. It still holds a place in my kitchen. If I was looking for a knife that is less expensive, I would possibly consider the 8-inch Mercer Culinary Millennia Chef’s Knife.

Final verdict

I highly recommend the Wusthof 8-inch Classic Chef’s Knife to any home cook who wants one knife that can help them prepare delicious meals easily for years to come. I am not surprised with how much I love this knife, since Wusthof has been part of my kitchen for as long as I can remember.