Tl;dr: High-quality cutlery is vital to an efficient kitchen. Not only do professional chefs need the best tools to make mealtime more enjoyable, but regular folks at home do, too.

The right knife will last a lifetime. If you have ever experienced low-quality knives, you know what it’s like to struggle as you cut through a tough-skinned tomato or debone a chicken. A good knife that’s comfortable to handle and has a quality, sharp blade is essential.

Like many young people, when I started out on my own in my first apartment, I found the cheapest knives I could and mixed them with a few hand-me-down ones from my family. I held onto them for years and never enjoyed using the flimsy blades and dull edges.

I discovered Wusthof knives when my daughter asked for them as a wedding gift. I quickly fulfilled the gift and got a full set for myself as well.

That was nearly 30 years ago, and I still have the same knife set. I love Wusthof. When adding more knives to my collection, they are the brand I turn to every time.

Do you find looking at all the different types of knives confusing? If so, you are not alone. There are plenty of high-quality knife sets on the market, and Wusthof is one of the best. In this Expert Guide to Wusthof knife sets, we’ll discuss why Wusthof is an excellent knife company and examine the different knife sets they offer. We also have Curated Kitchen Experts you can talk with to help you further as you choose your next Wusthof knives.

What Is So Special About Wusthof Knives?

In the beautiful town of Solingen, Germany, there is a state-of-the-art manufacturing company, Wusthof, that has designed some of the world’s finest cutlery since 1814. That’s over 200 years — They know a thing or two about cutlery.

With so many knife manufacturers, why go with Wusthof? I’m glad you asked. Becoming a Wusthof knife begins with the best German steel and continues with a 54-step process. Nothing is skipped, and each knife is carefully examined with the discerning eye of an expert before it can wear the name Wusthof.

When you purchase knives from a company that has maintained an incredible reputation for 200 years, you get cutlery that lasts a lifetime and performs like nothing else.

What to Consider When Buying Wusthof Knife Sets

With so many different types of Wusthof knife sets to choose from, how do you choose the right one for you? The best way is to ask yourself the following questions: How much can you spend, what type of knives do you need, and where will you store the knives?

How Much Do Wusthof Knives Cost?

I think a high-quality knife set is vital to a kitchen. It’s the easiest way to have a variety of knives all in one place. Some knife sets include only two or three knives and no storage block, while larger sets come with a storage block with several knives, sometimes as many as 35.

While it may be nice to have 35 knives, you’ll pay a high price for it. It’s essential to set a budget to determine how many and which Wusthof knives you can afford. Remember, you can always add more to your collection later.

The first thing to do when determining how much to spend is to understand what Wusthof knives cost and why prices vary. The Wusthof Classic Starter set is $295, while a block set with 35 Classic Ikon knives will cost thousands.

Prices vary for other reasons besides quantity. All Wusthof knives are high-quality; however, the craftsmanship does range from high to highest. You’ll pay more for Wusthof’s beautifully crafted Amici chef’s knife than for a chef’s knife from the Gourmet collection.

How Is the Knife Constructed?

The construction of a knife determines the cost, durability, and how long a knife will last. How a blade is created has everything to do with a knife’s quality.

To begin, all of Wusthof’s knives are full tang. Tang refers to how far the blade's steel runs to the end of the handle. A full tang knife uses a full piece of steel, so it runs from the tip of the knife to the end of the handle. Partial tang results in a blade only running partially through the handle. This leads to a knife that is tough to leverage and can eventually cause the blade to be flimsy.

Here are some other knife construction variables to consider when choosing the best Wusthof knife set:

Forged vs. Stamped: Most of Wusthof’s knives are forged, which means the blade is derived from a single bar of steel that is heated and pounded by hand into the desired blade shape. This creates a highly durable knife.

Stamped blades are laser cut from a metal sheet into the blade shape. Wusthof’s Gourmet collection uses this method. It’s still high-quality steel; however, the method is less work, and the resulting blade, although still excellent quality, is lower quality than some of Wusthof’s other knife collections, such as the Classic Ikon or Amici knives.

Rockwell Hardness Scale: The Rockwell Hardness test determines where a blade lands on the Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC). It’s done by taking the hardest natural substance on earth, a diamond, and measuring the blade’s indentation into the diamond.

Knives rated under 52 are considered too soft, and blades above 64 are too brittle. Wusthof knives fall at 58 HRC, except for the Gourmet collection, which is 56, making them efficient and durable knives. A knife with a lower HRC will cost less than a knife with higher one.

Edge Retention: Edge retention refers to how long a blade stays sharp. All knives need sharpening at times; however, a high-quality knife, such as a Wusthof knife, will remain sharp for a significant amount of time, even when faced with regular use.

The Gourmet collection won’t retain its edge as long as Wusthof’s more expensive lines like the Classic, since it is stamped rather than forged.

How Many Knives Do You Need?

Last, you must determine how many and what type of knives you need when choosing a knife set. Most knife sets include the following:

• Chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• Serrated knife
• Honing steel

Larger sets contain the same and possibly the following:

• Kitchen shears
• Carving knife
• Boning knife
• Santoku knife
• Utility knife
• Cleaver

If you only use a chef’s knife and a few others, you can save on the cost by choosing a smaller set.

Different Types of Wusthof Knife Sets

As mentioned, there are several Wusthof knife sets with different styles, shapes, and various numbers of knives in the sets. The categories for Wusthof knife sets are Classic, Gourmet, Crafter, Ikon, and Classic Ikon.

Classic Wusthof Knife Sets

The classic Wusthof knives are the brand’s top-selling knives with the broadest variety of blade shapes. The sets come in Classic and Classic white.

Benefits:

• Excellent edge retention and sharpness
• 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale
• Full tang for strong blades that won’t bend
• A finger guard on the handle to protect your fingers when cutting
• Forged from German high-carbon steel
• Choose from a 2-piece starter set to a 35-piece block-building set.

Keep in mind:

• The classic Ikon Knives are heavy, which is only a negative if you prefer a lighter knife.

Gourmet Wusthof Knife Sets

The Gourmet Wusthof knife set is the brand’s most budget-friendly set. It’s the only Wusthof set that isn’t fully forged, but instead, it is stamped, which means the edge retention isn’t quite as good as Wusthof’s other knives.

This doesn’t mean the Gourmet set isn’t high-quality. It’s the set I use, and I have had it for many moons. For budget-friendly knives, it’s a wise choice.

Benefits:

• Riveted handles keep the blade secure.
• Reasonably priced, so even on a tight budget, you can begin a Wusthof knife collection.
• 56 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale is slightly lower than other Wusthof knives but still creates a strong blade.
• Wide range of knives to suit every kitchen.
• Available to fill the 35-piece block building set.

Keep in mind:

• Since the Gourmet knives are stamped rather than forged, they require sharpening every one to two months, depending on usage. Other Wusthof sets only need sharpening a couple of times a year.
• The blades aren’t as strong as a fully forged knife since they are stamped from a metal sheet.

Crafter Wusthof Knife Sets

Wusthof’s Crafter knives are gorgeous. Wusthof purposely gave them an older, more classic look by creating a handle made of smoked oak that is buffed by hand.

Benefits:

• 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale
• Forged German high-carbon steel
• The Wusthof trident (symbol) is on the handle, which other Wusthof knives don’t have.
• Triple brass riveting means an extra secure blade that stays in place for generations of use.
• Offered in a 7-piece Crafter knife block set.

Keep in mind:

• The Crafter series isn’t available to use in Wusthof’s custom block builder. You can only purchase sets that are pre-selected.

Ikon Wusthof Knife Sets

These knives add a sophisticated touch to the kitchen with their modern vibe and clean lines.

Benefits:

• Ergonomic handles made of Grenadill wood
• Double bolster for a secure blade
• Forged German high-carbon steel
• 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale
• Offered as a 7-piece set .

Keep in mind:

• There is a small selection of blade shapes to choose from in the Ikon series. The basics are available, such as a chef’s knife; however, there is no boning knife or trimming knife.
• The Ikon series isn’t available to use in Wusthof’s custom block builder. You can only purchase sets that are pre-selected.

Classic Ikon Wusthof knife Sets

The Classic Ikon is slightly different than the Ikon. They offer the same handle design as the Classic but with cleaner lines like the Ikon.

Benefits:

• Double bolster for a strong blade that won’t come loose
• 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale
• Modern design
• Forged German high-carbon steel
• A wide variety of knives and sets, including the 2-piece cook set or Wusthof’s 35-piece block builder set.

Keep in mind:

• The Classic Ikon knives are quite heavy to handle, so keep that in mind if you do a lot of chopping.

How to Choose the Right Wusthof Knife Set for You

One of my favorite things about Wusthof is that they have something for everyone. Not only do they offer every type of blade imaginable, but they carry various designs to fit every budget. Here are some examples of the different types of cooks to help you find the knife set you need:

Melissa

Melissa is a new cook in her first apartment and has decided to cook more at home. She’s never had a decent knife set and is overwhelmed by the many choices. She mainly uses knives to chop veggies and peel an apple occasionally. She wants a high-quality set but has a limited budget.

Features Melissa should look for:

• A simple set with basic knives, such as a chef’s and paring knives.
• Two to six high-quality knives that will last a lifetime instead of a large set of low-quality knives.
• Knives that are comfortable to hold and use.
• A set of knives with excellent edge retention so they won’t require daily sharpening to work well.

Knife set examples: Wusthof’s Classic Starter set, Classic Starter Block set

Matthew

Matthew is an enthusiastic, experienced cook and needs more knives as he explores new culinary delights. He has some decent ones at home, but they are a hodgepodge of different brands, and he doesn’t enjoy all of them. He often cooks for friends and family and is ready for a mid to high-price range knife set that looks as good as it works and keeps all his knives in one place.

Features Matthew should look for:

• A set with all the traditional knives, such as a chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife, and knives that aren’t used as often, such as a boning knife and santoku knife.
• A set with steak knives since he cooks often and feeds friends and family.
• A set that includes a honing steel so he can sharpen knives as needed
• Quality knives that are comfortable to use and easy to maintain.

Knife set examples: Classic Ikon 15-piece set, Classic Knife Block Set,Ikon Steak Knife Set

Morgan

Morgan is a professional chef whose greatest passion is cooking. He wants knives at home that work as efficiently as the ones he uses at work, and feels investing in high-quality kitchen tools is critical for any passionate cook. He throws large dinner parties that spotlight his impeccable taste and cooking skills.

Features Morgan should look for:

• A knife set that fulfills every need, from cutting a plated steak to deboning a chicken.
• Multiple everyday knives, such as chef’s knives and paring knives.
• The highest quality forged knives for a lifetime of use and excellent edge retention to maintain sharpness.

Knife set examples: Wusthof’s Block Builder, Classic Ikon Knife Block Set

Find the Best Wusthof Knife Set for You

As you search for the right Wusthof knife set for your kitchen, remember to consider the cost of the knives, how they are constructed, and how many knives you need. Wusthof carries a variety of knives for every budget. No matter which knife set you choose, Curated is here to help. Feel free to reach out to a Curated Kitchen Expert to help you further with your Wusthof knife set journey.