Wüsthof (also known as Wüsthof Dreizackwerk (German) and Wüsthof Trident (English)) is a knife-maker based in Solingen, Germany, noted for its high quality products. Family owned for seven generations, the company also sells kitchen shears, pocket knives and other cooking accessories, although on a smaller scale than its main competitor, Henckels.
Wusthof's Classic and Grand Prix series have been recognized as top-rated knife lines by Consumer Reports.
Overview
Wüsthof knives have been made in Solingen by the family-owned operation since 1814, currently headed by Harald Wüsthof and Viola Wüsthof. All Wüsthof knives are made in Solingen. The company's products compete against other high-quality household and professional knife manufacturers, including Messermeister, J.A. Henckels, MAC, MCUSTA Zanmai, CHROMA Cnife, Global, and Friedrich Dick.
All Wüsthof knives are precision forged except for the stamped Emeril and Gourmet and laser cut Silverpoint series. Wüsthof forged knives have more than 40 steps in their manufacturing process; stamped Wüsthof knives have 14. German-style knives are sharpened to an angle of 14 degrees per side; Japanese-style knives are sharpened to an angle of 10 degrees per side. Wüsthof's trademark is a trident in a circle.
Product line
- Classic - forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang and finished with traditional triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle (previously available in white)
- Classic Ikon - forged with half-bolster, full-length tang, and second ("double") bolster on butt with ergonomic handle (nearly identical to Ikon line) and finished with triple-riveted black polyoxymethylene (also used in Classic line)
- Classic Ikon Creme - Ikon featuring white handles
- Culinar - forged from single block of steel featuring ergonomic single construction blade and handle
- Gourmet - stamped with no bolster and full-length tang and finished with triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle
- Grand Prix II - forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang with rivet-free ergonomic polypropylene black handle that conceals tang
- Ikon - forged with half-bolster, full-length tang, and second ("double") bolster on butt and finished with ergonomic triple-riveted African blackwood handle
- Pro - stamped with no bolster and partial tang and finished with dual-grip polypropylene black handle; intended for professional kitchens that do not require chefs to bring their own knives
- Pro Colour - stamped with no bolster and partial tang and finished with dual-grip polypropylene black handle; intended for professional kitchens that do not require chefs to bring their own knives; available in four colors to aid in food preparation safety by preventing cross-contamination (i.e., blue = fish, yellow = poultry, green = vegetables, red = meat)
- Silverpoint - stamped with no bolster and finished with ergonomic non-riveted polypropylene black handle that conceals tang
- XLine - forged with "X" design bolster, full-length tang,and second ("double") bolster on butt and finished with transparent ceramic coating on blade and triple-riveted transition black handle
DISCONTINUED
- Emerilware - stamped with no bolster and full-length tang (3/4 tang on knives shorter that 5 inches) and finished with traditional triple-riveted polypropylene black handle, evolved into Gourmet
- Emerilware (v2) - stamped with no bolster and finished with ergonomic non-riveted polypropylene black handle that conceals tang; evolved into Silverpoint
- Emeril Pro - forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang and finished with triple-rivet traditional micarta handle
- Grand Prix - forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang and finished with rivet-free traditional polypropylene handle that conceals tang
- Grand Prix II Colour forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang with rivet-free ergonomic polypropylene handle that conceals tang; available in four colors to aid in food preparation safety by preventing cross-contamination (i.e., blue = fish, yellow = poultry, green = vegetables, red = meat)
- Le Cordon Bleu - forged with half-bolster and full-length tang and finished with traditional triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle; advertised 30% weight reduction versus Classic line, made in partnership with Le Cordon Bleu culinary school
Top rated series
Both the Classic and Grand Prix lines were the top rated knives in a test of knives by Consumer Reports in November 2005, and are consistently given high ratings by Cook's Illustrated magazine.
Professional users
Wüsthof knives pay famous chefs worldwide to endorse and use their knives, including Martha Stewart (Classic range), Gordon Ramsay (Classic Ikon range), Jamie Oliver (both Classic and Ikon), James Martin (Culinar), Michael Cox, and Emeril Lagasse (Emeril).
Formula
All Wüsthof knives, except Gourmet and Silverpoint series, have the formula "X 50 Cr Mo V 15" etched into their blade, signifying that each is made with 0.5% carbon, 15% chromium and unspecified but smaller amounts of molybdenum and vanadium. X50CrMoV15 is the German DIN standard name of the alloy, with material number (W-Nr standard) 1.4116.
References
External links
- Official English Wüsthof website
- Interactive Knife Steel Composition Database
