Home > Consumer Reviews > Wusthof Classic Knives - 6 Inch Wusthof Classic Cooks Knife

There are really two main competitors in the high-end mainstream kitchen knife market: Henckels and Wusthof. Those who have used both usually have a preference. My preference (and therefore bias you should know about) is for the Wusthofs.

The Wusthof Classic line is the more conservative counterpart to the Grand Prix line. The only difference, however, is the handle style. I personally prefer the Grand Prix, but this is an issue of personal preference. The balance and grip of these knives are as close to perfect as I have found. For those wondering what benefits a higher priced knife provides, one benefit is that the blade (or tang) is one piece all the way through the handle. This makes the blade much stronger, and less likely to snap.

This particular model, the 8 inch chef's knife, is a great knife. Wusthof offers four sizes of chef's knives in the Classic line, 5, 6, 8 and 10 inch. For most home cooks, I think the 8 inch knife is the best choice. The 5 and 6 inch are a bit small for bigger jobs, but the 10 inch is too big for most jobs. While the 8 inch isn't perfect for all uses, if you are only buying one size chef's knife (and most people only buy one), this is the one I would recommend.

I highly recommend the Wusthof 8" chef's knife.

Ok, a lot of people are talking about the size of this knife compared to larger chef's knives. But, really, how many of us are cooking a feast every day? If you are, then, maybe you do need an arsenal of (bigger) knives. But for people who are simply making the family dinner, this is the perfect knife. It easily transitions from job to job and, at the end of the evening, you're not washing 17 knives.

It's fantastically weighted and balanced, has enough room so that your knuckles don't hit the cutting board (unlike smaller utility knives) and does every job that I've ever needed as I've made supper.

dave's comment:"This knife, the 5 inch, is a bit small for bigger jobs (even smaller than the 6 inch). do we really need to betold that 5 inches is shorter than 6 inches?!
a 5 inch chef's knife may well be the most used knife in one's arsenal of cutting tools, at least in a Western type kitchen. It replaces paring knives which so many cooks use for small chopping/slicing jobsand keep hittin their finger s and knuckles on the cutting board brcaus.e paring knives are too narrow for this use. when you have a 5inchchef knife, you'll neglect any previously purchased sandwich knife ; you'll also probably use your electric food processor less frequently, at least for the modest jobs(after all a knife cleans with a rinse and a wipe but processors demand more elaborate cleaning methods: often a waste of motion and time! by all means: get a 5 inch chef knife - you'll get to love it!

Bought one to try it out and was pleasantly suprised! I had an older chef's knife and when slicing through tough meat and cracking the backbone on a slab of ribs I had to use quite a bit of force. The Wusthof went right through the thick meat and barely had to press through the slab backbone. It also is so balanced when chopping onions or veggies you do not have time to cry. CAUTION!! VERY SHARP!! and if you keep it honed with one of the sharpeners it will stay that way!!

The other reviewer had a point..as a male. The 5 inch knife would probably be a bit small for a guy.

I have also used Wusthof knives for about 15 years and I love them.

I keep losing them to lousy housekeepers and people that just shouldn't be touching them. I'm replacing my old 5 incher because someone bent the tip of mine..hard to do, and no one's admitting it..must have been my dogs again!

Anyway, I own the 8 inch and the 6 inch cooks knives as well, but as a petite female, the 5 inch cooks knife is wonderful for me because it isn't too heavy. I also have a slight case of arthritis in my hands and the 8 inch tires me quickly.

There are times when only the 8 inch will do, but for most small jobs, I use the 5 and 6 inchers.

If you're a petite person with small hands, this is a great knife to use!