Wusthof Gourmet 7-Piece Knife Set with Block

Beware!! Image is deceitful: the design of the knives that is being featured online is much more simple and poorer quality (no curved handle or red label) than the photo that's being used to promote the product! I instantly returned it: actual product and product in the photo are not the same!!

I have a Wusthof Classic that's been sharpened so many times (a decade of daily use), it's come time to replace it. Saw this deal, saw the Classic line in the pictures and ordered.

What was pictured is NOT what was received!

Don't be fooled. This is not the Classic set, it's the cheap stamped out set, and because of it, this isn't a deal. A stamped knife is a stamped knife. It's cheap, light, can't hold an edge and while not really bad, is not something you want to use every day for years and years.

It's a disgrace for Amazon to picture a different product in anothers product description, but it's my fault for trusting them with it and not simply reading reviews and making sure I'm getting what I think I'm getting.

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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 set includes an 8 inch chef's knife, a 3 ½ inch paring knife, a 6 inch sandwich knife, 7 inch bread, a sharpening steel, and an oak block

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.

As for the 3 ½ inch paring knife, this knife falls into the category of overkill for me. Most cooks will get by just fine with the 4 ½ inch utility knife. There is really no notable difference in size for the vast majority of applications between the 3 ½ inch paring knife and the 4 ½ inch utility knife. I prefer the 4 ½ inch utility knife, but the 3 ½ inch paring knife will do the trick.

I have found very few uses for the 6 inch sandwich knife. I prefer the larger size of the chef's knife or the smaller 4 ½ inch utility knife. This knife is just the wrong width and length for most tasks, and falls into the overkill department, except when part of a set.

The bread knife, is a great knife. Many people think tomatoes are the hardest food items to clearly cut. I think bread is much more difficult; but this knife makes the task seem easy. However, this particular bread knife, at 7 inches, is probably too short. I prefer the 9 inch knife.

When it comes to sharpening steels, I have found very little difference between Henckels and Wusthof. As long as you buy a high end steel, you really won't go wrong. Therefore, I shop for this item on price, and Henckels has a price advantage. However as the steel comes with the set, you won't go wrong with this steel.

This set is a good deal as far as price. However, keep in mind you really only get 4 knives, two of which I think are the wrong selections, and one of which I think is too short.

Read Best Reviews of Wusthof Gourmet 7-Piece Knife Set with Block Here

This is the Gourmet set of Wusthof which is a lower quality set from the Classic. If that is what you want, that's great (they're still decent quality knives for half the price). Read below shamelessly ripped from another website

Wusthof Classic:

The best selling line in Wusthof's stable of knives is the Classic which features a 3 rivet handle design. These knives are high quality and Wusthof has done very well over the years with it. If it ain't broke don't fix it should be the modo for this line since there have been no changes to it in decades. These are great knives but and are indeed classic in blade design and traditional handle fit and feel. The balance of the knife is good in the 8" Chef Knife that we tested. We wish they would sharpen these knives without a bevel and many professionals will have the bevel removed by a sharpening service as soon as they purchase them. Overall a solid choice but we do prefer the updated blade design of the Le Cordon Bleu as well as the updated handle design of the Culinar. We score this line 8.0

Wusthof Gourmet:

This is their only stamped line. Stamped knives differ from Forged knives in that the blades are literally stamped from a thin sheet of steel. They tend to be significantly less money than the forged knives and are ½ the weight. For those on a budget these knives perform reasonably well but not as good as those above. For this reason we do not recommend these knives. Score 6

Forged vs. Stamped

Forged Knife:

"Forged knives are hand made through a process of extreme heat and hand molding. Each forged knife is carefully and hand crafted with extreme detail. The tang of the knife merges into the handle and is typically secured by three rivets."

Stamped Knife:

"Stamped knives are made from templated cutters that cut the shape of the knives into flat metal. Stamped knives are lighter but don't have the same quality and balance as the forged knives do. Due to the lack of density, the stamped knives don't hold edges as well as the forged knives. Stamped knives are usually less expensive. "

The Benefit Of Forged Knife And Stamped Knife

Due to forged knives undergo a treatment process to enhance the flexibility, density, and hardness of the knife. Forged knives tend to be heavier than stamped knives. Besides that, forged knives generally offer greater strength and durability as well as better balance, a heavier feel and lasting sharpness. Most of the top notch best kitchen knives are forged knives that come with the more expesive price tag.

Stamped knives are generally less expensive, but tend to lack the strength and balance of a forged knife. Take this as a general rule, though. There are some reasonably priced, yet high-quality stamped knives on the market today that have excellent cutting ability and a light-weight maneuverability favored by many chefs.

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I bought these knives after reading many reviews and comparing these knives to other brands. UPS delivered the knives and I opened the set and in an instant knew I would return the set ASAP. These knives have plastic handles that are lightweight and feel cheap. The blades seemed flimsy and were thin. I expected more and will now go to a store to feel the knives in my hand before another purchase.

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