Wusthof Classic Ikon Paring Knife

I own a Ikon Blackwood paring knife equivalent of this knife (Wusthof Ikon 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife, Blackwood). Ikon Blackwood and Ikon Classic series are essentially the same, except for the handle. Ikon Blackwood handles are made of Grenadill wood, wheras Classic Ikon handles are made from hard plastic. As such, I like to share my experience with a knife very similar to this Classic Ikon paring knife.

In short summary,

Pros: Decent stainless steel grade, excellent reduced bolster design, excellent ergonomic handle, good weight, an overall attractive knife

Cons: Not inexpensive, the knife balance may shift too much to the handle for a paring knife.

The two Ikon lines are forged knives made with a good quality steel blade, an ergonomic handle, a full tang, a reduced (heel-less) front bolster and an additional bolster at the end of the handle butt. Despite the marketing statements claiming it is a high carbon stainless steel knife, it isn't "high-high". X50CrMoV15 is the stainless steel grade here, so it has 0.5% carbon and that is not considered high by today standard. In contrast, VG-10 (used in Shun Classic knives and Shun Pro knives) has 0.95%-1.0% carbon and SG-2 (used in Shun Elite) has 1.25-1.45% carbon. Nonetheless, X50CrMoV15 makes a tough knife with good corrosion resistant. In other words, the edge rolls easily compared to most Japanese knives, but this steel has good resistance against chipping and rusting.

What I really appreciate about the Ikon line is its reduced bolster. The traditional full bolster which extends the entire knife heel makes sharpening difficult. Ikon solves this problem nicely by reducing the bolster. The knife edge is fairly sharp out-of-the-box compared to other knives, but it could have taken a more acute edge. I further sharpened it on diamond stone and then on Japanese waterstones. I can vouch from my experience that the reduced bolster has made the knife much easier to sharpen. The ergonomic handle is truly ergonomic as it claims. It fits my hand nicely. The second bolster on the back of the handle shifts the center of gravity significantly toward the handle. It probably works better for blade-heavy knives, like a Chef's knife, but for a small blade paring knife, I feel it may have shifted the weight slightly much toward the handle. Still, it is not too bad and I can certainly adapt to. I think if you are looking for a very sharp, thin and nimble paring knife, this isn't it. However, if you are looking for an attractive paring knife with good ergonomic handle, decent weight and good corrosion resistance, then this Ikron Classic should be up for consideration.

Wusthoff, based in Solingen Germany has been making quality knives since 1814. I have long been a fan of their product and after using and being happy with their Classic line I was excited when the Classic Ikon line came out. The Ikon line is a really big improvement over their classic line. Thanks to the new handle design the knife fits much better in the hand, especially larger hands and the two thirds bolster will insure many years of trouble free sharpening. The addition of the back bolster not only helps balance the knife but greatly improves its aesthetics. This paring knife is a versatile knife and I use it for much more than paring. It is probably my most used knife. Like all Wusthof knives it performs well and holds its edge. I was so impressed with this line I have retired my old "clasic" and now have many Classic Ikon knives in my collection. This is a great knife that you will be happy with and after your first Wusthof purchase you will likely be purchasing more....

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I've been using an Ikon paring knife for 18 months now and I couldn't be happier about the purchase. This and an Ikon chef's knife do about 90 percent of what I require in the kitchen. The Ikon line fits my (moderately large) hands very well and I find the blade easy to sharpen and maintain. (My wife thinks the paring knife is nicely balanced and weighted, but she thinks the Ikon chef's knife is too heavy to use comfortably; I strongly recommend trying knives at a store before purchase to make sure they fit your hand.)

I don't have enough experience to compare this to other paring knives. The Ikons are expensive, and you could probably achieve the same result at half the price, but given the way the Ikon knives fit my hand, I think the premium is worth paying. They'll last decades, after all ...

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I love the Wusthof Classic Ikon knives and this pairing knife is worth the expense. I have a bit of shake to my hands and the handle to the Ikon series is very comfortable and has a natural feel in the grip. This knife is very sharp, so the combination of a good grip and sharpness means less chance of slipping and cutting yourself. I like this line also because I have confidence that my family can use them, and they do and haven't cut themselves like with other knives we own that are sharp and light but with handles that are not as sleek and wonderful as these. Yes, I'm talking about Shun. Shun knives are so light and sharp (you can cut off a finger before you even realize it), a class in how to use them is something I would recommend. Unless you are a chef and already have the knowledge. With anything else, it boils down to preference. We have several knives in different brands. Some types of knives I prefer in a different brand than what my husband prefers. So, we have two or even three of the same knife. It keeps balance and harmony in the kitchen.

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Well balanced paring knife that's ergonomic with a nice heft to it but light enough to easily maneuver around the task at hand. I especially like the 2/3 bolster that will make sharpening easier...not that I'll need to worry about it anytime soon; the blade is very sharp. This is my first Wusthof knife; I'm now a fan of their Ikon series.

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