Wusthof 9659 Culinar 3-Piece Starter Set

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 Culinar line is an all stainless steel look, rather than a black handle. Although the picture and some descriptions want you to think this is a single piece knife, be advised that the hand is a separate piece of stainless steel molded onto the tang. I personally prefer the handle of the Grand Prix and Classic, because the grip is surer for me, but this is, to some extent, a matter of personal preference. This series "looks" more professional to some (like a Viking stove).

This set includes an 8 inch chef's knife, a 3 ½ inch paring knife and a 6 inch sandwich knife.

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.

This set is a good deal; however, if compiling a set myself, I would include the chef's knife, the 4 ½ inch utility knife, and the 9 inch bread knife. Judge for yourself.

I have a hard time believing that someone who has actually used both Wusthof's Culinar and Classic knives would dismiss the differences as merely "looks". Having recently replaced my entire collection of Wusthof Classics with Culinars, I can say the difference goes much farther. The difference was obvious to me the first time I picked up a Culinar knife: it felt like the handle molded itself to my hand, as if the knife was an extension of myself, rather than a mere implement.

A close look at the shape, rather than just the color, of the handles will show why. Wusthof Classic and Grand Prix knives have a traditional handle shape, thicker in the middle with a straight back. That provides a good strong grip if your hand is the right size and they are pretty good for me, since my hands are of average size.

The gently curved shape of the Culinar handles, though, while providing as good a grip, allows more control over the cutting action and the precise angle of the blade. The convex back of the hilt fills out the palm, providing more contact for a more secure hold, while the subtly curved bolster facilitates a forward hold for a fast rocking cut. The taper in the handle makes it a perfect fit not just for average size hands, but for any size hand: a smaller hand will stay toward the bolster, where the handle is thinner, but a bigger hand will cover the handle further back, where it is thicker.

The three knives in this set are good knives to start with. The chef's knife and the paring knife are needed in any well equipped kitchen; the "sandwich knife" can substitute for any of three or four other special purpose knives.

The Wusthof classic chef's knife is available in several different sizes; the 8" (20 cm) blade size works well for almost any cutting task in the kitchen. There are times when it feels like a larger size might work even better, such as when using a rocking cut on a large vegetable, but the 8" always seems to be sufficient in the end.

Paring for example, peeling potatoes is a more specialized task, for which a specialized knife is really superior. The 3.5" (9 cm) blade length in this set may seem short, but it's short for a reason. Often while one is using the paring knife in one hand, one is holding the object being cut such as a potato one is peeling in the other. The short blade length makes it easier to avoid stabbing oneself while maneuvering both the knife and the object.

The 6" (16 cm) "sandwich" knife can substitute for a variety of other knives. For example, it can be used for utility tasks that require more than the 3.5" blade length of the paring knife which is to say, most utility tasks if the cook doesn't already have a 4" or 4.5" utility knife. It can also be used, in a pinch, when what the cook really wants is a second chef's knife for example, to cut fresh vegetables for a salad when it wouldn't be hygienic to reuse the big chef's knife that was just used on raw meat. Finally, it can be used to slice and serve smaller roasts, for those who do not have a carving set.

One note: a sharpening steel, such as the Wüsthof Culinar 9-Inch Chrome Sharpening Steel, is an important complement to any set of quality knives. A cook who does not already have a sharpening steel will need one to go with this set or if your budget is limited, you may consider a steel with just the Wusthof 4589/20 Culinar Chef's Knife 8-in. instead. For a cook who has a sharpening steel, however, this is the perfect starter set.

Buy Wusthof 9659 Culinar 3-Piece Starter Set Now

I bought the 3 piece Started Set and the 8" bread knife and they are the only knives that I use and I feel, the only knives that one needs in the kitchen.

They are a joy to use and are truly beautiful to look at.

Okay, to be honest, at first I choked at the cost but I love to cook and would buy them again in a heart-beat.

Read Best Reviews of Wusthof 9659 Culinar 3-Piece Starter Set Here

I got this 3-piece set + sharpening steel, and have been actually giggling when I use them. Amazingly sharp, feel great in the hand, and I don't have to worry about moisture and/or heat affecting a wooden handle.

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