Wusthof 9639 Culinar 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

Wusthof has been known for creating premier kitchen knives for nearly two centuries. Most of their knives, including the ones in this set, have a one piece forged stainless steel blade, bolster, and full length tang. (The bolster is the thick part at the base of the blade next to the handle; the tang is the part that goes down into the handle to stabilize the blade, and the tang's being full length means it runs the full length of the handle, providing maximum stability to the blade.)

Wusthof's classic knife design has handles of black polypropylene riveted to the tang with three stainless steel rivets, and a white trident in circle on a red background as the symbol you may be familiar with the look. In the 1990s, Wusthof introduced the Culinar line for commercial use, with hollow stainless steel handles shaped to provide the best possible grip, and a single stainless steel rivet with the trident symbol securing the tang at the base of the handle. These knives are the steak knives in the Culinar line.

I had been using inexpensive but serviceable steak knives for years, but when I got married in 2000, I wanted to get some nicer steak knives to go with our wedding silver. I'd really liked my classic Wusthof kitchen knives, so I looked at Wusthof's steak knives.

The Culinar knives seemed a good match for wedding silver because of the metal handles, but it wasn't until I picked them up that I was really sold. The handle shape lends itself to really effortless use, both for myself and my wife, and the balance is perfect, solid without being heavy. The blades, of course, cut through steak like butter, and require much less sharpening than most steak knives.

Once I took them home, I started using them every day, not just with the wedding silver. Two things that I had been slightly worried about the clip at the tip of the blade, and the possibility that the metal handles would feel cold have not been issues at all; in actual use the handles are perfect, and the clip, not as noticeable against a tablecloth as against the black background in the case, helps prevent the knives from being point heavy and gives them a sharper tip that is occasionally useful. They are simply wonderful knives.

Now, it must be said that the price for these knives reflects their premium quality. If they're out of your price range, you could consider the Wüsthof Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set, with equally good blades and the classic black polypropylene handles, for about half the price. Avoid the even cheaper "Wusthof Gourmet" knives; they have stamped blades like the inexpensive knives you can get in the grocery store, not the quality forged blades of these Culinar series knives.

If these Culinar steak knives are within your price range even if you have to stretch a bit definitely get them. You'll thank yourself every time you have steak!

I have to admit that I have been enamored with the Culinar series since it was first introduced, and have gradually added to it as new items have become available. The latest addition is the steak knife set.

The knives themselves have an inherent beauty and are visually deceptive in that they appear at first glance to be a single piece of steel from handle to blade, though in fact blade and handle are individual pieces with the illusion of being seamless.

The balance of these knives is perfect, and if you are adding to a growing Culinar collection as I was, I would highly recommend these knives.

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