Wusthof Classic Vs Gourmet: Which One Is Better For You?
- Published: March 5, 2022
- Last Modified: May 28, 2022
You are wandering in the market to buy a set of kitchen knives but you are at a loss to select the brand line. However, the question is, which knife line should you buy? If you select the Wusthof Knife Set, you have made the right choice, I believe. You are confused once again thinking which Wusthof kitchen knives set should you buy between Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet?
If you go through this article, it will help you to pick up the right one between the Wusthof Classic and Wusthof Gourmet kitchen knives.
About Wusthof Knives
Wusthof manufactured its knives in Solingen (known as the city of blades), Germany from 1814. Every Wusthof knife requires individual steps to create. The Wusthof knives are exceptionally iconic, outstanding in quality, and unparalleled in design.
Eduard Wusthof, designer of Wusthof Classic (the Original) intended to create each knife with special features to last a lifetime. He did, and countless forged knives are passed onto the next generation- then, now, and into the future.
About Wusthof Classic
You will understand the subtle differences between Wusthof Classic and Gourmet if you go through this article. Wusthof offers a wide range of knife lines. Knowing the manufacturing process will help you to select the right one for your domestic as well as professional usages.
Naturally, the durability and quality of knives’ sharp edges determine the abilities, functions, and diversities of Wusthof products. The Wusthof Classic knives are made by forged technique. It is an age-old technique and durable way of making knives that give the Wusthof Classic knives a unique feature. A Wusthof forged knife requires a detailed process with 42-steps to create a knife.
The forging technique includes molding a steel bolster for the Wusthof Classic. The beauty and authenticity of the forging technique appear in the Wusthof Classic.
Pros & Cons of Wusthof Classic Knife
Pros
Cons
About Wusthof Gourmet
One of the most significant differences between the Wusthof Classic and Wusthof Gourmet knife set is that Wusthof Gourmet is a stamped line but the Wusthof classic is a forged knife line. Gourmet, the stamped line is crafted from one piece of metal. Manufacturing a stamped blade cost less than a forged blade. That is why Wusthof Gourmet knives are less expensive than other Wusthof styles such as Wusthof classic and Grand Prix II.
Gourmet blades are manufactured from high carbon stainless steel with a hardness of rating 58 on the Rockwell Scale. This means the knife can hold its cutting edge for a long period for domestic and professional use. Wusthoff Gourmet along with all Wusthof knife lines offers a lifetime warranty. This means you never have to buy again any Wusthof knife lines as they can be replaced if they get broken or separated.
Pros & Cons of Wusthof Gourmet Knife
Pros
Cons
Comparison chart between Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet
| Category | Wusthof Classic | Wusthof Gourmet |
|---|---|---|
Blade Material | High-carbon, stainless steel | High-carbon, stainless steel |
Making Process | Precision-forged | Laser-cut stamped |
Handle Material | Polyoxymethylene | Polyoxymethylene |
Edge Angle | 14-degree per side | 18-degree per side |
Rockwell Hardness | 58 | 56 |
Handle Design | Triple-riveted | Triple-riveted |
Bolster | Yes | No Bolster |
Full Tang | Exposed | Non-exposed |
Cleaning | Hand-wash with soapy water | Hand-wash with soapy water |
Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
Price | Expensive | Less expensive |
Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet: Quick Difference Summary
Design: Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet
There are a number of differences between Wusthof classic and Wustof Gourmet knife set. The most noticeable difference is that Wusthof classic is forged whereas Wusthof Gourmet is stamped in design. The classic line of Wusthof produces blades that are heavier, thicker, and more durable than Wusthof Gourmet knife lines. Wusthof Classic lines are designed with a full bolster that prevents your hand from the blade but Wusthof Gourmet does not have a bolster.
Both Wusthof Classic and Gourmet have the same shape and design. Both of their handles are sleek and black in color with the same shape. The only difference is that the classic knives consist of a bolster with an exposed tang, and the Gourmet knives do not.
Manufacturing Process: Wusthof Gourmet Knife And Classic
Wusthof has a heritage and identity of over two hundred years of history for making knives. Each and every knife of Wusthof takes forty steps to turn into a quality knife. A special mixture of chrome, molybdenum, vanadium, and stainless steel is used to make a knife. To maintain quality and durability, each knife has to pass through the hands of a trained specialist. To keep up value and identity, Wusthof has only manufactured its knives in Solingen (known as the city of blades) since 1814.
Bolster of Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet
Another critical difference between the classic and Wusthof gourmet knife set is that the Classic features a bolster but the gourmet line does not. A bolster is the thick part of the knife connected between the blade and the handle. The vantage ground of a bolster is that it adds weight and balance to the knife but the most significant advantage is that it protects your hands from slipping off when you are cutting food and food ingredients.
Weight and balance of Wusthof Classic and Gourmet
Wusthof classics knives are crafted with a bolster, full tang, and slightly thicker blades that add weight and balance. The craftsmanship makes them slightly heavier than the Wustof Gourmet knife set.
If we compare the Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s knife with the Gourmet version. Wusthof Classic weighs 9.1 ounces and Gourmet weighs 8 ounces. Although the difference is 1.1 ounces, you can feel the difference when you pick them up. It does not mean that a heavy knife is better than a lightweight knife. Some chefs prefer lightweight knives so that they can use them for a long period.
If we compare the Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s knife with the Gourmet version. Wusthof Classic weighs 9.1 ounces and Gourmet weighs 8 ounces. Although the difference is 1.1 ounces, you can feel the difference when you pick them up. It does not mean that a heavy knife is better than a lightweight knife. Some chefs prefer lightweight knives so that they can use them for a long period.
Materials of Wusthof Classic & Gourmet
Each and every knife of Wusthof is manufactured from a single piece of high carbon stainless steel that is an alloy of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium with a Rockwell hardness of 58. Wsthof uses X50CRMoV15 steel to make its blade.
Here X stands for stainless steel, 50 for 0.5% carbon as high-carbon contents promote sharpness. CR stands for chromium that is used to resist rust; Mo for molybdenum also promotes stain resistance. V stands for Vanadium that ensures blade’s hardness and edge retention and 15 implies the optimal percentage of chromium used in this alloy.
The Blades of Wusthof Gourmet and Classic
Although the materials used to make Wusthof Classic and Gourmet are the same, the blades are different. A unique blend of chemicals and materials is used to make their blades that result in hard, durable corrosion-resistant blades.
The purpose of a kitchen knife is to cut, slice, and chop food and food ingredients smoothly and effortlessly. The hardness and sharpness of an edge typically range from 55 to 58 on Rockwell Scale but vary by brand and product lines. The Wusthof classic blades’ Rockwell hardness is 58 whereas stamped blades’ hardness is 56.
The handles of Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet:
The handles of Wusthof gourmet and classic are made of a synthetic material called Polyoxymethylene or POM. Polyoxymethylene is engineered to be highly durable with unique dimensional stability. Actually, POM is used to make eyeglass frames, ski bindings, small gear wheels, and the handles of knives. POM is a tight molecular structure that is used to resist the discoloration and fading of a knife. Usually, high-quality kitchen knives feature a tang that runs through the handle of a knife. Classic knives have an exposed full tang that is used to enhance beauty and durability. Classic knives consist of exposed tangs that are used to enhance the beauty of the handles.
Sharpness: Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet
Wusthof classic is sharpened (how to sharpen chef knife) at a 14-degree angle per side but Gourmet at an angle of 18-degree. The Classic line has a sharper edge than the Wusthof gourmet knife set. To create forged knives, Wusthof’s trained technicians apply a technology called PEtec (precision edge technology) to make an ideal, razor-sharp edge.
The PEtec is a complicated process but the task is done using robots, lasers, whetstone, and a special disk to measure, sharpen, and polish the edges. Wusthof does not make edges oversharpen as you sharpen (How to use a whetstone) the edge gets thinner and more likely to be prone or fragile.
Tang of Wusthof Gourmet Vs Classic
Wusthof classic features a full exposed tang that is the part of the steel blade running through the handle of the knife. The tang adds weight, balance, and durability to a knife and protects the blade from detaching the handle as the blade and handle are one piece. An exposed tang is held in place with three rivets enriching the beauty of the handle design. However, Wusthof Gourmet lines also feature tangs but they are not exposed like the classic line.
Warranty:
Wusthof forged and stamped knives both offer a limited lifetime warranty. Each and every knife is scrutinized with an eagle’s eye by a number of trained specialists to keep up the authenticity of Wusthof’s heritage and history. Wusthof releases defect-free products in the market. However, their knives are exceptionally razor-sharp and only the perfect knives of Wusthof carry the Trident Logo.
Pricing of Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet
Wusthof Classic line is superior to the Gourmet line in many ways. There is one field that the Wusthof gourmet knife set wins over the Wusthof Classic line and that is the price. Gourmet knives are stamped, do not feature a bolster, have a half tang, and their blades are not sharpened with PEtec. All of these have a great impact on Wusthof’s quality and prices. However, Wusthof Gourmet knives are less expensive than Classic knives but not an unwise choice.
How to Choose the Best Wusthof Knife
Wusthof has been manufacturing knives since 1814 in Solingen, Germany. It doesn’t matter which brand of Wusthof you choose. Be sure that your decision to choose the Wusthof Knife line is not wrong. You get high-quality, exceptionally razor-sharp, and elegantly designed knives that will last forever. Wusthof manufactures a classic line for serious home cooks and professional use that is the best performing knife in the market. Wusthof makes Gourmet knife sets also for professional and domestic use maintaining the quality and durability of each knife. The Gourmet line of Wusthof does not bear a high price tag like the Classic line.
If you go with the Wusthof Classic line, it will be a better choice for you because the line is sharper, more durable, safer, having the ideal weight and balance. If you are on a tight budget, you can go with the Wusthof Gourmet knife set. Whatever you choose, the Wusthof line is always praiseworthy.
Finally:
Now, you are well-informed about the subtle differences between Wusthof Classic vs Gourmet. Wusthof Classic lines are forged but Gourmet lines are stamped. You can pick up any line of Wusthof confidently whether it is forged or stamped. All knives of Wusthof are durable, razor-sharp, and offer a limited lifetime warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is located Wusthof knife manufacturing company?
Ans: Wusthof knife manufacturing company is located in Solingen (known as the city of blades), Germany. The company has been making knives since 1814.
Q: Which knife line is better between forged and stamped?
Ans: Definitely, a forged knife line is better than a stamped line.
Q: What is the edge angle of the Wusthof Classic and Gourmet knife line?
Ans: Wusthof Classic holds an edge angle of 14-degree per side whereas the Gourmet line has an angle of 18-degree per side.
Q: Which line of Wusthof should you buy?
Ans: If you are budget-free, you can go with the Wusthof Classic line but if you are on a tight budget, you can go with the Wusthof Gourmet line.
Q: What materials does Wusthof use to make their knives?
Ans: Wusthof uses high carbon stainless steel, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum to produce their knives regardless of forged or stamped lines.