WüsthofClassic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife,Black,8-Inch

Very heavy, sharp, comfortable to grip, easy to use and absolutely the best knife you’ll have in your kitchen! I use it for almost everything! Such a great brand of kitchen cutlery. My Mom is a master chef and suggested I build this knife collection slowly and she was right on the money. Currently have this and the Santoku and will keep buying until I have a full set fit for a chef.

My mom, browsing my Amazon wishlist one day, saw this listed there. She emailed me immediately to ask why I would ever want a knife that is that expensive. Aren't the knives that she gave me as a housewarming gift good enough? They are dishwasher-safe and have a lifetime warranty, she reminded me.I had to explain that while the knives she gave me were nice, they don't even compare to my Wustofs. My Wustof knives retain an amazing sharpness (even when I'm a little lazy about sharpening them). Their balance is unparalleled. The handle fits my hand perfectly. The knives that she sent me always feel dull in comparision, and the handle is simply uncomfortable.I consider a good cook's knife to be essential for anyone who cooks. The question of which cook's knife to buy depends on the person who will be using it. There are two different questions: which model to purchase, and which length to purchase.There are two main knife manufacturers: Wustof and Henckels. I think that Wustof knives are better made. However, some people prefer the handles on the Henckels. The Henckels handle is extremely uncomfortable for me, so I don't even consider them.The second question is that of length. If you are taller, you will want a longer knife. Shorter people will want a shorter knife. I stand at 5'7" (170cm), and find that the 8" knife is most comfortable for slicing and chopping. My best friend is about an inch taller than me and also prefers this knife. A friend who is a couple of inches shorter than me prefers the 6" cook's knife.If you have never purchased high-quality knives before, I would recommend that you go to a traditional store and try them out first. You want to see if the handle is comfortable and if the balance is right for you. Then come back here and order it -- the Amazon price is much better than that found in any kitchen speciality or upscale department store.Also, if you have never purchased high-quality knives before, I would recommend two other purchases: a knife holder of some sort and a sharpening steel. The former, which doesn't need to be very expensive at all (my best friend has one that cost him less a dollar; it is simply a plastic tray with slits for holding the blades), keeps the blade from getting nicked while it's sitting in your drawer. The latter keeps the blade nice and sharp. You should sharpen your knives every time you use them. This isn't very difficult, nor is it very time-consuming, but it keeps your knives in perfect condition.I am extremely happy with my purchase. I am slowly growing my knife collection. You will always find one of these knives on my wishlist. Even my mother has come around -- after experiencing these knives herself, she bought one for herself, and sent me the 6" cleaver as a birthday gift!

This is a great knife. I was originally going to buy an entire set as a gift to my mom, but after much thought - realized that it's better to spend the money on a few quality knives than buying a set where most of the knives are rarely used. After some reading and research, I decided on this 8-inch cook's knife and a 4.5" utility knife. I'm very happy on my decision, and so is my mom. The large knife is used for most meal prep, and the smaller knife is used for more delicate cutting (for fruits, etc.)This knife cuts beautifully and feels great in your hand. It retains its sharpness and looks good too. In fact, everyone who came to visit during the holidays and spent some time in the kitchen for meal prep, exclaimed (unprompted) how great these knives were. They're unbelievably sharp, cutting through meat, cooked conch, vegetables, fruits, and so much more with great ease.The splurge on the Wusthof Classic line is well worth it. They have several others, such as the gourmet line, which are cheaper, so be careful when you're looking. The classic line is full tang (blade is forged from a single piece of metal and extends into the entire length of the handle), and are therefore much more durable and feel a lot better in your hand. I'd highly suggest giving lots of thought into getting really great knives, and think about the knives you use most (i.e. if you don't often eat bread, a really expensive bread knife really isn't a must) when making a purchase like this one.Meals together is a big part of our family, and cooking a meal together as a family when we're all home for the holidays means a lot to all of us. Having a great knife to ease through the long process of preparing a good meal really does make a huge difference. I think this knife will last for a really long time, and am glad to have added it to the collection at home.

I strongly recommend WÜSTHOF knives. The 8" and the 6" WÜSTHOF knives are used constantly in the kitchen. Yes, I know they cost more than most other knives, but the quality is there, therefore the value is there as well. Invest in quality and you won't go wrong. Thank you WÜSTHOF for your excellent knives. I pray you continue your dedication to perfection long into the future.