The Wüsthof production facilities in Solingen are highly automated, with more than 100 robots performing many steps in the knife-making process, while specific tasks such as the finishing of the edges and surfaces, and the final honing of the blade, are still completed manually.
Most Wüsthof knives are precision-forged, except for the laser-cut (stamped) Gourmet, Silverpoint and Urban Farmer series. Forged and stamped knives differ in the steps employed to manufacture the knife blanks: the basic shape and the integral bolster of forged blades are precision forged in a die at 2200 °F (1200 °C) and then hardened at 1920 °F (1050 °C), while stamped blanks are laser-cut from a stainless steel plate. Wüsthof forged knives have more than 54 steps in their manufacturing process; stamped Wüsthof knives have over 40. For blade sharpening, Wüsthof employs its proprietary automated PEtec procedure ("Precision Edge technology"): the optimum tilt of the blade during the automated sharpening process is computed based on individual laser measurements of each blade, thus ensuring consistent results. German-style knives are sharpened to an angle of 14 degrees per side; Japanese-style knives are sharpened to an angle of 10 degrees per side.
All Wüsthof knives, except for the Silverpoint series (made with steel grade X46Cr13), have the formula "X50CrMoV15" etched into their blade, signifying that the single block of corrosion resistant steel alloy it is made from contains 0.5% carbon, 15% chromium and unspecified smaller amounts of molybdenum and vanadium. The German DIN standard name of the alloy is X50CrMoV15, with material number (W-Nr standard) 1.4116.
Classic – forged, full-length bolster, full tang, finished with traditional, triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle; some newer additions with half-bolster; with around 70 different items, the series offers almost the entire range of Wüsthof blade forms and sizes (chef's knives, Santoku, Nakiri, and Chai Dao Asian-style knives, peeling, paring, boning, trimming and carving knives, tomato knives, bread knives, utility knives, palette knives, sausage and cheese knives, fillet knives, butcher knives and steak knives)
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Classic Ikon – forged, half-bolster, full tang, second ("double") bolster on butt, with curved ergonomic handle (almost identical to Ikon line), finished with triple-riveted black polyoxymethylene (also used in Classic line)
Classic Ikon Crème - Classic Ikon featuring white handles
Ikon – forged, half-bolster, full tang, second ("double") bolster on butt, with triple-riveted curved ergonomic handle finished with African blackwood
Grand Prix II – forged, full-length bolster, full tang with rivet-free ergonomic polypropylene black handle concealing tang
Epicure – forged, full tang, slightly wider blade shapes with full- or half-bolster for some models, rounded, two-riveted handle of a composite material combining resin and cellulose fibre
Crafter - forged, full tang, full- or half-bolster, handle of smoked oak, fixed to tang with three brass rivets
Gourmet – stamped, no bolster, full tang, finished with triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle; series comprises over 40 different items
Silverpoint – stamped, no bolster, finished with ergonomic, non-riveted polypropylene black handle concealing tang
Urban Farmer – stamped, beechwood handle, non-slip bolster of thermoplastic rubber; the series features, among other models, a curved harvesting knife and a machete
Discontinued series
Emerilware – stamped, no bolster, full tang (3/4 tang on knives shorter than 5 inches), triple-riveted polypropylene black handle; name changed to Gourmet
Emerilware (v2) – stamped, no bolster, finished with ergonomic, non-riveted polypropylene black handle concealing tang; name changed to Silverpoint
Emeril Pro – forged with full-length bolster and full-length tang and finished with triple-rivet micarta handle
Grand Prix – forged, full-length bolster, full tang, finished with black rivet-free traditional polypropylene handle concealing tang
Grand Prix II Colour – forged, full-length bolster, full tang with rivet-free ergonomic polypropylene handle concealing tang; four colors to aid in food preparation safety by preventing cross-contamination (blue = fish, yellow = poultry, green = vegetables, red = meat)
Le Cordon Bleu – forged, half-bolster, full tang, triple-riveted polyoxymethylene black handle; advertised 30% weight reduction versus Classic line, made in partnership with Le Cordon Bleu culinary school
Pro – stamped, no bolster, partial tang, dual-grip polypropylene black handle; intended for professional kitchens that do not require chefs to bring their own knives
Pro Colour – stamped, no bolster, partial tang, dual-grip polypropylene handle; intended for professional kitchens which do not require chefs to bring their own knives; four colors to aid in food preparation safety by preventing cross-contamination (blue = fish, yellow = poultry, green = vegetables, red = meat)
XLine – forged, 'X' design bolster, full tang, second ("double") bolster on butt, finished with transparent ceramic coating on blade, triple-riveted transition black handle
Culinar – forged, full bolster, full tang, stainless steel handle shells
Knife sharpening
Wüsthof offers a variety of products for honing and sharpening knives. The product range comprises honing steels in various lengths with handle designs to match some of the knife series, steel sharpeners coated with industrial diamonds, sharpeners with a ceramic shaft, whetstones, and ceramic knife-sharpeners with pre-set angles.
Knife storage and cutting bases
For knife storage, Wüsthof sells knife blocks, magnetic holders, and organizers for use in drawers, as well as in hard and soft cases, roll-up bags, and blade guards for transport. The company also offers cutting bases made from wood and thermoplastic polyurethane.
