# Best Wusthof knife sets: Classic, Classic Ikon and Gourmet Source: https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-wusthof-knife-sets Publisher: Edge & Haft. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://edgeandhaft.com/how-we-pick Wusthof sells many block sets, and the piece count on the box is a poor guide to value. Shears, a honing steel and the block itself all count as pieces. The first real choice is the series. Classic and Classic Ikon knives are forged from a single block of high carbon stainless and tempered to 58 HRC, according to the listings, while Gourmet knives are laser-cut and stamped, which makes them lighter and cheaper. Next, check the chef's knife: most sets here include an 8-inch one, but some smaller sets only have a 6-inch. Last, match the block to your counter: a 15 or 17 slot block leaves room to grow, a slim acacia block saves space, and an in-drawer tray clears the counter. This guide compares eight Wusthof sets on those points using only listing facts. ## Picks ### 1. WÜSTHOF Classic 7-Piece Knife Block Set Pieces: 7; Chef knife: 8 in Classic chef's; Steel: High carbon stainless, forged; Hardness (HRC): 58; Edge angle: Not stated; Block: 15-slot natural Wusthof's Classic 7-piece set with forged 58 HRC blades, a 15-slot block and full-tang triple-riveted handles. The pick for cooks who want a tough German set. What the listing offers: - Precision forged from a single block of high carbon stainless and tempered to 58 HRC, per the listing. - 15-slot natural block leaves plenty of room for more knives. - The listing states a limited lifetime warranty and full-tang triple-riveted handles. Limits to know: - 58 HRC is softer than the Japanese sets here, so expect more frequent honing. - Hand wash only, per the listing, and the edge angle is not stated. ### 2. WÜSTHOF Classic 6-Piece Knife Block Set Series: Classic; Construction: Forged, full tang; Knives included: 3.5" paring, 5" serrated utility, 8" chef; Chef's knife: 8 in; Hardness (HRC): 58; Block: 15-slot block A smaller forged Classic set with paring, serrated utility and 8-inch chef knives, a honing steel, shears and a 15-slot block. The value pick for forged Wusthof quality. What the listing offers: - Lowest price of the forged Classic and Ikon block sets here. - Same forged high carbon stainless at 58 HRC as the larger Classic sets, per the listing. - 15-slot block leaves plenty of room to build the set over time. Limits to know: - No bread knife; the 5 in serrated utility knife covers small loaves and tomatoes only. - Only three knives, so the empty slots are a reminder of what is missing. ### 3. Wusthof Classic 5 Piece In-Drawer Knife Block Set Series: Classic; Construction: Forged, full tang with bolster; Knives included: 3.5" paring, 5.5" serrated sandwich, 6" kiritsuke prep, 8" chef; Chef's knife: 8 in; Hardness (HRC): 58; Block: 7-slot wood in-drawer tray Four Classic knives, including a 6-inch kiritsuke prep knife, in a 7-slot in-drawer tray. For cooks who want forged Wusthof quality with a clear counter. What the listing offers: - Listing states 58 Rockwell hardness and a 14-degree blade angle on each side. - In-drawer tray dimensions are listed: 17 in long, 4.25 in wide, 3 in tall with knives. - Adds a 6 in kiritsuke prep knife that the standard Classic sets do not include. Limits to know: - No honing steel or shears are listed in this set. - Check your drawer depth and length against the stated tray size before buying. ### 4. Wusthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Slim Knife Set with Acacia Block Series: Classic Ikon; Construction: Forged, reduced bolster; Knives included: 3.5" paring, 5" serrated utility, 5" santoku, 8" bread, 8" chef; Chef's knife: 8 in; Hardness (HRC): 58; Block: 6-slot slim acacia block Five Classic Ikon knives, including a 5-inch hollow edge santoku, plus shears in a slim 6-slot acacia block. Suits small counters where a 15-slot block will not fit. What the listing offers: - Listing states 58 Rockwell and a 14-degree blade angle on each side. - Five knives including a santoku, the widest knife mix of the Ikon sets here. - Slim acacia block is described as designed to maximize counter space. Limits to know: - The 6-slot block is full on arrival, so there is no room to add knives. - No honing steel is listed in this slim set. ### 5. WÜSTHOF Classic IKON 6-Piece Knife Block Set Pieces: 6; Chef knife: 8 in Classic Ikon chef's; Steel: High carbon stainless, forged; Hardness (HRC): 58; Edge angle: Not stated; Block: 15-slot A smaller Classic Ikon set with a double-bolster 8 inch chef's knife, paring and bread knives, steel, shears and a 15-slot block. For buyers who want Ikon's handle. What the listing offers: - Classic Ikon double bolster design for balance, per the listing. - Forged high carbon stainless tempered to 58 HRC with the PEtec edge. - 15-slot block leaves room to grow, and a limited lifetime warranty is stated. Limits to know: - Only three knives: no utility knife is listed in this set. - Costs more than the Wusthof Classic 7-piece set, which includes a utility knife. ### 6. WÜSTHOF Classic 9-Piece Knife Block Set Series: Classic; Construction: Forged, full tang; Knives included: 3.5" paring, 4.5" utility, 4.5" Asian utility, 5" serrated utility, 8" bread, 8" chef; Chef's knife: 8 in; Hardness (HRC): 58; Block: 17-slot block A larger Classic set with six knives, a honing steel, shears and a 17-slot block. For households that want several small knives for more than one cook. What the listing offers: - Six forged Classic knives at 58 HRC, per the listing. - Includes a 4.5 in Asian utility knife alongside the standard pieces. - 17-slot block has the most open space for growth of any set here. Limits to know: - Three small utility knives overlap in use, so much of the extra cost goes to similar blades. - Highest price in this guide, and still no santoku. ### 7. WÜSTHOF Gourmet 16-Piece Knife Block Set Series: Gourmet; Construction: Laser-cut, stamped; Knives included: Peeling, 3 paring/trimming, 4.5" utility, 4 steak, 5" santoku, spreader, 8" bread, 8" chef; Chef's knife: 8 in; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; Block: Not stated A large stamped Gourmet set with an 8-inch chef, bread and santoku knives plus four steak knives. Fits buyers who want many pieces and table knives at a mid-range price. What the listing offers: - Includes four 4.5 in steak knives, a santoku and an 8 in chef's knife, per the listing. - Laser-cut stamped blades are described as offering quality and value with easy maintenance. - Triple-riveted synthetic handles are listed as resisting heat and impact. Limits to know: - Stamped, not forged, and the listing gives no Rockwell hardness. - The block slot count is not stated in the listing. ### 8. WÜSTHOF Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set Series: Gourmet; Construction: Laser-cut, stamped; Knives included: 2 paring, trimming, 4.5" utility, 5" serrated utility, spreader, 6" chef; Chef's knife: 6 in; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; Block: 15-slot block The lowest-priced Wusthof set here, with stamped Gourmet knives, a 6-inch chef's knife, steel, shears and a 15-slot block. Suits small kitchens or a starter set. What the listing offers: - Lowest listed price of any Wusthof block set in this guide. - 15-slot block leaves room to add an 8 in chef's knife later. - Includes honing steel and come-apart shears, per the listing. Limits to know: - The only chef's knife is 6 in, which is short for large produce. - No bread knife, and the listing gives no hardness for the stamped blades. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.