The Wusthof Ikon chef knife is part of one of the best knife lines from the brand. The knives have a modern design, natural wood handle and are made from the highest quality materials. Thus, a joy to use for the most pretentious user. In this review we will look at all thre versions of chef knives on offer on this line. If you already own a great chef knife you should also check out the entire Wusthof Ikon knives line in order to get what’s missing.
Review of the 3 Ikon chef knives
Wusthof knives are one of the most trusted and well-known knives in the world. Manufactured in Solingen, Germany since 1814, Wusthof knives have dominated the sale of knives around the universe for many years. The knives are made of high quality materials and are guaranteed to last a lifetime. Their focus on quality craftsmanship at every stage of the knife manufacturing process, from design all the way to product packing, is certainly another reason why the company remains one of the most trusted brands. Below is a comprehensive review of the top three Wusthof Ikon Chef Knives on the market.
Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch Chef Knife
The Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife is one of the best-selling Wusthof chef knives on the market. It is a versatile tool that can be sued for mincing, slicing and dicing all kinds of food. Here are some of the key features of the knife.
Knife Design
The Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife has an elegant design and can be a perfect addition to any modern or contemporary kitchen. The 9-inch long blade extends to the handle to form a full tang that is firmly attached to the handle using three stainless steel rivets. The ergonomic design and the African Blackwood add beauty and elegance to the knife.
However, you need to polish the wooden handle with the Wusthof mineral oil to keep it shiny always. Overall, the Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife is perfectly designed and is a perfect option for both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts.
Knives Blade
The Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife comes with an exquisitely sharp blade. The blade is forged from a single layer of high carbon German steel for maximum durability, strength and outstanding razor-like sharpness. Wusthof uses special steel that contains 15% chromium, 5% carbon, molybdenum and vanadium. Chromium makes up the high percentage of the metal. It is an alloy that helps to improve the stain and corrosion properties of the blade. This explains why Wusthof knives are very easy clean.
About 5% of the blade is carbon. Carbon helps to increase the durability and hardness of the blade. The rest of the blade is molybdenum and vanadium. Molybdenum helps the blade to resist corrosion as well as increases its hardness. Vanadium is a chemical element that increases the durability and hardness of the blade.
Just like other Wusthof knives, the Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife undergoes a 40-step process, where they are heat molded from the high carbon steel. The steel sheets are heated to about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and precision forged. Next the blade is tempered to a Rockwell hardness rating of 58 to enhance its strength, durability and edge retention.
The Wusthof 9-inch chef knife is sharpened to a total of 14-degrees angle using the Wusthof’s PEtec technology. The technology entails the uses of computer lasers, roots, whetstone and special disks to measure, sharpen and polish the edges. The makes the blade 20 times sharper than other blades in the same class.
Knives Handle
The handle of the Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch chef knife is made from high quality African Blackwood. African Blackwood is very dense and has a low porosity and high resin. This gives the handle excellent moisture resistance properties. The straight fine grains of the wood add beauty to the handle. The handle is attached to the full tang using three rivets. It bends slightly at the butt end to offer you a firm grip. Also, it is specially designed to provide you maximum comfort while using the blade.
Bottom Line
The Wusthof Ikon 9-Inch Chef is an incredibly sharp and well balanced knife and a beautiful item that everyone should have in their kitchen. Regardless of the wooden handle that requires regular polishing, the knife is great and well worth the initial investment of any modern kitchen.
Wusthof Ikon 8-Inch Chef Knife
If you are looking for a high quality chef knife and do not want spend more, then the Wusthof Ikon 8-Inch Chef Knife is the best option. Made in Solingen, Germany by professional blacksmiths, this cook’s knife is certainly precise, durable and guaranteed to last for years if not decades. With blade length of 8 inches, this chef knife can be used for chopping potatoes, mincing shallots, dicing apples, slicing salmon and many other uses. Here are detailed of the main features of the Wusthof Ikon 8-Inch Chef Knife.
Knife Design
With its razor-like cutting edge, ergonomic handle and intuitive design, the Wusthof Ikon 8-Inch Chef knife is one of the most appealing chef knives in the universe. This knife is loved by nearly everyone from professional chefs, to experienced home cooks to absolute beginners. The chef knife is made of high quality materials and has a sleek beautiful design. The knife is outstandingly sharp and it is lightweight and relatively easy to cook with. Its handle is made of African Blackwood, which further adds to its exquisite beauty.
Knife Blade
The Wusthof Ikon 8-inch Chef Knife is made of a single layer of high carbon German stainless, which is a mixture of a carbon, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium. This results into an outstandingly strong and tough blade. The blade has a scalpel-like edge and resistant to rust and corrosion. The edge is sharped at 28 degrees angle on both sides using the Wusthof PEtec technology, making it 20 times sharper than the standard chef knives on the market. The blade is further hardened to a Rockwell rating of 58, to enhance it edge retention properties and toughness.
The blade is attached to the handle with three rivets for maximum durability. You do not need to keep sharpening the knife before use as it is made is such a way that it retains its razor-like edge for an extended period of time. The knife also has a full tang, meaning that the blade extends all the way to the end of the handle. A full tang gives more control over the knife and the chances of knife breaking are minimal.
Knife Handle
The Wusthof Ikon 8-Inch Chef Knife comes with an ergonomically designed African Blackwood handle. The handle is firmly attached to the blade using three rivets for maximum durability. Like other Wusthof knives, the handle of this 8-inch chef knife is precision polished and quality inspected so you there are no scratches on your hands. African Blackwood gives the handle ability to resist moisture and stains. You need to keep polishing the African Blackwood handle with the Wusthof’s mineral oil so that it retains its lustiness.
The Bottom Line
The Wusthof Ikon 8-inch Chef Knife is a reliable cook’s knife and great option for professional chefs and home cooks. It is made of high quality materials that are guaranteed to last for long. The blade is precision forged from high carbon stainless steel while the handle is made from high quality African Blackwood. You can be sure that will not disappoint you.
Wusthof Ikon 6-inch Chef Knife
For those having a shorter hand, to have a 6-inch chef knife is vital if they do not want to experience squishes on the board while cutting. What they need is a knife with a short blade and handle, and they shall be able to carry out their cutting tasks smoothly. Even though the size of a chef knife is really a persona choice, it should have more to do with the feel when using the knife with the hands. A short 6-inch is not ideal option if you will be cutting food items with a large diameter, such as a watermelon as you will not be able to do it in just a single stroke. Here some of the key features of the Wusthof 6-inch chef knife.
Knife Design
The Wusthof Ikon 6-Inch chef knife comes with an elegant design just like the other two chef knives we have discussed above. The only difference is the shorter blade length that is specifically meant for people with shorter hands. The handle is made from high quality African Blackwood for added beauty and durability. The handle boasts a triple-riveted design and has a luster appearance.
Knife Blade
The blade of the Wusthof Ikon 6-Inch chef is precision forged from a single layer of high carbon stainless steel for enhanced toughness, strength, excellent edge retention and super corrosion and rust resistance properties. The blade is sharpened using the Wusthof PEtec technology, making it 20 times sharper than other standard chef knives on the market. Each side of the blade is sharpened using computer lasers and robots at an angle of 14 degrees. The blade is ice hardened to a Rockwell rating of 58, giving it an excellent cutting edge retention and incredible sharpness.
Knife Handle
The handle of this chef knife is made from high quality African Blackwood. The African Blackwood not gives excellent moisture resistance properties, but also enhances the beauty of the handle. The handle is attached to the blade using three strong rivets for maximum durability.
The Bottom Line
The Wusthof Ikon 6-Inch is a perfect option for people with shorter hands. The knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. You will certainly love the outstanding sharpness of this knife.
