Wusthof vs. Victorinox: How Do Their Kitchen Knives Compare?

Are you shopping for a new set of high-quality kitchen knives, but you can’t decide between Wusthof and Victorinox?

Both are well-respected brands known for making ultra-durable, elegantly designed, and incredibly-sharp kitchen knives.

But, despite these similarities, there are distinct differences between Wusthof and Victorinox knives that you need to know before you buy.

In this comparison of Wusthof vs. Victorinox, you’ll learn how their kitchen knives measure up in terms of reputation in the marketplace, design, sharpness, durability, product options, overall value, and much more. 

By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make a confident purchase for your home.

Let’s dive right in.

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Use the links below to navigate this review:

• Wusthof vs. Victorinox: Quick Summary
• Comparison Chart
• Company Overviews
• Product Offerings
• Design
• Materials and Manufacturing Process
• Weight and Balance
• Sharpness
• Price
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy Wusthof or Victorinox?

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Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick comparison of Wusthof vs. Victorinox:

	Wusthof	Victorinox
Founded	1814	1884
Where They Are Made	Solingen, Germany	Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland
Blade Material	High-carbon stainless steel made from a blend of chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium	Proprietary blend of stainless steel
Handle Material	Wood, recycled wood composite, and polyoxymethylene (POM)	Wood, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene copolymer (PPC), and polypropylene (PP)
Design	Traditional western-style handles with rivets and exposed tang, black or wood handles	Black, colored, or natural wood handles with rounded edges and ergonomic design
Blade Hardness	56 to 58 HRC	55 to 56 HRC
Edge Angle (lower angle = sharper)	10 to 14 Degrees Per Side	15 to 20 Degrees Per Side
Cleaning	Hand Wash Only	Hand Wash and Dishwasher Safe options
Warranty	Limited Lifetime	Limited Lifetime
Price	More Expensive (Amazon)	Less Expensive (Amazon, Victorinox.com)
Top Reason to Buy	Traditional western design; superior edge retention; more hefty and balanced	Low cost; ergonomic handles; durable
Top Reason to NOT Buy	More expensive	Requires sharpening more often

Wusthof Company Overview

When it comes to kitchen knives, Wusthof is one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the world. Pronounced Voost-hoaf, this Solingen, Germany-based company has manufactured knives for well over two centuries.

Wusthof has been family-owned since its founding in 1814 by Abraham Wusthof. Currently, Harald and Viola Wusthof, the seventh generation of the family, are at the helm of this multinational business.

To this day, Wusthof knives are crafted in Solingen, Germany, which is known as the “City Of Blades,” since it’s the home of Wusthof and its biggest competitor, Zwilling J.A. Henckels.

Helpful Resource: If you’re interested in learning about the differences between Wusthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives, you can check out our in-depth comparison.

Wusthof’s trident logo, registered in 1895 and rebranded in 2018, is synonymous with absolute control, mastery, and precision in food preparation.

While many other brands offer knives as part of a broad collection of kitchen products, Wusthof’s main product is kitchen knives and knife accessories such as sharpeners, blade guards, and storage solutions.

Wusthof knives endure a multi-step process to ensure they’re perfectly crafted and measured to provide the optimal angle for each blade. In their manufacturing process, a combination of robotic precision and human intervention converge to create a consistently stellar product.

Independent product testers are continually recognizing Wusthof knives as the best you can buy.

The Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife was recently named “Best Overall Chef’s Knife” by Good Housekeeping, an iconic, go-to resource for the testing and reviewing of a multitude of home products.

Food and Wine named the Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife the Best Tough Workhorse for its superior durability.

The Wirecutter, a New York Times Company, praised the Wusthof Classic Ikon chef’s knife. They love how it’s sharp, sturdy, and easy to maneuver.

We’ve reviewed several different Wusthof knives here at Prudent Reviews, and we named the Wusthof Classic 6-inch chef’s knife the Best Chef’s Knife Under $100.

Victorinox Company Overview

Similar to Wusthof, Victorinox is a family-owned company with a storied history rooted in innovation, quality, and social responsibility.

It all started in 1884 in the village of Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland, where the experienced cutler and inventor Karl Elsener founded Victorinox as a sole proprietorship.

By 1891, Elsener was providing soldier’s knives to the Swiss Army. Just six years later, those knives were patented as the famed Swiss Army Knife.

In 1979, the company officially transitioned from a sole proprietorship named Messerfabrik Carl Elsener to the company we know today, Victorinox.

Victorinox comes from combining Elsener’s mother’s name, Victoria, with Inox, which is non-corrosive stainless steel developed in the early 20th century.

The brand is signified by a white cross on a red shield, a symbol of strength, positivity, and protection since 1909.

Victorinox continually uses innovation and automation to ensure consistency of quality across all product lines, including its kitchen knives. Today, the company still manufactures their knives in Switzerland and lab tests raw materials and end products for quality.

Unlike Wusthof, Victorinox’s product line is not limited to knives and knife accompaniments—it also offers watches, travel gear, and fragrances.

Although Victorinox is best known for it’s Swiss Army Knives, like Wusthof, its kitchen knives receive praise from independent researchers and product testers.

Good Housekeeping awarded the Victorinox Forged 8-inch Chef’s Knife the designation of “Best Ergonomic Chef’s Knife” due to its beautiful and comfortable rosewood handle.

The Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife was named the Best Kitchen Knife for the Money by Gear Patrol due to its notable performance and affordable price tag. Today.com nominated that same knife as one of their top 10 kitchen knives to buy.

Product Offerings

Wusthof and Victorinox both offer several knife collections and, to accurately compare the brands, you need to understand the unique features of each collection.

First, let’s look at the Wusthof collections.

Wusthof knives are separated into two categories: forged knives and laser-cut stamped knives.

I explain the differences between forged and stamped knives in detail later in this article. But, in a nutshell, forged knives are thicker, heavier, and more durable—but they are also more expensive.

• Wusthof Ikon: Known as the “jewel” of Wusthof, this stainless steel knife collection is distinguished by its upward-curved wood handles and forged blade with a double bolster. The first bolster rests between the blade and the handle grip, while the second is on the butt (back end of handle) of the knife. The full tang handle has a triple-riveted design and dark, polished wood finish. The handles are made from Grenadill, an African Blackwood (hardwood) that is dark brown, dense, and has a noticeable sheen.

• Wusthof Classic Ikon: This collection stands out with a forged blade and a triple-riveted, upward-curved, sleek black handle. Its double bolster is identical to the one featured in Wusthof Ikon knives, but it’s made of synthetic material instead of Grenadill. The handle is hygienically fitted, meaning it is designed to keep it bacteria-free. The design allows you to sharpen the knife from the heel to the point of the blade.

• Wusthof Classic: This is the best-selling line amongst Wusthof collections. It has a vast range of options and is suited to both home and professional chefs. It features a hygienic, black composite material handle that is triple-riveted and bears the red Wusthof logo. This full tang, forged knife has a bolster and a slight dip at the butt for secure gripping.

• Wusthof Gourmet: At first glance, it’s easy to confuse Wusthof Gourmet with Wusthof Classic, but they have significant differences. Gourmet knives feature synthetic, comfort-grip handles for and full tang design for blades longer than 12 cm. Handles are made of polyoxymethylene (POM), known to resist fading and retain richness of color. Unlike the previous collections which are forged, Gourmet blades are laser-cut stamped. Since its stamped construction requires fewer steps, this collection is significantly less expensive than the others. 

• Wusthof Crafter: This collection features rustic smoked oak handles attached to forged blades by three brass rivets. The handle shape is similar to the Classic, but the wood gives it a gorgeous natural look. Crafter is one of Wusthof’s newest collections. It was previously only available at Williams Sonoma, but now it’s available in most kitchen supply stores and on Amazon.

Victorinox has two forged and three stamped knife collections. All knives are crafted to be ergonomically-sound and easy to use and maintain.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each Victorinox collection:

• Victorinox Fibrox: Victorinox developed this collection’s design with input from kitchen professionals. It features comfortable, non-slip TPE (synthetic) handles and steel blades that rarely require sharpening. Its textured handle comes in up to five colors (depending on the knife) and is designed to be gripped firmly with indentations where fingers can rest.

• Victorinox Grand Maître: This collection has forged blades with full tang construction and is designed for comfort with sustained use. Its handles come with a choice of rosewood or POM (synthetic) construction and have a downward arc toward the butt. In terms of design, construction, and popularity, it is very similar to the Wusthof Ikon collection.

• Victorinox Rosewood: The stamped knives in this collection have wide blades and a classic triple-riveted design. But, the reason you buy this collection is its gorgeous handles, which are constructed from rosewood, a tropical hardwood known for longevity and its unique patterns. They not only look great, but they’re functional with curves to comfortably and safely position your hand.

• Victorinox Swiss Classic: Looking for a splash of color? This 100% Swiss made stamped knife line offers a choice of comfort-grip, colored (or black) handles to brighten any kitchen. This collection of lightweight knives is extensive and features multiple sets.

• Victorinox Swiss Modern: If you’re a fan of contemporary collections, this stamped knife line might be just for you. It features clean lines with slight curves and choices of wood or synthetic colored handles designed for comfort and precision.

Design

Both Wusthof and Victorinox make beautiful and functional knives. But, which brand has the better design is up to you to decide. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

One thing is for sure; both brands provide many options. From rustic to contemporary, there is a range of choices available to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

Wusthof design is synonymous with class, simplicity, and durability. You’re not going to get a lot of flash with this brand, just sleek pieces that get the job done while maintaining understated style on your magnetic knife strips or tabletop storage blocks.

Let’s look at the Wusthof Classic 6-inch chef’s knife, a multi-purpose knife that gets a ton of use.

It has a straight spine that gently slopes down to the tip. The cutting edge is angled on a curve to promote a rocking rhythm when slicing.

Its thick, forged blades have a full bolster that helps protect fingers, steady the grip, and give proper weight and balance to the knife. No Victorinox knives, even within their forged collections, have a thick bolster like the Wusthof Classic.

For the Wusthof brand, handles are what truly distinguish the style of each knife line. There are several different styles to choose from, which you can see below.

Victorinox offers an array of handle and blade designs that give its knife collections vastly different looks.

With most of its collections, Victorinox gives you a choice between wood stains, black, or bright-colored handles.

Take a look at the different options you can get with Victorinox.

Victorinox blades are durable, but if you place the edge on a cutting board and look down at the spine, you’ll notice that they are not as thick as Wusthof.

Bottom line—both brands provide several options in terms of design. If you want an elegant, classic look, Wusthof has you covered. If you want something more modern and colorful, you’ll have to go with Victorinox.

Materials

Wusthof makes its blades with a unique blend of high-quality stainless steel, carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium. This combination is designed for maximum sharpness. Its scientific name is X50 CR MOv 15, but it’s often referred to as German stainless steel. 

The stainless steel is the base; it provides the luster. The carbon gives the blade its proper hardness, which also dictates how sharp its edge can be. The chromium is an alloy that protects against stains. Molybdenum works with carbon to further enhance the blade’s hardness and combat corrosion. Finally, vanadium adds more hardness to promote durability.

Wusthof makes its handles from wood, wood composite, or synthetic material known as polyoxymethylene, or POM. POM is created with an extremely tight molecular structure that makes it resistant to fading, discoloration, melting, and bacteria growth.

Here’s a brief overview of the makeup of each Wusthof knife collection:

• Epicure – Forged blade with full tang and bolster. Its blade is German stainless steel, and its handles are made from recycled and sustainably sourced wood composite.
• Ikon – Forged blade with full tang and double bolster. Handles made from sustainable African Blackwood.
• Classic Ikon – Forged blade with full tang and double bolster. Its blade is German stainless steel, and its handles are made from synthetic materials.
• Classic – Forged blade with full tang and bolster. Its blade is German stainless steel, and its handles are synthetic.
• Gourmet – Laser-cut, German stainless steel stamped blade with full tang synthetic handles for all blades longer than 12 cm (smaller knives that are shorter than 12 cm do not have a full tang).
• Crafter – Forged blade made from German stainless steel with smoked oak handle and brass rivets.

Victorinox makes its blades from a proprietary blend of chromium and molybdenum-alloyed special steel classified as martensitic.

This classification means that the steel has high corrosion resistance and is capable of being hardened to various levels via extreme heat.

Victorinox makes its handles from wood or synthetic materials, including POM, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polypropylene copolymer (PPC), and polypropylene (PP). These synthetic materials are selected for their excellent ability to withstand wear and provide a comfortable grip.

Here’s a brief overview of the makeup of each Victorinox knife collection:

• Fibrox: Stamped blades with synthetic, non-slip handles and blades that are easy to sharpen.
• Grand Maître: Forged blades with full tang (steel extends to the butt of the knife) and bolster construction. Handles are triple-riveted and come in rosewood or synthetic material (POM)
• Rosewood: Stamped blades with rosewood, triple-riveted handles.
• Swiss Classic: Lightweight stamped blades with a selection of colorful synthetic handles (PP or TPE).
• Swiss Modern: Stamped blades crafted with wear-resistant stainless steel and a choice of walnut wood or synthetic handles (PPC)

Bottom line—although their materials differ, both brands use high-quality materials designed to maximize performance and durability.

Manufacturing Process

Wusthof knives are either forged or stamped. The Wusthof forging process is painstaking, involving more than 40 steps performed by machines, robots, and a team of roughly 300 people.  Every step is necessary to produce a quality instrument.

Forging requires extreme heat (up to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit), precision shaping, and tempering (hardening) of the stainless steel blend.

Once the basic knife shape is established, the bolster can be created. The bolster not only joins the blade and handle, but it also helps protect your fingers from a knife’s cutting edge.

Wusthof forged knives are eventually ground, sharpened and cleaned before being etched, stamped, and honed. Handles are riveted through the metal for ultimate stability.

This video shows a quick behind the scenes look at Wusthof’s manufacturing process.

While Wusthof laser-cut, stamped knives are more lightweight and less expensive to make than their forged counterparts, they still require a 14-step process. They are cut out or stamped from a large sheet of steel and then finished with secure handles and ultra-sharp cutting edges.

Most Victorinox knives are stamped, but they also offer one forged collection, Grand Maître.

With Victorinox, all raw materials to create the knives are subject to rigorous lab tests. These lab tests ensure consistent quality, hardness, and edge retention.

The steel is heated between 1,850 and 1,940 degrees Fahrenheit and annealed between 320 and 482 degrees.

Grand Maître handles are triple-riveted to the blades, while the blades on stamped knives are either riveted or securely affixed by a proprietary process.

The key takeaway here is that Wusthof’s extensive forging process produces thick, durable, and heavy knives that will hold their edge for longer than the competition. However, this process, which takes significantly more steps, increases the cost.

Blade Hardness

The Rockwell Scale is a measurement system used to indicate the hardness of a metal. The higher the score, the harder the metal.

Most kitchen knife blades score between 55 and 60. Harder blades, closer to 60, can tolerate a sharper edge but are more likely to chip than softer blades.

Wusthof forged knives have a Rockwell score of 58, while its stamped knives rank at 56.

Victorinox forged and stamped knives have a Rockwell score of 56 and 55, respectively.

If you look at these scores, you would conclude that Wusthof blades can tolerate a sharper edge, but Victorinox blades are more durable.

But, since both brands make their blades with such quality materials and well-engineered processes, both can tolerate a sharp edge, and both are incredibly durable.

In fact, Wusthof blades, despite their higher Rockwell score, are arguably more durable than Victorinox blades because (with most collections) they are thicker.

Bottom line—Both brands harden their blades to ideal levels on the Rockwell scale, so this shouldn’t be a factor in deciding which to buy.

Weight and Balance

There is no ideal weight for a kitchen knife. It all comes down to what feels comfortable to you.

Some people prefer lightweight knives that they can operate for long periods without fatigue. Others prefer heavier knives that feel more sturdy and balanced.

So, which knives weigh more, Wusthof or Victorinox?

Since the design and construction vary by collection, it depends.

Forged knives tend to be heavier than stamped knives because they have thicker blades that extend through the handle and a bolster to protect your hand from slipping.

When comparing forged knives from each brand, Victorinox knives are heavier than Wusthof.

But, when comparing stamped knives, both brands weigh about the same.

Here are some examples to give you a better idea of the weight difference between Wusthof and Victorinox knives:

• Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife (forged) – 9.2 ounces
• Victorinox Grand Maître 8-inch Chef’s Knife (forged) – 13.2 ounces
• Wusthof Gourmet 8-inch Chef’s Knife (stamped) – 6.25 ounces
• Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch Chef’s Knife (stamped) – 6.1 ounces

Sharpness

One of the most important categories to consider when comparing kitchen knives is sharpness.

You want knives that are not only sharp but also retain their edge for long periods.

To determine the sharpness, look at the angle that the manufacturer sharpens its edges. As a rule of thumb, the lower the angle, the sharper the knife.

Wusthof sharpens its edges at an angle between 10 and 14 degrees per side (20 to 28 degrees total) while Victorinox blades leave the factory with an edge angle between 15 to 20 degrees per side, or 30 to 40 degrees total depending on the knife.

Therefore, Wusthof edges are slightly sharper than Victorinox edges.

The benefit of a sharper edge is obvious—it cuts through food with less effort, but an edge that’s too sharp is fragile and more likely to chip.

Fortunately, Wusthof knives are both razor-sharp and incredibly durable.

How is this possible?

Wusthof invented a proprietary sharpening process called Precision Edge Technology (PEtec).

The PEtec process produces knives that are 20% sharper than knives produced before PEtec became available. Also, PEtec significantly improves edge retention, which means you won’t need to sharpen them as often.

To achieve consistent results, this multi-step process involves specially designs robotics, computers, and lasers.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps.

• Blades are measured with laser precision.
• Computers take those measurements and calculate the sharpening angle for each blade.
• Robotic arms sharpen the blades on a whetstone.
• Knives endure a final polish with a specialized disc.

This process has been proven to deliver superior cutting performance and long-term edge retention. PEtec performance has also been tested and verified by the FGW, a German research association.

While Victorinox and Wusthof knives are both extremely sharp, Wusthof’s advanced technology results in sharper and more durable edges with superior edge retention.

Price

One of the most significant differences between Wusthof and Victorinox kitchen knives is the price.

Wusthof knives are significantly more expensive than Victorinox. So, if you’re on a tight budget, Victorinox is probably the brand for you.

Wusthof is a premium brand with a long history of producing the most durable and high-performing knives on the market, and with that comes a high price tag (check out my guide to the top high-priced chef’s knives).

Victorinox knives are high quality too, but since most collections are stamped, they are much more affordable.

If you’re leaning towards Wusthof but don’t want to break the bank, you can opt for their stamped knife collections (Gourmet and Pro) or buy one or two individual knives instead of a complete set.

Another option is to splurge on forged knives for the pieces you’ll use the most, like Chef’s and Santoku knives, and save by purchasing stamped knives for the pieces you’ll use less often, like bread and paring knives.

The chart below shows the current prices of Wusthof and Victorinox’s most popular collections.

Note: These prices are pulled in real-time from Amazon, so you can trust that they are accurate. Click on the chart to check out more details and read dozens of reviews on Amazon.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy Wusthof or Victorinox?

Comparing Wusthof and Victorinox kitchen knives comes down to three things: design, performance, and price.

In terms of design, Wusthof and Victorinox knives are both beautiful and functional. Both offer wood and synthetic handles, but Victorinox also offers bright-colored handles within their Swiss Classic collection.

Wusthof knives have a more traditional design with contoured, triple-riveted handles, full tang, and thick bolster for balance and safe maneuvering.

Everyone’s design preferences differ, but I prefer the classic look and feel of Wusthof.

In terms of performance, I also give the edge to Wusthof. Since most collections are forged, Wusthof blades are thicker and more durable. Their edges are sharper and stay sharp for more extended periods due to their proprietary PEtec process.

That’s not to say that Victorinox knives are not durable or sharp, but they are not on the same level as Wusthof.

When it comes to price, Victorinox is the clear winner. Across collections, Victorinox is significantly less expensive than Wusthof. Considering the quality you get with Victorinox; their knives are an excellent value.

To sum it up, if you’re willing to invest in a set of the highest-quality knives that will last a lifetime, look elegant in your kitchen, and outperform almost any other set on the market, go with Wusthof.

My favorite collection is the Wusthof Classic (see on Amazon), which I’ve been using for years; I couldn’t be happier with the investment.

If you’re looking for a set that will do the job exceptionally well, but you’re on a budget, Victorinox is an excellent option.

The most popular collection is Victorinox Fibrox (see on Amazon) due to its comfortable handles and very low cost.

Wusthof and Victorinox knives are both available on Amazon, where you can explore more reviews, see more pictures, and learn more about each brand. Check them out at the links below.

• Wusthof knives on Amazon
• Victorinox knives on Amazon and Victorinox.com

What are your thoughts on Wusthof and Victorinox kitchen knives?

Have you ever tried Wusthof or Victorinox knives? Do you agree or disagree with our review? Are there any other kitchen knife brands that you think are better? Please let us know in the comments section below.

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