A smaller bread knife that can be used for a variety of tasks, especially if they involve cutting through tough exteriors. —DETAILS—

WSTHOF knives have been manufactured in the city of Solingen, Germany since 1814, and are recognised around the world for superior craftsmanship. Every knife in the Classic range is fully forged from a single piece of stainless steel so it has a full tang, which allows for excellent blade-to-handle balance. The high-carbon blade undergoes a process in which the steels molecular structure is realigned to be stronger and more robust, honed twice by hand and once by laser to ensure a perfect finish. As a result, it is extremely durable and retains sharpness well. The traditional riveted handle features a full bolster and finger guard, aiding the proper knife technique in which your thumb and forefinger grip the blade.

—BENEFITS— Western-style knives are designed to be heavier than Japanese knives because the weight of a blade does a lot of the work, especially when cutting tough foods like swedes or lamb shanks. What WSTHOF has mastered is balancing that weight between the blade and handle so you feel more in control when you chop. Justin