Are you looking to buy some new kitchen knives? If so, you may be faced with two options: Wüsthof and Victorinox. It’s no secret that both Wüsthof and Victorinox make quality knives. Both brands have been around since the mid-1800s, and both offer a wide variety of different types of knives ranging from paring knives to chef’s knives to kitchen shears, and so on.
Wüsthof and Victorinox make high-quality knives that will last you for years to come, but their features differ in significant ways that could sway your decision one way or the other.
This article is going to focus on the differences between Victorinox Vs Wusthof. We’ll look at a few different categories to find out which one’s better than the other.
Wüsthof Overview:
Wüsthof is a Germany based company that was founded by the grandmaster Abraham Wüsthof in 1814. Adolf and Hermann Wüsthof ran and developed this family business. The brand’s products were made by many scientists and craftsmen after World War II. This made it particularly famous.
The company had the same tradition as other companies, passed from parents to children. They offer seven knife collections, one forged and six stamped. The difference between stamped and forged is in the manufacturing process. All of the knives made today are produced with high-quality steel combining carbon, chromium, molybdenum and other metals for corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance. The blades will retain their sharpness 10 times longer than a standard stainless steel knife!
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Victorinox Overview:
The Victorinox Company was founded by Karl Elsner in 1884. The Swiss Army Knife has been the flagship product of this company since that time. Victorinox is primarily famous for their knives, but also makes jewelry, apparel, backpacks, etc.
Today, Victorinox offers five knife collections, one forged and four stamped. Stamped blades are light in weight with thin blades. Victorinox blades have a blend of chromium and molybdenum steel for corrosion resistance. And Handles are made of wooden or synthetic material. The company is constantly innovating and improving their products.
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Wusthof vs Victorinox, Similarities and Differences:
There are many factors to consider when shopping for a knife, especially when you are looking for what is called the best chef knife. It can be difficult to know which brand makes the better kitchen tools. Let’s compare them side by side to find out who is better than the other.
Steel Used In Knives
Wüsthof knives use high carbon steel from a blend of chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium that is corrosion resistant. It’s hardened to a Rockwell hardness of about 56-58, which is fairly soft, meaning that the blade is easy to re-sharpen.
Victorinox uses high-carbon stainless steel that is rust-free. The blades are hardened to 55-56 Rockwell hardness, that is slightly softer than Wüsthof.
Both brands have a variety of knives for different types of cooking, from bread knives to outdoor knives to carving knives.
Handle of knives:
Wüsthof knives feature wooden or composite wood handles. Victorinox knives’ handles are mostly made of thermoplastic elastomer or polyoxymethylene. Both knives have contoured handles, which are designed to fit comfortably in the hand.
Design:
Both knives feature a full tang, that extends from one side of the blade to the other. This adds strength to the knife, making it more resistant to bending.
Angle:
The signature design of Wüsthof knives is their edge angle, which is between 10 to 14 degrees. On the other hand, Victorinox knives have an edge angle of 15 to 20 degrees.
Cleaning:
Wüsthof and Victorinox knives are most widely common tools in the kitchen. But every knife needs proper cleaning, storage, and sharpening.
Following are some easy tips to keep your knives sharp for many years.
- The first step in cleaning is to hand-wash your knives after each use.
- Always Wash your knives with warm (not hot) water.
- After washing your knives, dry them with a soft cloth.
- The drying process helps to remove food particles and cooking oil.
- Once dry, store them in a wooden block or knife block.
- Sharpen your knives at least once a year with a whetstone.
- Sharpening will remove any nicks.
Never to do things with your knife.
- Never put knives in a dishwasher. This will dull the blades over time.
- Never leave your knives soaking in water.
- Never store your knives in a closed drawer, as this can cause the knife edges to warp.
- Avoid leaving your knives in a damp or wet area, such as a bathroom cabinet.
- Never use metal utensils (such as a scouring pad) to clean your knives, as they can leave scratches on the blades.
Price:
Wüsthof knives are slightly expensive as compared to Victorinox knives.
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Wüsthof Knife Collections:
There are a number of Wüsthof knife collections, including Wüsthof Classic, Wüsthof Ikon, Wüsthof Grand Prix II, Wüsthof Gourmet and Wüsthof Crafter.
Wüsthof Classic line is famous for its simple design. The line features knives that are best for slicing, dicing, peeling, and chopping.
The Ikon line is well-known for its added convenience, thanks to its integrated, retractable blades.
The Grand Prix II line is notable for its impressive heft. While the Gourmet line is designed with a focus on culinary performance.
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Victorinox Knife Collection:
Victorinox also has different collections. Such as, Victorinox Fibrox, Victorinox Grand maître, Victorinox Swiss classic, Victorinox Swiss modern. Along with that, Victorinox manufactures a wide variety of knives, including pocket knives, multi-tools, and scissors.
The company has a presence in over 100 countries and has around 5,000 employees.
Are Victorinox knives forged or stamped?
All of Victorinox kitchen knives are stamped, not forged. That means that the blade is heated and bent into shape by force from a stamping machine. It’s a quick process that requires less material than forging and produces a more affordable knife.
Are Victorinox kitchen knives made in China?
All Victorinox kitchen knives are made in Ibach, Switzerland—the same place where they’ve been manufactured since 1884.
Can I put Wusthof knives in dishwasher?
You can’t put Wusthof knives in the dishwasher because they’ll rust if they’re exposed to water for long periods of time. They should only be washed by hand!
Thoughts on Victorinox vs Wusthof:
The search for the best knife will ultimately come down to individual needs and preferences. While you can find a lot of brand-name products that will get the job done, at the end of the day you should always choose products that perform well, and are better for the environment.
Between Wusthof and the Victorinox, which brand do you prefer? And why? Let us know in the comment box below.
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