We compared two 20cm German chef's knives at very different prices: the stamped Zwilling Gourmet and the forged Wüsthof Classic Ikon.
What we looked at
Construction, steel and stated hardness, weight, care, and price.
The verdict
If you want a well-made German knife at under half the price, a stated 185g weight and dishwasher-safe care, the Zwilling Gourmet is the value pick. If you want a knife forged from a single block, tempered to a stated 58 HRC with a double bolster, and don't mind paying about two and a half times as much and hand washing it, the Wüsthof Classic Ikon is the premium option.
A light, dishwasher-safe FRIODUR-steel knife at under half the price, but stamped rather than forged with a plastic handle.
Forged from one block, tempered to 58 HRC with a double bolster, but it costs about 2.5 times as much and is hand wash only.
ZWILLING Gourmet Chef's Knife 20 cm — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a 20cm chef's knife made in Solingen, Germany, with an ice-hardened FRIODUR special formula steel blade, a classic three-rivet design and a non-slip, lightweight handle.
What we liked
- Less than half the price of the Wüsthof Classic Ikon on these listings
- Ice-hardened FRIODUR blade stated to offer long-lasting sharpness and corrosion resistance
- Light at a stated 185g, with a non-slip handle
- Dishwasher-safe
- Made in Solingen, Germany
Worth knowing
- Stamped from stainless steel rather than forged, and with a plastic handle
- No hardness figure stated in the listing
Best for
- Home cooks who want a well-made German knife at a lower price
- Anyone who prefers a light knife
- Buyers who want a dishwasher-safe knife
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want a forged knife with a double bolster
- Anyone who wants a stated hardness rating
Wüsthof Classic Ikon 8 Inch Chef's Knife (20 cm, Black) — Premium Forged
Intended for: Marketed as a German-made, forged 20cm chef's knife from a single block of high carbon stainless steel, tempered to 58-degree HRC, with a distinctive double bolster and an ergonomic black handle.
What we liked
- Forged from a single block of high carbon stainless steel
- Tempered to a stated 58-degree HRC
- Double bolster design for balance and heft
- Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) stated to make the blade sharper
- Family-owned Solingen maker with a 200-year history
Worth knowing
- Costs about two and a half times as much as the Zwilling Gourmet on these listings
- Hand wash only
Best for
- Cooks who want a forged premium knife with a double bolster
- Buyers who want a stated 58 HRC hardness
- Anyone who wants a long-term investment knife
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who wants a dishwasher-safe knife
