WMF Knives Review: A German Made Knife

So, the aim of this WMF knives review today is to help you clear the confusion and make your choice well-informed and simple.

The History of WMF Knives

The company started in 1853 in the small town of Geislingen an der Steige, in the shadow of the German Alps. Straub & Schweizer, a collaboration between Daniel Straub and two brothers Louis and Friedrich Schweizer, produced silver-plated tableware and serving dishes.

They quickly earned awards for the quality and design of their products.

In 1880, they combined forces with Ritter & Company, a metal works firm, and changed the name of their company to Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. That’s a mouthful for even Germans, so the name was shortened to an acronym: WMF.

How These Chef Knives Are Made

The WMF knives are forged by hand, while being assisted by the latest developments in precision technology.

The company’s craftsmen manually use a forging hammer on a single piece of metal to produce joints and transitions that are seamless. There’s nowhere for food particles to accumulate, which places WMF knives among the most hygienic knives commercially available.

The crafting of the cutting edge is computer controlled so that it is precise and uniform along the entire length of the blade. Then the knives are baked again to harden the steel further. Finally, they are sharpened several times and polished until their surface is flawless.

Are WMF Knives Still Made in Germany?

With so many companies transferring manufacturing to developing nations, it is a legitimate question to ask. Many of WMF knives are made in the company’s workshop in Hayingen, Germany, which is located near the German Alps.

WMF knives that are made in Germany are easily recognizable. It is clearly stated on the blade of the knife ‘Made in Germany’ (in German: ‘Hergestellt in Deutschland’).

Other knives that aren’t made in Germany would have no ‘Made in’ printed on the blade. Most likely these would specify ‘Developed in Germany’ or ‘Engineered in Germany’ (Entwickelt in Deutschland) in the product description or be not labeled at all.

The line of knives also isn’t the deciding factor of where WMF knives are made.

How Long Will WMF Knives Last?

WMF German made knives are made from 15% chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel, which is extremely resistant to all signs of wear and tear.

Is There a Lifetime Warranty on These Knives?

WMF has a return policy that allows you to return the product within 21 days of purchase for a full refund. The item must be returned unused for this policy to apply.

If you keep the knives, there is a Limited Guarantee that covers the material and workmanship of the knives. The guarantee expires two years after the date of purchase or at the end of the warranty period specified on the packaging.

Make sure you keep your receipt as proof of purchase. If you need to make a claim or want to know more about the WMF warranty, it can be found on their website.

 Best Way to Clean WMF Knives

You should never use a dishwasher to wash your knives. Consistent use of the dishwasher would make your knives rust. The soap is harsh, and the vibrations will knock the knife around, damaging the blade. Instead, use warm soapy water and a sponge.

Start by anchoring the knife on the counter. Move the sponge along the blade, always maintaining awareness of where the cutting edge is. Use the non-scratch rough side of the sponge for hard-to-remove dirt. Rinse the knife thoroughly.

To dry, wrap a towel around the back of the blade with the cutting-edge away from your hand. Draw the knife through the towel. Although the blade is nearly rustproof, make sure the knife is completely dry to avoid the possibility of rust on the blade and decay in the knife block.

Remember: always maintain control of the knife!

How Sharp is a WMF Knife Blade

WMF makes knives for a variety of uses, and cutting-edge sharpness varies with use. Knives for fine cutting need to be sharper than knives used for vegetables and meat. Regardless of the sharpness, WMF knives stay sharp for a long time.

WMF Knife Blade Angle

If you look at a cross-section of a knife, you’ll see that most blades come to a point by a beveled edge on both sides. Knife angles are expressed in the number of degrees the beveled edge veers from the center.

Consequently, a 20-degree angle means the edge veers 20 degrees on each side for a total angle of 40 degrees. The lower the number, the sharper the knife.

Sharpening Your WMF Knives

Knives should be sharpened every 6 to 12 months, depending on how often you use the knife and how well you care for it. Honing a knife after each usage will delay the process, but eventually, you will have to sharpen the knife.

If you aren’t sure whether your knife needs sharpening, a paper test will help. Hold a piece of paper in front of yourself. Take the knife and make a slicing motion through the paper. If it doesn’t slide through it easily, it’s time to sharpen the knife.

It’s easier to use a sharpener than a whetstone. Simply pulling the blade through the sharpener’s slot a couple of times will restore the cutting edge. Be mindful of applying too much pressure while using a sharpener, as you can damage the blade.

WMF Sharpener

WMF offers several knife sharpeners. Each sharpener is made of high-quality materials with safety and durability in mind. The higher-end sharpeners have two levels of grinding. Each has a guard to prevent the blade from cutting your hand should it slip from the sharpener. The sharpening stones are already set at the proper angle.

Please note: serrated knives cannot be sharpened on a sharpener and should be taken to a professional knife sharpener. Also, none of the WMF sharpeners are made in Germany either. Here are a couple of sharpening stones that are made in Germany.

Honing

Honing is a way to keep the cutting-edge sharp. The honing steel is a rod of steel with a handle, typically made of wood. There is a guard just above the handle to prevent you from slicing into your hand during honing.

If you’re right-handed, hold the steel in your left hand and the knife in your right. Hold the knife, blade down, resting against the steel. You move the blade in a downward direction, keeping the cutting edge on the steel, and pulling the full length of the blade against the steel. Raise the knife and place it on the opposite side, touching the steel. Bring it down again.

Repeat this several times to hone both sides of the cutting edge. Honing rods are not suitable for sharpening Japanese knives, as they are made from a very hard steel. These knives should only be sharpened with a WMF sharpening whetstone.

Finally, always store your honing rod in a dry-clean place where there is minimal dust.

The WMF Knife Range

Here’s the full range of WMF knives. From a classic chef knife through to more complicated knives, there’s a knife for everyone and a price range to suit most budgets.

Kitchen knives

* Asian knives from Santoku Knives and Chinese knives’ collection are best for dicing and slicing with precision.

Small knives

WMF also manufacture other accessories for knives, such as:

Current Lines of Kitchen Knives

The Chef’s Edition line of knives are all stainless steel, which means that they are hygienic and are easier to look after.

The WMF Knife Blocks and Block Sets

Every cook needs a variety of knives for the variety of tasks they perform. Whether you’re starting out or looking to retool your kitchen, consider a block set. Block sets can have upwards of 5 knives. A suggested starter set would have between five and seven pieces.

Another option would be to purchase an empty knife block separately and build your own set by adding individual knives from either the same or various other knife series as your cooking skills advance.

Typically, you’ll want to start with at least a cook’s knife, utility or a paring knife, and a vegetable knife. Be sure to include a honing steel so that you can keep your knives at peak performance.

The block is typically made of wood with slots for different knives. It provides a safe place to store and protect your knives, as well as makes a stylish addition to your kitchen.

Except for knife blocks, there are a few different knife storage options available, such as knife holders, blade guards, etc.

Image	Product	Features	Price
	WMF Grand Gourmet Knife Block	5-piece set 1x knife block 1x vegetable knife 1x all-purpose knife 1x bread knife 1x cook's knife	Buy on Amazon
	WMF Knife Spitzenklasse Plus Block Set	6-piece set 1x Knife block 1x Chinese cook's knife 1x Chinese chopping knife 1x all-purpose knife 1x household scissors 1x sharpening steel	Buy on Amazon
	WMF Chef's Edition Performance Cut Knife Block Set	7-piece set 1x Knife block bamboo 1x cook's knife 1x bread 1x utility knife 1x meat knife 1x all-purpose knife 1x scissors | Item number: 1882329992	Buy on Amazon
	WMF Grand Class Performance Cut Knife Block Set	6-piece set 1x knife block 1x vegetable knife 1x all-purpose knife 1x kitchen knife 1x bread knife 1x meat knife	Buy on Amazon

WMF Knife Holders

Knives can suffer damage when they lie on the counter while you’re cooking. Damage occurs if you set it down on top of another knife or the knife comes in contact with a piece of other kitchen equipment.

A knife holder is a rack for stowing knives when you don’t immediately need them. The rack keeps them safe from damage, yet handy for your use. A recent innovation is mounting a magnetic strip on the backsplash and “hanging” knives there while you work on the surface of the counter.

WMF Steak Knives Set and Are They Good for Steak?

WMF German made steak knives are made of the same 15% chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel using the same manufacturing process. They are high quality with a durable cutting-edge requiring little maintenance. Hopefully, your steaks will always be tender, but these knives can handle anything.

There are six series in the Steak knife category, out of which only Spitzenklasse (Top Class) & Grand Gourmet are made in Germany. These will be a nice addition to any kitchen cutlery collection.

WMF Knives Compared to Wüsthof and Zwilling

WMF products are meant to make preparing, cooking, eating, and drinking an emotional experience. One filled with joy and pleasure. Something the Germans call ‘gemütlich’.

The company takes a holistic approach to design that blends aesthetics, function, and usability seamlessly. The proof is in the awards: German Design Award winner 2020, Reddot Winner for best of the best 2020, and iF Design Award 2020.

Wüsthof and Zwilling are venerable companies that also produce knives in Germany. While there are many similarities in product specifications and production processes, the competitors use different steel compounds as well as styles and techniques.

Review Conclusion: Are WMF Knives the Best?

Regardless, if you are a hobby or professional cook, a meat lover or a vegetarian, have plenty or limited space in the kitchen, a certain selection of knives is always essential to be able to enjoy cooking and be efficient while preparing your meals.

Nowadays, you have a multitude of choices when you are looking for a set of knives. For the money, WMF knives are the superior choice. The proprietary stainless steel provides a nearly rustproof blade that holds its sharpness.

Performance Cut production techniques combine the best of traditional forging methods with the latest developments in precision technology.