Shop the Classic Series

Classic Chef's Knife 12 cm | 4 1/2 inch

Classic Chef's Knife 12 cm | 4 1/2 inch
Classic Chef's Knife 12 cm | 4 1/2 inch

Classic Chef's Knife 12 cm | 4 1/2 inch

£89.00
£89.00

Age Restricted Product. Must be 18 or older to purchase.More info
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Product Details
Experience precision with the WÜSTHOF Classic Chef's Knife, a 12 cm forged blade crafted in Solingen, Germany. This versatile all-rounder is essential for every hobby and professional chef, making food preparation effortless and enjoyable.
Specifications
Handle
Length
10.8 cm
Production
SKU
1040100112
Method
Forged
Rockwell hardness
58 HRC
Country of Origin
Germany, Solingen
Blade
Length
12 cm
Width
3.6000 cm
Cutlery
Type
Chef's knife
Series
Classic
Care Instructions
  • Wash by hand and immediately towel-dry. 
  • Avoid using abrasive sponges or leaving your knife soaking in the sink. 
  • Safely store your knife using a storage solution. 
  • Avoid cutting on hard surfaces such as metal, glass or hardwoods like bamboo.
  • Regular honing is essential to keep your knife performing at its best. 
  • Sharpen as needed using a whetstone, sharpening steel, or hand-held knife sharpener.

Frequently Bought Together

When you use a WÜSTHOF knife, you can be sure that you are holding one of world’s best kitchen tools in your hand.

We have been developing and manufacturing our products in Solingen, Germany, the “City of Blades,” since 1814 – loyalty that pays off in the quality and reliability of our family business, knife by knife.

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High quality WÜSTHOF steel: Our special stainless steel is durable, corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and reduces wear on the blade. Ideal for chef’s knives.

Unrivaled performance: Our superbly balanced and ergonomically designed handles ensure that every knife fits perfectly in the hand. Ideal for you.

WÜSTHOF stands for knives. For the moment when your knife glides effortlessly through your fresh ingredients.
WÜSTHOF Knives
WÜSTHOF Knives
Other Knives
Other Knives
Material Premium forged steel engineered for lasting strength and corrosion resistance. Often stamped or made from standard steel blends that may sacrifice durability or rust resistance.
Sharpness 20% sharper than standard knives, thanks to laser-guided PEtec technology. Factory-sharpened blades that start strong but dull faster and lack precision honing.
Craftsmanship Hand-finished in Solingen, Germany with 200+ years of expertise and precision in every detail. Mass-produced or partially outsourced craftsmanship that lacks the same heritage and consistency.
Corrosion Resistance
 Exceptional rust resistance for a blade that stays beautiful for decades. Prone to staining or rust if not carefully maintained—especially with frequent kitchen use.
Edge Retention Stays sharper twice as long as ordinary knives, reducing the need to re-sharpen. Edges wear faster over time, requiring more frequent sharpening and touch-ups.
Limited Lifetime Warranty Limited lifetime warranty – a promise backed by generations of quality. Lifetime coverage may exist, but with less transparency and variable service depending on the brand.

Looking for a different balance of price, weight, or style?

Compare All WÜSTHOF Series

Questions? We Have Answers

What sets WÜSTHOF knives apart from other brands?

WÜSTHOF is one of the few brands permitted to use the label “Made in Solingen” on our knives rather than the less restricted “Made in Germany.” Solingen, Germany is the steel manufacturing capital of the world and, as such, needed to take precautionary measures against fraudulent products bearing the prestigious name, “Solingen.” In 1938, Solingen became the only city in the world whose name is a registered trademark. To bear the name Solingen, all key manufacturing stages must have been processed and finished within Solingen, and the product must meet strict quality standards. This means that even cutlery manufactured entirely within Solingen’s town boundary may not be entitled to bear the name Solingen if it does not meet these required quality standards.

Some of our competitors use the label “Made in Germany,” which does not carry the same significance. We have the honor of labeling our products “Made in Solingen.”

What is Precision Edge Technology (PEtec)

WÜSTHOF’s proprietary state-of-the-art technology incorporates a computer-controlled method for putting the edge on forged knives. Using laser-guided precision, our knives are 20% sharper with twice the edge retention. All forged knives are manufactured using PEtec.

What do the numbers printed on my blade mean?

The number etched on your blade indicates the year it was made — just add “20” in front of it.

In some cases, you might see a second number, which shows the blade length in centimeters.

There is no item number printed on the blade.

Examples:

• “25” means the blade was made in 2025.

• “22 / 20” means the blade was made in 2022 and is 20 cm long.

What is the difference between forged and laser-cut stamped knives?

Forged knives go through over 40 steps in our factory to create the top quality blades WÜSTHOF has to offer. Forged knives include a bolster, which helps to balance the knife. Laser-cut stamped blades go through 14 steps in our factory, and are more economically priced. They are lighter in weight, and do not have a bolster.

What are the most important knives to start a set?

The most important knife in any kitchen is the chef’s knife, and after that, it depends on your own personal preferences when cooking.

How do I keep my knives sharp?

WÜSTHOF knives can be honed and sharpened using a hand-held sharpener, an electric sharpener, a sharpening or honing steel, or a whetstone. We recommend using the same brand sharpener as your knife collection, to ensure that the material used is the correct hardness for the steel on your knives. Our sharpening angle for standard blades is 14˚ per side, and for Asian-style blades (Santokus, Nakiris) is 10˚ per side. We offer a variety of sharpening products with pre-set angles.

Read our full knife sharpening guide here.

Share Your #wusthof Collection

Join our community @wusthof, share your collection, and tag #wusthof for a chance to be featured.

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Reviews

Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 63 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Classic Chef's Knife is highly regarded for its top-notch quality, making it a versatile tool for both hobby and professional chefs. While the shorter blade is praised for its effectiveness, some users find it too short for certain tasks.

Summary topics

  • Blade Length: 8%
  • Product Quality: 20%

Review topics: ["size","weight","quality","edge","balance","service","use","knife","blade","hands","cook","addition","cuts"].

Review highlights

  • "All in all this knife is great and is a nice addition for those of you with smaller hands who like a shorter blade." — Tiffany P.
  • "Favorite Brand Great Quality" — richard b.
  • "The knife is so well made and the design and quality are amazing." — Jeffrey W.

Reviews

Who knew?? Excellent knife!

"I had no idea a 4. 5" chefs knife was even a thing. What a great knife for my smaller (and older) hands. I have an 8" WÜSTHOF chefs knife my sister gave me 30 years ago and a 6" chefs knife I bought in the last year, but I find myself reaching for the 4. 5" chefs knife for just about every task in the kitchen. As with all Wusthof knives, the balance is perfect but there's so much more to say about this one. It just feels good in your hand and so easily moves through and along vegetables, meat, fruits, etc. Simply said, if you don't have one, you should!"

— Barbara S. (5/5)

Man Sized Paring Knife

"OK, you're not likely to pare an apple with it but for so many other tasks where you would reach for a blade that length, this is an awesome choice. And there is nothing like a fresh factory sharp edge to put a smile on your face. The handles on the Classic still give the best control and sense of direction."

— John C. (5/5)

Finally something for small hands!

"It's the perfect size for small hands and arthritic fingers! Prefect weight and sharpness. I've been waiting for a smaller blade forever! The 7"is great for certain things, but my hands prefer the smaller blade."

— Bekkie P. (5/5)

From quality employees come quality products

"A perfect little knife to get around to the places your chef knife just can’t fit lol! Typical WÜSTHOF quality, fit and beauty. There’s a reason why WÜSTHOF offers a lifetime guarantee… You should discover this for yourself!"

— Michael M. (5/5)

Classic 4 1/2" Chef's Knife

"Sometimes a sharp cook just needs a small sharp knife for a small job."

— Sylvia B. (5/5)

Classic Cook

"Bought one for myself and one for a gift absolutely LOVE WUSTHOF have had my Classic collection for over 50 years . If you own any of these knives you know the quality and you know you have items that will last"

— JOANNE E. (5/5)

Never go back

"Once we tried the WÜSTHOF knives, we will never use anything else. From the way they feel in your hand to their performance, they are unmatched. They have revolutionized the food preparation experience."

— Greg F. (5/5)

Great knife :-)

"The size and shape of this knife is wonderful for anyone but especially for people who have arthritic hands and still love to cook!"

— Donna M. (5/5)

Amazing knife

"I have owned and used the 8" daily and picked this up for Black Friday. It has excellent balance and slices perfectly."

— Niko A. (5/5)

Great item

"My order arrived on time and in great condition. These small knives are a great addition to the rest of my set."

— Samantha N. (5/5)

Q&A

Is the Classic 4 1/2" Chef's Knife available with a white handle?
Our Classic white line is more limited and, at this time, the 4 1/2" chef's knife is not available in any handle color other than traditional black. For further information please reach out to our Sales Support Team at info@wusthof.com

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