Has anyone tried Gunter Wilhelm Knives?

[Robo410]

They were selling this weekend at Costco

[dicknchick]

aside from all the "he said, she said", all models of GW knives are on sale at costco for $34.95.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by sarahj64

I got laid off from my job (banking), and my goal during my time off is to learn to cook. I just bought these knives, because I couldn't afford the Cutco ones that were $1000. I got them at Costco so I didn't have to pay shipping. For a VERY beginner, how are they? Everyone on this site seems pretty advanced... Thank you!

If you've never had "good" knives before, you'll enjoy these. Keep them sharp and they'll last a long time.

[sleepytealeaf]

I was looking for some reviews on GW knives as well when I hit on this thread. I have been trying to decide whether or not to be disappointed in my purchase of the GW 250 set. I bought it supposedly "new" and unopened off of eBay for an exceptionally good price, even better than what it's on sale for on the GW site. I felt like I was taking a chance, but I am pretty darn tired of my Ronco set and single Rachel Ray knife.

I was initially disappointed by some quality flaws on the GWs as soon as I opened the box. Rough spots on the metal near the "balance point" where your thumb and forefinger grasp the handle, a broken tip on the bread slicer and a big ding on the cutting edge of the santoku and a weird wavy-ness from the santoku's tapering bolster down to the heel. I managed to smooth the ding out somewhat by honing but it was still there. So, I wrote GW via e-mail. A man claiming to be Paul Hellman wrote back politely and said all would be taken care of and if I would kindly submit it via the warranty process on their website and call in this Monday. So I did. I talked to someone named Jim though Hellman told me to ask for Nick. Long story short, Nick called me back and said my warranty submission was processed and I will receive the knives in about a week. So I am waiting for them now.

Okay, so it's like this. I have champagne tastes on a soda water budget. I would love to get all picky and scientific about metal combinations and hair splitting techniques, but it doesn't get dinner made. I am disappointed in their obvious manufacturing flaws. I have my own high doubts as to where GW knives are made - because I have yet to come across a truly German made product that was less than excellent. (I'm sure there is always the exception). I am SO glad I did not pay more than I did for the set (I got 6 steak knives included as well).

On the up side however. Since my circumstance is not that of a purist I am more than willing to say these should make a fine set of daily use knives with proper care. If you don't pay too much for them, by all means get them. Enjoy them. They make nice eye candy for your counter top. They seem to slice and dice and chop and do all the usual things with ease - especially compared to my previous knives. A big caveat is that the 10 inch chef's is quite a bit too big for my hand's comfort and it's rather heavy and could get tedious for me to use. The Pakka wood handles are also a little harsh-edged and could do with a hint of softening, but perhaps that will come with repeated use.

As a slight aside - I bought an 8 inch Hammer Stahl chef's knife from a local fair, which looks almost exactly like GWs and claims exactly the same things including lifetime warranty..pakka wood etc. Is HS just a knock off of GW or are they somehow related? Incidentally..HS is a wee bit nicer looking because of the way they make the tang curved up the side of the handle like a long "S".

Hope this helps anyone who is looking into GWs or Hammer Stahls for that matter. P.S. Keep your hand and the knife handle dry..they get slippery.