Wusthof Le Cordon Bleu Knives Both professional chefs and discriminating home cooks are familiar with the superior performance of Wusthof knives, but Wusthof has surpassed its own high-quality culinary tools with the creation of the Le Cordon Bleu line. This knife collection combines Wusthof"s almost 200 years of forging expertise with input from the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu School of the Culinary Arts in Paris, established in 1895. The result is a knife that looks similar to Wusthofs Classic line but with much-improved features that are aimed to appeal to a high-end, professional customer and home cooking enthusiast alike. Highlights Black synthetic handle. Designed for people who prefer lighter knives. 30% lighter knife compared to Classic (e.g. a cook"s knife with a blade length of 20 cm) Forged from one piece of specially tempered high-carbon steel to ensure outstanding strength Perfectly balanced for effortless cutting Seamless hygienic fit of the handle Triple-riveted, full-tang handle Black handles made of special synthetic material Specially designed bolster Long-lasting extreme sharpness, thanks to Wusthof"s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) Independant tests have determined that Wusthof knives with the PEtec edge are 20% sharper and retain their cutting performance twice as long as Wusthof knives without. Le Cordon Bleu vs. Classic Series View larger. Le Cordon Bleu vs. Classic Knives Balance This 8-inch cook"s knife, for example, is more lightweight than other Wusthof knives, yet it retains the substantial balance and heft Wusthof is known for. Less metal is used to form the high-carbon stainless-steel blade and half bolster (as in some Japanese cutlery), so professionals who perform repetitive cutting tasks should experience less wrist fatigue and greater agility with the knife. In addition to its excellent handling, the half-bolster design also allows for the entire blade, from butt to tip, to be sharpened on a steel, and a rear garnishing point can also be used to carve, tenderize meats, and remove eyes from potatoes or soft spots from fruit. The Le Cordon Bleu cook"s knife makes for a very versatile knife--perfect for all those everyday cutting and chopping duties. Wusthof Technology Offers Superior Sharpness The latest cutting performance tests carried out by the FGW (Forschungsgemeinschaft Werkzeuge und Werkstoffe e.V., a German research association for tools and materials based in Remscheid) confirm that Wusthof forged knives offer the best quality when compared to other well-known, single-layer brands. The extensive tests were carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8442-5. WUSTHOF knives have a considerably higher ICP (Initial Cutting Performance) and maintain this performance for an extremely long time (TCC = Total Card Cut). When compared with the winners in the "cook"s knife" category awarded by German consumer organisation "Stiftung Warentest" in its 1st edition of 2008, forged WUSTHOF knives featuring the new PEtec technology produce a result which is about 20% higher. The technology: The blades are measured by laser before sharpening Computer programmes calculate the precise sharpening angle for each blade The knives are then sharpened on a whetstone using precision robots Finally, the knives are given a final polish using a special disc The benefits: Extremely high initial cutting performance Exceptionally long edge retention / long service life of blade Optimum cutting edge along the entire length of the blade Unique, consistently high and reproducible quality PEtec from Wusthof--superior sharpness for professional and home cooks How Wusthof Knives are Made Wusthof knives are known for their outstanding sharpness. By honing and sharpening the knives yourself you can maintain this feeling for a lifetime of use. The Evolution of a Precision Forged Knife Over 40 different manufacturing steps are needed to produce a forged Wusthof knife from one solid piece of steel. Here you will find a detailed explanation of some of the most important production steps. 1. Sheet bar of high-carbon no-stain steel 2. Precision forged piece 3. Tempered to 58-degree Rockwell 4. Polished 5. Scales of handles and rivets 6. The Wusthof Cook"s knife Le Cordon Bleu Collection Cleaning & Storage We recommend washing your knives with warm, soapy water after each use. Rinse carefully and dry with a towel. For proper storage we recommend the following options: Knife blocks provide protection for your blades as well as a visual compliment to your kitchen decor. Magnet Bars provide a safe, easily visible and space-saving storage option. Cook"s cases in rolls and briefcase styles--an ideal method for professionals to store and transport their tools safely. About Wusthof Since 1814 Wusthof has set the standard for designing and manufacturing precision-forged knives. Wusthof knives are manufactured by a skilled team of 300 dedicated workers in two state-of-the-art facilities in Solingen, Germany. Wusthof applies sustainable practices to their production facilities: Solar panels on the roof provide electricity to their manufacturing facility, they clean and reuse water to reduce water usage, and they reuse scrap materials rather than creating waste. In addition to knives, Wusthof offers an assortment of cutting boards, knife blocks, kitchen tools, and scissors bearing the famous Trident logo--a symbol of form, function, and uncompromising quality.