Every element of this renowned cutlery contributes to its precision and ease of use. The high-carbon stainless steel blades are hardened to maintain a sharp edge and full tangs provide perfect balance with riveted, high-impact, composition handles. Longer than a paring knife, this all-around knife will clean and cut larger fruits and vegetables with ease, in addition to halving your sandwiches and scoring meats or pastries. Prized possessions of professional chefs, Wusthof knives are an invaluable asset of any kitchen. In Solingen, Germany, each piece is hand-forged in 38 manufacturing steps by skilled craftsmen. Lifetime warranty. Wusthof's newest state of the art technology incorporates a new computer controlled method for putting the edge on Classic knives. This technology allows for an exacting edge from the tip of the knife down to the heel of the knife. With this newer precision, the knives are made sharper to 14 degrees per side for a total of 28 degrees. The knives are now sharper and this refinement increases the sharpness retention because exacting angles and edges last longer than edges sharpened by hand. The result is a knife that is 30% sharper and the ICP (Initial Cutting Performance) lasts twice as long..

4-1/2-inch utility knife for small and intermediate cutting tasks

Precision forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel

Full-tang, triple-riveted synthetic handle affords superior strength and balance

Washing by hand recommended; made in Germany

Measures approximately 10 by 8/9 by 3/5 inches; limited lifetime warranty

Average Customer Review: ( 20 customer reviews )
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It really doesn't make much sense to get a set that includes several of these smaller knives. This one alone has exceeded all expectations.

25 of 25 found the following review helpful:

Perfectly Balanced and VersatileJun 10, 2004
By Robert I. Hedges
The Wusthof 4 1/2 Inch Utility Knife is perfect for almost any small to medium size job in the kitchen. It is exceptionally well balanced and almost infinitely adaptable. The knife is amazingly sharp when it comes out of the box, and holds a great edge even after a lot of use. I find this knife to be my personal cutting implement of choice when I need something smaller than a boning knife.

Wusthof knives have been in my kitchen for years and they are the best knives I have ever used. I used to be a chef in a gourmet beef restaurant and I would have loved to have had a set of Wusthofs then. Now I have my own set, but of all the knives in my kitchen I think this one probably gets the most use. Buy a Wusthof once, and never replace it: they are expensive but worth every penny.

38 of 44 found the following review helpful:

My Favorite KnifeNov 16, 2001
By D "sub"
There are really two main competitors in the high-end mainstream kitchen knife market: Henckels and Wusthof. Those who have used both usually have a preference. My preference (and therefore bias you should know about) is for the Wusthofs.

The Wusthof Classic line is the more conservative counterpart to the Grand Prix line. The only difference, however, is the handle style. I personally prefer the Grand Prix, but this is an issue of personal preference. The balance and grip of these knives are as close to perfect as I have found. For those wondering what benefits a higher priced knife provides, one benefit is that the blade (or tang) is one piece all the way through the handle. This makes the blade much stronger, and less likely to snap.

The Wusthof 4 ½ inch utility knife is a great all-around knife. This is the knife I use for the majority of my small chopping work (when I don't use a Chef's knife).

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Fabulous Paring KnifeJul 14, 2007
By Gypsy Tejas "Gypsy T"
I've had a set of walnut handled Chicago Cutlery for 25 years, but after thanksgiving my two paring knives disappeard. So - after reading all the reviews I cought this knife and a 3 1/2". WOW - razor sharp and nicely balanced. It's a keeper. I only wish I could afford to buy all new Wusthof knives.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

Same Wusthof quality; this knife rarely returns to the [knife] block!May 05, 2009
By Zaine Ridling
I did not think I would either need or like this knife; blade is too long for paring; will I really use it; it's light, etc. But fortunately I was wrong. This is the second sharpest knife in the block next to the santoku. I can also grip it with my thumb and forefinger for further control during cutting or chopping. If you need it, get it and you'll thank yourself. Unused, it's a waste.

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