ZWILLING Pro 8 in Chef's Knife (38401-203)
By ZWILLING · Kitchen Knives · Kitchen & Cooking
- Special-formula high-carbon stainless steel, forged, blade hardness 55-58 HRC
- Blade length 7.87 in, blade thickness 0.08 in
- Net weight 0.58 lb, overall length 12.99 in
- Curved bolster for a pinch grip, exposed tang, made in Germany
Price not listed
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Summary
A forged German chef’s knife for chopping, slicing and dicing, built as a comfortable pinch-grip workhorse that sharpens easily. Check weight and handle fit before you buy: owners describe it as heavy with a bulky handle and sharp corners.
Strengths
- Curved partial bolster gives a secure pinch grip and leaves the full edge usable from bolster to tip.
- Forged single-piece steel with FRIODUR ice-hardening, backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Sharpens easily, according to independent testing and owners.
- Broad curved front suits rocking cuts, with a straight rear section for chopping.
- Triple-riveted full-tang handle suits long kitchen use.
Weaknesses
- Heavy for an 8-inch chef’s knife, with independent measurements of 8.5 oz and 254-259 g against a 0.58 lb specification.
- Owners describe the handle as bulky with sharp corners that can feel uncomfortable.
- Thick stock behind the edge limits cutting aggression, owners report.
- Edge retention drew criticism in independent testing, with resharpening noted as the offset.
- Partial bolster interferes with some sharpening systems, and balance leans forward.
Verified specifications
| Model | ZWILLING Pro 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 38401-203, US store ID 38401-203-0. |
|---|---|
| Construction | SIGMAFORGE single-piece forged special-formula high-carbon stainless steel, FRIODUR ice-hardened. |
| Hardness | 55-58 HRC. |
| Edge | V-edge, around 30 degrees total, about 15 degrees per side. |
| Blade | broad curved front for rocking cuts, straight rear section for chopping, curved partial bolster for pinch grip. |
| Handle | exposed full tang, triple-riveted, matte-black plastic (POM). |
| Care | dishwasher safe, hand wash recommended. |
| Warranty | lifetime warranty, made in Germany. |
| Dimensions | 12.99 in long, 7.87 in blade, 5.12 in handle, 1.97 in tall, 0.08 in thick. |
| Weight | 0.58 lb specified, with independent measurements of 8.5 oz and 254-259 g. |
| Included | knife plus user manual. |
Full research notes and sources
Sources
- ZWILLING — Pro 8-inch Chef’s Knife product page
- ZWILLING — Pro collection page
- BBC Good Food — Pro chef’s knife review
- TechGearLab — chef knife lab test
- Crate & Barrel — Zwilling Pro 8-inch chef’s knife page
- Cooks Warehouse — Zwilling Pro chef’s knife page
- The Rational Kitchen — Zwilling knives review
- r/chefknives — Zwilling Pro owner thread
- r/chefknives — Thoughts on Zwilling Pro series thread
- r/TrueChefKnives — New chef’s knife owner thread
