A Family Company Since 1814
Many people are surprised to discover that after over 200 years, Wusthof remains in family hands. Equally unusual is the fact that throughout this time they have demonstrated their loyalty to the 'City of Blades' and still produce only in Solingen, Germany.
Production may be cheaper in other international locations, but continuity and long-term vision are important to Wusthof and they believe it is exactly the right attitude when it comes to crafting their knives.
Large parts of Europe were still under the grip of the Napoleonic Wars when Johann Abraham Wusthof founded his āShears factory, steel and iron worksā in 1814.
First USA Trip: From Dishwasher to Exporter
Over the years, the company grew and gained greater recognition thanks in part to Wusthof's three sons, who all learned their fatherās trade. One of the sons, Eduard Wusthof, eventually took over the factory and expanded the range to include 1,200 models of various handmade pocket, bread, vegetable, and butcher's knives. His brother Robert, who managed the business, took the first overseas trip in 1881.
Honing Our Craft
Over the next century resisting the old saying 'jack of all trades, master of none' the Wusthof family decided to concentrate on perfecting the essentials: high-quality, forged knives for both home and professional use. One milestone of this time was the introduction of the now-iconic Classic series, which is still in production today and continues to be Wushtof's best-selling knife series. Another landmark moment was the founding of the distribution company Wusthof-Trident of America, bringing the business full circle from the steamboat crossing of 1881.
Traditional "Kotten" around the time the company was founded in 1814.
Typical houses in Solingen and the "Bergisches Land".
One of the first pictures of the Wusthof factory. Production continues at the same location today.
With the continued success, Wusthof expanded their workshops in Solingen.
A second factory was opened in Solingen because at Wusthof, all knives come from the City of Blades.
As in the past, the trident is still the symbol of the companyā¦
The Seventh Generation
Today, the seventh-generation of Wusthof family, cousins Viola Wusthof and Harald Wusthof, run what has become one of the most innovative knife manufacturers in the world.
Wusthof is proud of their heritage, tradition of artisanship, and the wealth of experience.
Their goal is to offer food lovers, cooking enthusiasts, and chefs from all over the world exceptionally sharp, high-quality knives - beautiful, functional, and perfectly balanced. The next 200 years will see Wusthof continuing to marry such form and function in their centuries-old home, the City of Blades.
