Amici

Seasoned home cooks know not all knives are created equal. Many home cooks may become intense advocates of the blade they prefer. However, WFE has come across the ideal set of knives made by Wusthof, the Amici Collection, that may cause even your more gastronomic-savvy loved ones to give up their older blades for these Amici's from Wusthof!

Wusthof's Amici Collection is just as handsome as it is accurate. According to the brand, Italy inspires the Amici line of knives, "la dolce vita," or appreciation for life's simple, beautiful things. And what can be more valuable than preparing an exquisite meal for those you love? With Italian sensibility and German-made precision, the Wusthof Amici Collection was born. 

All four knives in the collection are made with one solid slice of Wusthof steel embedded into the olive wood handles from the Mediterranean. The sustainably sourced, hand-grain Calabrian wood is naturally antibacterial and waterproof, built to last over time, and designed to rest comfortably in your palm. The knives also showcase full-sized bolsters (the vast areas between the blade and handle), protecting hands and fingers during even the most substantial, most brawny cuts. 

And while all of the knives in Amici's lineup would make great gifts (the Santoku and Paring knives will make it far in any kitchen), the 8-inch chef's knife takes the cake as the most versatile. For one thing, a chef's knife gives cooks classic control when cutting and chopping, making it easier to dictate how that blade moves across the food. Chefs’ knives are strong enough to oversee large tasks--think zucchini squash and significant cuts of meat--but they also have soft, razor-sharp tips that allow you to do finer work. 

It is a daily cutter, a special-occasion knife, and everything in between, and a good chef's knife can replace all the other blades in your kitchen. And Wusthof's Amici chef's knife is not just significant from a quality standpoint: It is beautiful, too, meaning that it makes a perfect gift for the star chef on your list (even if that chef happens to be you). Plus, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, free returns, and free shipping, meaning this is a low-risk, high-reward holiday purchase for that particular person who chooses to spend most of their time in the kitchen.