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The best gift for grilling enthusiasts this season is a knife to elevate their chopping, slicing, and carving. A grilling knife is not just any knife. It has to be durable, provide elite performance, and be versatile.
If you’re looking to upgrade your own knife collection or you’re shopping for an amazing gift, I did the hard work for you. Evaluated on precision, design, durability, versatility, and price, I compared the top 4 grilling knives: the Wusthof Classic 7″ Hollow Edge Craftsman, the Zwilling Bob Kramer Damascus Steel Chef’s Knife, the Shun Hikari Chef’s Knife, and the Benchmade Station Knife. Let’s see which ones are on the chopping block and which one passes the test for grillmasters.
Precision
The Benchmade Station Knife offers precise cutting and control for any food.
Benchmade prides itself on its SelectEdge technology, which includes laser-cut steel that has been hand-sharpened into blades. The Station Knife has a clip point design that is ideal for tackling detailed work, such as de-boning. It drops down to a sharp beak that allows for precise cutting without having to switch to a small paring knife. The knife sits at 11” long with a 6” blade and a 5″ handle. These measurements equate to much more than a kitchen knife, allowing for supreme control over your cuts.
The Wusthof Craftsman is curated for precise carving and slicing rather than control.
The Craftsman is a hybrid design combining the features of a chef’s knife, curved boning knife, and slicing knife. It features a wide belly, useful for rocking cuts of small ingredients, like herbs. The clip-point tip, similar to the Benchmade Station Knife, facilitates easy maneuvering around joints for de-boning and fileting. Its long, thin blade at 7 inches is ideal for precisely cutting and carving vegetables and meat. However, it lacks the width to provide the control and support needed to chop thick meats.
Zwilling is sharp enough to cut through tough foods, but lacks the precision needed for smaller, cleaner cuts.
This Zwilling knife has a unique curvature design. The curve facilitates a stable, rock-chopping motion that works best for small ingredients. It features a sharp blade that cuts through tough food. However, the curvature might act as a hindrance to precision. With no flat section, cuts might not be complete. If you typically use the heel of a knife to cut tougher things, like carrots, you might experience wedging or cracking. As you move down the blade, the cuts become cleaner.
The Shun Hikari Chef’s Knife has micro-serrations for clean cuts.
The Shun Hikari Chef’s Knife is designed with clean, sharp cuts in mind. It has micro serrations to reduce friction for clean, effortless slices. This knife will precisely cut heavy-duty meats and vegetables. The lightweight design and 8-inch blade allow for easy control and quick chopping. It lacks the clip point style needed for de-boning and fileting, however.
Design
The Benchmade Station Knife prioritizes comfort and handling in its ergonomic, aesthetic design.
There are varying handle options for the Station Knife. With materials ranging from G10 to carbon fiber, as well as a customization option, you can find your ideal comfort for prolonged grilling sessions. The fine point of the blade means you can reach small nooks of bone without your hands cramping from the tedious work. The ergonomic design of the knife feels reliable, comfortable, and lightweight.
The Wusthof Craftsman has a balanced, hollow-edged design for easy thin slicing and clean up.
The handle on the Craftsman is smaller at 4.4 inches. Ideally, the handle would be slightly bigger to allow for optimal comfort and gripping. However, it is balanced, making it safe and easy to use. The hollow-edged design optimizes thin slicing and prevents food from sticking to the blade.
Zwilling is a good starting knife for newbie grillers with its safe and sturdy design.
The Zwilling Bob Kramer Chef’s Knife is heavier at 10.08 oz and has a thick handle. This is great for those who aren’t as experienced and want to feel comfortable and safe. The large blade, 8 inches, allows for knuckle clearance, too. However, this knife is not ideal for those who are more experienced and use a pinch grip for more precise cutting.
Shun Hikari has a sleek design, but offers no comfortability and grip features.
The Damascus pattern adds beauty and assists in food release. It is lightweight, around 7.68 oz, making it easy to manage and work around the kitchen. It has a sleek angled, polished bolster that encourages a comfortable chef’s grip. A downside, though, is that there are no rivets for further security. This knife is suited for experienced grillers who have had their fair share of quickly chopping ingredients and have developed a strong grip.
Durability
The Benchmade Station Knife utilizes durable materials for outdoor use and sustained performance.
Benchmade offers two blade options: 440C stainless steel or CPM-154. These are both high-quality, strong materials that prevent chipping. The durable build of the knife withstands any wear or tear that might come with grilling outside. No matter what build you get, each Station Knife comes with a sheath to protect the edge.
Wusthof utilizes a strong, forged blade, but offers no further durability.
The Wusthof Craftsman is made from a single piece of stainless steel that has been forged into a blade. Forged blades make for strong, durable blades. Stainless steel resists rust, corrosion, and extreme temperatures. However, the handle isn’t curated with the outdoors in mind. The Wusthof uses a synthetic material that might not hold up under adverse weather conditions.
Zwilling has a strong forged blade with added protection from the unique design. However, the handle isn’t made for outdoors.
Similar to the Wusthof, the Zwilling is made from a forged, stainless steel blade that is strong and resistant to chipping. Zwilling uses Cryodur ice-hardening to make the edge durable and sustain sharpness during its lifespan. The specific Bob Kramer design features a chevron Damascus that protects the blade from wear and tear. However, no sheath is provided.
The Zwilling handle is made with micarta. Micarta and G10, which Benchmade uses, are very similar in terms of durability. However, G10 ranks higher in strength and is resistant to the absorption of gross materials. Micarta is a better fit for indoor use.
Shun Hikari showcases a strong blade made of high-carbon, high-chromium stainless steel, but isn’t resistant to chipping.
The Shun Chef’s Knife is made up of high-carbon, high-chromium stainless steel. The blade has been hand-sharpened to a 16-degree angle, making it long-lasting and easy to maintain. However, customers have noted that the knife feels brittle. If dropped or banged, the knife is vulnerable to chipping. There is no included blade cover.
Versatility
The Station Knife blends the benefits of kitchen knives with features necessary for outdoor cooking.
The ideal grilling knife is one that can both slice and chop — both of which the Station Knife can do. It’s thin enough to slice, but sturdy enough to make a good chopper. The girth of the blade, measuring 2.25 mm at its widest spot, allows you to easily scoop up ingredients to your grill and extend its abilities beyond meat.
Wusthof Hollow Edge Craftsman is versatile for grillers who focus on prep work.
The hybrid design of the Craftsman seamlessly combines carving and slicing all in one. It’s ideal for those looking for a knife for their prep work. It can de-bone and filet meats, slice vegetables, and mince ingredients. However, if you’re a griller who deals with large meats, then a thicker, larger knife like the Benchmade might be more suited for you.
Zwilling and Shun are streamlined for cutting through meats and tough ingredients but don’t offer pinpoint features for prep work.
Meat is at the crux of outdoor BBQs and tasty grilling sessions. The Bob Kramer Zwilling and Shun Hikari knives lack the versatility to elevate your meat game through de-bone and fileting. However, it’s effective in quality cutting of tough meats and plating of the meal.
Price
At a higher-end price, you’re paying for high quality, lifetime resharpening, and an extensive warranty with Benchmade.
Compared to typical chef’s knives, Benchmade is a more expensive option, ranging from $340 to $500. However, Benchmade offers an extensive warranty and “LifeSharp Services,” which guarantees that Benchmade will re-sharpen your knife to a factory edge for free, for the life of the knife. Knives are an investment, and with Benchmade, you’re ensuring your investment is worthwhile and pays off long-term.
The Wusthof Craftsman is an affordable option.
The Craftsman is $170, an affordable option for those looking to curate a collection of knives rather than invest in an all-in-one knife. However, it offers no warranty or sharpening services.
The Zwilling Bob Kramer Chef’s Knife is expensive but doesn’t offer any additional services to justify the price.
Zwilling Bob Kramer Chef’s Knife is in the higher-end price range. It’s listed at $439.95. At this price, you’re paying for sharp cutting and quality materials. Despite the luxury features of the knife, it lacks value because it doesn’t offer precise cutting and features needed for de-boning and fileting — helpful tools for grillmasters. There is no warranty or sharpening services included.
The Shun Hikari Chef’s Knife is moderately priced if you’re looking for a knife dedicated to cutting and chopping.
At a price of $229.95, the Shun Hikari knife is a relatively moderate price for a high-quality knife. It’s efficient in quickly chopping meats and vegetables. However, for a high price, grillmasters should be getting everything needed to curate the perfect meal, such as a knife that excels in prep work. The Hikari Chef Knife can prep ingredients but isn’t adept at carving. Additionally, there are no sharpening services or warranty provided.
The Bottom Line
| Benchmade | Wusthof | Zwilling | Shun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision | 9/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Control | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Ergonomic design |  | |  | |
| Durability | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Versatility | 10/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Price | $340 – $500 | $170 | $439.95 | $229.95 |
| Lifetime sharpening | | | | |
There is nothing like a new knife for grill-lovers. Whether you’re treating your husband to a new knife for Christmas or looking to up the ante for the upcoming holiday grilling days, there’s a spectrum of grilling knives to fit your needs.
For a multi-faceted knife that slices, chops, de-bones, and filets meat, the Benchmade Station Knife is the one. It’s adept in covering all areas of grilling, from the prep work to the finishing touches. Though it’s high in price, you’re paying for an all-in-one knife and a lifetime of sharpening services. It’s the perfect gift for this holiday season — get it before it’s too late!
