Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Inch Chef's Knife vs Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Buy the Mercer Millennia if you want a light, grippy, dishwasher-safe workhorse for a busy kitchen or a first serious knife. Buy the Wüsthof Classic if you want a forged German blade that holds an edge and can be sharpened for decades. The Mercer wins on weight, handle grip and easy care; the Wüsthof wins on steel hardness, balance and long-term durability. Reviewers rate the Mercer very highly for value and sharpness out of the box, while Wüsthof owners praise the Classic's heft and edge retention.

• Choose the Mercer Millennia if you want a light, non-slip chef's knife you can rinse and put in the dishwasher without worry.
• Choose the Wüsthof Classic if you want a forged, hard-steel knife built to be honed and kept for years.