WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife on a white background
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife from the other side, showing the trident logo on the blade
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife seen from above along its spine
Close-up of the black blade and logo of a WÜSTHOF PERFORMER knife
Close-up of the end of the textured black handle of a WÜSTHOF PERFORMER knife, with its trident logo
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER chef's knife on a dark board beside a sliced tomato
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER chef's knife on a dark board beside a whole fish and lemon slices
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife on a white background
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife from the other side, showing the trident logo on the blade
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife seen from above along its spine
Close-up of the black blade and logo of a WÜSTHOF PERFORMER knife
Close-up of the end of the textured black handle of a WÜSTHOF PERFORMER knife, with its trident logo
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER chef's knife on a dark board beside a sliced tomato
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER chef's knife on a dark board beside a whole fish and lemon slices

Wüsthof

Wüsthof PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife

$295.00

Part number: 1061200120

  • 8-inch chef's blade
  • Diamond-Like Carbon finish
  • Hexagon Power Grip
  • Full bolster
Authorized WÜSTHOF DealerLimited lifetime warranty
Secure CheckoutSafe, encrypted ordering
Free Shipping Over $30Same-day dispatch before 2pm CST
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WÜSTHOF at Design & Grace

WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife

Forged 8-inch chef's knife with a Diamond-Like Carbon finish and non-slip textured handle, made in Solingen, Germany

The WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife is an all-purpose blade for chopping vegetables, mincing herbs, slicing fruit, and portioning meat or fish. Its forged 8-inch blade combines the reach and width of a full-size chef's knife with a low-friction black finish and textured handle for secure control.

View specsShop WÜSTHOF
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER chef's knife on a dark board beside a whole fish and lemon slices

Why buy here

Why Order from Design & Grace

Authorized WÜSTHOF retailer

We sell genuine WÜSTHOF cutlery backed by WÜSTHOF's limited lifetime warranty.

Ships from Texas

Your knife is carefully packed and shipped from our Texas facility.

Real customer support

Our team can help with knife selection, storage, honing, sharpening, and long-term care.

Wüsthof PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife

Full-Size Cutting with a Secure Grip

The 8-inch blade provides enough length for full slicing strokes and efficient chopping across larger ingredients. Its 1.9-inch width creates useful knuckle clearance and a broad surface for moving prepared food from the cutting board.

The Hexagon Power Grip texture helps the handle remain secure during repetitive prep. A full bolster adds weight and balance between the blade and handle.

WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife seen from above along its spine

Wüsthof PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife

Why Choose the PERFORMER Chef's Knife

The PERFORMER combines WÜSTHOF's forged 8-inch chef's profile with a low-friction DLC finish and textured handle. It is the right choice for cooks who want the versatility of a traditional chef's knife with added grip and a durable black blade surface.

Close-up of the black blade and logo of a WÜSTHOF PERFORMER knife

What stands out

Signature Features

8-inch chef's blade

A versatile length for chopping, cutting, slicing, mincing, and portioning.

Diamond-Like Carbon finish

The deep-black DLC treatment creates a hard, durable blade surface designed to reduce friction and resist heat, scratches, and damage.

Hexagon Power Grip

The textured handle supports a secure, non-slip grip during detailed and demanding cutting work.

Full bolster

Adds weight and balance at the transition between the blade and handle.

Forged construction

Made using WÜSTHOF's forged production method for strength and stable handling.

58 HRC hardness

The blade balances edge retention with practical honing and sharpening.

Made in Solingen, Germany

Manufactured by WÜSTHOF in its historic German knife-making center.

Best for

The Right Knife for the Job

  • Chopping

    Handles onions, vegetables, herbs, and general cutting-board work.

  • Cutting

    Serves as the primary knife for everyday kitchen preparation.

  • Fish

    Portions fillets and other boneless cuts with controlled strokes.

  • Fruit

    Cuts apples, citrus, melons, and other produce.

  • Herbs

    Provides the curved edge and blade length needed for efficient mincing.

  • Meat

    Slices and portions boneless poultry and other cuts.

  • Vegetables

    Moves from precise slicing to larger chopping tasks.

Product details

Specifications

Product Type
Chef's knife
Series
WÜSTHOF PERFORMER
Blade Length
8 in
Blade Width
1.9 in
Handle Length
4.7 in
Blade Finish
Diamond-Like Carbon
Handle Design
Hexagon Power Grip
Bolster Style
Full bolster
Production Method
Forged
Blade Hardness
58 HRC
Country of Origin
Germany
WÜSTHOF SKU
1061200120

From Our Founder

"An eight-inch chef's knife should handle most of the work on the board. The textured handle and low-friction blade finish make this one especially controlled when the prep is long or demanding."

Tony Boulton, Founder, Design & Grace

Good to know

Shipping, care and support

Shipping & Returns

Fast & Free Shipping Over $30

Orders of $30 or more ship free anywhere in the U.S. Orders placed before 2pm CST ship the same day, and delivery typically takes 1 to 5 business days depending on your location relative to our Texas warehouse.

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery. Items must be unused and in original packaging. Please contact us to begin the return process.

Read our full refund policy

Use & Care
Hand wash and towel-dry immediately.
Do not leave the knife soaking in the sink.
Avoid abrasive sponges.
Avoid metal, glass, bamboo, and other very hard surfaces.
Store safely using a suitable knife-storage solution.
Hone regularly to maintain the cutting edge.
Sharpen as needed using a whetstone, sharpening steel, or hand-held knife sharpener.
Warranty Information

WÜSTHOF provides a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use. Normal wear, misuse and commercial use are not covered. Contact Design & Grace if you need help with a warranty claim.

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Questions answered

Frequently asked questions

What is the WÜSTHOF PERFORMER 8" Chef's Knife best used for?

The 8-inch PERFORMER is an all-purpose knife for chopping vegetables, mincing herbs, slicing fruit, and portioning boneless meat or fish. Its broad forged blade provides enough length for most daily preparation while supporting both rocking cuts and longer slicing strokes.

Should I choose the 6-inch or 8-inch PERFORMER Chef's Knife?

The 6-inch version suits smaller cutting boards and detailed preparation where a compact blade provides better control. The 8-inch version offers more cutting length and a broader working surface for larger vegetables, longer slices, and substantial quantities of ingredients. Both feature DLC-coated blades and Hexagon Power Grip handles.

How does the PERFORMER Chef's Knife differ from the CLASSIC version?

Both use forged WÜSTHOF blades made in Solingen, Germany. The PERFORMER adds a black Diamond-Like Carbon blade finish designed to reduce friction and a textured Hexagon Power Grip handle. The CLASSIC uses a conventional steel finish and traditional riveted handle.

Can I sharpen the black DLC-coated blade?

Yes. The cutting edge can be maintained through appropriate honing and sharpening. Use suitable sharpening equipment and avoid unnecessary abrasion of the coated blade surfaces. Hand wash and towel-dry the knife after use.