New Wusthof "Mini" Block Set Pares Down Assortment to Essentials

Overview:

Identifying a need in the marketplace for more compact and space-saving premium knife block sets, Wusthof introduces the Classic Five-Piece Studio Block Set (model 9395).

Available this month at Williams-Sonoma, and other retailers nationwide beginning July 1st for $149.95 suggested retail, the Classic Five-Piece Studio Block Set features a narrow, customized 4-slot light wood storage block that holds four essential premium-quality cutlery tools: 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 4.5-inch Utility Knife, 6-inch Cook's Knife and Come Apart Kitchen Shears.

Key Features:

Perfect for anyone challenged by small-size kitchens, and for cooks who aspire to the "less is more" ethos, the new Classic Five-Piece Studio Block Set conveniently bundles together the essential cutlery and kitchen tool no cook should be without.

The Classic 3.5-inch Paring Knife with gently rounded blade for easy "rocking" motion is the perfect size and shape to quickly peel, slice and mince vegetables, fruit and herbs. The similarly shaped but larger Classic 4.5-inch Utility Knife tackles a wide range of food prep tasks with ease and can handle larger size fruits and vegetables. It's also the perfect length for "Frenching" a rack of lamb, slicing sausages and cutting hard cheese. The Classic 6-inch Cook's Knife is the workhorse of every kitchen, and due to its traditional rounded blade shape, provides the perfect pro-style "rocking" motion to chop, slice, dice and mince vegetables quickly and effortlessly. The Cook's Knife also has the heft and power to cut through dense and larger foods, such as pineapple and melons. Last but not of least importance, the Come Apart Kitchen Shears can be put to work opening plastic bags of frozen produce (save your knives for cutting food!), cutting twine for tying roasts, snipping herbs, and easily cutting apart chicken.

Each of the three knives in the new Classic Five-Piece Block Set features Wusthof's patent-pending Precision Edge Technology (PEtec).

Classic PEtec: Prior to Wusthof's development of its exclusive Precision Edge Technology, or PEtec for short, each Classic knife received a hand-finished edge, a process that could not entirely rule out the possibility of some variance in the angle of the blade on either side. Newly enhanced Classic knives now feature razor-sharp blades with absolutely equal angles on both sides. This is the result of using guided, state-of-the-art lasers, a Wusthof patent-pending technology.

Wusthof's computer-controlled PEtec advancement ensures that the final edge of the new Classic knives is unfailingly precise and uniform from the heel to the tip of the blade every time.

The angle of the blade's edge on the Classic Paring and Cook's Knives has been reduced from 38 degrees (19 degrees per side) to a new angle of 28 degrees (14 degrees per side). This new angle and more tapered edge reduce drag when slicing through foods, allowing for more seamless, effortless cutting.

Classic knives feature a new handle design made of a highly durable synthetic material - Polyoxymethylene (POM) - which has a tighter molecular structure to resist fading and discoloration. The shape of the handle is more rounded for a comfortable and sure grip.

Additionally, the technologically advanced Classic handle offers a Wusthof patented feature designed to eliminate the possibility of rusting or pitting of the stainless steel rivets or the knife's tang that could occur from contact with impurities, high humidity, or salt water.

Background:

Classic knives are crafted in Solingen, Germany -- Wusthof-Trident's manufacturing and headquarters base since the company's founding more than 175 years ago. A family-
owned and managed company with a rich heritage, the first Wusthof factory was listed as early as 1814 in official documents of the Duchy of Berg. Additionally, the famous "Trident" logo was first registered in 1895. With a proud tradition that spans 7 generations, Wusthof continues to uphold its simple mission to create the finest cutlery in the world.

Wusthof products are sold at select specialty and department stores in more than 70 countries around the world. They are sought-after and used in the finest dining establishments, and the most prestigious culinary institutions training tomorrow's rising star chefs.

The U.S. subsidiary, Wusthof-Trident of America, Inc. is located in Norwalk, Connecticut.

For further information, please visit the company's web site: www.wusthof.com.