Gordon Ramsay Knife Set: What He Actually Uses and What You Should Buy

Gordon Ramsay doesn't have his own branded knife set. That's the first thing to clarify, because a lot of searches for a "Gordon Ramsay knife set" lead people to either unofficial merchandise or to HexClad products (which Ramsay has endorsed). What Ramsay actually uses in his professional kitchen and on his cooking shows is primarily Wusthof, with some Henckels. If you're trying to cook with the same tools Ramsay uses, this guide tells you exactly which sets to look at and why.

I'll also cover which set configuration makes sense for home cooks versus people who want to get close to a professional kitchen setup, and what Ramsay himself has said about knife selection and maintenance.

What Knives Gordon Ramsay Actually Uses

Gordon Ramsay has been publicly associated with Wusthof knives for most of his career. In his MasterClass cooking series, he uses Wusthof Classic and Wusthof Ikon knives demonstrating technique. He's mentioned in interviews that he prefers German-style chef knives for their durability and versatility.

Ramsay has also appeared in content using MAC knives and has endorsed HexClad cookware, which now includes a limited knife line. The HexClad knives carry his name and image, but they're a new entry into a market where other brands have decades of established manufacturing quality behind them.

The Two Wusthof Lines He's Known For

Wusthof Classic: The most widely used German chef knife in professional kitchens worldwide. Forged from X50CrMoV15 high-carbon stainless steel at 58 HRC, full bolster, triple-riveted POM handle. This is the knife Ramsay reaches for in demo contexts most often. The 8-inch chef knife from the Classic line retails around $160-180 as a standalone.

Wusthof Ikon: A more premium line with a smoother, curved handle in black Grenadill wood (or synthetic equivalents in newer versions). The steel is the same as the Classic, but the handle ergonomics are more refined. It runs $200-250 for a chef knife, and sets start around $400-500 for 3-4 piece configurations.

Ramsay's Knife Advice for Home Cooks

In his MasterClass and various cooking show segments, Ramsay has given consistent advice about knives:

  • Own fewer, better knives rather than large sets full of pieces you don't use
  • The chef knife is the only piece that truly matters
  • Keep your knives sharp (he uses a honing steel before virtually every session)
  • Learn to hold the knife properly (pinch grip on the blade, not handle)
  • A sharp knife is safer than a dull one

That last point is worth internalizing. More kitchen injuries come from dull knives slipping off food than from sharp knives cutting correctly. Ramsay's public emphasis on sharpening reflects real professional practice.

The HexClad Connection

In recent years, Ramsay has partnered with HexClad cookware and helped launch their knife line. The HexClad chef knife is a Damascus-style blade with a Japanese-inspired design. It's sold individually and as small sets.

The honest assessment: HexClad knives are competent and look attractive. But they're a young product line without the manufacturing track record of Wusthof, Henckels, or MAC. The damascus cladding is primarily decorative on this price tier. The steel is adequate but not at the performance level of VG-10 or the German X50CrMoV15 used in Wusthof.

If you want something associated with Ramsay's name directly, HexClad is the answer. If you want what he actually performs with professionally, look at Wusthof Classic.

Which Wusthof Set Makes Sense for Home Cooks Inspired by Ramsay

Ramsay's advice about owning fewer, better knives should guide your set selection. A 3-5 piece focused setup outperforms a 15-piece set where 8 pieces are steak knives.

Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Starter Set (~$350-400)

This typically includes an 8-inch chef knife, 6-inch bread knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, a honing steel, and a storage block. That's the core toolkit for home cooking. The chef knife handles 80% of tasks. Add the paring knife for detail work and the bread knife for bread and tomatoes, and you can handle almost any recipe.

Wusthof Classic 7-Piece or 8-Piece Block Set (~$400-550)

Adds a santoku or utility knife to the core lineup. Good if you want more versatility built in from the start. The block uses slots sized for the Classic series, so adding knives later is straightforward.

Building Ramsay-Style (Individual Pieces)

If you already own some decent knives and want to add quality pieces, start with just the Wusthof Classic 8-inch chef knife ($160-180). It's the most important tool in the kitchen. Add the paring knife ($80-100) when you're ready. Buy individually and you can spread the cost while building a genuinely excellent collection.

Our best kitchen knives guide includes detailed individual knife comparisons that help with building a collection piece by piece.

Ramsay's Technique With a Chef Knife

Owning the right knife is only part of the equation. Ramsay consistently demonstrates:

The pinch grip: Your thumb and index finger pinch the blade just above the bolster, with the remaining fingers wrapped around the handle. This gives you more control and more power than gripping only the handle. It's the grip used by professionals worldwide.

The claw: Fingers curled inward on the food, knuckles guiding the blade. This protects fingertips during rapid chopping and creates a consistent cutting reference.

Honing before use: Ramsay uses a honing steel for 4-6 strokes per side before most sessions. This keeps the edge aligned without grinding away steel.

These techniques work equally well with any quality knife, but they make the most difference with a properly sharp blade. A Wusthof Classic used with correct technique will outperform an expensive Japanese knife held incorrectly.

Other Knives in Ramsay's Style

If Wusthof's price is outside your current budget, Ramsay himself has noted on various occasions that the tools matter less than the technique. A few honest alternatives:

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-inch (~$50): The knife found in more restaurant kitchens than any other single model. Stamped 55-56 HRC steel, not forged, but the factory edge is sharp and it sharpens easily. This is what culinary schools use precisely because it's reliable without being precious.

Henckels Classic 8-inch (~$60-80): The forged version of the Henckels entry-level line. Not as refined as Wusthof but the same steel concept with German manufacturing quality. A reasonable step up from the Victorinox.

Our top kitchen knives roundup covers both premium and budget options with a comparison of what you actually get at each price tier.

FAQ

Does Gordon Ramsay have his own knife brand? Not a traditional knife brand. He has endorsed HexClad, which makes knives bearing his association, but he doesn't own or operate a knife manufacturing company. His most documented professional knife use has been Wusthof.

What size chef knife does Gordon Ramsay use? Primarily 8-inch. In some demonstration contexts he uses a 10-inch for larger cuts, but the 8-inch is his standard. Most professional chefs default to 8-10 inches depending on the task.

Is a Wusthof knife set worth the price? For cooks who use their chef knife frequently, yes. The forged construction, steel quality, and edge retention are genuinely better than budget alternatives. The Wusthof Classic will outlast most alternatives and perform better for years if maintained properly.

How often should I sharpen my knives like Ramsay says? Hone with a steel before each use. Fully sharpen (whetstone or professional service) every 2-6 months depending on how frequently you cook. If you cook daily, sharpen quarterly. If you cook a few times a week, twice a year may be sufficient.

The practical takeaway from asking what knives Ramsay uses: get a quality German chef knife, learn to hold it correctly, and use a honing steel every time you cook. Wusthof Classic is the reliable choice. The specific set size is secondary to starting with the right chef knife. Buy that first.