ZWILLING Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife - $169.99 and 55-58 HRC

ZWILLING Pro 8-inch, Chef's Knife is the US-market version of the 20 cm Pro chef's knife, with a forged blade, matte-black plastic handle, and 7.87-inch blade. Its 0.58-lb net weight keeps the knife in the full-size chef's-knife category while leaving room for a substantial handle.

Specifications And Construction

The exact US model is 38401-203-0, listed as an 8-inch chef's knife with a 7.87-inch blade and a 12.99-inch overall length. ZWILLING's US specifications also list a 0.79-inch width, a 1.97-inch height, and a 0.08-inch blade thickness.

The blade uses ZWILLING special-formula steel and a fine edge with V-edge finishing. The manufacturer lists forged construction and a blade hardness of 55-58 HRC, while the exposed-tang handle uses matte-black plastic and measures 5.12 inches long.

Price And Kitchen Fit

ZWILLING lists the knife at a sale price of $169.99 as of 09/22/2026. Williams Sonoma lists the Zwilling Pro Chef's Knife at $159.95, placing the independent retail listing below the manufacturer price on the same date.

The 8-inch blade suits slicing, chopping, and dicing across ordinary kitchen preparation. Its V-edge is ground at an optimized angle of around 30 degrees, and the curved bolster supports a pinch grip; the full-tang construction gives the handle a continuous metal structure behind the blade.

Compared With The Traditional Model

ZWILLING also sells the Pro 8-inch Traditional Chef's Knife, model 38411-203-0, at $169.99. Both models list 55-58 HRC hardness, forged construction, a V-edge, and a 7.87-inch blade, but the traditional version uses a flatter profile with a straighter edge for push-and-pull cutting.

The standard Pro model has a 5.12-inch handle and weighs 0.58 lb, while the traditional model has a 4.53-inch handle and weighs 0.57 lb. Those figures place the two knives close in mass, with the blade profile and handle length providing the more concrete distinction.

Best Use And Limits

The ZWILLING Pro 8-inch Chef's Knife fits cooks who want a forged German-made chef's knife with a full-size blade, a fine edge, and a synthetic handle. The 7.87-inch cutting length covers broad preparation tasks, while the 55-58 HRC hardness identifies the steel's listed hardness range.

Its $169.99 manufacturer price places it above basic stamped chef's knives and alongside other premium forged kitchen knives. The traditional Pro model is the closer alternative for cooks who prefer a straighter edge, while the standard Pro profile better matches rocking cuts and a conventional all-purpose chef's knife.