Robert Welch Professional Kitchen Knife 14cm
The kitchen knife - sometimes called a utility knife - occupies the space between a paring knife and a chef's knife: larger than a paring knife for more substance on the board, smaller than a chef's knife when a shorter blade is more practical. The Robert Welch Professional Kitchen Knife has a 140mm blade manufactured from German DIN 1.4116 stainless steel, ice-hardened to Rockwell 57, with a hand-applied 15° edge using World Edge Geometry. It is designed as a versatile, everyday blade for slicing meats, cheeses and vegetables across a range of kitchen tasks.
At 125g and 250mm overall, it is lighter and more compact than the chef's knives in the Professional range. Robert Welch also note that the handle on this knife is smaller than the handles fitted to other Professional knives - a distinction worth considering if you are buying alongside or comparing to other blades in the collection. Construction is fully forged with a full tang, and it comes securely boxed. It is included in both the Angle Oak and Book Oak Knife Block Sets.
- Steel: German DIN 1.4116 stainless steel, ice-hardened to Rockwell 57
- Construction: Fully forged, full tang
- Edge: Hand-applied 15°, World Edge Geometry for resilience and lasting sharpness
- Blade length: 140mm / 5.5"
- Overall length: 250mm
- Weight: 125g
- Handle: DuPont™ POM with permanent RW steel insignia - smaller than other Professional range handles
- Suited to: Slicing meat, cheese and vegetables; general all-purpose kitchen tasks
- Packaging: Securely boxed
- Included in: Professional Angle Oak and Book Oak Knife Block Sets
- Guarantee: Robert Welch lifetime guarantee
Please note: You must be aged 18 or over to purchase this product in the UK.
What Customers Ask About the Robert Welch Professional Kitchen Knife
Both are 14cm blades made from the same DIN 1.4116 steel hardened to Rockwell 57, but they have different blade profiles suited to different techniques. The santoku has a flatter cutting edge, a sheepsfoot-style tip, and a scalloped blade - designed for a push-cut or tap-chop motion and particularly effective for fine vegetable work. The kitchen knife has a more conventional pointed-tip profile suited to a wider range of general tasks including slicing meat and cheese. If you're choosing between the two, the santoku tends to suit cooks who spend more time on vegetable prep; the kitchen knife is the more general all-rounder of the two.
Robert Welch specify this in the product description without providing further detail on the reason. The most likely explanation is that the smaller blade and lighter overall weight of a 14cm kitchen knife is better balanced with a proportionally smaller handle - a full-sized Professional handle on a shorter, lighter blade can feel top-heavy. It is worth being aware of this if you are building a matched set alongside other Professional knives, as the feel in the hand will differ slightly from the chef's knife or carving knife.
A kitchen knife (also commonly called a utility knife) fills the gap between a paring knife and a full-sized chef's knife. It is suited to tasks where a paring knife feels too small and a chef's knife feels like overkill: slicing a single chicken breast, portioning a block of cheese, trimming vegetables, or cutting sandwiches. Many cooks find it the knife they reach for most often for quick, everyday tasks that do not require the blade length of a chef's knife.
The kitchen knife weighs 125g compared to 194g for the 15cm chef's knife and 223g for the 20cm chef's knife. It is noticeably lighter and more compact, and sits shorter in overall length at 250mm versus 273-325mm for the chef's knives. The smaller handle reinforces this - the kitchen knife feels distinctly more nimble in the hand than the chef's knives in the Professional range, which is by design for a blade intended for quicker, lighter tasks.
Yes - Robert Welch list cheese as one of the intended uses. A sharp 14cm blade handles hard and semi-hard cheeses well for portioning and slicing. For very soft or sticky cheeses, a knife with a scalloped or hollow-ground blade (such as the santoku) may produce cleaner cuts with less sticking, but the kitchen knife is a practical choice for most everyday cheese cutting tasks.
Yes. The Robert Welch Professional Kitchen Knife 14cm is included in both the Professional Angle Oak and Book Oak Knife Block Sets. The Book Oak set represents a saving of £97 compared to buying the block and six knives individually.
Specifications
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality cookware and kitchen equipment. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
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Care & Use Instructions
Washing: Hand washing is recommended to prolong blade life and handle finish. Dry thoroughly before storing. If dishwasher use is unavoidable, remove and dry promptly - prolonged exposure to dishwasher detergents and high-temperature cycles can accelerate wear on both the edge and the handle.
Sharpening: The 15° edge is designed for home maintenance without specialist equipment. Use a sharpener compatible with 15° geometry and check your tool's instructions before use. Regular honing with a honing steel between sharpenings will help maintain the edge for longer.
Storage: Store on a magnetic knife rack, in a knife block, or with a blade guard. At 14cm this knife is a practical everyday size that benefits from being readily accessible - a knife block or magnetic rack keeps it to hand and protects the edge.
Safety: Always cut on a stable board and away from the body. This product must not be sold to or purchased by anyone under the age of 18 in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Return it anyway. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items - if it doesn't do what you wanted, we'll refund you. This applies even after you've used it in the kitchen.
Valid for 2 years from purchase date. If you accidentally damage this knife, we'll replace it at half price with proof of purchase and evidence of the damage. Photos are acceptable.
Yes. The Robert Welch Professional Kitchen Knife comes with a Robert Welch lifetime guarantee. For full details of what is covered, refer to the documentation included with the knife or contact Robert Welch directly.
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill.
It arrives securely boxed and makes a practical standalone gift. If the recipient is building a collection, this knife is included in both the Professional Angle Oak and Book Oak Knife Block Sets - the Book Oak set saves £97 compared to buying individually. Call us on 01737 222996 if you'd like advice on which option suits better.
No. It is a legal requirement in the UK that this product is only sold to customers aged 18 or over. Age verification may be required at checkout or on delivery.