Free Mainland UK Delivery Over £49
Free Mainland UK Delivery Over £49 - No Quibble Returns - We Price Match
The chef's knife is the single most-used blade in most kitchens, and this one from Robert Welch's Professional range is built to handle that workload without complaint. The blade is manufactured from German DIN 1.4116 stainless steel, ice-hardened to Rockwell 57, and ground using Robert Welch's World Edge Geometry for edge resilience and longer-lasting sharpness. It is designed to be maintained at home with a standard sharpener - no professional re-grinding required.
Taking inspiration from the original Robert Welch Kitchen Devil Professional range of 1979, the knife has a distinctly European character: a deep blade with a straighter cutting edge that suits the classic rocking-chop technique, and is well proportioned for slicing, dicing and breaking down larger ingredients. Construction is fully forged with a full tang, and the handle - injection-moulded DuPont™ POM with traditional rivet details and a permanently embedded RW steel insignia - provides a secure, comfortable grip over extended use.
Designed for keen home cooks and professional chefs who want a robust, classically styled knife that performs reliably under heavy daily use.
Please note: You must be aged 18 or over to purchase this product in the UK.
The right size depends on your hand size, working style and the ingredients you most commonly prep. The 15cm (6") is more manoeuvrable and suits smaller hands or more compact workspaces - it's also a popular choice for those new to a heavier knife. The 18cm (7.5") is a practical middle ground for most everyday kitchen tasks. The 20cm (8") provides maximum blade length for breaking down larger cuts of meat, whole fish or bigger vegetables, and is the traditional chef's knife length in professional kitchens.
World Edge Geometry is Robert Welch's proprietary blade-grinding specification for the Professional range. According to the manufacturer, it produces a harder, more resilient cutting edge with longer-lasting sharpness compared to a standard grind. It is designed to be maintained easily at home without requiring specialist sharpening equipment.
Rockwell hardness measures resistance to deformation in the steel. At Rockwell 57, this knife holds a working edge well for daily kitchen use while remaining soft enough to sharpen at home with a standard knife sharpener or honing steel. Steels ground harder (Rockwell 60+) can hold an edge for longer but are more prone to chipping and harder to re-sharpen without specialist tools.
Both ranges use the same German DIN 1.4116 steel hardened to Rockwell 57. The Professional range is heavier and has a larger handle, suited to cooks who prefer a more substantial knife that lets the blade's weight contribute to the cut. The Signature range is lighter and more nimble. The Professional also has a deeper blade with a straighter edge profile, giving it a more classically European character.
Yes. The deeper blade and slightly straighter cutting edge of the Professional chef's knife is well suited to the rocking-chop motion, where the tip of the blade stays in contact with the board and the heel rises and falls in a continuous rhythm. This is the technique typically associated with European chef's knives and works well for herbs, onions and most vegetable prep.
Robert Welch specifically designed this range for easy home maintenance - no professional sharpening is needed. A good quality pull-through sharpener or whetstone suited to European-angle blades will keep the edge in good condition. Regular use of a honing steel between sharpenings will also help maintain the edge for longer.
| Size | Blade Length | Overall Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15cm / 6" | 150mm | 273mm | 194g |
| 18cm / 7.5" | 180mm | 306mm | 214g |
| 20cm / 8" | 200mm | 325mm | 223g |
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.
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Questions? Visit our contact page
Washing: Hand washing is recommended to prolong the life of the blade and handle. 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 handle finish.
Sharpening: This knife is designed for easy home maintenance. Use a good quality pull-through sharpener or whetstone compatible with European-angle blades. 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 fitted. Loose storage in a drawer risks damage to the edge and is a safety risk.
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.
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 cooked with it.
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.
The knife comes with a Robert Welch 25-year lifetime guarantee. For full details of what is and is not covered under the guarantee, refer to the documentation included with your 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.
The 18cm (7.5") is the most versatile of the three and suits most cooks and kitchen tasks. If you'd like a more personal recommendation, call us on 01737 222996 and we'll be happy to help.
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.
Yes - we stock a selection of Robert Welch Professional knives including the santoku, bread knife and more. If you can't find a specific knife on the site, call us on 01737 222996 and we'll do our best to help.
Everything you need to know about getting your order to you — including delivery times, regional charges, knife deliveries, and how to collect in store.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Free Standard Delivery — orders over £49 - Up to 7 working days | Free |
| Standard Standard Delivery — orders under £49 - Up to 7 working days | £4.95 |
| Age Verified Knife Delivery — age-verified service - Up to 7 working days | £6.95 |
| Express Next Day Delivery - Order before 1pm Mon–Thu, where available | £9.95 |
| Saturday Saturday Delivery - Order before 1pm Friday | £12.95 |
You can collect your order from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or from our warehouse in Redhill.
If your closest shop does not appear at checkout but others do, it simply means that location is currently out of stock for your chosen items. Give us a call on 01737 222996 and we can arrange a transfer from another location.
It is not currently possible to deliver to the Republic of Ireland or mainland Europe. We hope to reinstate this service as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
If your country is not listed — including the USA, Australia, and other destinations — this is most likely because couriers charge by volumetric weight: a combination of package size and weight that makes standard online rates impractical to calculate automatically.
Please call us on 01737 222996 with the details of your order. We will advise on shipping costs within 24 hours and ask whether you would like to proceed.
All overseas shipments are at your own risk. We recommend taking out appropriate transit insurance to cover any damage in transit.
Customs forms for all international packages declare the full value and a description of the contents. Any customs or import duties levied on arrival in your country are your responsibility. Your local customs office can provide further information.
If your desired country or region is not listed, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
We deliver across the UK mainland for free when you spend £49 or more.
If you don't like what you've bought we'll give you a full refund.
We also offer half-price replacements on any broken products within two years of purchase.
We have shops in Cobham and Reigate.
Pop in to speak to our helpful staff and find your next purchase.
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