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Victorinox Swiss Classic 8-Inch Review

An extremely capable chef knife that performs nearly as well as much more expensive knives
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Victorinox Swiss Classic 8-Inch Review
Credit: Bradley Nichols
Price:  $61 List
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Manufacturer:   Victorinox
By Bradley Nichols ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 25, 2024
82
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 13
  • Cutting Performance - 30% 8.0
  • Practicality - 30% 8.5
  • Ergonomics - 25% 8.5
  • Build Quality - 15% 7.5

Our Verdict

The sturdy Victorinox Swiss Classic is made in Switzerland by the same company that produces the famous Swiss army knife. Their reputation for reliability and practicality is represented well here in this eight-inch chef's knife. Though it's not winning any awards for upscale aesthetics, this tried-and-true chef knife never let us down throughout our testing. Its nylon handle may not look like much, but it provided excellent grip and security no matter what we were chopping. Across all our months of intensive testing in the kitchen and measurements in the lab, the Victorinox proved to be one of our favorite knives of the bunch and comes at an extremely attractive price.
REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic value for money
Easy to hold
Lightweight
Factory sharp
REASONS TO AVOID
Looks aren't attractive
Low weight can feel cheap

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Chef Knife
 Best Buy Award
Best Chef Knife on a Tight Budget
  
Price $61 List
$44.51 at Amazon
$85 List
$94.00 at Amazon
$30 List
$29.99 at Amazon
$70 List$34 List
$33.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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53
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A fantastic value for an all-around excellent blade, offering great performance at a low costAlmost a great knife, but falls shortA great value for a solid knife that holds its own against stiff competitionGerman style knife hampered by poor manufacturingIts looks don't translate into performance
Rating Categories Victorinox Swiss Cl... Misen 8" Babish High-Carbon 8" Henckels Classic 8-... Paudin Universal Cl...
Cutting Performance (30%)
8.0
6.0
7.5
8.0
5.0
Practicality (30%)
8.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.0
Ergonomics (25%)
8.5
8.0
5.5
5.0
5.5
Build Quality (15%)
7.5
6.5
4.0
3.0
4.0
Specs Victorinox Swiss Cl... Misen 8" Babish High-Carbon 8" Henckels Classic 8-... Paudin Universal Cl...
Reported Blade Bevel Angle 16° 15° 15° 15° 15°
Measured Blade Bevel Angle 20° 14.25° 12° 15° 15°
Reported Steel Hardness 56 HRC 58 HRC 55 HRC 56.5 HRC 56 HRC
Measured Steel Hardness 54 HRC 53 HRC 51 HRC 52 HRC 57 HRC
Measured Factory Sharpness 213 BESS 187 BESS 185 BESS 302 BESS 205 BESS
Country of Origin Switzerland Japan China Spain China
Construction Method Stamped Stamped Stamped Forged Stamped
Model Tested 6.8063.20G 8" 8" 31161-201 N1-Chef Knife
Metal Type Not specified AUS-10 1.4116 Stainless steel (unspecified) 50Cr15Mov
Measured Weight 5.7 oz 8.4 oz 8.3 oz 8.1 oz 6.9 oz
Measured Blade Thickness at Spine 2.20 mm 2.00 mm 2.00 mm 1.87 mm 1.90 mm
Full Bolster No No No Yes No
Handle Material Nylon Polymer Polymer Polymer Pakkawood
Dishwasher Safe Dishwasher safe, hand wash reccomended Hand wash only Hand wash only Dishwasher safe at 55° C and lower, hand wash recommended Hand wash only
Interesting Features None None Babish face etched onto handle end None Faux Damascus pattern on blade

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Victorinox Swiss Classic has an 8-inch stamped steel blade made in Switzerland. It comes with a nylon handle and is one of the lightest knives we tested, measuring just 5.7 ounces.

Performance Comparison


victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - though not the fanciest appearance for a chef knife, the performance...
Though not the fanciest appearance for a chef knife, the performance of the Victorinox proved that this blade is still an exceptional choice for most kitchen tasks.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Cutting Performance


The Victorinox's blade proved to be sharp, flexible, and able to handle all the key tasks we put it through in our test kitchen.

Key Cutting Performance Scores
ProductEdge RetentionPrecision
Best54.5
Victorinox Swiss Classic 8\"44
Average3.84
Worst2.52

It sailed through all our slicing, dicing, and mincing tests with ease. Though it lacks some of the precision we found in other knives — particularly some of the pricier blades in our lineup — the Victorinox never failed to adequately slice through the skin of a ripe tomato.

Steel Properties and Construction Methods
 Reported Steel HardnessMeasured Steel HardnessBlade ConstructionMetal Type
Victorinox Swiss Classic56 HRC54 HRCStampedNot specified
Wusthof Classic58 HRC54 HRCForgedX50CrMoV15
Misen58 HRC53 HRCStampedAUS-10
Babish High-Carbon55 HRC51 HRCStamped1.4116 German steel
Henckels Classic56.5 HRC52 HRCForgedStainless steel (unspecified)

The Victorinox doesn't feel like a particularly delicate instrument and wasn't quite capable of the same level of fine dicing detail that some of the other blades we tested accomplished.


Still, it performed above average when pitted against some stiff (and expensive) competition.

victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - the victorinox didn't let us down when it came to making all the...
The Victorinox didn't let us down when it came to making all the usual slices and dices we needed to get dinner on the table.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Practicality


We found the Victorinox's thick, textured nylon handle to have above average grip in most situations situations. When making awkward cuts through large, chunky melons and gourds, the beefy handle of the Swiss Classic offered plenty of stability and security in our hands.

Key Practicality Test Scores
ProductUnusual CutsBreak Down ChickenWet Handle
Best554.5
Victorinox Swiss Classic 8\"544
Average43.63.5
Worst222

Even breaking down a slimy raw chicken was doable with this thick knife. The large bolster-like front end provided a diversity of different grip options that allowed our testing team to push, turn, and maneuver the blade into all the joints to separate a carcass into its component cuts.


With wet hands, the texture of the Victorinox handle helped to keep it more secure in our grip. Though it's not quite as good as some others in our lineup, this knife proved to have above-average performance throughout the full range of practicality cuts, grips, tests, and trials we put it through.

victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - the textured nylon handle of the victorinox helps to maintain grip...
The textured nylon handle of the Victorinox helps to maintain grip even with greasy hands from breaking down an entire chicken carcass.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Ergonomics


The handle of the Victorinox is one of the most unique in our lineup. Not only is it made of nylon (most others are made of various unspecified polymers or the wood-resin compound called Pakkawood), but it looks a lot different than most other knives as well. Its appearance is distinctly utilitarian. Although some testers found the looks unappealing, all of them found it to be very comfortable to hold.

Key Ergonomics Test Scores
ProductComfortBalanceBolster
Best555
Victorinox Swiss Classic 8\"444
Average3.53.53.5
Worst221

The subjectivity of appearances aside, our entire testing team agreed that the Victorinox handle was shaped well and felt comfortable in hand. It doesn't appear particularly balanced, but it feels that way in use, adding to our overall positive impressions of this knife during testing.


The Victorinox is a very light knife, which we weighed at just 5.7 ounces — one of the lightest in our lineup. This means that it lacks some heft and solidity that many expect out of a high-quality chef knife.

Physical Characteristics
 Measured WeightMeasured Spine ThicknessBolsterHandle Material
Victorinox Swiss Classic5.7 oz2.20 mmNylon
Wusthof Classic9.1 oz2.60 mmPolymer
Misen8.4 oz2.00 mmPolymer
Babish High-Carbon8.3 oz2.00 mmPolymer
Henckels Classic8.1 oz1.87 mmPolymer

The front end of the handle is thickened into a bolster without being as overstated as many other full bolsters. Our testing team appreciated the diversity of holding methods this allowed them to take during different tasks.

victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - the victorinox is an exceptionally lightweight knife, largely due to...
The Victorinox is an exceptionally lightweight knife, largely due to its nylon handle.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Build Quality


The light weight of the Victorinox Swiss Classic makes it feel cheap. That's not to say it isn't a fully capable kitchen implement, but no one will mistake this for a very high-quality knife. Its overall appearance is quite industrial and utilitarian. Some may appreciate this different aesthetic, but for those who love to display their knives, the Victorinox will certainly stand out from most other models.

Key Build Quality Test Scores
ProductPaper Slice TestManufacturing Finish
Best55
Average4.24
Victorinox Swiss Classic 8\"44
Worst2.53

From the box, the Victorinox performed admirably in our paper slicing test. Though it wasn't as silky smooth, gliding through the paper as some others in our lineup, it did a more than adequate job of cutting without catching any burrs.


Our only real complaint about the build quality of the Victorinox is with the molded nylon handle. The unit we tested had minor seams running down the center of the handle. It wasn't enough to irritate our hands during light use and sanded off with regular sandpaper quite easily. Still, this lack of attention to detail isn't something we're excited to see in this otherwise solidly constructed chef's knife.

victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - though the victorinox may be lacking a few of the finest finishing...
Though the Victorinox may be lacking a few of the finest finishing touches of pricier knives, it still has good bones and a solid build, making it a capable blade.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Victorinox Swiss Classic 8-Inch?


The Victorinox is the ultimate no-frills functional blade. If you want to get the absolute best bang for your buck with no fancy extras, the Victorinox is for you.

victorinox swiss classic 8-inch - if you're after a new knife that excels at all the basics, is easy...
If you're after a new knife that excels at all the basics, is easy to use, and won't break the bank, the utilitarian Victorinox IS that knife.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

What Other Chef Knives Should You Consider?


When it comes to top-tier performance and affordable price, there's no other chef's knife we've tested that comes close to the value of the Victorinox Swiss Classic. If you can't abide by the utilitarian aesthetic of this knife, the more attractive Zwilling Professional S is a similarly highly rated knife that our testing team loved — though it costs significantly more. The Babish High-Carbon is another knife that offers solid performance for its price. It has a more sleek appearance than the Victorinox but it also did not perform nearly as well in our ergonomics and build quality assessments.

Bradley Nichols


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