Dick 1778 Chef's Knife 24.1cm Carbon Steel

The Dick 1778 is a high-specification professional chef's knife from F. Dick, a German manufacturer with a long-established reputation in commercial kitchen cutlery. The 1778 series sits at the upper end of the Dick range and is built around a VG-12 grade carbon steel core — a high-alloy steel that incorporates elements such as cobalt and manganese to achieve a blade hardness of 61° on the Rockwell scale. The result is an exceptionally thin, precise cutting edge that holds its sharpness well under regular professional use.

In a working kitchen environment, the difference between a high-hardness blade and a standard chef's knife becomes apparent fairly quickly. The 1778 takes and holds a keener edge than most mid-range knives, which translates to more consistent, controlled cuts through the service period without constant re-honing. That said, harder steel does require some care — it responds better to a ceramic or fine honing rod than a coarse steel, and it benefits from careful handling to avoid lateral stress on the blade.

• Precise, fine-edge performance suited to detailed prep work
• Good edge retention between sharpenings under regular use
• Plumwood handle finished by hand — comfortable for extended prep sessions
• Weighing 200g, it sits in a balanced range for most hand sizes without feeling heavy

The 1778 is best suited to chefs who place a high value on blade quality and edge retention, and who are comfortable maintaining a high-hardness carbon steel knife correctly. It is not an everyday workhorse knife for rough prep — it rewards a chef who works precisely and maintains their tools well. If you work through heavy-volume bulk prep or need a knife that can handle some rough treatment, a more robust forged steel option may serve you better day to day.

If you're weighing up whether the 1778 is the right choice for your kitchen or your team, we're happy to talk it through.