Robert Welch Signature Cook's Knife

Last updated: 12 October 2026

What the Robert Welch cook's knife is

Robert Welch is a British design company, family-run since 1955, with a shop in Chipping Campden. Signature is its range of forged kitchen knives. The company designed it in consultation with professional chefs.

The cook's knife is the general-purpose blade in that range. Its curved edge lets you chop with a rocking action while the tip stays on the board. Robert Welch makes it in five lengths, from 12cm to 20cm, and the 18cm version is the second longest.

What it does

• Everyday chopping: Robert Welch pitches it at raw and cooked meat, hard vegetables, herbs, nuts and salads.
• Close control: an angled bolster lets you use the full length of the edge, right back to the handle.
• Easy upkeep: the steel is hardened to Rockwell 56, which Robert Welch says makes it easy to sharpen at home.

Key facts

• Price: £62 from Robert Welch and John Lewis
• Blade length: 180mm, a little longer than a biro
• Weight: 190g, about the same as a smartphone
• Steel: German DIN 1.4116 stainless, fully forged with a full tang
• Edge: Japanese-style, hand applied at 15°
• Handle: DuPont material with a steel RW insignia set into it
• Care: dishwasher safe, though Robert Welch recommends hand washing
• Guarantee: lifetime, on every Signature kitchen knife
• Other sizes: 12cm (£48), 14cm (£54), 16cm (£58) and 20cm (£68) from Robert Welch

Who it suits

• Home cooks moving on from a supermarket block: one good knife covers most of the chopping in a week of dinners.
• Gift buyers: it comes in presentation packaging, and the lifetime guarantee covers whoever ends up using it.
• Cooks with one main knife: the curved 18cm blade handles meat, hard vegetables and herbs, so it can do most jobs on its own.

For a bigger present for someone who cooks, our gifts for foodies guide has more kitchen ideas at different prices.

The limits

The 15° edge stays sharp longest on wood or soft plastic boards. Glass, stone, metal and very hard bamboo boards will dull or chip it. So if your kitchen has a glass board, budget for a new one too.

A fine edge also needs regular honing. Robert Welch recommends its own hand-held sharpener, which is an extra purchase.

The dishwasher is allowed, but Robert Welch recommends hand washing and drying straight away.

Knives are age-restricted in the UK, so expect an age check when you order or when the parcel arrives.

Where to buy the Robert Welch cook's knife in the UK

On 12 October 2026 Robert Welch, John Lewis and Amazon UK all had the 18cm knife at £62. The full specification and care guide are on the Robert Welch product page.

See the 18cm knife on Amazon UK

FAQs

How much is the Robert Welch Signature cook's knife?

The 18cm knife costs £62 from Robert Welch and John Lewis. On 12 October 2026 Amazon UK had it at £62.

What steel is the blade made from?

German DIN 1.4116 stainless steel, fully forged from a single piece and hardened to Rockwell 56.

Is it dishwasher safe?

Yes. Robert Welch still recommends hand washing, and asks for a short hot cycle if you use the dishwasher.

What guarantee does it come with?

Robert Welch gives every Signature kitchen knife a lifetime guarantee.

Which size should I choose?

Robert Welch makes the cook's knife in 12cm, 14cm, 16cm, 18cm and 20cm. A shorter blade is easier to steer on small jobs. A longer one reaches across a large squash or joint of meat.

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