I have other Wusthof knives and bought this one based on my experience with them (a 4 inch utility knife and a bread knife). I have small hands and bought the 6 inch knife because I find my other chef's knives (an Gehring 8 inch and a Vicotrinox 10 inch) are too long and heavy to handle for chopping onions, carrots etc. The 10 inch one is good for hacking away at rutabaga a few times a year and the 8 inch for things that are too big for the 6 inch knife. It's my go to knife now. The blade was very sharp out of the box, I cut myself within minutes, and it keeps its edge well for the amount of use I give it. I'm not a chef so I'm not using it all day, I just prepare family meals.