Ed Wusthof (Pre-Classic) 8.25" Forged Stainless Slicer Solingen 1950s-60s

Ed Wusthof model 8565-8 8" slicer with hand forged after drop forged, hand ground stainless blade and (fruit?) wood handle wth brass cutler's rivets.  This represents a transition from carbon to stainless steel in general in Solingen, but with the old design, forging and grinding techniques still in use. 

The knife has been sharpened down very little, aside from a few cracks in the handle, which have been epoxied. It is in remarkably good condition. The original grind is all present including the surface finish, not very common to find. Great to see this old Solingen Grinding.

Of this era we find maybe one Wusthof for every 200 Henckels, they did not begin to export in significant numbers to the states until the 1970s when they used a black pakka handle with aluminum rivets and a stainless blade with a larger bolster.