With Güde from Solingen, your main choice is the handle rather than the blade: Alpha is available with plastic, olive wood, pear wood or oak from old wine barrels, Kappa is made entirely from steel and, according to Güde, dishwasher-safe, Delta has Grenadill wood handles and Caminada walnut wood handles. If you want an easy-care knife for everyday use, choose Alpha with a plastic handle or Kappa; if you like wood in your hand, choose Alpha Olive, Alpha Fasseiche, Delta or Caminada.
As at: 10 November 2026. Author: Taiga GmbH, Berlin. Manufacturer's information according to Güde, Solingen.
What all the series have in common
According to its own information, Güde hand-forges its knives in Solingen. According to Güde, the blades of the series available from Taiga are made from rust-resistant chromium-vanadium-molybdenum steel, ice-hardened and sharpened by hand. For the Alpha series, Güde says: “The blade is the same in all of them; only the handle differs.” According to the product information, the hardness is 56 HRC for Alpha and, according to Güde, around 57 to 58 HRC for Kappa. At this level, a blade stays sharp for a long time and can be honed at home with a honing steel.
The series at a glance
| Series | Handle | Dishwasher | Suitable for | For example at Taiga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | Riveted Hostaform plastic | no, hand wash | everyday use, professional kitchens, those who want easy care | [Santoku 18 cm Kulle](https://taiga.green/products/guede-alpha-santoku-kochmesser-18cm-kulle), [Steak knife 12 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-alpha-steakmesser-12cm) |
| Alpha Olive | Olive wood | no | those who like warm, light-coloured wood | [Santoku 18 cm Kulle](https://taiga.green/products/guede-alpha-olive-santoku-kochmesser-18cm-kulle) |
| Alpha Fasseiche | Oak from wine barrels over 80 years old, according to Güde | no | those who like dark, heavy wood | [Chef's knife 21 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-kochmesser-21-cm-alpha-fasseiche) |
| Alpha Birne | Pear wood | no | long bread knives with light-coloured wood | [Bread knife 32 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-alpha-birne-brotmesser-32-cm) |
| Kappa | All-metal, forged from a single piece of steel | yes, according to Güde | those who want to avoid wood and use the dishwasher | [Chef's knife 16 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-kappa-kochmesser-16cm) |
| Delta | Grenadill wood, mottled black and brown | no | those who like dark hardwood | [Bread knife 26 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-brotmesser-26cm-delta-grenadill), [Vegetable knife 9 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-gemuesemesser-9cm-delta-grenadill) |
| Caminada | Grisons walnut wood | no | those looking for a knife from a collaboration with a chef | [Bread knife 23 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-caminada-brotmesser-23cm), [Santoku 18 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-caminada-santoku-kochmesser-18cm) |
| Karl Güde, Franz Güde | Plum wood or cherry wood, triple-riveted | no | those who like the traditional shape | [Karl Güde chef's knife 21 cm](https://taiga.green/products/guede-karl-guede-kochmesser-21cm) |
Alpha: one blade, many handles
Alpha is the broadest series. If you want easy-care cooking, choose the Hostaform plastic handle; according to the product information, it meets catering standards. If you want wood, choose between olive wood, pear wood and oak from old wine barrels. According to Güde, the rivets are made from rust-resistant stainless steel. Wooden handles need a little care: hand wash and dry immediately.
Kappa: made entirely from steel
According to Güde, the “front and rear bolsters merge seamlessly into the handle” on Kappa; the knives are “forged from a single piece of steel, from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle”. According to Güde, this gives them a distinctive balance, and there is no wooden handle that can swell. According to Güde, Kappa is dishwasher-safe; hand washing keeps every edge sharp for longer.
Delta and Caminada: wood for distinctive knives
Delta has handles made from Grenadill, a dark, dense wood. At Taiga, Delta is available mainly as bread, ham and vegetable knives. According to its own information, Güde developed the Caminada series with chef Andreas Caminada; the handles are made from Grisons walnut wood. At Taiga, we offer the 23 cm bread knife with Güde serrated edge and the 18 cm Santoku from this series.
Which knife should you start with?
Three knives will cover almost everything: a chef's knife or Santoku, a vegetable knife and a bread knife. You can mix and match the series; all Güde blades can be maintained with the same honing steel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Güde Alpha and Kappa?
Alpha has a riveted handle made from plastic or wood. According to Güde, Kappa is forged entirely from a single piece of steel, without handle scales, and is dishwasher-safe.
Are the blades in the Alpha series different?
According to Güde, no: “The blade is the same in all of them; only the handle differs.”
Which Güde series can go in the dishwasher?
Kappa, according to Güde. Wash Alpha, Delta, Caminada, Karl Güde and Franz Güde by hand and dry them immediately.
Which series is right for beginners?
Alpha with a plastic handle: easy-care, comfortable to hold and with the same blade as the wooden versions. If you want wood, choose Alpha Olive.
Where do Güde knives come from?
According to Güde, from Solingen, where the company hand-forges and sharpens its blades.
Where can I buy Güde knives?
Online from Taiga, with shipping from Germany: Alpha, Alpha Olive, Alpha Fasseiche, Alpha Birne, Kappa, Delta, Caminada, Karl Güde and Franz Güde, as well as honing steels. Specialist retailers and Güde itself also sell Güde knives. Our team can answer questions about a knife in the chat.
Read more: [Buying a really good chef's knife](https://taiga.green/blogs/wissen/gutes-kochmesser-kaufen) · [All Güde knives at Taiga](https://taiga.green/collections/guede)