Top 15 Best Chef’s Knives
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It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional or an amateur chef; a chef knife is an essential, if not must-have, cooking utensil in your kitchen.
A decent chef knife goes a long way. It should not be “just enough”. In many people’s eyes, a knife is a chef’s best friend. Therefore, a decent knife should have not only a sharp edge, but also a comfortable hold, a nice balance, and durability.
With so many choices, finding the right one for you might not be an easy job. However, I hope that my review for the best chef knives to have will be informative enough for you.
Why Use Chef Knife?
One of the reasons why everyone needs a chef knife in their kitchen is that chef knives are generally the most versatile blades to have. It’s well-balanced, it has perfect sharpness, blade and handles design, as well as excellent durability.
A standard chef knife is suitable for most of the tasks you need to do in the kitchen, including dicing vegetables, cutting meat, slicing herbs, mincing cloves of garlic, disjointing cuts, or chopping nuts.
However, you need to bear in mind that a chef knife is by no means an all-purpose tool.
There are certain things that you shouldn’t do with your chef knife; otherwise, you might risk chipping and damaging the blade. Those things include cleaving through meat bones, peeling vegetables and fruits, carving dense meat, and slicing bread.
Chef Knife vs. Santoku
If you’ve spent enough time looking for a chef knife, chances are that you have come across the words “Santoku knife” as well.
Technically speaking, Santoku is a type of chef’s knife. To be specific, a Santoku is a Japanese-style chef knife.
Is there any difference between a chef knife and a Santoku?
The Shape of the Blade
Santoku knives usually feature a straight edge with a narrow and sharp edge. It is for this reason that Santokus are ideal for up-and-down slicing, making them most suitable for slicing, dicing, and mincing.
Meanwhile, a German-style chef knife usually has a curved edge. This is why these knives tend to create a rocking motion when used against a board.
Santoku knives usually have a shorter blade in comparison to chef knives. The standard length of a Santoku is around 6 inches. Meanwhile, the average length of a chef knife is 8 inches.
That’s not even the end of it. As you might have noticed, some Santoku knives only have one side of the blade sharpened. This means that those knives can only be used exclusively by either right-handed people or left-handed ones.
Ideal For
As explained above, Santoku knives have a thinner and more flexible blade than Western chef knives. Therefore, Santokus are much more vulnerable to chip damage than its Western counterpart.
Meanwhile, chef knives are generally strong enough to cut through more robust vegetables butternut squash and turnips. Furthermore, they can be used to debone meat or carve various types of food (if they’re sharp enough).
Handle Design
Another notable difference between a chef knife and a Santoku is in the design of the handle.
If you’re familiar with Western chef knives, you are probably aware of the fact that the majority of them have a bolster to protect your hands from slipping.
On the other hand, you can expect traditional Santokus not to have a bolster whatsoever.
Chef Knife vs. Cleaver
A cleaver, or sometimes known as the Chinese style chef knife, is a large knife with a blade that closely resembles a rectangular. Due to its size, a cleaver is typically used to hack through bones. Furthermore, some people can use the broad blade to mash garlic or shallots.
Because chef knife and cleaver clearly differ in terms of shape and size, you should not use one to substitute the other. For instance, if you use your chef knife to hack through bones, it’s highly likely that you will damage your blades.
What Are The Best Chef Knives?
To make you have an easier time identifying what product you might want, I’ve briefly described each of the products that I think is one of the best chef knives.
- Best Overall – WÜSTHOF 4582/20 Classic 8 Inches Chef Knife
“All-purpose design, full tang knife blade, contoured triple-riveted handle for an ergonomic grip, tempered blade, forged from a block of high carbon stainless steel.” - Best With Sheath – Dalstrong Chef’s Knife
“Sharp scalpel-like edge, ultra-premium G-10 military-grade handle, delicate hammered tsuchime finish, the blade is crafted from 66 layers of high carbon stainless steel.” - Best Set – Home Hero 7 Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Set of Chef Knife
“Excellent maneuverability, razor-sharp blade, features one chef knife, one bread knife, one carving knife, one parry knife, and one utility knife, made from quality stainless steel.” - Best for Meat – Aroma House Stainless Steel Chef Knife
“Well-balanced, ergonomic pakka handle, razor-sharp blade with a 15-degree angle on each side, ideal for heavy-duty use, full tang blade, suitable for both lefties and righties.” - Best With Case – AUIIKIY 8 Inches Pro Kitchen Chef Knife
“Ergonomic and comfortable handle, nice presentation, razor-sharp edge, pro-grade kitchen knife, made of stainless steel with high carbon, comes with exquisite gift box.” - Best Budget – Utopia Kitchen 8 Inches Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife
“Easy to use and clean, economical, durable, superb maneuverability, made of 100% stainless steel, ABS + 439 handle, dishwasher safe.” - Best for Small Hand – Shun Classic 6 Inches Double-Bevel VG-MAX Chef Knife
“Nimble design, handcrafted in Japan, provides excellent maneuverability, lightweight, made of VG-MAX steel, D-shaped grip handle, multi-purpose knife.” - Best Sharpness – Global GN-006 Santoku Silver Chef Knife
“Dimpled-blade design, features a round spine for an easy pinch grip, seamless design for ease of maintenance, nimble and versatile design, handcrafted.” - Best for Kids – Zulay Kitchen Kid 3 Pieces Set of Chef Knife
“Excellent starter set for small children, suitable for cutting simple food, easy to clean and use, serrated blade for ease of cutting, made of premium food-grade nylon.” - Best With Dimples – Mac Knife MTH-80 Professional Hollow Edge Chef Knife
“2.5mm-blade with dimples, Pakka wood handle, lightweight and perfectly balanced, highly durable, excellent maneuverability, made in Japan.” - Best for Sushi – Nego Sashimi Sushi Knife 8.5 Inches Cooking Chef Knife
“Specifically designed to slice sushi and salami, made of German high carbon stainless steel, ergonomic handle with a protective bolster, lightweight.”
Chef Knives Comparison Chart
To help you get a general idea of what products I will be recommending and what their key features are, I’ve compiled a comparison chart down below.
Top 15 Best Chef Knives Reviews
There are so many things that a simple comparison chart and short descriptions can’t cover. For a more detailed analysis and in-depth look into each product, please read my reviews for each chef knife down below.
1. WÜSTHOF 4582/20 Classic 8 Inches Chef Knife
(Best Overall)
Whether you’re a professional or an amateur chef, you will come to love this razor-sharp blade from Wusthof.
An all-purpose knife, this blade can be used for slicing, mincing, chopping, and dicing. With its full-tang design knife handle, the product is extremely robust, making it suitable to deal with even solid and hard food.
A personal favorite of many famous chefs, the Wusthof classic is forged from a single block of high carbon stainless steel, giving it a seamless design and a robust profile.
Furthermore, the blade is tempered to 58-degree HRC and crafted with Precision Edge Technology (aka PEtec), which means that the blade has 20% more sharpness than its previous models.
Being a full tang knife, the Wusthof classic has a contoured triple-riveted handle that offers a comfortable and ergonomic grip.
With all of its exceptional qualities, there’s no wonder why this outstanding product can meet even the strictest quality standards.
For further information, you can check this video review to see the knife’s exceptional performance:
Key Features
- An all-purpose knife
- Full Tang knife blade
- Forged from a block of high carbon stainless steel
- Implements Precision Edge Technology (aka PEtec)
- Can meet even the strictest quality standards
- Contoured triple-riveted handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 1.1 x 7.5 x 4.3 inches |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Wusthof |
| Blade Material | High carbon stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Highly sturdy and durable
- Offers exceptional maneuverability
- Ergonomic and comfortable to use
- Great value for money
- Provides a razor-sharp edge to cut through virtually any food
- Well-balanced
Cons
- Some people complained that the product arrived scratched and damaged
2. Dalstrong Chef Knife
(Best With Sheath)
If you want to find a small knife with a sheath for ease of storage and transportation, you should consider getting this product from Dalstrong – one of the best chef knives under $100.
Boasting a scalpel-like edge, the Dalstrong blade is finished with a mirror polish at 8-12° per side with the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method.
What is the Honbazuke method?
Originating from Japan, Honbazuke is a method that sharpens and polish the knife in three steps:
- Grinding the blade with a vertical rotating sharpening stone.
- Fine honing the knife with a horizontal rotating sharpening stone
- Polishing the edge with a leather strop
Furthermore, the blade is cooled by nitrogen for improved hardness, corrosion resistance ability, and flexibility. That’s not all; the edge also boasts an exceptional strength from 66 layers of premium high-carbon stainless steel.
Having food sticking to the blade while you’re slicing can surely be a pain in the neck. Understanding that, Dalstrong has implemented the edge with a delicate hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and minimize sticking food.
If you need to tackle a lot of hard food in the kitchen, you will need the product’s full tang blade and triple-riveted handle that will offer you an exceptional robustness.
Moreover, the product’s ultra-premium G-10 military-grade handle will ensure that you can have the most natural “pinch grip” when using the knife.
You can see its performance for yourself this video and determine whether it’s a good choice for you:
Key Features
- Sharp scalpel-like edge
- Features a full tang blade and triple-riveted handle
- Delicate hammered tsuchime finish
- Made from 66 layers of premium high-carbon stainless steel
- Includes an ultra-sharp AUS-10V vacuum treated
- Ultra-premium G-10 military-grade handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 15.8 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Dalstrong |
| Blade Material | Japanese super steel |
| Blade Length | 6 inches |
Pros
- Exceptional design
- Ergonomic, comfortable handle
- Superb versatility
- Excellent value for money
- Outstanding craftsmanship
- Highly durable and sturdy
- Made of premium-quality materials
Cons
- Some people might find the knife a bit heavy for its size
- The product might not look as sleek and elegant as advertised
3. Home Hero 7 Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Set of Chef Knife
(Best Set)
Investing money into many different types of knives can be costly, especially if you’re only an amateur chef. Therefore, you can get a whole set of knives to save yourself some money.
Offering excellent value for money, this set from Home Hero includes one chef knife, one bread knife, one carving knife, one parry knife, and one utility knife.
That’s not all, when you buy the set, you will also get a 2-stage knife sharpener as well as an acrylic stand.
While the set might come at a low price, it can still offer a razor-sharp edge with excellent maneuverability. Furthermore, because the blade is made of high-quality stainless steel with a laser finish, it’s reasonably durable.
Undoubtedly one of the best sets of chef knives under $50, this product is an excellent value for money.
See the set for yourself in this video review so that you can know how well made it is:
Key Features
- The set includes one chef knife, one bread knife, one carving knife, one parry knife, and one utility knife
- The collection is made of high-quality stainless steel with a laser finish
- Features a 2-stage knife sharpener and an acrylic stand
- Ergonomic design
- The knives are coated with a non-stick layer
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 13.8 x 4.1 x 10.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Home Hero |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Blade Length | N/A |
Pros
- Easy to hold and clean
- Giftable
- Ergonomic design
- The product provides excellent maneuverability
- The set is highly durable
- All the knives from the collection have a razor-sharp edge
Cons
- The product’s coating has a small chance to chip off, which might pose as a health hazard to some people
4. Aroma House 8 Inches Stainless Steel Chef Knife
(Best for Meat)
Arriving in an elegant gift box, the German stainless steel chef knife boasts a well-balanced design and weight. With its ergonomic pakka handle that can provide superior comfort, the product offers excellent maneuverability.
Having undergone the brand’s High Tech Vacuum heat treatment, the German high carbon stainless steel blade boasts a hardness of up to HRC56±2.
Additionally, the double bevel blade makes the knife an ideal choice for both left-handed and right-handed people.
Thanks to its full-tang blade, the knife has a durable profile, enabling it to cut through even the most robust food.
If you still have any qualm about buying this product, you can keep in mind that this is one of the best chef knives under $50.
Key Features
- Ergonomic pakka handle
- Ideal for heavy-duty use
- Suitable for multi-purpose use
- Double-edged and full tang blade
- The product arrives in an elegant gift box
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 13.2 x 1.8 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 15.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Aroma House |
| Blade Material | Premium German high carbon stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- The product’s presentation is superb
- The knife’s handle is easy and comfortable to hold
- Outstanding craftsmanship
- Great value for money
- The blade offers excellent maneuverability
- The edge of the knife can cut through meat like butter
Cons
- The product is not suitable for cutting through bone as it will be prone to chipping
5. AUIIKIY 8 Inches Pro Kitchen Knife Professional Chef Knife
(Best With Case)
Another beautiful knife that arrives in an elegant black box that will impress your friends and family, this 8-inch chef knife from AUIIKIY is surely quite a bargain.
Made of stainless steel with high carbon, the knife is highly durable. Unlike most other conventional knives in its class, the AUIIKIY contains up to 0.6%-0.75% carbon, making it a lot more sturdy and durable.
That’s not all; the knife ergonomic wooden handle is well-balanced enough that you will not tire or strain your hands whatever after using it for a long time.
With its razor-sharp edge and the excellent value it can bring about, this pro-grade kitchen is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.
Key Features
- The knife blade is made of stainless steel with high carbon
- Twice as hard as other average knives in the same class
- Arrives in an exquisite gift box
- Pro-grade kitchen knife
- Ergonomic and comfortable handle
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 14.4 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches |
| Item Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | AUIIKIY |
| Blade Material | High carbon stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- Ergonomic, comfortable, easy-to-hold handle
- Nice presentation
- Excellent value for money
- Razor-sharp edge
Cons
- The product might not be very suitable for heavy-duty use
6. Utopia Kitchen 8 Inches Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife
(Best Budget)
Finding a decent chef knife at a reasonable price is not an easy task. However, with this product from Utopia Kitchen, you will be able to get a professional blade with superb quality at a very low price.
Made of 100% stainless steel, the blade is highly resistant against rust. Furthermore, it does not require as much maintenance as a carbon steel blade usually does.
Additionally, this 8-inch blade has an exceptionally sharp edge that can easily cut through food and ingredients.
To make sure that users’ hands will not tire out quickly during use, Utopia has implemented an ABS + 430 handle for a comfortable grip.
Furthermore, the full bolster that comes with this ergonomic handle will ensure that your hand will not slip when cutting with the knife.
Key Features
- The knife’s blade is made of 100% stainless steel
- The knife’s sharp edge can easily cut through food
- ABS + 430 handle
- Enables easy handheld use
- Dishwasher-safe
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 11.9 x 3.3 x 0.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Utopia Kitchen |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- The product is easy to use and clean
- Economical
- Excellent value for money
- The product is reasonably durable
- The knife’s handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold
- The product’s design offers superb maneuverability
Cons
- Some people find the product a bit too heavy to hold
- You need to maintain the knife properly; otherwise, it would chip
7. Shun Classic 6 Inches Double-Bevel VG-MAX Chef Knife
(Best for Small Hand)
For many people with small hands, it might be challenging to find a blade that is suitable for them. However, with the nimble design of the Shun classic 6-inch chef knife, even people with small hands can easily use this product.
When talking about Japanese knives, many people tend to think of those single bevel edge that can only be used by either left-handed or right-handed people. However, this blade is an exception.
With its double-edged blade design and the D-shaped handle grip, this knife is suitable for everyone, regardless of what their dominant hand is.
Despite its small size, this Japanese blade offers exceptional cutting power thanks to its special VG-MAX steel that is formulated from extra carbon, tungsten, cobalt, chromium, and vanadium.
This unique formula can not only provide enhanced strength and sharpness, but it also improves the blade’s durability as well as rust resistance ability.
You can check out this video for a more detailed look:
Key Features
- Nimble design for people with small hands
- Offers exceptional cutting power
- An ergonomic design
- Made of VG-MAX steel
- The knife’s handle offers a D-shaped grip
- A multi-purpose chef knife
- Hand-crafted in Japan
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 11.6 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Shun |
| Blade Material | VG-MAX steel made from an exclusive formula with extra carbon, tungsten, cobalt, chromium, and vanadium |
| Blade Length | 6 inches |
Pros
- The product has excellent maneuverability
- The handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold
- The knife is lightweight
- Suitable as gifts
- The knife has excellent durability
- The blade has a razor-sharp edge
Cons
- The product is rather expensive
- There have been reports that the knife arrived damaged
8. Global GN-006 Santoku Silver Chef Knife
(Best Sharpness)
If you’re specifically looking for a chef knife with an extra razor-sharp edge, you should give this Santoku knife from Global a try.
This Japanese blade boasts a round spine handle that allows chefs to get a professional pinch grip comfortably. Furthermore, the knife has a dimpled blade that is designed to minimize food from sticking to the edge while cutting.
Even with its small size and nimble design, this Santoku blade is a versatile product that is suitable for cutting, dicing, slicing, mincing, julienning, and so on.
Moreover, this handcrafted blade arrives in a seamless design that makes cleaning and maintaining it a breeze.
With its cutting-edge performance, there’s no doubt that this Santoku blade is one of the best Japanese chef knives out there.
Key Features
- Features a round spine for a professional pinch grip
- A dimpled blade to prevent food from sticking
- The product arrives in a seamless design
- Considerably more nimble than a standard chef knife
- A versatile design that allows you to cut, chop, dice, slice, mince, julien, or mashing gloves of garlic
- Handcrafted blade that boasts a cutting-edge performance
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 14 x 3 x 0.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Santoku |
| Blade Material | Lightweight G18 CROMOVA steel |
| Blade Length | 6 inches |
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Features an ergonomic, easy-to-hold handle
- Provides superb maneuverability
- Excellent as gift
- Offers a sharp edge
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Suitable for people with small hands
Cons
- The product can be rather pricey for some people
9. Zulay Kitchen Kid 3 Pieces Set of Chef Knife
(Best for Kids)
Do you want to get your children in the kitchen, but can’t afford to risk having them accidentally cutting themselves? Do you want to find a kid-friendly set of knives that can help them get the hang of how to use knives?
An excellent starter kit for little kids and children, the knives are made of durable nylon that is 100% BPA-free. These cooking utensils all have a blunt tip to prevent any possible accident from happening.
In addition, the knives arrive with serrated blades that enable children to cut through soft food easily.
Don’t worry that these knives will tire out your children’s hands. The knives’ handles are all coated with rubber for a secure and comfortable grip.
Key Features
- An excellent starter knife set for little kids and children
- Serrated blades
- The set features a small, a medium, and a large nylon knife
- The handles are coated with rubber
- 100% BPA-free
- Easy to clean, dishwasher-safe
- Suitable for cutting simple food
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 13.3 x 2.6 x 0.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Zulay Kitchen |
| Blade Material | Premium food-grade nylon |
| Blade Length | N/A |
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Safe for little children, pose no dangers whatsoever
- Made of non-toxic material
- Fairly durable
- Can help children establish good knife habits
- Provides comfortable handles
Cons
- This product is not suitable for cutting hard food and vegetables
10. Mac Knife MTH-80 Professional Hollow Edge Chef Knife
(Best With Dimples)
Another outstanding choice if you like dimple chef knives, this hollow-edged blade from Mac Knife has an amazingly sharp edge that can cut through almost any type of food quickly.
With a thickness of 2.5 milliliters, the blade has a strong, robust profile that makes it suitable to cut even hard ingredients like butter.
Its exceedingly sharp edge is so efficient that you don’t even need to apply an excessive amount of force or effort to cut through food.
Finally, its Pakka-wood handle will give you a comfortable grip with optimal maneuverability.
If you’re still not convinced yet, you can see how sharp the blade is in this video review:
Key Features
- 2.5mm-blade with added dimples
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- The handle is made from Pakka wood
- The product is made in Japan
- Perfectly balanced
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.1 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Mac Knife |
| Blade Material | N/A |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- The product is lightweight and well-balanced
- The knife comes with an ergonomic and easy-to-hold handle
- The knife is suitable as presents
- Great durability
- Provides excellent maneuverability
- Surgical sharpness
Cons
- The product is rather pricey
- If not maintained properly, the blade will be prone to rusting and chipping
11. Nego Sashimi Sushi Knife 8.5 Inches Cooking Chef Knife
(Best for Sushi)
Prepare sushi and sashimi like a professional chef right within your home with this razor-sharp sushi knife from Nego.
With its single bevel design, the blade is most suitable for jobs that require utmost precision. Made of German high carbon stainless steel, this Japanese blade has an optimal sharpness and blade retention.
Handling a knife for a long time can hurt and strain your hands. Understanding this, Nego has designed their handle to be as ergonomic as possible with an extra protective bolster for a non-slip grip.
Key Features
- Japanese-style sushi knife
- Best for slicing thin pieces of sushi, sashimi
- Made of German high carbon stainless steel
- An ergonomic handle with a protective bolster and triple rivet
- Features a two-stage pocket knife sharpener
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 15.3 x 3.6 x 1.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Nego |
| Blade Material | German high carbon stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 8.5 inches |
Pros
- Lightweight, easy to use
- The product offers superb maneuverability
- Features an ergonomic handle that is easy and comfortable to hold
- Great value for money
- An ideal choice for professional sushi chefs
- Razor-sharp blade
Cons
- The product requires careful maintenance; otherwise, it will be prone to rust
- Some people might need to sharpen the blade regularly
12. MOSFiATA Set of Fruit Knife and Professional Chef Knife
One of the best kitchen knife set, this one features a 5-inch chef knife and a 3.5-inch fruit knife, each comes with its own sheath. Upon purchase, the product arrives in an exquisite black box that boasts an elegant presentation.
Made of high-quality German stainless steel, these ultra-sharp knives are highly resistant against rust and oxidation damage. Moreover, they both have a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking to the blades.
A decent knife should not only be razor sharp but also be comfortable enough for users to handle. This is the case for this set of knives from MOSFiAtA.
With their non-slip ergonomic handle, these two knives provide a comfortable, lightweight, and well-balanced grip.
Take a look at this video review of the product for further information; you might be convinced to get the product:
Key Features
- Features a 5-inch chef knife and a 3.5-inch fruit knife
- The product is made of high-quality German stainless steel
- Ultra-sharp knives with 14-16 degrees sharpening angles
- Non-slip ergonomic handle
- Features seamless welding
- The blades come with a non-stick coating
- The blades contain 15-18% chrome
- Multi-functional design
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 11 x 4 x 1.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | MOSFiATA |
| Blade Material | High-quality German stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 5 inches for chef knife
3.5 inches for fruit knife |
Pros
- The product offers outstanding maneuverability
- Well-balanced, easy to hold and handle
- The product can be an excellent gift
- Great value for money
- The product comes in an exquisite box
- Superb craftsmanship
- Razor-sharp blades
Cons
- Some users have complained that the knife’s handle is not hammered correctly
13. Wusthof 4582/16 Classic Chef Knife
Another fantastic chef knife from Wusthof, this high carbon stainless steel is highly resistant against corrosion and chip damage. Furthermore, this blade boasts a razor-sharp edge that can easily cut through food as if it were butter.
Because an excellent knife should be comfortable for all users to handle, this item from Wusthof is designed with an ergonomic handle that can provide a reliable and strain-free grip.
No worries if you have small hands. This classic chef knife arrives in a nimble design that should be able to fit perfectly into the palms of those with little hands. The product’s full tang blade should also give users a sense of perfect balance in the edge.
Key Features
- Made of high carbon stainless steel
- A razor-sharp edge that cut through food easily
- An ergonomic handle that provides a comfortable, secure grip
- Nimble design, suitable even for people with small hands
- Lightweight but still heavy enough to tackle harder food
- Well-balanced
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 12 x 6 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Wusthof |
| Blade Material | High carbon stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 6 inches |
Pros
- Ergonomic, comfortable handle
- Highly durable
- Excellent value for money
- Superb material quality
- Super sharp blade
Cons
- The back spine of the knife might crack if you handle the knife too roughly
14. LEVINCHY G10 Handle 8 Inches Chef Knife
Are you a fan of Japanese Damascus steel? Do you like knives with elegant designs and beautiful blades? If that is the case, then you should check out this 8-inch chef knife from LEVINCHY.
Made from premium-quality super Damascus steel with up to 67 layers, this professional chef knife has a super sharp edge that is sharpened with a perfect curvature.
Meanwhile, the surface of the blade has stunning water ripple patterns that many people immediately fall in love with upon first glance.
This 8-inch chef knife is crafted with the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method as well as 12 manual processes.
Furthermore, its edge is finished with a mirror polish at 8-12 degrees angle per side. Therefore, the knife can chop, mince, slice fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and many other types of food with little to no problem.
For a durable, reliable, and comfortable grip, the product boasts a military-grade premium G-10 handle.
Key Features
- Made from premium-quality super Damascus steel with 67 layers
- The military-grade premium G-10 handle
- Arrives in a high-quality black gift box
- 2mm blade thickness
- The blade’s edge is finished with a mirror polish at 8-12 degrees angle per side
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 1.9 x 0.7 inches |
| Item Weight | 9.3 ounces |
| Manufacturer | LEVINCHY |
| Blade Material | Super Damascus steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- The blade is made of real Damascus steel for an incredibly sharp edge
- The handle is reasonably comfortable to hold
- The design of the knife provides superb maneuverability
- The blade is well-balanced
- Beautiful and elegant design
- The product arrives in an exquisite black box that makes it suitable as gifts
Cons
- Some people complained that the handle could be a little rough
- The knife might require sharpening upon arrival
15. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef Knife
Another decent product for you to choose from, this 8-inch chef knife is suitable for both home chefs as well as professional ones.
Professionally created with a tapered stainless steel edge, this knife boasts an excellent efficiency when it comes to cutting food. In fact, it’s suitable for virtually all cutting tasks in the kitchen (except hacking through bones.)
Moreover, this Victorinox knife also features a Thermoplastic Elastomer ergonomic handle that virtually everyone will have an easy time using.
You should have a look at this video:
Key Features
- Suitable for both home chef as well as professional ones
- Ideal for virtually all tasks
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) ergonomic handle
- Well-balanced
- Made of stainless steel
- Can be handled easily when wet
Product Specifications
| Product Dimensions | 18.9 x 2.6 x 2 inches |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Victorinox |
| Blade Material | Stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 8 inches |
Pros
- Ergonomic and comfortable to hold
- The knife’s design enables perfect maneuverability
- Highly versatile and efficient
- The knife is made of decent materials
- Durable and sturdy construction for extra longevity
Cons
- Some people might not like the recent changes made to the knife
- The blade might be prone to scratching
Buying Guide
Preparing food with a dull knife or one that feels awkward in your hands is no fun. More often than not, cutting with a chef knife that is not right for you can cause disastrous results.
Unfortunately, it’s not always the case that the most expensive knife is an ideal choice for you. Sometimes, if you look hard enough, you can choose a blade that is both economical and suitable for you.
With your best interests in mind, I’ve written some tips that I think will be useful for you when looking for a chef knife.
Knife Style
When it comes to chef knives, we usually talk about three major types: Japanese chef knives (Santokus), French and German ones. Each type of blade has its advantages as well as drawbacks. Furthermore, because of the difference in design, they are suitable for different tasks as well.
If you don’t know what the major differences between Western chef knives and Santokus are, you can scroll up and read my comparison of them at the beginning of this article.
The Material of the Blade
The most common materials to make chef knives include stainless steel and carbon steel.
A carbon steel will react with the environment, meaning that it will patina over time and might potentially rust as well. On the other hand, stainless steel is relatively less likely to patina or rust.
Generally speaking, a carbon steel knife is easier to sharpen. Furthermore, many people, including professional chefs, prefer the aesthetic of a knife that patinas.
Nevertheless, if you don’t want your knife to rust or if you don’t want to spend too much time maintaining your blade, you should choose a stainless steel knife.
The Thickness of the Blade
The thickness of the blade varies in different types of knives.
Usually, a thinner knife is considered to be better at the majority of cutting tasks. However, one drawback of a thin knife is that it is often more delicate, making it not an ideal option to cut more robust food.
Furthermore, a thinner knife equals a lighter knife. Many people feel that they can slice food better with a lighter knife, while others believe that they can get through more robust food with a heavier blade.
The Hardness of the Blade
The benefit of a hard blade is that it can maintain its edge for a longer time, which means that it does not require as much maintenance.
However, the edge of this type of blade is usually more brittle. Furthermore, it is not as resistant to shock or abuse, and therefore, more likely to chip if not used properly. If you drop a hard blade on the floor, there’s a small chance that the edge will break.
Meanwhile, a softer blade, such as one from Wusthof, is less prone to chip damage. However, a softer blade usually means that it doesn’t retain its edge as well as a hard one, and as a result, requires more frequent sharpening.
Full Tang or Hidden Tang
When we’re talking about a full tang blade, we’re talking about knives with the steel extends all the way to the handle with two flat pieces attached to the steel to form a handle.
A hidden tang blade means that the steel of the blade partially extends into the handle and is glued to attach to the handle.
The key difference between a full tang and a hidden tang blade is that the balance of the former is in the handle while the latter has a balance toward the blade.
Another slight difference between the two is that you can expect a full tang blade to be more robust than a hidden tang one.
Double Bevel or Single Bevel
While most European style blades are double bevel, Japanese knives such as Santokus are typically designed to be single bevel. Again, each design of the blade offers different features that accommodate different needs.
A single bevel knife can cut through food exceptionally well. This type of blade is a sushi chef’s favorite because of how excellent it is at cutting through raw fish.
However, there are certain drawbacks to a single bevel knife that might make it unsuitable for the home chef. For instance, this type of blade is exceedingly delicate because of its thin edge.
Furthermore, it requires more practice and experience to use and sharpen a single bevel knife.
Another downside of a single bevel blade is that it tends to “wander” away from the bevel when used by an inexperienced chef.
If you’re a left-handed person, when buying a single bevel knife, you need to make sure that it is designed for left-handed people.
A double bevel blade, on the other hand, is ambidextrous. Furthermore, a double bevel blade can cut straight down without wandering away from the bevel.
Other Features
There are also some other features that you need to pay attention to when buying a chef knife.
For instance, you might want a knife with a bolster to prevent your hand from slipping while cutting with the knife.
Furthermore, if you’re tired of having food stick to the surface of the knife, you should find one with a non-stick coating or one with a dimpled blade.
FAQs
Even after reading the reviews, you might still have some questions. I’ve included some FAQs here to help you get the answers you need.
My Top Pick
When it comes to chef knives, my top pick is undoubtedly the WÜSTHOF 4582/20 Classic 8 Inches Chef Knife. It has an exceedingly sharp edge, an ergonomic handle, an excellent durability, and an exceptional performance.
I hope by this point, you’ve found a chef knife for yourself. If you have any better suggestions or any questions you might want to ask, please let me know in the comment section down below.
