The 5 Best Chef's Knives

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Anyone who cooks knows how important it is to have a good chef's knife in your culinary armory. The size and versatility of the chef's knife often makes it the most-used tool when it comes to food preparation. A chef's knife is good for mincing, slicing, chopping, and even disjoining large cuts of meat, giving it a flexibility that is rarely seen in a kitchen filled with specialized tools and appliances. Here at Wise Bread, we've put together a list of the top 5 chef's knives for you to choose from.

What Is a Chef's Knife?

A chef's knife is a cutting tool that is used to prepare food for cooking. The original chef's knife was designed to disjoin large cuts of beef; however, it has evolved to become an all-purpose knife for cooks. Chef's knives typically range between 6 to 14 inches in length. When purchasing a chef's knife, the most important factors to consider are sharpness, build, and comfort.

Best 5 Chef's Knives

Victorinox 8 inch Chef's Knife

Swiss knife manufacturer Victorinox's foray into kitchen cutlery has produced an extremely sharp and well-designed 8 inch chef's knife at a very reasonable price. Users really appreciate the quality-to-price ratio of this particular chef's knife. The high-carbon stainless steel blade ensures sharp cutting and good edge retention. Finally, the patented handle design is ergonomic and slip resistant. Currently $36.59 on Amazon.

 

Wusthof Classic 8 Inch Cook's Knife

Those who have purchased kitchen cutlery in the past may recognize the name Wusthof. This German knife manufacturer is known for its high-quality products. When it comes to buying a chef's knife, it is important to keep in mind the size of the knife and how it will fit in your hand. To that end, Wusthof's Classic line of chef's knives comes in a number of different sizes. However, the 8 inch knife seems to hit a sweet spot for many users. Special alloyed stainless steel and full tang that is triple riveted into the handle ensures exceptional sharpness and durability. Currently $129.95 on Amazon.

Wusthof Classic Santoku

Santoku knives are general-purpose kitchen knives that originate from Japan. They are capable of performing the same tasks as Western chef's knives such as slicing, chopping and mincing with the same level of proficiency. The primary difference between a santoku and a chef's knife is the fact that a santoku primarily relies on single, downward cuts instead of rocking cuts. The Wusthof Classic Santoku has all of the design elements you would expect in a Wusthof knife: high-carbon steel blade, full tang construction and a solid, but comfortable handle. Currently $99.95 on Amazon.

Chicago Cutlery Fusion 7-3/4 inch Chef's Knife

Recommended by Good Housekeeping, this Chicago Cutlery chef's knife is a great choice for those looking for a quality knife at an inexpensive price. This knife, the cheapest on this list, is comparable to many pricier options with a high-carbon stainless steel blade and a non-slip cushioned handle for comfortable use. Currently $16.85 on Amazon.

 

 

Global G-2 8 inch Chef's Knife

Considered the best chef's knife on ConsumerSearch, users and professionals agree that the blade of the Global G-2 8 inch chef's knife is exceptionally sharp and that the knife is remarkably light and balanced. The blade produces thin, even slices and is capable of cutting into even the toughest foods. The blade itself is made of stamped steel rather than the forged steel of other knives on this list, which makes it harder than other blades but also more prone to chipping or breaking. Currently $91.78 on Amazon.

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Guest's picture
Guest

"Stamped steel rather than forged steel.......makes it harder than other blades" is a wrong statement. Blade makers have a hardening process (generally heating and then rapidly quenching to change the metal crystal structure) that is independent of the shaping process. Also, the Global isn't the only stamped on the list. The Victorinox on the list is stamped as well (though Victorinox does make a forged version that is thicker and affects how well it cuts).

I like how "Best" is used without any other qualifiers, yet only includes knives from a budget range of $20 to $130, actually has a santoku on the list from a German brand (there are some tasks that a santoku can't do as well as a western chefs), and fails to include a nice budget carbon steel (as opposed to the stainless that occupy this list).

At least there aren't any celebrity knives on the list, so good job!

Guest's picture
Jon

I am glad to see Chicago Cutlery made the list. I posted on my blog a short time ago about my experience with their knives. Long story short - My wife and I have had ours for thirty years and are very happy with them.