The Cutting Edge: Our Pick for Best Chef's Knife
They say a chef can only be as good as their tools and the chef's knife is arguably the most valuable tool in the kitchen. Professional chefs are often seen traveling with their beloved blades because they simply can't perform the same without their knife of choice. It's just as important for home cooks to have a chef's knife they can trust, enjoy using, and that will chop, slice, carve, dice, mince, and julienne with ease.
So, what factors should you consider when shopping for your perfect chef's knife?
- Sharpness. A sharp blade is what stands between you, a tired arm, and split carrots when you're preparing that batch of stew.
- Type of Steel. The type of steel used to construct the knife also happens to impact sharpness. Chef's knives are often constructed with stainless, Japanese, or German steel. We could write an entirely separate post about types of steel, but, for the purpose of this blog post, we'll stick to the high points. Stainless steel is most commonly used for your average-priced blade. Japanese blades are thinner, giving them a sharper edge. They are always hand-honed and intended for clean, precise slices. German blades are harder, but also more brittle. They tend to be slightly heavier because the blade runs all the way through the handle, resulting in a solid construction. German knives are more versatile in nature, best used for chopping, cutting, and slicing.
- Handle. How the knife feels in your hand is extremely important. When tackling a lot of chopping, you want to ensure your hand is comfortable and will not slip. Factors that impact how the handle feels in your hand are the type of bolster and the material from which your handle is made. Most chef's knives have an ergonomic handle to optimize comfort.
- Dimensions. The length of blade and weight are both key factors to consider. While most blade lengths are 8 inches, weight often varies greatly due to the materials used and how the knife is constructed.
- Ease of Care. Taking quality care of your kitchen tools is crucial. Most chef's knives are hand-wash only to protect the blade and the material of the handle, but occasionally you will find one that is dishwasher-safe.
- Price. Chef's knives, like most kitchenware, have a wide range of prices. Sometimes price is a reflection of quality, but not always.
We headed to our test kitchen and evaluated six different chef's knives, all varying in the key factors listed above. Our evaluation involved making the exact same recipe, our Best-Ever Guacamole, six times — using a different knife each time. We must say, this was a very tasty experiment!
Victorianox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife
This chef's knife is contemporary in its design, made with an 8-inch stainless steel blade, and has a textured handle with a non-slip grip. So even with wet hands, your fingers will remain safe! The handle is ergonomically designed to help minimize tension at the wrist. We were quite comfortable chopping with this knife for an extended period. The handle did, however, feel a bit lower quality than the other knives we evaluated, as it was the only handle made with a plastic material.
We also found that the blade was not as sharp or precise as some of the others we evaluated as it left us with less clean slices and was more difficult to maneuver. If you dislike doing dishes, this knife is for you as it can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher. It is priced at $69.16 which is moderate in comparison to the other knives we considered.
Mercer Culinary M21078 Genesis Forged Short Bolster Chef's Knife
This knife is an excellent budget pick, priced at just $39.95. Its ergonomic, santroprene rubber handle allows for a solid, non-slip grip even with wet hands. Its short bolster allows for maximum control while chopping and slicing. The blade is constructed with high carbon German steel. For beginner chefs, we would recommend this product due to its price, rubber handle, and construction.
Ninja K30020 Foodi NeverDull System Chef Knife
Another highly reviewed budget pick, priced at just $44.95. The 8-inch blade of this knife is made from German stainless steel. The handle is also made from stainless steel and is double bolstered, meaning it will be a durable, long-lasting choice that also feels high quality in the hand. We had a bit more difficulty maneuvering this knife, but it did make clean and precise cuts which is why it earned our number three slot. This model is rust resistant, so you don't have to worry about it forming those unsightly brown spots anytime soon. Finally, Ninja is a household name when it comes to kitchenware which might make it a more attractive choice to some who prefer familiarity in their products.
Global Chef's Knife
What this knife lacks in size, it makes up for in precision. The blade of this knife is 6-inches, and it weighs just over nine ounces. Constructed with three layers of different Japanese steel types, the precision you get from the knife certainly stands out amongst the rest.
The combination of steel used leads to the blade having nonstick properties which is a surprising product feature. The handle is also made from steel, with an attractive ergonomic design that makes the knife appear to be one solid piece. The handle has a thumb rest which keeps your grip comfortable when chopping for extended periods of time. It is extremely easy to maneuver due to how lightweight it is. The Global Chef's Knife is rust resistant which ensures it will be a dependable part of your kitchen arsenal for a long time to come.
WÜSTHOF Classic Chef's Knife
One simply cannot compare any kitchen knives without having a WÜSTHOF contender in the mix. This German company has been specializing solely in kitchen knives since 1814 and they truly are experts at their craft, which is apparent in their products!
The 8-inch classic chef's knife we reviewed is made from (surprise, surprise) German carbon steel. Carbon steel is softer, meaning the blade will dull faster and require more frequent sharpening. One of the only reasons this knife didn't land first on our list is because, due to the design of the bolster, it cannot be effectively sharpened at home, which makes for an inconvenient trip to a professional sharpening shop. Nevertheless, this knife is impressively designed for heavy-duty tasks and would effectively cut through just about anything. Its ergonomic handle is made from a long-lasting synthetic material which makes it resistant to fading and discoloration. The handle is triple riveted which results in the highest quality of durability. This particular model was made with a 20% sharper blade with twice the edge retention which allowed us to easily maneuver around anything on our cutting board.
With all the highlights on quality, you might guess that it is our most expensive choice at $170.
Cangshan Z Series 62731 High Carbon X-7 Damascus Steel Forged Chef Knife
The Cangshan Cutlery Z Series of knives is the perfect blend between affordability and quality while showing exceptional form and function. The chef's knife is priced at $119.95, although you would think it costs much more due to its attractive design features and quality feel. It is hand crafted and comes in a gorgeous walnut sheath to protect the blade during storage, which also protects the hands of anyone reaching into the drawer! Its ergonomic polymer, triple riveted handle adds to the high durability and attractive design with a decorative mosaic pin on the middle rivet. The 8-inch blade is made from high carbon X-7 Damascus steel. This knife allows the everyday home cook to have a sleek looking knife that, in our opinion, outperforms the rest. We actually had to be careful not to let the blade cut through our wooden cutting boards—it's that sharp! The overall balance is done very well which makes the large knife feel nimble and light. This model offers a lifetime warranty against all manufacturer's defects.
While we were able to accomplish our goal of selecting our highest rated chef's knife, we must say that any of these knives would make an excellent addition to your kitchen. When shopping, determine your budget first. Keep in mind the type of cooking you do most often and what type of handle you desire to hold for a prolonged period. Determine how important design aesthetics are to you when purchasing your kitchen equipment. Refer to our guidelines above, follow your heart, and don't forget to try some Best-Ever Guacamole!
