If you are kitting out a brand new student kitchen then you will want to find the best chef knife. Why? Because the kitchen simply is not complete without one. This article will help you to find the very best chefs knives for all occasions.
Few knives are essential in the kitchen, knives you really will not want to be without. The following is a list of three absolute must-have knives that will make preparing foods for meals a whole lot easier.
Table of Contents
Top 9 Chef Knives 2021
Are you on the hunt for the very best chef knives on the market right now? Then have a look at the following list of 10 chef’s knives that have been designed by the top knife manufacturers, the very best for you and your brand new kitchen.
KAN Core
If you are looking for the sharpest kitchen knives then you can always rely on KAN to supply you with a professional chef knife. Take a look at the following 8-inch chef knife that I am sure you will love.
Overview
The 8-inch blade is the perfect size blade for everyday cooking and will help you to keep in control of the knife and direct power to every slice.
The ebony-wood handle is lightweight and helps to reduce wrist fatigue.
The knife also has a bolster that will help to protect you from accidents while using the knife.
The damascus steel pattern on the blade is unique and sets this knife and its blade apart from others.
Features
- 7.9″ blade
- VG-10 core clad with 66 layers of damascus steel
- 15 degree double bevel
- Treated to about 60 on the Rockwell hardness scale
- Authentic Japanese blade
- Nicely balanced at the pinch point
- Super sharp
- Very attractive handle and hammered blade
- Knife is pretty heavy
- No taper on the spine
Sagler Chef Knife
Sagler also makes some great quality chef knives and this 8-inch knife is no exception.
Overview
The blades on these knives are made of German steel, making them tougher and sharper than the blades on other knives. German steel requires less honing and sharpening than other materials making this knife an all-round low-maintenance knife.
This knife comes presented in a beautiful black gift box with a red interior that will make the perfect present for the avid chef. The gift box is also perfect for storing the knife as it will help to keep the blade sharp.
Features
- 8-inch blade
- Blade made from forged German steel
- Includes gift box
- Comfortbale handle shape
- Rust resistant blade
- Budget priced
- Arrives sharp
- Very lightweight
- Durability
Kessaku Chef Knife
Kessaku makes a professional cooking knife that you will really love.
Overview
The 8 inch blade on this knife is made of high carbon steel, meaning it has a razor sharp blade that will help you to cut through even the toughest fruits and vegetables in a jiffy.
This professional cooking knife comes presented in a classic black gift box, making it a great anniversary, Father’s Day or birthday gift for a friend or family member that loves spending time in the kitchen.
This knife is temperature resistant and is also moisture resistant, helping to keep the pakkawood handle in the best condition for longer.
Features
- 16 degree blade angle per side
- Rockwell Hardness of 58
- Gift box included
- Pakkawood handle
- Budget Friendly Cost
- Great looking aesthetic
- Lifetime warranty
- High carbon 7CR17MOV stainless steel blade
- Not full tang
- Durability
LEVINCHY Chef’s Knife
If you are kitting out a new student apartment, then you will be after some kitchen supplies that match the young environment. You will probably be looking for some cool chefs knives to add to the collection and match the vibe of the house. Take a look at this Damascus stainless steel kitchen knife by LEVINCHY that you will love.
Overview
The water ripple surface blade design is unique and sets this knife apart from others.
It is made from 67 layers of Damascus steel, each layer adding to the overall strength of the blade, helping you to add immense power behind every slice.
This is the perfect knife for mincing, chopping and slicing your favorite fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.
Features
- Double bevel blade 8-12 degrees per side
- Premium G-10 handle
- 67 layer Japanese steel blade with a HRC 60±2
- 2mm thick at top of spine
- Forged Full tang knife
- Mid-level price for great quality
- gift box included
- Hard steel retains edge
- Must be careful sharpening hard steel
- Blade balance
Kutt Chef Knife
If you have been searching high and low for a razor sharp, rust-free knife then check out the following Kutt knife reviews.
Overview
The blade on this 7 inch chef’s knife has been made from German stainless steel, a super sharp material that will slice and dice your favorite fruit, vegetables, meat and fish to pieces within a few swift movements.
A Kutt chef knife review is always positive as their knives are made from quality materials. For example, the handle on this knife is made from walnut, making it sturdier and helping the user to keep in control of the knife and its blade.
Features
- 7″ Blade
- Nice gift box with some extras included
- German stainless steel blade construction
- Very budget friendly
- Nice looking walnut handle
- Rust free german steel construction
- Low cost
- Build quality, may not last as long as other reviewed knives
- Blade does not retain sharp edge as well
Imarku Chef Knife
Imarku knives are always great quality and the following knife is a great example of that.
Overview
This 8-inch chef’s knife, for example, is made from high-quality high carbon stainless steel which is not only tougher than other materials but is also more rust and stain-resistant, making the knife easier to clean and to keep clean. Not only that but the materials it is made up of also make this knife very low-maintenance as it will require less honing and sharpening.
This knife arrives presented in a stylish black gift box with a dazzling red interior. The gift box helps to make this knife a perfect present, but is also a great storage place for the knife as the soft interior of the box helps to keep the blade in tip top condition.
Features
- HRC rating of 56-58
- Blade made from high-carbon German Steel
- Moderate price point
- Lifetime warranty
- Sharp blade, retains well
- Pakkawood handle
- Great looking quality knife
- Mid-level pricing that brings some of the top features
- Well balanced
- Durability
- May need to be sharpened upon arrival and more often
DALSTRONG Chef Knife
When looking for a super sharp brand of knives, consider purchasing from the Gladiator Series of DALSTRONG knives. This Dalstrong gladiator review will surely convince you to do so.
Overview
The 10-inch blade will give you ample cutting space for chopping, slicing and dicing your favorite fruits and vegetables. This knife is also ideal for mincing foods.
The handle on this blade is triple-riveted, helping to counterbalance the weight of the blade, giving you better balance and control of the blade when slicing, which also makes it safer to use.
The bolster on the handle is also a great safety feature that prevents accidents.
Features
- 10″ blade
- German carbon steel construction
- 56+ Rockwell hardness construction
- Double bevel design hand polished at 14-16 degrees per side
- G-10 Garolite handle
- Quality full tang construction
- Includes sheath
- Cleans easily for easy maintenance
- Durability concerns
- Gladiator series is the “entry” level of Dalstrong knives
Wusthof 4582/16
The best chefs knife is coming to you by Wusthof. Check it out!
Overview
The knife blade is just 6 inches long, helping you to have more control over the blade.
The handle on this knife has been triple riveted for improved balance and control of the blade, helping you to deliver more power and confidence into each slice.
The knife has full tang construction meaning it has no weak points that will bend or split over time or with pressure.
Features
- 6″ Blade
- High carbon stainless steel blade construction
- Double bevel 14 degree blade edge
- 12″x6″x1″ knife dimensions
- From a quality established kitchen knife brand
- Rust resistent
- Reasonable cost
- Small for a chef knife
- Simple construction, more basic appearance
Mercer Culinary Genesis
If you are looking for a knife with a top chef rating then you should consider this 6 inch chef’s knife by Mercer as an excellent option.
Overview
The 6-inch blade is the perfect size for smaller everyday chopping, cutting and slicing tasks.
The knife has a bolster that acts as a finger guard, helping to keep the consumer safe from accidents.
The stylish black handle makes this a classy addition to both modern and more traditional style kitchens.
Features
- 6″ Blade
- High carbon forged German steel construction (X50 CrMoV15)
- Lifetime warranty
- Double bevel blade with 15 degree angle per side
- Full tang knife construction
- From a trusted knife brand
- Budget friendly cost
- Basic appearance
- Smaller blade
Other Types of Knives
Paring knives
Maybe you are equipping a brand new kitchen with all of the kitchen utensils you will need to cook up a storm at the weekend. Or perhaps you are simply replacing your current knife set but aren’t particularly looking to spend an arm and a leg on a new set of knives. Whatever the case, you will need a new paring knife – one of the most practical knives in your kitchen.
What can you do with a paring knife? – you may ask. A paring knife can be used to chop small fruits and vegetables and is also great for coring, peeling and searing. A paring knife is a perfect knife for you to use when a chef’s knife or a santoku knife is too big. It is the perfect knife for tackling more intricate jobs such as heading, tailing, and dicing garlic, removing the skin from sausages, or even deveining shrimp.
Serrated bread knives
Another kitchen essential is a serrated bread knife. A serrated bread knife is perfect for cutting bread. The flat blades on ordinary knives are not effective when cutting bread as they usually squash the bread and cause it to tear in irregular patterns. However, the serrated blade on a bread knife cuts perfectly into a loaf of bread without crushing it.
Chef’s knives
Having a great chefs knife is essential to create so many different dishes. Chefs knives are perfect for mincing, chopping and slicing your favorite fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. Not only that but chefs knives are also an ideal multipurpose knife that you really cannot be without in the kitchen. A good chef’s knife will also be ideal for cutting into chunkier vegetables such as suede, carrots, butternut squash, and pumpkins.
What’s coming up…
Since the chef’s knife is such an important knife, this article has been provided to help you to get your hands on the very best brand new chef’s knife as I will show you the chef’s knife reviews from the top-rated chef’s knife manufacturers at some fantastic prices.
If you have been looking for a new chef’s knife for a while now you are probably aware of the different materials the blades can be made from. When reading reviews and looking up information about chef’s knives I am sure you have been inundated with details about which blade materials to purchase and which to avoid, but let’s be honest, sometimes the information you read on the internet can be a bit misleading, promoting some blade materials and dismissing others. That is why this article also comes complete with a kitchen knife material guide on steel, that will help you to differentiate the very best knife blade materials from those that are mediocre at best.
There are so many different knives on the market, all professing to be absolute essentials for your kitchen cookware drawer, so this article will also help you to choose the very best knife for you, personalized to help suit your needs and your style of cooking. All of this and more is coming up in this article…
Steel Explained (Best Steel for Kitchen Knives)
If you are looking to kit out a brand new kitchen then you most likely want to fill your drawers with high-quality knives that will help you to prepare the most mouth-watering dishes at record speed.
While looking into purchasing new kitchen knives you most probably came across an abundance of information about different kitchen knife materials and possibly some contradicting details about what materials make the best kitchen knives in the world.
Take a look at the following knife material guide that will help you to determine the best materials for your kitchen knives and help you to make the most astute decision when purchasing.
Kitchen Knife Material Guide.
Stainless steel
One of the most common knife materials. Stainless steel is highly resistant against oxidation and staining, making it a popular choice for homeowners. Not only that but stainless steel knives cut with a sharp edge, making it a great blade material for everyday use. It is easy to hone and sharpen.
Cons
Stainless steel is one of the softer blade materials meaning it will go blunter faster than other blade materials. The softer material also means that stainless steel pits are easier than other materials.
High carbon stainless steel
Has the same anti-oxidation and stainless abilities as stainless steel but is tougher. High carbon stainless steel is made up of high levels of carbon, making the blade sharper. Since the blade is sharper it also makes it safer to use as it gives you a greater grip on foods making ridges on contact to avoid slipping. Since the blade is tougher than most it will require less honing and sharpening.
Cons
High carbon stainless steel is tougher than other blade materials making it more difficult to hone and sharpen.
High carbon steel
These blades are made up of high percentages of carbon making them sharper and tougher than other blade materials. Knives made of high carbon steel remain sharper for longer and do not pit as easily. Since the blades are sharper, knives made of this material will help you to cut finer and more precise slices and are also safer to use.
Cons
Although the knife blades are tougher, they are also more brittle, meaning that they could split when forces beyond their capacity, for example when trying to cut into meat bones or very tough vegetables.
How To Choose The Best Knife For You
There are so many things to think about when kitting out a brand new apartment, especially when it comes to the kitchen. Between the different pots, pans, plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery, one can become overwhelmed in deciding what is really necessary. A good kitchen knife is an essential item that your kitchen will not function without. That is why I will go on to show you a list of the top-rated chef knives in the following part of the article. But before we can get to that, take a look at the following knife guide that will help you to identify the best knife features so that you can choose the best chef knife for the money you have budgeted to spend on your new kitchen.
While looking for a new kitchen knife, you have most likely come across a load of conflicting information about what material the handle should be made of, how long the ideal blade is and what material the blade should be made from. The following information will help you to decide what factors are really necessary for you to look out for and which aren’t.
Blade length
The ideal blade length is between 6 and 8 inches. Blades that exceed 8 inches are really too long for everyday cooking. Larger blades, however, are ideal for those who are constantly chopping larger foods, fruits, and vegetables. Longer blades tend to wobble and are unsteady when cutting, making it trickier to form uniform cuts of foods and can also be more dangerous to use due to the instability of the blade. Shorter blades are easier to keep in control of and are quicker to hone and sharpen.
Handle Material
Handle materials vary on the market from certain plastics, different types of wood and metal. Ergonomically designed handles are the best as they have been designed to fit the shape of your hand, giving you a firmer grip on the knife and also increasing the safety.
Metal handles may be more uncomfortable to use, but have the benefit of being stainless and rust-proof. Wooden handles are very aesthetically pleasing and lightweight, reducing wrist fatigue, but are more prone to damage.
Bonus features
Bonus features such as a bolster or a finger guard are ideal for safety. A finger guard or bolster help to prevent accidents whilst using the knife.
FAQ
Yes, a serrated knife functions like a saw, it can often still cut when dull. However when dull, it will tear or shred rather than cutting smoothly, so you can sharp them if required.
A carbon steel knife stays sharper for longer time than a stainless knife.
Conclusion
So there you have them, ten knife ratings of the 10 best chef knives available to purchase right now. These knives are all great options, but there are a few features that you will want to be careful when choosing to make sure you purchase a knife that really suits your preferences. Consider the following checklist before you click ‘confirm and pay’ on that chef’s knife you have had your eye on.
Make sure the size of the blade suits the kinds of foods you often prepare. A longer blade is great for those who are often preparing larger fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins and squash. A shorter blade will be great for those regular-sized foods on a daily basis.
Having a few safety features on a knife is also important. A finger guard or bolster are both fantastic safety features that help to prevent accidents.
Great materials also make for the best knives. A knife that is made of high carbon stainless steel or stainless steel will require less honing and will not pit as easily as other softer materials.
An ergonomically designed handle is also a great feature. These handles have been designed with the shape of the human hand in mind, sculpting the handles of the knives so that they can easily be grasped in the palm and also makes them easier to grip and ultimately safer to use.
Keep these factors in mind when purchasing your chef’s knife to make sure you buy the very best chef’s knife on the market.
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