Do you remember the time when you’re in the middle of whipping up a gourmet meal, channeling your inner Gordon Ramsay, then suddenly your knife slips off the onion and you narrowly avoid slicing off your fingertip? Ouch! We know we’ve all been there, struggling with subpar kitchen knives that make even the simplest tasks feel like a game of culinary Russian roulette.
But nothing to fear here! We at FoodMasta are very keen to help you level up your chopping game and become a true kitchen ninja. Just imagine how after this you can effortlessly glide through tomatoes, onions, and herbs like a hot knife through butter. With the right set of sharp, reliable chef’s knives, you’ll be able to tackle any recipe with confidence and style.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall Chef’s Knife: Mac Professional Series 8-Inch Chef’s Knife (MTH-80), $145
- Best Value Chef’s Knife: Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $38
- Most Durable Chef’s Knife: Global Ukon 7-Inch Santoku Knife Hollow Ground, $141
- Best Multi-Purpose Chef’s Knife: Misen 8-Inch Professional Kitchen Knife, $94
- Best Japanese Chef’s Knife: Miyabi Koh 8-inch Chef’s Knife, $130
Read on after our picks for more info on how we review these products as the best chef’s knives and what you should look for when shopping for them.
The 5 Best Kitchen Knives of 2024
Ahead, we’ll piggyback you on a quest to find the best kitchen knives that will make you feel like a Michelin-starred chef (without the tall hat and that thick fancy accent, of course).
Let’s explore the essential knives every home cook should have, the secrets to choosing the perfect blade, and some top-notch brands that will make your kitchen the envy of all your friends.
Upgrade your kitchen game with the Mac Professional Series 8-Inch Chef’s Knife (MTH-80)! The go-to choice for both culinary aficionados and professionals, this knife combines precision, durability, and comfort in one elegant design.
Slice through any ingredient effortlessly with the ultra-thin 2.5mm blade and bolster while the strategic dimples ensure smooth cutting of even the stickiest foods. Crafted with a lightweight Pakka wood handle for optimal control, this knife is a kitchen essential that guarantees top-notch performance every time. Elevate your cooking experience today!
When it comes to choosing a beginner’s kitchen knife, Victorinox, the renowned Swiss Army knife brand, is often recommended by most experts. As Laurie Timpson from Savernake Knives puts it, “Pound for pound, they’re probably the best value knives you’ll get.”
Upon our testing, the differences between this knife and its pricier counterparts become quite apparent. The Victorinox knife has a utilitarian look to it, and its “soft grip” plastic handle, while providing excellent grip even when wet, feels less sturdy compared to higher-end models. The overall balance of the knife is not as refined as Victorinox’s competitors. However, the blade itself is pretty impressive, especially considering the knife’s affordable price point. It is incredibly sharp and excels at precise slicing, dicing, and mincing tasks. Weighing at just 90g, this lightweight knife is comfortable to hold and manipulate during extended use in the kitchen.
Santoku Knife is one of the Global’s powerhouse excelled at all tasks across our testing process, it is one of the sharpest knives we’ve ever tested. The handle is integrated made possible by the knife that is made from a single piece of stainless steel. This means that it won’t loosen over time and there’s no joint that could trap food. The edge of the blade is hollowed, so the foods that you are cutting are less likely to stick.
We are very surprised with its ability to cut through small chicken bones as well as around bones to help separate parts. We did find that the blade can feel a bit brittle though, but we had no trouble slicing through all sorts of foods thanks to its incredible sharpness.
Crafted from top-notch Japanese AUS-8 high-carbon stainless steel, this chef’s knife from direct-to-consumer company Misen is tough, durable, and sharper than your average Western-style knives at a 15-degree angle. FYI, most traditional Western-style knives is at a 25-degree angle, so we considered it less sharp against the mighty Misen 8-Inch Professional Kitchen Knife. Plus, its angled semi-bolster ensures you rock that proper pinch grip like a pro.
Not just a pretty-looking knife, in our rigorous tests though, it proved to be the holy trinity of balanced, sturdy, and comfortable. The slightly narrower blade makes slicing a breeze, and let’s not forget its sleek design that punches way above its price point – knives of this caliber usually cost DOUBLE the dough! One note: it’s got some heft to it compared to other chef’s knives we tested.
For those who appreciate the finesse of a Japanese-style knife but prefer a blade without dimples, this knife is THE ONE. The design of this chef’s knife is minimalist yet functional, with a gradual curve along the edge that is perfect for the rocking and chopping motions favored by many chefs. The handle of the Miyabi Koh is thoughtfully shaped for a secure and comfortable grip. This is particularly beneficial when you’re dealing with stubborn ingredients. The bolster, which is the point where the blade meets the handle, is designed to support a proper grip, for precision and safety during use.
At just 6 ounces, it is one of the lightest knives we’ve put to the test. This lightness does not come at the expense of balance, though. However, as the weight is distributed towards the handle, this makes sure that each cut that you’ll do with this knife is both effortless and accurate.
In our testing, the Miyabi Koh sailed through the paper test, tomato, onion, and squash tests with ease (even cutting softer green onions without tearing). We also like: This tool can handle heavy prepping and everyday kitchen tasks.