Chef KnivesDescriptions of the way Chef’s Knives (also known as Cook’s Knives) were used in traditional kitchens sound very much like the explanation of the subtle features of the Tai Chi sword. Chef’s Knives look simple but their use is complex. Every part of the blade serves a specialized task, from chopping with the heavy section near the bolster; to slicing with the middle part of the blade; to mincing with the tip. If you want just one knife for the kitchen, the cook’s knife is that blade.

Cook’s knives come in many sizes, and though some people own several and use them for different tasks, a very reasonable approach is to buy a size that simply feels comfortable in hand. A fourteen inch chef’s knife works best in large hands — most of us will be happy with a blade that’s easier to wield. A cook’s knife with an eight inch blade fits nearly everyone.

Since a chef’s knife often does heavy work, the edge can’t be fragile. The way the bevel is ground, the quality of the steel, and the way the blade is actually manufactured all affect the efficiency of the knife. Sacrifice some slicing precision in favor of strength and you have the Chef’s knife.

Some of Our Favorites

For a budget choice that won’t sacrifice ease in use, pick R.H. Forschner’s 8 inch Chef’s Knife. This knife proves that modern methods and materials don’t mean a drop in quality.

Though Wusthof and Henckels have earned the loyalty of many customers, they aren’t the only companies in Solingen, Germany, who make fine knives. The Messermeister Meridian Elite has the solid strength of a forged blade without the bulky bolster.

If you’re willing to learn a few new rules, step up to the Kanetsune Gyuto Professional Chef’s Knife in Damascus steel. It’s a better knife that demands better technique. Chip the VG-10 edge and live in shame forever.

See All of our Chef Knife Reviews Below


Chef’s Knives

Shun Classic Chef’s Knife, Granton w/ Pakkawood Handle | Scalloped Damascus Forged Blade, VG-10 8 Inch

Shun’s Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife has the perfect build for smaller hands but a much more efficient design than the usual...
JT Hats
1 min read

Global G-16 Chef’s or Cook’s Knife | Yoshikin Full Tang Stainless Steel 10 Inch

The award-winning design of the Global G-16 10-Inch Chef’s Knife brings new versatility to the powerhouse blade of the European kitchen....
JT Hats
1 min read

Victorinox Ceramic Chef’s Knife | Flexible Kitchen Blade, Zirconium Oxide 6 Inch

The Victorinox Ceramic Chef’s knife outperforms not just steel knives but many other ceramic knives as well. The Cutlery Allied Trade...
JT Hats
1 min read

Miyabi Morimoto Henckels Chef’s Knife | Japanese Gyuto 8 Inch 600-S

The Miyabi Morimoto Edition 8-Inch Chef’s Knife or Gyuto brings the refinement of a Japanese blade to one of Europe’s favorite...
JT Hats
1 min read

Mundial Olivier Anquier Chef’s Knife | Granton Hollow Edge Blade, 10 Inch

This ten-inch Chef’s Knife in Mundial’s Olivier Anquier pattern holds firmly to the Old World cutlery traditions of strong forged blades...
JT Hats
1 min read

Henckels Miyabi Gyutoh w/ Dyurakon Resin Handle | Japanese Chef’s Knife 8 Inch 5000S

Miyabi lists the 5000S Gyutoh 8-Inch Chef’s Knife among their double-beveled blades, so don’t look for the famous asymmetrical edge here....
JT Hats
56 sec read

Shun Chef’s Knife Of The Year 2010 by Blade Magazine | KAI Premier Damascus 8 Inch TM

From the series voted 2010’s Kitchen Knife of the Year by Blade Magazine, the Shun Premier 8 Inch Chef’s Knife applies...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Iron Chef Ceramic Chef’s Knife & Storage Box | Master Kitchen Cutlery, Nonstick 6 Inch

Master Cutlery produced the six-inch Iron Chef Ceramic Chef’s Knife, but the knife is licensed by Fuji Television Network, producer of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Forschner Chef’s Knife, White POM Handle | Solingen Victorinox Kitchen Forged Steel Full Tang, 10 Inch 40651

Forschner Victorinox is well-known for their practical series of stamped steel kitchen knives, but the company also produces fine forged steel...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Messermeister Chef’s Knife, San Moritz Elite | Forged Bolsterless w/ POM Handle ME2686-8

Forged in what Messermeister calls a bolsterless style, the San Moritz Elite limits the bolster to the base of the knife’s...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Mundial Cook’s Knife from 5600 Series, 10 Inch | Antibacterial Polypropylene Handle 5610-10

Designed for the professional cook, Mundial’s 5600 series — including this 10-inch Cook’s Knife — is also one of today’s best...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Mundial Chef’s or Cook’s Knife 5610-8 | Full Tang 8 Inch Blade w/ Antibacterial Handle

Whether you cook professionally or at home, you should find the Mundial 8-inch Cook’s Knife to be plenty of knife for...
JT Hats
1 min read

Henckels Hollow Granton Chef’s Knife, Full Tang | Twin Signature High Carbon Stainless Steel 8 Inch

Combine two of the best knife blades for the modern kitchen and you might get this knife — the Henckels Twin...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun KAI Kershaw Chef’s Kitchen Knife | Forged VG-10 Damascus Stainless Steel, Classic 6 Inch

With the six-inch Shun/KAI Chef’s Knife, expect the slick performance of a santoku but the familiar style of the standard chef’s...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Victorinox Forschner Chef’s Knife Full Tang | Large Kitchen Cutlery, 12 Inch

A chef’s knife with a 12-inch cutting edge is a little beyond the range of most people, since a classical knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Messermeister Chef’s Knife, Meridian Elite Park Plaza | Full Tang Stainless 9 Inch Blade

Messermeister’s Park Plaza series offers fine prep knives in stamped equivalents of the company’s forged Meridian Elite brand. Slightly lighter than...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Petty Chef’s Knife by Kitasho, Full Tang Damascus Steel | Petit Blue Kitchen Gyuto

The Petty Petit gyuto or chef’s knife was created by the Kitasho Company of Seki City, Japan, a center of fine...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Henckels Gourmet 3 Piece Starter Kit | Paring, Utility & Chef’s Knife Set

The Henckels Gourmet 3-Piece Starter Set of three high carbon stainless steel knives pares back the complications of J.A. Henckels manufacturing...
JT Hats
1 min read

Messermeister Meridian Elite Chef’s Knife | 10 Inch ME3686-10 | Forged Full Tang Solingen Cutlery

One good chef’s knife does a lot for the kitchen, easing all kinds of prep work from slicing vegetables to carving...
JT Hats
1 min read

Wusthof Gourmet Cook’s Knife | Stainless Steel Cutlery 10 Inch

It certainly has a German shape and a German name, but that’s where the similarity ends. This isn’t quite the same...
Mike
49 sec read

Shun Pro Deba Slicing Knife | Japanese Cutlery | VG-10 Damascus 6 1/2 Inch

Primarily used for de-boning and slicing raw or cooked meat, fish, and poultry, the Shun Pro Deba knife with a 6...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Wusthof Gourmet Roast Beef Slicer Knife | 12 Inch Full Tang Granton

For precise slicing of large cuts of meat like roast beef, you need a long blade. The Wusthof Gourmet 12″ Roast...
JT Hats
49 sec read

Shun Ken Onion Japanese Chef’s Knife | VG-10 Damascus Full Tang

Made to Shun’s exacting standards with the same materials as their Classic series, this 4 3/8″ Chef’s Knife follows a design...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Wusthof Culinar Cook’s Knife | Stainless Steel Chef’s Blade 8 Inch

An all metal Cook’s Knife with an 8″ blade and a sculpted handle of 18/10 cutlery grade stainless steel, the Culinar...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Shun Pro Nakiri Chef’s Knife | Japanese Full Tang Kitchen Cutlery

Japanese blades of all kinds, from swords to carpentry tools, are so refined that to many Westerners the subtle features go...
JT Hats
59 sec read

J.A. Henckels International Classic Forged 7-Piece Kitchen Cutlery Set w/ Knife Block

Five high quality chef’s tools and a sharpening steel, plus a fine hardwood 10 slot knife block–with this set from J....
JT Hats
1 min read

Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 3-Piece Kitchen Cutlery Knife Set

This set of three fundamental home chef’s knives from J. A. Henckels Cutlery is a reasonable choice for someone starting out...
JT Hats
1 min read

Pure Komachi by Kai Chef’s Meat Knife | 7 Inch Japanese Stainless Steel | Great Value

Like the other knives in the Komachi line from KAI, the Japanese company best known for making the well regarded Shun...
Ken
48 sec read

Mundial Chef’s Knife Review | 5100 Series 8-Inch

We’ve got strong opinions about Chef’s knives around here. Check out our guide to kitchen knives on a budget to get...
Ken
51 sec read

Kasumi Titanium Chef’s Knife Review | Chroma Knives

This baby sounds impressive — it uses titanium! If it’s good for golf balls and aircraft carriers, it must make a...
Ken
44 sec read