Although the knife does have the multiple hollows of a santoku, this isn't a santoku blade. The cook's knife shape makes the knife better at piercing and carving and lends that all-around utility that chef's knives are known for. You'll be able to handle most of the prep work in the average kitchen with this one knife.

The Damascus-type construction of this fine blade improves the cutting action even more. On each side of the central layer of hard VG-10, Shun forges 16 layers of tough high carbon stainless steel. The extra support gives the knife shock resistance and flexibility that the VG-10 lacks, while the hard central layer provides a long-lasting thin cutting edge. Shun hones the edge to 16 degrees, not the European standard of 25 degrees, and the thinner cutting wedge glides through the work with much less effort.

Damascus layering also creates small ripples in the surface of the blade. Those ripples add to the friction-reducing effect of the granton hollows. Less blade actually contacts the work, and cutting becomes even easier. You'll notice the difference in effort immediately, but you'll also find the knife capable of slicing thinly without distorting the cut food.

The D-shaped Pakkawood handle orients the knife properly in the hand and provides a secure hold even when wet.

For a larger chef's knife with the thin steel and advanced cutting action of Japanese cutlery, see the Global 10-Inch Chef's Knife.

Find this Shun Classic Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Shun Classic Ken Onion 8 inch Chefs Knife with Stand US $157.50   16 Bids Auction Ends: 18h 1m

Shun Classic 8 Western Chefs Knife Williams Sonoma US $124.97   Auction Ends: 11h 13m

Shoppers online may think a knife with a ten-inch blade is too much, but that's just about right for a cook's knife in average hands. Cook's knives are the blades you turn to when slicing hard squash, watermelon, and other tricky items -- and you need extra blade length to do that accurately. A ten-inch blade also handles multiple carrots and other smaller vegetables well, saving time on the cutting board. With a longer blade you get more slicing stroke, cutting vegetables cleanly instead of pressing through with a shearing action.

You'll find many good reasons to choose the Global G-16 over competitive blades from Germany. The high carbon stainless steel in Global blades is tempered harder and ground to a thinner cutting edge. Global recommends sharpening the blade at a 15-degree angle; European blades use a much wider 25-degree edge bevel. Global's design means better edge-retention and less maintenance as well as cleaner, nearly effortless cutting action. Seamless stainless steel cleans up easily and gives cross-contaminating bacteria no hiding places. Global's lighter build is perfectly balanced -- technicians adjust each knife by adding sand to the hollow handle before final sealing. Total weight of the finished G-16 Chef's Knife is 9 ounces, according to Global's website. That's three ounces less than the equivalent from Wusthof.

For the best care of this knife, you'll need good sharpening stones like the Global Medium Grit Ceramic Whetstone. Standard honing steels could chip the edge.

Find this Global G-16 Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

10 Chefs Knife Global G16 Yoshikin Japan US $180.00   Auction Ends: 10d 5h 31m

GLOBAL YOSHIKIN G 16 24cm Cooks Knife Chefs knives US $165.00   Auction Ends: 4d 21h 5m

If you're used to steel knives, the white blade and black Fibrox handle of the Ceramic Chef's Knife may startle you, but make a few cuts with this unusual knife and you'll know why ceramic knives won't be going away. On a microscopic level, the edge of a fired ceramic knife is angular instead of rounded like steel. You're actually cutting with the edge of a crystalline lattice instead of forged metal, so the cutting action is noticeably different.

Since zirconium oxide doesn't rust, the only wear and tear on the edge comes from use. These tougher ceramics, fired at temperatures over 2700 degrees F, lessen the owner's worries about broken blades and chipped edges but don't remove them completely. The ceramic could break if dropped or flexed, and the cutting edge could chip if used on a hard surface or twisted while under pressure. Small chips don't severely degrade the performance of this knife, but following the manufacturer's recommendations for both use and maintenance prevent most issues. The Chef's Knife is more a slicing tool than an all-purpose knife. Keep your old steel knife around for the tougher jobs.

Clean the Ceramic Chef's Knife with a mild detergent solution, not the dishwasher. The white blade isn't affected by acids and won't rust or transfer flavors to food. The non-porous ceramic also resists stains and sheds food particles. If owners learn the new rules and respect the knife's limits, the cutting edge could stay sharp for years of normal use.

Compare to the Kyocera Ceramic 3-piece set, a basic assortment of 3 high-tech ceramic slicers plus a ceramic peeler.

Find this Victorinox Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8 Inch Chefs Knife US $25.99   Auction Ends: 23d 8h 49m

Forschner Victorinox 10 Chefs Knife 430 10 US $12.50   3 Bids Auction Ends: 2d 2h 42m

The chef's knife takes good features from both Japanese and German cutlery traditions, but the focus is on improved cutting performance. Handle design remains European, making this knife more comfortable for western users. Triple-riveted black polymer handle slabs form the ergonomic grip, while one-piece forging creates a flexible blade, strong bolster, and full handle tang. Japanese styling and professional honing finish the ice-hardened Friodur high carbon stainless steel blade.

Chef Rokusaburo Michiba contributed many ideas to the development of Miyabi cutlery, overseeing the creation of affordable cutlery capable of giving chefs all over the world the experience of working with truly fine tools. Since Henckels acquired one of Seki's manufacturing companies in 2004, Miyabi has produced six different product lines. The 600-S knives like this chef's knife represent the functional or entry level series and were developed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, well known for his blend of Asian and European cuisines. The 600-S line fits the needs of western chefs new to the refinements of Japanese cutlery.

The cutting edge of this knife will need regular maintenance, since the flexible and tough steel is hardened to a serviceable Rockwell 57. Unlike some Japanese-style knives, this German and Japanese hybrid sharpens easily with an ordinary honing steel.

See the Henckels Chef's Knife with granton edge for another fine chef's knife with a combination of European and Asian ideas.

Find this Miyabi Morimoto Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Henckels Miyabi Morimoto 600 S 9 Chefs Knife US $119.99   Auction Ends: 26d 16h 44m

Henckels Miyabi Morimoto 600 S 8 Chefs Knife US $99.95   Auction Ends: 26d 16h 35m

Mundial started business in Germany in 1931, and the basics of Mundial cutlery haven't changed much since the company moved production facilities to Brazil. This Mundial chef's knife pattern was good enough for your grandfather and is still a good choice for the modern chef, even though today it's not high-tech. Tempering now involves several stages of heat- and cold-treating for better edge-holding and more strength. Blade style still includes the full width bolster that's missing from stamped steel knives and from most modern forged designs.

The high point of the Mundial design is appearance. This is a classy knife with solid stainless steel bolster and end cap and a handle grip of carefully shaped and polished Brazilian ironwood. This tropical hardwood resists heat and moisture and keeps its polish with very little special care beyond hand washing and a touch-up with vegetable or mineral oil. The grip is practical and comfortable, designed for safety even when things get slippery.

The blade does include the multiple hollows of the granton grind, a feature also found on modern santokus. These ground hollows break up the contact between food and blade. The hollows fill with juices, lubricate the cut, and help prevent food from stacking up on the blade after slicing.

Compare with the Henckels Hollow Ground Chef's Knife if you're more interested in budget price than good looks.

Find this Mundial Olivier Anquier Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this chef's knife on eBay:

Mundial Olivier Anquier 4 Chefs Knife BP2810 4 US $38.90   Auction Ends: 29d 17h 4m

Mundial Olivier Anquier 4 Chefs Knife with Hollow Edge BP2810 4GE US $47.90   Auction Ends: 29d 11h 30m

In the 5000S product line from Miyabi, Henckels provides the German high carbon stainless steel -- the same alloy used in Henckels Twin knives. Hardened to Rockwell 57, the blade of this knife shows good edge-holding ability and enough flexibility to hold up to hard use without snapping. The thin blade resets easily with a standard honing steel.

Strong stainless steel end cap and bolster accent the tapered Japanese-style Dyurakon resin handle. This ebony black material holds up to the extremes of moisture and temperature found in the kitchen and has a non-slip texture for working safely even in messy conditions.

The Miyabi 5000S series, including this gyutoh or chef's knife, resulted from a collaboration between Zwilling J.A. Henckels company and a Japanese expert -- Iron Chef Rokusaburo Michiba. With German steel and Japanese styling, the 5000S Gyutoh certainly brings a new look to this old European style and slightly improves the performance. Production standards set by Henckels guarantee familiar German quality. Each Miyabi knife is manufactured by Japanese craftsmen in Seki, Japan, once the center of Japanese sword-making and now the cutlery capital of Japan.

See the Petty Petit Gyuko by Kitasho for a high quality chef's knife by another famous Japanese cutler from Seki City.

Find this Henckels Miyabi Gyutoh:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Zwilling J A Henckels Miyabi 7000D 7000 D Knife Knives US $139.85   Auction Ends: 25d 19h 20m

Zwilling JA Henckels Miyabi 600 S 10 in Gyutoh Knife NEW US $129.95   Auction Ends: 9d 21h 19m

The most striking feature of the Premier Chef's Knife is the blade's hand-hammered tsuchime finish. Peened with a random pattern, the dimpled surface decreases friction compared to a smooth polished surface. Layers of damask high carbon stainless steel increase the low-friction effect. This 32-layer construction surrounds a central core of long-lasting VG-10 steel hardened to between Rockwell 60 to 62.

This beautiful chef's knife improves handle and blade in a product that was already one of the best available. A new handle shape makes the knife a better fit for Western grips. Layered Pakkawood with the look of black walnut gives the grip a more natural look, but the resin-injected wood exceeds natural materials in durability. Pakkawood resists heat and moisture and needs nothing more than wiping down to maintain its high polish. Made from genuine hardwood, Pakkawood improves the quality of the knife but keeps the unique appearance of real wood. A narrow front bolster gives the knife extra strength without interfering with the knife's slicing action, and a stainless steel end cap displays the Shun logo.

See the 8-Inch Chef's Knife from R.H. Forschner for an excellent chef's knife at a budget price.

Find this Shun Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Shun Premier 6 inch Chefs Knife NEW US $164.95   Auction Ends: 9d 20h 23m

NEW Shun Premier Chefs Knife 8 Inch US $137.99   Auction Ends: 1d 4h 56m

With a blade of zirconium oxide, the cutting edge of this small Chef's knife is nearly as hard as diamond. That gives the knife unusual sharpness and a very long-lasting cutting edge. Ceramic blades outperform even the highest grades of modern cutlery steel. Zirconium oxide knives won't stain or corrode, and because the surface is non-stick, the knife is also easy to clean. Since acids have no effect on the blade, slicing acidic food will leave no metallic taste in the dish.

Using ceramic knives still requires some special techniques, since the blades themselves can shatter like glass if dropped, and edges may chip if used against hard glass cutting boards or bones. The knives work best on wooden or plastic cutting boards, and even then you'll need to learn some new rules. Swiveling on the cutting edge could cause damage, and any side pressure such as using the blade to crush a garlic clove could break the blade. If sharpening does become necessary, you'll need to consult a professional -- ordinary sharpening systems or honing steels will not do the job. Clean the knife by hand to avoid any damage from the mechanical vibration of a dishwasher. For proper storage, use the presentation box the knife shipped in.

Even considering all the precautions, this fine knife should impress anyone interested in a perfect cut, and if cared for properly will not need attention for many months of daily use. The knife does carry a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Broken blades are not covered.

See the Boker Ceramic Utility Knife for another good choice in zirconium oxide blades.

Find this Iron Chef Ceramic Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Iron Chef IC 3002 Ceramic 6 Inch Chefs Knife New US $59.99   Auction Ends: 23d 1h 2m

Iron Chef Ceramic Chefs Knife 6 Inch Overall US $50.69   Auction Ends: 14d 21h 31m

The Victorinox ten-inch chef's knife follows a very respectable European pattern with a forged bolster that extends completely to the cutting edge. This gives the knife extra strength but slightly limits full use of the blade, since the knife doesn't slide completely forward through the work. If you use the old technique of slicing towards you instead of sliding the knife forward, the ten-inch-long fine cutting edge gives plenty of working room.

The classic Chef's knife as reproduced here -- with spotlessly white POM riveted handle slabs set over a strong full tang -- is intended for a wide range of tasks in the kitchen. The blade is heavy enough for tough jobs like dividing hard squash and blocks of frozen food, but the forward parts of the blade slice, dice, and mince efficiently. Skill with all parts of the blade makes this old style one of the most versatile.

High carbon Solingen stainless steel resists rust and corrosion, and the POM handle holds up to heat and moisture, staying gap-free and sanitary. Dishwashers and acidic cleaners could mar the finish and erode the cutting edge, so best care means washing the knife by hand in mild detergent.

See the Forschner Victorinox 8-inch Chef's Knife with fibrox handle for a modern, high-performance knife at a bargain price.

Find this Forschner Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this chef's knife on eBay:

Victorinox Forschner Chefs Knife 8 Blade With White H US $34.99   Auction Ends: 17d 9h 52m

VN5200715 Victorinox Forschner Chefs Knife White New US $24.95   Auction Ends: 8d 3h 57m

This rat tail tang knife's seamless handle ends in a polished stainless steel pommel with dropped heel, making the knife comfortable to work with and easy to grip. Gapless construction prevents buildup of food particles and eliminates that potential source of cross contamination.

Built in the classic chef's knife style, the camber of the molybdenum vanadium stainless steel blade's eight-inch cutting edge allows rocking as well as slicing movement. Although it's heavy enough at the base for chopping, the blade tapers towards the tip. This gradual change in the blade allows different parts to perform well at a full range of lighter kitchen tasks including peeling, trimming, slicing, dicing, and mincing. If something needs doing, there's usually a way to do it with the chef's knife, since each part of the blade is fitted to a different purpose. The San Moritz blade is built extra wide, increasing the range of the knife and also putting more room between the knuckles and the cutting board. Sometimes referred to as the flagship knife, it's the most versatile knife in a European-style kitchen.

The Messermeister San Moritz provides space for personalized engraving and comes packaged in a handsome gift box.

For a high quality stamped steel version of the Chef's knife, see the Messermeister Park Plaza.

Find this Messermeister Chef's Knife:

• Click here to find this product at Amazon.com

Find this knife on eBay:

Messermeister San Moritz Elite 2 Pc Chefs Knife and Parer Set US $139.95   Auction Ends: 36m

Messermeister FORGED San Moritz Elite 8 Chefs Knife US $89.99   Auction Ends: 18d 20h 46m