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

Kanetsune Gyuto | Professional Chef’s Knife from Seki, Japan | Damascus VG-10 Steel

You’ve got to digest a few things when checking out this knife you may never have heard of. First off, the...
Ken
38 sec read

Global 7-Inch Deba Knife | Japanese Chef’s Knife

The Deba knife is a Japanese-style Chef’s knife, ideally suited for butchering fish or slicing through hard vegetables. It’s hefty enough...
Ken
32 sec read

MAC Professional Chef’s Knife | 8″ MTH-80 | Best Budget Chef’s Knife

MAC makes some incredible knives. They don’t have the prominence or the marketing budget enjoyed by more well-known brands like Shun...
Ken
39 sec read

Wusthof Grand Prix II 7 Inch Hollow Ground Santoku Knife

Wusthof making Japanese-style knives? Alert the media! Actually, Wusthof has come a long way recently in redesigning its knives to meet...
Ken
32 sec read

Masanobu Kitchen Knives | Japanese VG-10 Steel Cutlery

Masanobu makes high-end knives that rival brands such as Hattori and Shun. Masanobu’s razor-sharp Japanese blades feature a core made of...
Ken
44 sec read

Global Cutlery 8 Inch Cook’s Knife | G-2 Lightweight Chef’s Knife

Ah, Global… You either love ’em or hate ’em. Global ushered in a new era in kitchen cutlery 15 years or...
Ken
43 sec read

Shun Classic Chinese Chef’s Knife | Cleaver For Meat or Veggies | 7-3/4-Inch Damascus Blade

For many Chinese chef’s, this type is not just an essential knife, but rather the single most essential knife in the...
Ken
45 sec read

Mundial Cutlery 5100 7-Piece Block Knife Set | Kitchen Knives

Mundial Knives are the choice of many professional chefs, so you know they’re high-quality. But don’t just take their word for...
Ken
47 sec read

Kyocera Kyotop Damascus | Best Ceramic Chef’s Knife | 6 Inch Blade | Pakka Wood Handle

We recently wrote about the Kyocera Revolution Ceramic Chef’s Knife and spent a fair amount of that space discussing the pros...
Ken
39 sec read

Calphalon Katana Stainless Steel 8-Piece Knife Set | Kitchen Knives | VG-1

If you’re looking for a basic set of sharp knives, and don’t want to have to mess with the piecework of...
Ken
54 sec read

Furi Rachael Ray Gusto Grip 3-Piece Knife Set

Warning: I’m about to say something bad about Rachael Ray. If this review ends abruptly, you’ll know that the lawyers got...
Ken
1 min read

Kyocera Revolution Ceramic Chef’s Knife Review | 7 Inch Blade

Ceramic knives present a unique set of trade-offs. On the one hand, they are sharp, lightweight and stainless. On the other,...
Ken
1 min read

Tojiro Knives | DP Series | Budget Japanese Kitchen Knives

The blade edges are made from a high-carbon steel and molybdenum blend, providing a sharp cutting surface that will hold its...
Ken
37 sec read

R.H. Forschner 3-Piece Fibrox Chef’s Knife Set From Victorinox | Best $50 Kitchen Knives

OnlyKnives’ Best $50 Kitchen Knives This is a great choice for anyone looking to start a knife set on a limited...
Ken
1 min read

Shun Classic Knives | 7-Piece Knife Block Set | Best $500 Kitchen Knives

Shun knives are by no means budget knives. Some consider them synonymous with “expensive”. But limit yourself to a small set...
Ken
1 min read

Hattori HD Knives | Best $1000 Kitchen Knives | Japanese Steel

OnlyKnives’ Best $1000 Kitchen Knives FromShun Classic Knives, the blade is made up of a VG-10 steel core, wrapped by layers...
Ken
56 sec read

MAC Professional and Superior Knife Set Review | Best $350 Kitchen Knives

It’s”http://www.onlyknives.com/mac-professional-chefs-knife-8-mth-80-best-budget-chefs-knife/”>8″ Professional Chef’s knife (MAC #MTH-80). It has two features that the Superior Chef’s knives don’t — a half-bolster for a...
Ken
49 sec read

Global 5-Piece Chef’s Knife Set | Best $350 Kitchen Knives | Japanese Steel

Global Knives are known for their razor-sharp edges, lightweight feel and funky contemporary styling. This set consists of five essential kitchen...
Ken
1 min read

Messermeister San Moritz Elite Kitchen Knife Set | Best $150 Kitchen Knives | Cutlery Review

Never heard of Messermeister? That’s good news. Since they’re lesser-known than Wusthof and Henckels, they don’t charge the huge markups that...
Ken
43 sec read

Meridian Elite 8 inch Chefs Knife | Messermeister ME3686-8

Made in Solingen Germany for over a century, all Messermeister knives are finely crafted tools. The forged steel blade is crafted...
Ken
27 sec read

MAC Japanese Nakiri Vegetable Knife #JU65

Stand back, zucchini, and prepare to meet your maker! This is a 6.5 inch Japanese slicing blade is made by MAC....
Ken
32 sec read

Ken Onion Chef’s Knife | 8-Inch Shun Kitchen Knife Review

You may know that Shun and Kershaw brands are both owned by the same company. You may also know that Ken...
Ken
41 sec read

Global Cutlery | 7-Inch Vegetable Knife G-5 | Yoshikin

Designed in Japan, this 7-inch knife from Global is optimized for slicing and chopping vegetables. The blade is specifically balanced with...
Ken
33 sec read

Shun Elite Santoku Knife Review | 7 Inch Japanese Stainless Steel Blade

This is the top of the line for Shun. Their Shun Classic Knives are excellent, lower-priced knives. What this knife has...
Ken
42 sec read

Wusthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Cook’s / Chef’s Knife | Cutlery Review

The 8″ Chef’s knife is the de facto workhorse of the kitchen. Choose wisely on this one, since you’ll be using...
Ken
59 sec read

J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 8-Inch Chef’s Knife | Zwilling Simaforge Forged High-Carbon Stainless Steel

This Henckels Chef’s Knife, 30121-203, features Henckels’ best Sigmaforge high-carbon stainless steel blade. Henckels has been knocked around a bit lately,...
Ken
57 sec read

Kershaw Wasabi Kitchen Knife | 8 Inch Stainless Steel Deba

Tired of buying a new knife every couple of years? Try this sturdy Wasabi Deba Knife manufactured by Kershaw. This 8-1/4...
Ken
23 sec read

Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife | High-Carbon Steel Damascus Blade | Cutlery Review

The Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is a great example of the high-end ultra-sharp Japanese knives that are now all the...
Ken
1 min read

Anolon Advanced Paring Knife | Cutlery Review | 3-Inch

The Anolon Advanced Collection 3 1/2-Inch Parer Knife is perfect for many kitchen jobs such as cutting and peeling fruits and...
Ken
36 sec read

R. H. Forschner 8-Inch Chef’s Knife | Black Fibrox Handle | Victorinox Cutlery

This knife is made by R.H. Forschner, a division of Victorninox — maker of Swiss Army Knives. No pocket knife here...
Ken
37 sec read