The Best Chef’s Knives From Recommended Brands

Looking for a new high-quality and professional chef’s knife? Well! the market is fully loaded with so many competing brands and buyers may often find it difficult to choose the best.

Choosing the right chef knife will depend on many criteria such as how you are going to use it, how often, grip style, budget and not to mention plenty of other micro-decisions.

Undoubtedly every cook is looking for a top-rated and sharp chef knife that can handle every kitchen task without spending tons of money, so in this article, I have reviewed and rated the seven most popular chef’s knives from the best cutlery brands that are rated high for their outstanding performance and properties.

I hope this article helps you find the best-rated chef’s knife that fits your cooking style and budget.

So what is the best chef’s knife to buy?! let’s jump right in…

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A comparison table of the top 7 best chef knives 

Product Name	Mac Professional	Global G2	Shun Classic	Wusthof Classic Ikon	Mercer Culinary	Victorinox Fibrox	J.A Henckels
Blade	Stamped	Stamped	Forged	Forged	Forged	Stamped	Forged
Rockwell Hardness	59-61 HRC	56-58 HRC	60-61 HRC	58 HRC	58 HRC	56 HRC	54 HRC
Weight	6.6 .Oz	6.06 .Oz	6.75 .Oz	9 .Oz	9.6 .Oz	7.5 .Oz	11.2 .Oz
Edge Angle	15°	15°	16°	14°	15°	15°	15°
Steel Type	Molybdenum	Cromova 18	VG-Max	High-carbon Stainless steel	High-carbon Stainless steel	High-carbon Stainless steel	German Stainless Steel
Handle	Pakka Wood	Stainless Steel	Pakka Wood	African Wood	Santoprene	Plastic	Plastic
Origin	Japan	Japan	Japan	Germany	Taiwan	Switzerland	Spain
Price

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• Best Chef Knife Japanese: Mac Professional Hollow Edge

 

If you are interested in upgrading your cutting experience, it is high time to look for a high-quality product like Mac professional, it’s considered one of the best and sharpest chef’s knives series in the world, with an excellent cutting power delivered by a thin, durable blade and extremely balanced.

I have tested many high-quality German and Japanese kitchen knives, and the mac is certainly beaten the most of them by price tag, quality, balance, And if you look over, everybody is recommending it.

Mac is really making a name for themself with this high-end chef’s knife.

The mac professional blade is made of high-quality superior steel, high-carbon chrome molybdenum vanadium alloy, with tungsten to increase hardness even further, to deliver excellent edge retention and maintaining the sharp edge quite an easy job.

dimples on both sides of the blade to keep food from sticking to it.

Mac professional chef’s knife features a 2.55mm traditional hard thin Japanese blade with a welded-on bolster (western knife shape) to deliver the best slicing experience and extra balance.

And symmetrical design to work equally well for both right and left-handed users.

But that’s not all…

A Pakka wood handle, it is really perfect for both small and large hands and gives you the total control feeling and a grip allowing you to cut through most foods using minimal effort.

In a nutshell, it is a real razor-sharp knife great for home and commercial use, holds an edge well, sharpens easily and you can work with it for long hours without any wrist fatigue due to its lightweight and well-balanced nature.

• Who it’s For?

Those who are not afraid to spend some cash for a superior chef’s knife.

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• Best Japanese Chef Knife (Stamped): Global G2

A high-quality Japanese 8-inch chef’s knife offered by global a trustworthy and top-rated cutlery manufacturer.

It’s a great all-purpose kitchen chef knife, really well balanced, not too heavy to help reduce hand fatigue, stays sharp for a long time, and really easy to sharpen with a whetstone.

Most Global kitchen knives are not forged and the g2 is one of them, yet it’s made of high-quality steel that has been tempered and heat-treated to a new level.

The Global g2 professional chef knife is made of high-tech molybdenum/ vanadium stainless steel and has high chromium content.

To grant the blade the exact hardness to retain its sharpness and ease of sharpening.

As well as the chromium to give the blade an excellent resistance to rust and staining.

The best feature of the global G2 chef knife is the large and prominent edge for more and longer sharpness in contrast to the standard beveled edge.

A comfortable stainless steel hollow handle filled with the right amount of sand to deliver the best balance.

But sadly,

• Who it’s For? 

Anyone who is looking for a little more than a typical chef knife.

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• Best Japanese Chef’s Knife (Forged): Shun Classic

Another Japanese cutlery brand with an excellent reputation is extremely well-known for its high-end kitchen knives.

The Shun Classic features a luxurious and extremely sharp 16 double-bevel blade made of a VG-Max (harder than the Vg-10 which is used in Shun classic older models) Stainless Steel and sandwiched with 34 layers of high-carbon stainless steel(SUS410), 17 layers on each side.

to display the stunning look of Damascus steel, a hardness of 61 Rockwell to hold a sharp edge extremely well for a long time, extra corrosion, and rust resistance.

A highly polished Pakka D-shape handle which adds extra balance and a better grip, you are going to love the way it fits your palm no matter if it is small or big.

And a short bolster to add more room for your thumb and index to have a better pinch grip.

Want to know the best part?

another thing that I like about shun and can’t find in other brands is their free-time sharpening service, all you have to do is to mail your shun knife to them and they will sharpen it for you,

and if they found something wrong with the knife they will send you a new one.

• Who it’s For? 

Cooks who value performance overall.

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• Best German Chef Knife: Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch 

A top-rated cutlery manufacturer and widely known for its high-quality and first-class kitchen knives, Wusthof is based in solling Germany operating since 1814, which means a highly experienced and trustworthy company.

Wusthof manufactured many top-rated chef knives, but in this article, I have reviewed the Wusthof Classic Ikon 8” Chef knife.

So let’s start with the blade, which is crafted from fully forged x50CrMo15 steel which is known as high-carbon stain-free steel. Tempered to 58⁰ Rockwell score to provide long sharpness time.

Wusthof added PEtec edge technology to this knife model to make it 20% sharper with twice the edge retention.

An angel tapers from the spine to the cutting edge and a tapers from the bolster to the tip to give the knife an extremely sharp edge, strength as well as flexibility.

3 bolsters one to give a counterbalance when using the knife, the second adds blade control, and the forward bolster allows you to sharpen the whole length of the blade.

And all 3 of them combined together to provide the knife with the exact heft and balance for effortless cutting.

Finally, since the knife is forged it’s heavier than stamped knives, it’s great for those who prefer the weight of the knife for cutting.

Full tang for superb robustness and triple riveted for even more resilience.

The Handle is made of African wood and formed with a comfortable unique shape to add more control, ease of use, and feels like an extension to your hand.

• Who it’s For? 

For those who are looking to get the most bangs for their bucks.

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• Best Chef’s Knife For The Money: Mercer Culinary Genesis

 

Mercer Culinary has been on the market for more than 30 years compared to other brands it is a short period of time. That being said, Mercer Culinary has proven itself over the years that is an excellent manufacturer of kitchen knives and culinary tools. 

Mercer culinary Genesis 8” chef knife is one of the best knives I have ever owned, High-Quality, comfortable handle, lightweight, good-balanced, and the best part? it is affordable.

Forged from One Piece high carbon German stainless steel to provide the best stains and corrosion resistance to this chef knife, And the hardness of 58 HRC Rockwell.

I like the stability and the ease of honing provided by the taper-ground.

As well as the short bolster that adds more strength, durability, extra balance, better grip, and easy sharpening too.

Since mercer genesis is a forged knife it features a Full tang for superb robustness and a short bolster for a better pinch grip.

Ergonomic handle made of Santoprene(plastic and rubber) which has high strength and stiffness properties.

In addition to comfort-ability and safe slip-resistant grip.

• Who it’s For? 

Anyone who needs superior quality without spending a fortune.

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• Best Chef’s Knife Under 50 (Stamped): Victorinox Fibrox Pro

 

One brand that is synonymous with knives is Victorinox.

Victorinox is a Swiss company founded in 1884, well known for its Swiss army knives, pocket knives, and Professional Kitchen Knives.

The Victorinox Fibrox is one of the best-selling and best affordable chef knives on the market. This all-purpose chef knife is an essential tool in every modern kitchen.

I will start with the ergonomic handle because it’s the thing I like about this chef’s knife.

Victorinox Fibrox pro Features a non-slip Fibrox handle to provide a sure grip and easy handling even when wet or greasy, making the knife extremely comfortable to work with for an extended period of time.

The handle makes a superior combination of lightweight and well-balanced blades to reduce hand and wrist fatigue.

The blade is made of stamped high carbon stainless steel Aka x50CrMoV15 whose dominant use is for high-quality and professional knife blades, with a hardness of 55-56 HRC Rockwell and good corrosion resistance.

It comes with a 50/50 western bevel blade, meaning it has a symmetrical angel on each side which makes it perfect for right and left-handed users, besides a long and sloping curve to make mincing and chopping fun and easy.

• Who it’s For? 

Just getting into kitchen knives? and looking for a sharp chef knife? This is an excellent option for aspiring cooks.

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• Best Forged Chef Knife Under $$: J.A. Henckels International Classic

 

J.A Henckels International is Another high-quality knives company and one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of kitchen knives,

The J.A Henckels 8” class chef knife is made of high-quality German stainless steel fully forged to provide durability and rust resistance.

The thing I like about this chef knife is the full tang triple rivets Polypropylene handle which makes the knife more sturdy robust and easy to handle even when wet or greasy.

Long-Lasting sharpness blade and beveled on both sides which makes it entirely symmetrical for right and left-handed users.

I recommend this chef knife to everyone who can’t afford expensive kitchen knives. Especially if you’re looking for a forged chef knife with good quality and heft, the J.A 8” classic gives you the best quality for a decent price.

 

• Who it’s For? 

Those who are looking for a hefty and sturdy knife, without the hefty price tag.

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• Best Forged Chef’s Knife Under $$: Calphalon Contemporary 

The Calphalon Contemporary Chef’s Knife is the knife to call on when you’ve got a tough task in your kitchen or you just have big hands.

It’s a great kitchen knife with a single blade that is made out of high carbon steel which is resistant to rust, stains, and even discoloration.

The balance was well thought of with its bolster and tang. Handling this knife will also be made easier with its contoured grip.

On the end, the knife is etched with the word “Chef” so that you can easily identify it among other knives.

Calphalon has made a name for itself and some trust the products because of its name. Based on the rating and reviews, we believe that this knife will also be able to perform to your expectations providing you with great balance, grip, and sharpness which every self-adhered chef needs.

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Conclusion

The best chef’s knife which managed to stand out to us was the Mac Professional hollow edge, thanks to the superior design, high-quality materials, well-balanced, and comfort-ability.

Choosing Mac Professional hollow edge chef’s knife as our best pick wasn’t a difficult task, but I am not saying that the other options are not good, every knife above is special somehow.

For instance, if you’re into pure beauty and great features then global G2 or shun Classic is your way to go if you have a smaller-sized hand Wusthof and shun should be your first picks.

But if you’re on a budget or a novice cook and you don’t want to spend too much money on kitchen knives then the 3 last options are great for you.

And if you are of those who spend a lot of time preparing and cooking, using a food processor can make your life easier and save you a fair amount of time, it will help you mince, dice, chop, knead and mix food is a safe, faster and more convenient way, make sure you read our best food processor reviews.

Suggested Reading:

• Guide on The Difference Between Gyuto Knife And Santoku
• Kitchen Knives Types Guide
• Vosteed Morgan Chef’s Knife Review

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What To Look For When Buying a Chef’s Knife? 

Sharpness

Clearly, it’s one of the first essential features to consider before buying a chef’s knife.

Not only makes dealing with food easy and effortless but also allows the blade to slice smoothly through ingredients without damaging the protein cells which helps to preserve the texture and the flavor of the food.

Therefore, be sure to purchase a chef knife not only sharp when you buy it, but also will stay sharp and easy to sharpen.

The sharpness of the knife is specified by the edge angle the lower its gets, the sharper the knife.

Edge retention

If the Edge sharpness is specified by the edge angle height, why not all the knives are sharp?

The easiest way to explain this, try to sharpen a pencil, the sharper it gets, the easier it breaks.

And it’s the same with knives, as a result, knives makers always trying to overcome this problem by changing the quality of the used materials,

The shape of the edge and sharpening of the knives to the exact angle give the knife the best sharpness for a long period.

Balance & Weight

A Well-Balanced knife means the handle and the blade are equal in weight.

And the best way to test it is to grip the knife by its handle, if the knife tilts either way then it is probably unbalanced.

And unbalanced means hard work and wrist fatigue. and you should stay away from an unbalanced knife if you planning to work with it every day all day.

For the weight it is a personal preference, you should try several knives to know which knife is best for you.

Blade’s Steel

There are two primary kitchen knives western and Japanese and they are different in Size, Steel-type, and Design…

Western knives tend to have a high cutting edge angle, but they are more durable and easy to maintain, but they require sharpening and frequently honing to hold well their edge,

As they are made of soft steel ( most of the western knives are made of high-carbon Stainless Steel).

On the other hand the Japanese knives, there are made of tough and thin steel (Highly with carbon)

They are much sharper and have better edge retention than western knives, but they are prone to chip and crack easily if misused.

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Tips And Recommendations To Get The Best Out Of Your Knives

• • A knife edge becomes rolled or turned from direct contact with cutting boards, bones, or other hard objects, knives should be honed after every couple of uses, Honing steel will keep your knives sharper and performing at their best, but it won’t sharpen a dull knife
  • Do not chop the hard object and surfaces like glass or bone
  • After significant use, the steel particles become damaged and the edge cannot be brought back by honing, so sharpening is necessary.
  • Always sharpen in the same direction, whether it’s front-to-back or back-to-front
  • Store your knives in a knife block or on a Magnetic Knife Rack to preserve the cutting edge
  • Don’t store your knives in a drawer they will dull faster and there is a chance to cut yourself
  • Don’t clean your knives in the dishwasher, always hand-wash and dry immediately

Also, Check-Out :

• 5 Proven Tips To Keep Your Kitchen Knives Razor Sharp
• Usuba Knife Vs Nakiri: Which One Is Better For You?
• How to Care For And Maintain your Kitchen Knives

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Difference between forged and stamped knives in short!

 

Forged Knives

It’s a process of beating a single heated piece of metal into the proper shape,

Just like how it’s portrayed in the movies a blacksmith with a hammer pounding the steel to shape it.

But of course today most knives are made by machine.

Forging is generally considered to make knives with superior edge retention, and strength, and less fixable but is more costly.

There are several ways to identify a forged knife, the first one is to look for a bolster it’s a mound of metal between the handle and the blade; indeed I prefer to have it in all my knives it provides more control, balance, and sort of fingers protection. Any knife that has a bolster is certainly forged, despite some forged knives that do not have a bolster like Japanese knives.

The second thing to look for is a partial or full tang, yet some stamped knives have tangs too.

Full tang means the whole knife from tip to grip is one piece and two handles pinned to the blade,

Partial tang when the blade is inserted into the grip for part of the length.

 

 Stamped knives

Stamping is where the manufacturer takes a large sheet of metal and uses something like a cookie cutter to cut the knife shape out, then sharpen, polish, adding the handle to the blade process.

Stamped knives feature a lighter weight than forged knives, and are much more flexible and cheaper.

But it doesn’t mean that forged knives are better than stamped there are a lot of high-quality stamped knives on the market like Victorinox.

Now I’d like to hear from you.

Did I miss one of your favorite chef’s knives?

Or maybe you have a question about something.

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.