The chef’s knife is by far the most important knife in most kitchens. It’s the all-rounder, the knife which you go to when you need to chop, dice, slice and smash.
It goes without saying that for anyone interested in accumulating a respectable knife set, the chef’s knife is top of the list. It’s the knife you will use the most and it’s the knife which is most worth taking the time to consider your options when you’re buying one.
In fact, I think you can go a pretty long way in the kitchen without having to use any other knife than a chef’s knives, it really will be able to perform most jobs.
A good chef’s knife can, with proper maintenance, last you decades, even a lifetime. So taking a bit of time to consider your options is well worth it. A well-sized knife with comfortable proportions and a razor-sharp blade is an absolute joy to use and it will make preparation and cooking a whole lot easier for you.
In this article, I’m going to show you what I think are some of the very best chef’s knives on the market. We’re going to score them on style, balance and weight and comfort.
I’ve not factored in price to the judging, but I have tried to show a range of knives at different prices. Scroll right to the bottom of the article to see which knife I think offers the best value for money.
I’ve purposefully tried to choose a range of different styles and slightly varying shapes of chef’s knives as I don’t see the point in just showing a list of knives which are almost the exact same. Everyone has their own preference for style, shape and price so I’ve tried to create a list where everyone can find their perfect chef’s knife.
All these knives are razor sharp so I’m going to focus less on the sharpness, which is just inherent in the quality of knives that I’ll be listing, and more on the actual usability, look and feel of the knife.
To get straight to the point. Here is a table of the nine knives ranked from my highest scoring to lowest. For a more in-depth look into each knife then continue reading the article.
| Name | Style | Balance and Weight | Comfort | Total score | Price | Check Current Price |
| Wüsthof Classic Cook’s Knife | 8 | 10 | 9 | 27 | $160 – $190 | Here |
| Ferrum Estate Chef’s Knife | 9 | 8 | 9 | 26 | $120 – $180 | Here |
| Zelite Infinity Executive Chef Knife 8 inch | 7 | 9 | 8 | 24 | $130 – $150 | Here |
| Victorinox Chef’s Knife 8 inch | 8 | 8 | 7 | 23 | $40 – $60 | Here |
| Zelite Infinity Chef Knife – Comfort-Pro Series | 7 | 7 | 9 | 23 | $40 – $60 | Here |
| Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch | 8 | 7 | 7 | 22 | $30 – $40 | Here |
| KBK Chef’s Knives Professional Chef Knife | 8 | 7 | 7 | 22 | $30 – $50 | Here |
| Cangshan D Series Chef’s Knife, 8-Inch | 7 | 8 | 7 | 22 | $30 – $50 | Here |
| Shan Zu Chef Knife 8 Inch | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | $20 – $30 | Here |
The parts of a chef’s knife
Before we start looking at the knives it makes sense to go over the main sections you’ll find on every chef’s knife. It’s helpful to know these as they will be referenced in the knife specification and are often useful to understand exactly what type of knife is right for you.
Bolster
The bolster is common in western-style german knives, which is the category chef’s knives fall into; however, you might notice that Japanese style knives rarely have bolsters.
Bolsters are a thick piece of metal located where the blade and the handle meet.
Heel
The heel is the part of the blade that runs from the bolster to the edge. In practical terms, it is the distance which your knuckles have between the handle and the cutting board. If you have a large hand and choose a knife with a small heel then you risk knocking your knuckles against the cutting board as you use the knife.
Length
This is a pretty important one to know.
The length of a knife measures the length of the blade only, from bolster to tip, so the handle is not included. When you see a knife described as an 8-inch knife, it means the blade is 8 inches.
Tip
The tip of the knife is the sharp point at the end of the blade.
Edge
The edge is the cutting side of the blade.
Spine
The spine is the non-cutting side of the blade running from bolster to tip. Often thought to have little practical use, the spine on some chef’s knives is actually slightly sharpened, allowing you to use it to descale fish.
How to choose the correct length knife
In this article, I’m going to focus on the most popular chef’s knife length, mainly the 8-inch and 10-inch. The length of knife you should use relates directly to the proportions of your own body, smaller people will find a smaller knife easier to handle but a tall person might be fine with a 12-inch knife.
The best method to determine which size is correct for you is the forearm test.
Measure the knife blade from heel to tip against your forearm, from elbow to wrist. You want to choose a knife with the same length as your forearm. Of course, if you can’t physically measure this with a knife then you can just use a measuring tape to measure your forearm instead.
Now let’s get into the list of my best chef’s knives, starting with number 1.
- Wüsthof classic cook’s knife
Background
Wüsthof has been making knives from their base in Solingen, Germany since 1814 and are currently being run by the seventh generation of family owners.
The knives they produce are typically western classic in style, heavily german in design which french influence. They are aesthetically simple, great to handle and extremely effective. What else would you expect from a german knife manufacturer?
Style
I love the look for this knife. It combines Wüsthof’s classic styles with the addition of a more modern curved handle. It is simple and elegant and almost the textbook design of a great kitchen knife.
It would look perfectly at home at the finest of Michelin starred restaurants and is undoubtedly a beautiful addition to any home-cooks kitchen.
For style, this knife deserves a strong score.
Style score: 8/10
Balance
I really enjoy the weight of this knife. Many other Wüsthof knives have a full bolster which adds to the weight of the knife. Whilst some people prefer this added weight, personally I think the half bolster of this model makes it more suitable for home cooks. Often chef’s knives will be used by many people in the household so having a lighter version makes it easier for everyone to handle.
As ever with Wüsthof knives the balance is perfect, the weight between the blade and handle is perfectly distributed and makes rock chopping a breeze.
It’s a perfect score from me for the balance:
Balance score: 10/10
Comfort
The slightly modern take on the handle improves the already very comfortable feel of Wüsthof knives. The handle is rounded, so no part digs into your hand. There is also a well-sized heel to the knife and the handle tapers in nicely as it joins the blade. This means that there’s plenty of room for your knuckles and the wide blade surface lets you choke the blade easily whilst holding the knife, giving you complete control whilst you work.
You could chop, slice and dice with this knife for hours without feeling discomfort:
Comfort score: 9/10
Cost
Wüsthof knives have a great reputation. And it’s richly deserved, they produce some of the finest knives around. It does come at a price though and they certainly aren’t on the lower end of the scale.
Having said that you can pick up this knife at around the $180 mark, you can get knives far more expensive than that which are nowhere near as durable as a Wüsthof so it really isn’t too bad at all.
Price: $160 – $190
Summary
The Wüsthof classic cook’s knife is an absolute beauty of a knife, durable, comfortable, stylish and perfectly balanced. It’s my top pick for a chef’s knife with the highest overall score:
Total score: 27/30
- Ferrum Estate Chef’s Knife, 8-Inch
Background
Ferrum knives are handcrafted In Oregon’s Willamette Valley. If you’re looking for a knife which is a little different, with a unique and beautiful design but still with fantastic usability then American made Ferrum knives could be perfect for you.
They are a small team of professional knife makers with tons of experience, and it really shows in their end product.
So if you’re looking for a bit more of an artisan knife then you should take a look at this great choice.
Style
This knife is stunning. It has a maple wood handle with a double bolster, that’s the metal chunk you can see at both ends of the handle.
It’s quite different from the traditional look of Wüsthof knives whilst retaining all the practically important features such as a good curve to the blade and well-sized heel. It is hugely attractive without having to detract from any of the usability of the knife and I think it’s fantastic.
Style: 9/10
Balance and weight
The double bolster certainly adds to the weight of the knife and for an 8 inches chef’s knife it’s probably on the heavy side; Ferrum has been smart in its design though as they have only used a half bolster on the blade which has helped reduce weight.
Having said that the knife is extremely well balanced between the handle and the blade which makes handling it easy and natural.
It’s on the heavy side, but it is perfectly balanced, overall I’m giving it a strong score for this category:
Balance and weight: 8/10
Comfort
The maple handle is not only great to look at but the curved edges of the handle make it a joy to hold. I also really enjoy the double bolster of the handle, it makes the knife feel even more strong and secure when you’re holding it and is a feature you don’t find on many chef’s knives.
The knife blade is very easy to choke with your index finger and thumb whilst you’re chopping. The heel is well sized and the curve of the edge is perfect for rocking motion cutting and rapid chopping.
It’s fantastically comfortable so it gets a strong score from me:
Comfort: 9/10
Cost
This is a top-quality hand made American knife and Ferrum has executed its design exquisitely. As you might imagine it isn’t on the low side of cost but in my opinion you get every dollar worth of what you pay for this knife.
Price: $120 – $180
Summary
A beautiful knife with a great design without sacrificing any of the usability. If you’re looking for a top-quality chef’s knife which is a bit different from the norm then I would highly recommend the Ferrum Estate Chef’s Knife.
- Zelite Infinity Executive Chef Knife 8 inch
Background
Zelite is a small and family-owned business that have designed a large range of knives at a whole host of different price brackets. They actually appear twice on this list with two knives at very different price ranges.
One thing stays consistent with Zelite knives though, they are high quality and great to handle.
Style
Style is, of course, subjective, and there are people who adore the unique design of Zelite knives. Personally I think it’s ok but a little garish for my taste. However, it does scream reliability.
The blade is polished with their tsunami rose damascus pattern and the handle, whilst bulky and a little unusual in appearance is actually specifically designed to be extremely comfortable to hold.
You can see that it’s a quality knife just from the look of it, but for me, it isn’t quite as elegant as some chef’s knives:
Style: 7/10
Balance and weight
The balance on this knife is fantastic. Held by the bolster it balances pretty much perfectly. The half bolster also helps reduce the weight overall and for a knife which looks quite bulky to the appearance it is actually surprisingly light.
It feels great to work with whilst rock chopping and is a dream to use.
Balance and weight: 9/10
Comfort
The handle has been specifically designed with consultation with physicians and you can certainly tell. The unusual hump-backed handle does feel very comfortable in hand and the rounded edge does ensure that the handle doesn’t dig into any part of your hand during prolonged use.
Comfort: 8/10
Cost
This is a quality knife and one of the best designed by Zelite. Like many things, with top quality closely follows a price to suit. This knife isn’t too expensive but it is at the higher end of chef’s knives, is it worth it? Yes. But there are more cost-effective Zelite options, and we’re going to look at one next.
Price: $130 – $150
Summary
It’s a top-quality knife from a really innovative manufacturer. The design isn’t quite to my taste but the practicality of the knife is absolutely fantastic. If the design of the Zelite Infinity Executive Chef Knife does appeal to you then it may well be the best knife you could choose on this list.
Total score: 24/30
- Victorinox Forged Chef’s Knife with rosewood handle, 8 inch
Background
Victorinox was founded in 1884 in Switzerland and started out making swiss army knives, so they have a long history of designing durable and razor-sharp blades.
This historic company sells a wide range of products, from travel gear to watches and even fragrances, but their history in blade making has ensured that their chef’s knives still make the cut (bad joke!).
Style
This Victorinox chef’s knife is simple and elegant. I have specifically chosen the rosewood handle option as I think it looks stunning and really makes this knife stand out, although you can get the same knife with a synthetic handle.
The curve of the blade is attractive and the triple studded handle looks great and shows off an appearance of sturdiness and reliability.
Balance and weight
This knife is light to hold and very well balanced. It has a fantastic weight between the handle and the blade and the lack of bolster means that the knife can remain lightweight overall.
The knife-edge is beautifully curved and allows for a very easy rocking chop motion whilst using it.
Comfort
The edges of the handle are well rounded to improve the comfort of the knife and the rosewood feels particularly nice to the touch.
The overall design of the handle is very traditional and can start to dig in on your hand after prolonged use, nothing major, but there are some knives on this list with handles made specifically to be extremely ergonomic and this is more of a classic standard design.
Comfort: 7/10
Cost
They have been making knives for over 100 years and that experience but that doesn’t mean their knives are unreasonably expensive. For the quality of the knife, I think this is an absolutely fantastic price.
Price: $40 – $60
Summary
This is a well-designed knife that is extremely attractive, light and well balanced. Victorinox is a company with a great history of knife making and it shows in the end product. This is a quality knife which you certainly won’t be disappointed with.
Total score: 23/30
- Zelite Infinity Chef Knife – Comfort-Pro Series
Background
Zelite is a small and family-owned business that have designed a large range of knives at a whole host of different price brackets. They actually appear twice on this list (the other is just above) with two knives at very different price ranges.
This one is the more affordable choice from their value range, but it’s still a brilliant knife.
Style
The design of this knife is certainly unconventional. The handle is very unusual and has been designed with comfort in mind. I have no problem with designing a knife around practicality before style, but I am judging style and I do think the handle detracts from the overall attractiveness, especially when compared with something like a Ferrum knife which came in at my #2.
The blade itself is nice and simple with an attractive and modern sweeping half bolster.
Style: 7/10
Balance
The balance is good but not great, the blade doesn’t have as large a curve as many knives on this list which does inhibit the rock chopping technique a little. It is quite a light knife due to the thinner blade and half bolster which makes it handy for a knife which will be used by the whole family.
Overall it’s a good weight but you can definitely tell it’s in the value range of Zelite knives.
Balance: 7/10
Comfort
This knife has been designed for comfort and you can tell. It’s fantastic to hold and really easy on the hand. It’s one of the lightest knives on this list as well and is one of the best knives to choose if it’s going to be used by a few members of the family. I found it really comfortable to hold either by holding just the handle or when choking the blade with my index finger and thumb.
Zelite has cut back on some features on the knife to make it more affordable, but comfort certainly isn’t one of them.
Comfort: 9/10
Cost
This is a great knife and extremely comfortable. For the quality, I think it comes in at a very reasonable price indeed.
Price: $40 – $60
Summary
It’s the value option of the Zelite knives but they are a terrific manufacturer and this is a terrific knife. If you want to dip your toe into what the kitchen is like using a quality chef’s knife then this Comfort-Pro Series knife by Zelite is a fantastic choice.
Total score: 23/30
- Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch
Background
Based in the USA, Mercer manufactures quality knives with classic designs. They have designed a fantastic array of both western and Japanese style knives, all simple but beautiful in their execution.
They are also very affordable so you can really stock up your kitchen with an array of Mercer kitchen knives without breaking the bank.
Style
I love the design of this knife. In fact, I love the design of most Mercer knives. It’s classic and simple but simplicity isn’t always easy to achieve and Mercer does it fantastically.
The curve of the blade is beautiful, the handle is simple but elegant and I even love the stamped logo on the blade and small detail of the knife and honing steel on the heel stud.
It’s a great design overall and gets a strong score from me:
Style: 8/10
Balance
There’s a nice weight to the knife, not too heavy so easy for all to handle. The knife is not as well balanced as some of the higher end knives on this list but for its price range, it’s very good.
The blade is nicely curved and allows for a smooth rocking chop motion.
Balance and weight: 7/10
Comfort
The handle is made from a thermoplastic called Santoprene, it grips well and feels comfortable to hold. With prolonged use, the handle can start to rub on the skin a little bit and this is common with many thermoplastic handles, but for regular use, it is very comfortable.
There’s a nice long heel to the knife leaving plenty of room for your knuckles and choking the blade with your index finger and thumb feels very natural
Comfort: 7/10
Cost
Mercer produces a range of cost-effective and quality knives and this one is no different. For the standard of knife which you receive, I think this is one of the best options you can choose, a great knife for a great price.
Price: $30 – $40
Summary
The Mercer Culinary Genesis chef’s knife is attractive, light in weight, nicely balanced and comfortable to use for home cooking.
You can pick it up at a fantastic price and I think it’s a great option for anyone who wants a quality knife but doesn’t want to break the bank.
Total score: 22/30
- KBK Chef’s Knives Professional Chef Knife 8 Inch
Background
KBK Kibaby Kitchen has been making knives for 15 years. Many of their knives are Japanese in style, this particular one is less so and the blade has been shaped to a classic western style, but you can still see the Japanese influence running through the design.
Their knives are made in China so have a little less authenticity than other knives on this list, but that is reflected in the price.
Style
The design is single and beautiful. A nicely curved blade, with flawless steel, only being disturbed by a simple stamped logo on the side of the blade. The full bolster is attractive and the handle is natural and beautiful.
It’s a good looking knife and gets a strong score:
Style: 8/10
Balance
This knife is on the heavy side, nothing unmanageable but the full bolster does add more weight to the knife. The balance is good for a knife on the lower end of the price scale and the curved blade allows for a good rock chopping motion when using it.
Balance and weight: 7/10
Comfort
For me, the handle isn’t quite shaped correctly for full comfort and the underside is too straight.
I like to choke the blade with my index finger and thumb when I chop and this knife hasn’t really been designed with that in mind. Instead, the manufacturers have added a groove to the area where the handle and bolster meet to place your thumb. It is actually very comfortable if you hold the knife in this way but for prolonged use, I find choking the blade easier and the design doesn’t quite suit this style.
Comfort: 7/10
Cost
It’s an attractive knife with good qualities. It isn’t entirely authentic and is produced in China but that is reflected in the affordable price.
Price: $30 – $50
Summary
It’s a good quality knife with some great features. Some people might indeed prefer the grooved handle, particularly if they prefer to hold only the handle of the knife and don’t choke the blade of the knife when chopping as I do.
Total score: 22/30
- Cangshan D Series Chef’s Knife, 8-Inch
Background
Cangshan has a huge array of knives they offer although they do tend to focus on their knife sets rather than individual knives. Their knives are pretty simple in design and made to be effective rather than much of a statement piece.
Style
The design is classic, with a full tang blade and three studs in the handle. It looks the part without being particularly remarkable.
Style: 7/10
Balance and weight
There’s a nice weight to the knife overall, it’s not too heavy and is a great family knife both in size and weight, most people in the household should find it comfortable to use.
The balance between the handle and blade is good, my only concern is that rock chopping using this knife isn’t quite as natural as many others on this list as the blade doesn’t quite have the width and curvature I would like.
Balance and weight: 8/10
Comfort
The handle itself is certainly well designed and is very comfortable to hold. My issue is the heel which curves away from the handle, combined with the already thin blade and less curved edge I find it more difficult to choke the blade using my index finger and thumb with this knife than many others on this list.
If you prefer to only hold the handle itself when cutting then you will probably find this knife perfectly comfortable, but the design isn’t quite comfortable for the way I like to use chef’s knives.
Comfort: 7/10
Cost
This is another cost-effective knife. For the quality you get I think it’s a great price. As I mentioned, Cangshan has a lot of knife set options so if you’re looking to kit out your whole kitchen with good knives whilst keeping costs reasonable then I’d recommend taking a look at those too.
Price: $30 – $50
Summary
It’s a well-made knife with a classic style. The blade edge doesn’t quite have the curve I’d like to see on a chef’s knife and I find the way the heel curves away from the handle a little uncomfortable, but overall it’s a good knife for a good price.
Total score: 22/30
- Shan Zu Chef Knife 8 Inch
Background
Shan Zu sells a range of knives with varying german and Japanese influences. They are at the lower end of the price scale whilst still being perfectly practicable and razor-sharp.
Style
Shan Zu has clearly taken a Japanese influence to the design of this knife. It has a straight handle and quite a straight ridge of the knife. But the curve of the blade and full bolster hints towards a western style, the blade itself is also made from German, high carbon stainless steel, so it’s a mix of both styles.
Overall I think they pull it off quite well, it’s an attractive knife with a simple yet elegant design.
Style: 7/10
Balance and weight
Despite it having a full bolster this knife does actually feel very lightweight and it has a decent balance between the handle and the blade.
For me, the knife blade isn’t quite curved enough for a chef’s knife. It’s common in Japanese knives to have a straighter blade and the fusion between german and Japanese design in this knife has clearly led to a reduced curve. Unfortunately, this does mean that rock chopping isn’t quite as smooth with this knife than with many others on this list.
Balance and weight: 7/10
Comfort
The handle is very rounded and straight. Whilst it hasn’t been particularly designed to fit the curve of your hand like many of the other knives in this list have it is still perfectly comfortable.
I like the full bolster and heel size although the lack of a significant curve on the blade can make some chopping tasks more difficult.
Comfort: 7/10
Cost
This is when Shan Zu stands out. They produce many elegant knives which are nicely balanced and comfortable, but they do it at a terrific low price. They certainly aren’t the most authentic knives in the world, but they fuse western and Japanese styles well to produce very economical knives.
Price: $20 – $30
Summary
This Shan Zu Chef Knife is simple and well built. It fuses both western and Japanese styles to produce an attractive knife that is well balanced and comfortable at a very low price. It’s a great value purchase for your kitchen.
Total score: 21/30
Best bang for your buck
The best knife on this list, in my opinion, is the Wüsthof classic cook’s knife. However, I’m aware that the price of the Wüsthof might seem a little high for anyone just entering into the world of quality kitchen knives.
Don’t get me wrong, the Wüsthof is worth every penny and I’m certain you’ll be happy with your purchase, but for the more value-conscious cook, there is another knife on this list I would particularly recommend.
If you’re looking for the best overall quality for a great price then I would definitely recommend the Victorinox chef’s knife. It’s a brilliant all-rounder knife and it still looks a bit special. You can get it for under $50, around half the price of the Wüsthof, so if you want the best bang for your buck, I’d go for the Victorinox.
