Top 12 Kitchen Knives for Every Kitchen

The tools you use make your work easier and better. At the kitchen knives can make or break your food prepping experience. A good knife is sharp enough to cut easily without exerting a lot of force. And most importantly, it’s safe. It’s best to purchase or have them as a set as you can’t use the same knife for every kitchen functions. Think cutting, chopping, dicing and mincing as well as slicing meat into different parts. Kitchen knives come in sets with different sizes. Generally, it ranges from six- to 14-inch blades.

Kitchen knives can be a little tricky as everything can look the same to the beginner’s eye or even to those who are familiar with cooking.  For starters, usually, you pick the best ones from German knives which are thick around the bolster and Japanese knives that are much more light to use and are sharper with narrow blades. To assist you further with kitchen knives shopping, we’ve listed what the users have been loving lately.

Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Kitchen Knife

$165 at Amazon

 The 8-inch Wüsthof 8-inch chef’s knife is an intensely-sharp tool with a versatile flair. You can use it to prepare an array of dishes that would require to slice onions, chop tomatoes, julianne carrots, bone any meat and split beans.  It’s very easy to handle this highly sought-after German tool as the blade metal runs through the handle. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe (this isn’t usually common), however, it’s recommended to handwash this to extend its lifespan.

While it’s a bit pricey, several users agreed that “The splurge on the Wusthof Classic line is well worth it.” Plus, all the reviews confirm the mindblowing ability of the Wushtof kitchen knives saying, “This knife is so sharp those oranges fell into slices almost without allowing the blade to get damp. Since them I have filleted several fish and tackled a number of meat joints.”

Also, the knife is razor-sharp, it’s best to have it somewhere safe with a blade guard.

Pros: Very sharp, sturdy, reliable for many kitchen functions

Cons: Can be expensive

J.A. Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

$70 at Amazon

The highly-durable J.A. Henckels Classic Chef’s Knife provides precise cutting with a professional, satin finished blade. And is honed very well for a razor-sharp functionality. Being on the finest kitchen knives to exist, it’s relatively affordable. Also, it performs an array of kitchen tasks like chopping broccoli, cutting pancakes, or even biscuits. One Amazon user wrote, “could be used in place of a butter knife if you were really into it.”

Pros: Worth the price, super versatile

Cons: The hard handle may not appeal to everyone

Global Knives 7-Inch Santoku Knife

$150 at Amazon

This is crafted using a singular stainless steel piece so it gives the benefit of not trapping food pieces around the meeting point with the handle. Plus, there are deep notches across the blade so food doesn’t get stuck to the blade. If you’re looking for something light weight and very versatile, never skip this option. And in terms of boning chicken meat, this is a perfect kitchen knife. The steel used here is CROMOVA 18, it’s hard enough to be pointy sharp and soft enough to be handled with ease and safety. One user wrote, “We knew it would be good, but it has exceeded our expectations. It is well balance, and sharp as a razor.”

Pros: Innovative use of stainless steel, good with boning chicken, seamless function

Cons: Some can find it a bit less sturdy

Misen 8-Inch Professional Kitchen Knife

$75 at Amazon

This chef-worthy kitchen knife is crafted using AUS-8 high carbon stainless steel. Which means it provides long-lasting sharpness while double the carbon content compared to other kitchen knives. Its bolster is angled, and blade is sharpened to 15˚ to make it easier to use while keeping it extra sharp. If you’re slicing constantly, get this one and kitchen knives of this caliber cost double its price. In one humourous review, one user wrote, “I overcooked the steak but didn’t know until I ate it cause the knife cut so easily through it.” It’s that smooth. Having said that, some found it to be heavy.

Pros: Very easy to cut anything, value for money, balanced grip, long-lasting

Cons: Heavy

Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef’s Knife

$150 at Amazon

$150 at Sur La Table

Another fine kitchen knife find that moves smoothly across vegetable so prepping healthy isn’t going to be a hassle anymore! Its curved belly and thinner blade make it a good lightweight option that’s easy to use and hold. Its sharpness is unmatched as it’s made with proprietary VG-MAX super steel with 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel. In addition to that, the woodgrain pattern of the steel makes it even easier to glide through anything. Users find the 6-inch to be perfectly fitting and the 8-inch tool to be a little heavy.

Pros: Efficient blade and handle, very sharp edge

Cons: Blade can feel a little brittle

Wüsthof Classic Craftsman Knife

$170 at Amazon

This is made by the industry expert, Wüsthof which has been the knife-making business for centuries. The complete tang, triple-riveted handles makes this ideal for the usual chef duties, boning and carving. A professional tool at your arm’s length that impresses with its hollow edge design. Not only it can be used to do any kitchen function, it also performs very well with any of its multitasking. This easily leads the pack of beginner and professional kitchen knives with maximum results, minimum effort. Many users have mentioned how it completes their kitchen and how “the build quality is apparent, and the knife is easy and comfortable enough to use.”

Pros: Effortless cuts, hollow design fitting for slicing, boning and filleting.

Cons: Can be very sharp so blade guard is necessary

Made In 8-inch Chef’s Knife

$119 at Made In

With its sleek look, it impresses with a seamless cutting experience. Whether it’s celery, tomatoes, beets, onions, everything gets chopped in a few. You can buy this separately or as a part of a three- or four-piece set. Again, if you’re a  beginner with kitchen knives, this comes with a guide to show you how to grip the knife and optimize the entire blade effortlessly. This Japanese blade has a cutting edge quality with a with a precise 12.5-degree angle. And the balance and comfort when using is impressive, all thanks to its full tang and fully-forged design. So far, users find it to be an elegant purchase and a pleasure to use.

Pros: Works well with veggies, Optimum use, great for beginners

Cons: Relatively heavier to other options

Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife

$58 at Walmart

$67 at Wayfair

Its sophisticated blade positioning along with the triple-rivetted and user-friendly design makes it easier to hold. This is great especially if you are doing a lot of prep on the regular. And the shortened bolster lengthens the blade height making it easier to use and sharpen. There’s very little reason to add pressure when using this and taper-ground edge bring in added stability and increased efficiency.

Pros: Durable, seamless cuts, sturdy

Cons: The pointy tip is wider than usual so not ideal for boning.

Victorinox Rosewood Forged 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

$150 at Amazon

It’s great for everyday use with precision that gets any job done in seconds. Also, it’s easy to carry and comes with rosewood curved handle for comfortable grip. From chopping salads, slicing tomatoes, boning a chicken, everything is easy with this in your hand.

Pros: Curved handle is easy to use, works well for majority everyday tasks

Cons: Expensive

HAST 8-Inch Chef Knife

$99 at Amazon

Got a modern, minimalistic kitchen? This versatile kitchen tool rockstar is a must. It’s a lightweight, one-piece design that fits nicely as you hold it. Its narrow, pointy blade makes any chopping or slicing smooth as ever. You can find this in three different colours: silver, matte black and gold. You can create ribbons of your desired veggies as it glides across with no fuss. Plus, its thin blade is easier to get into smaller sections of food. One Amazon user expressed, “urprised what difference the lightweight design makes in my daily use. It felt steady and stayed sharp longer than other knives I’ve used.”

Pros: Lightweight, good grip, aesthetically pleasing, thin blade

Cons: Too lightweight for some users

Material The 8″ Knife

$75 at Material

If you want something that’s lightweight yet quite strong, keep reading. This one’s got a narrow, curved handle but stays put in hands very easily. It works seamlessly with any daily veggies of any texture. Oh, and if you work with cheese often, check this out for sure. You can find this in two shades such as Blue Grey and Almost Black.

Pros: Value for money, comfortable handle, Sturdy yet lightweight

Cons: Thicker blade so may not be very flexible

MAC Professional 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife

$160 at Amazon

$195 at Walmart

Easy to use and lightweight kitchen knife for any cutting purpose. The pakkawood handle add more control to your grip while making it comfortable. And the full tang gives a balanced feel. Nextly, the blade is uber sharp and it stays that way. Plus, its thin allows precise cuts and the indentations on it prevent food from sticking. And the pointy tip makes it possible to bone the chicken neatly as possible and yielding very high.

Pros: Precision, light and sharp

Cons: Expensive

• Widely celebrated kitchen knife: Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Kitchen Knife
• Great value kitchen knife: J.A. Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
• Sharpest professional kitchen knife: Global Knives 7-Inch Santoku Knife
• Most versatile kitchen knife: Misen 8-Inch Professional Kitchen Knife
• Comfortable kitchen knife for small hands: Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef’s Knife
• All-rounder kitchen knife: Wüsthof Classic Craftsman Knife
• Effortless kitchen knife: Made In 8-inch Chef’s Knife
• Perfect weight kitchen knife: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife
• Comfortable grip kitcken knife: Victorinox Rosewood Forged 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
• Sleek design kitchen knife: HAST 8-Inch Chef Knife

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