Drawing all the fanciness to your kitchen does not only come with the exquisite general décor or the arrangement you have, but sometimes so much the quality of your utensils. Among these are the best kitchen knives.
For most non-cooks who just find themselves in the kitchen environment, all they mind about knives is whether they are sharp or not. If a knife can chop their foodstuffs, it’s enough of a good knife. Little do they know there is much more into just having one.
This review unpacks for you full information on what best brings that efficient, comfortable and safe cutting in your kitchen.
With the increased number of models and brands, it may sometimes be hectic discovering the very best and recommended ones. Here, you will get unbiased advice concerning the purchase of the top most highly reputable designs and models. You will learn about the pros and cons regarding every product.
On our top 10 list of the highly recommended products, we have included only the most high-tech yet affordable knives that would yield the modern vibe needful for your kitchen. Choosing any of them will entirely offer you a fulfilling experience in your kitchen – one which you would love every time you utilize it.
How to Choose a Decent Kitchen Knife
Shopping for a good kitchen knife can sometimes be very difficult, especially when you do not have a technical background of the product you need. However, with proper guidance, you will always go for the most effective and recommendable ones which would perfectly match your preferences.
As mentioned earlier in this review, there are lots of kitchen knife models and brands manufactured from different corners of the world. But the tough question always begs, which is really the best for you?
Well, below are detailed features to look out for and factors to consider before settling on a given model or brand.
This is one crucial factor most buyers would more often look into. If you are not going to open a butchery, why should you go for that huge size knife when you only need to chop onions and tomatoes?
The right size of the knife should be decided based on two factors: the size of your own hands, and what you’re planning to cut with that knife.
If your kitchen work involves a lot of cutting and chopping of large chunks of food, a larger knife would certainly be preferred, and vice versa. That said, if the knife is too big or too small for you to hold it properly, there will be struggle in your cutting experience.
For any equation solving the best chef’s knife one needs, these two are always key subjects going hand in hand. Weight factor so much depends on an individual’s evaluation because of its relativity aspect. Unless one gets to grab the product and feel the comfort of its use.
A heavy knife will be inefficient to use as it will only slow down your work and gets your holding hand tired in no time. On the other hand, one that is too light also requires more effort to use, as you have to apply extra force for every cut.
Balance as well determines how comfortable a knife will feel on your hands. When thinking of balance, most people think it’s between the cutting side and the handle side. In fact, since people tend to hold their knives at different positions, the balance should be at the point where you grip it.
If you then you have to shop online, reading client’s reviews on a particular product will give you a piece of better information on whether these two factors are reflected.
When it comes to the material of make, two other factors are considered: the blade and the handle.
- Blade
There exists a variety of blade materials used to design proper kitchen knives. As would be expected, they don’t always bear similarities in terms of toughness or durability.
The most common of them include Carbon Steel, Damascus, Stainless Steel, High-Carbon Stainless Steel, and Ceramic.
To achieve convenience and reliability of use, it is important to choose those types which do not give any trail of stains, rust or dents or even bend when used or stored.
- Handle
Apart from the blade, the handle contributes significantly to the comfort earned from your cutting experience. Same as blades, there exist different types of handles bearing differing designs all in the desire to enhance the efficiency of their use.
Common of these are handles made of wood, metal, plastic and other synthetic materials.
Note that in this, the weight and shape of the handle will also be a key factor as they will all contribute to the amount of comfort its user will perceive.
In actual sense, there is nothing as a one-size-fits-all perfect handle for everyone. It so much depends also on an individual’s hand size, shape, and even strength. In some cases, it extends to preference.
The edge grind is probably not the first thing you think of when purchasing a knife. However, depending on the kind of work you mean for your knife, its edge shape is always vital. Different edges for this reason exists. These comprise of the following;
- Flat
- Asymmetrical V
- Convex
- Compound
- Concave
- Chisel
If you mean to cut/chop slightly harder kinds of stuff like meat, small bones and the like, a chisel edge one will do you just a fine job. The flat ground edge, meanwhile, can be utilized for various jobs, including food preparation, woodworking, and especially carving.
Concave and convex shapes are better for shaving, skinning, and slicing. The asymmetrical shape will help in special methods of slicing as they help the fingers select the slicing space and letting the sliced piece fall on a given side.
Like in the case of many other products, many buyers will actually look into the price of a knife before purchasing or making an order of it.
The item you buy should, however, be the best within your budget limits. Pre-Buying research can so much help in this.
Review of the Best Kitchen Knives 2019
Here are our picks for the best kitchen knives to buy in 2019.
- Shun DM0706 Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Best Chef’s Knife
- Zelite Infinity 8 Inch Chef Knife – Best Chef’s Knife Runner-up
- Dalstrong Shogun Series 7” Santoku Knife – Best Santoku Knife
- Zelite Infinity High Carbon Utility Knife – Best Utility Knife
- Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears – Best Kitchen Shears
- Victorinox Swiss Army 10-1/4″ Bread Knife – Best Bread Knife
- Victorinox Cutlery 8-Inch Fishing Knife – Best Boning Knife
- J.A. Henckels International CLASSIC 6″ Cleaver – Best Cleaver Knife
- Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Paring Knife – Best Paring Knife
- Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece 5″ Steak Knife Set– Best Steak Knife Set
Below is a detailed review of the knives we thought you would likely fancy having in your kitchen.
1. Shun DM0706 Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Best Chef’s Knife
For home and professional cooks alike, the chef’s knife is the most frequently used in a knife set. Sometimes, it’s the only knife a cook ever uses in a session, and has the power to make or break your cooking experience. That’s why we spent a lot of time and effort looking for chef knives as close to perfection as possible: sharp, durable, well-balanced, non-sticky, stylish, and reasonably-priced.
- Strong and highly durable
- Resistant to corrosion
- Does not embed materials of cut substances
- Comfortable handle
- Beautiful design
- Lifetime warranty period
- Easily bent
- Prone to blade chipping
Below are the two that we, along with thousands of other cooks, adore.
The Shun DM0706 is a high-quality model with premium features unique to its kind. It’s one of those rare kitchen enlighteners that have the ability to step up and alter your cutting game.
If you are looking for a legendary knife, that which would serve you long enough and preciously, the Shun DM0706 takes the description. The well-crafted Japanese knife comprises of 32 layers of high-quality Damascus steel folded in a special design to make a sharper and a durable slicing edge.
Its SUS410 high carbon steel amalgamated with VG10 steel ensures no corrosion nor silly breakages. Beautiful watermarks forms on the blade also brings the knife a lot of compliments for its aesthetics.
At 8-inches long, the blade suits perfectly all the curling activities in your kitchen including chopping, cutting, dicing, slicing, and more. Every side cut at 16 degrees, forming a comprehensive angle of 32 degrees. It offers the perfect balance between sharpness and retention: the knife is sharpener than European knives which typically cut at 20 to 22 degrees, and more durable than Japanese blades which usually come at 11 – 15 degrees.
The handle is not any less of a masterpiece. It’s made of PakkaWood, which is a resin-impregnated hardwood. It comes in the D shape for ultimate comfort in the palm, and is available in both right and left-handed versions.
2. Zelite Infinity 8 Inch Series Executive Chef Knife – Best Chef’s Knife Runner-up
The Zelite Infinity chef knife is a highly specialized design with a blend of 67 layers of Japanese steel and the heft only identical to German blade designs. At a price that can’t be any more reasonable, it screams class with its exquisite hammered Tsuchime finish, and a triple-riveted full tang handle.
- Air pockets on blade
- Strong, highly durable
- Full tang, 3 rivets handle
- Tapered bolster for easy cleaning
- Stunning design featuring tsuchime finish
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Not suitable for cutting hard food (bones, frozen food)
- Requires careful maintenance
This chef knife features a 12-degree angle, which gives it an unrivaled performance on the cutting board. Its mirror polished edge ensures maximum sharpness, as well as safety – this may sound counterintuitive, but a sharp knife is much safer than a dull one! With an ultra-deep balde at 8 inches long, it offers effortless rocking motion for when you’re slicing the food.
The nature of comfort brought about by the handle of this knife is much of applause. It is all built with safety at the back of the mind. It comes with a military grade G10 black triple riveted handle to which for extra strength and durability. Its ergonomically rounded handle design offers more security and comfort in the grip.
This knife is meant to last a lifetime and with 100% user satisfaction. The company offers a lifetime warranty period, and you will always have a money back guarantee in case of complaints.
When planning a surprise gift of cutlery, Zelite Infinity is a great option. Considering its premium features, the recipient will absolutely admire it right from its beauty of design to the efficiency in its use.
3. Dalstrong Shogun Series 7” Santoku Knife – Best Santoku Knife
Apart from the chef’s knife, the santoku is probably the most frequently used knife in the kitchen. Some cooks, especially those with more slender hands actually prefer the santoku and use it in place of the chef’s knife. This is because the santoku is typically less weighted, as it has a shorter and thinner blade. Plus, the smaller Japanese cutting angle also translates to superior sharpness.
- Sharp, strong and highly resilient
- No sticking
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- Beautifully designed
- Non-slip handle grip
- Lifetime warranty
- Edge chipping
- Pricey
This Dalstrong is a very famous santoku, as its award-winning design offers a cutting-edge revolution in cutlery space. Through its high-quality materials used in its craftsmanship, the knife wholesomely fulfills all the cutting, slicing, chopping and other more operations in the kitchen.
Among its key features is its unique sharp edge resembling a scalpel with a slicing angle degree of between 8 to 12 on both sides which makes it a very sharp knife for effortless operation. Made of 67 layers of Damascus steel, and cooled with nitrogen, the knife bears more premium qualities such as resistance to corrosion, high flexibility, and harnesses. The 62+ Rockwell hardness speaks it all.
The Dalstrong’s great exquisiteness comes both from the professionally polished blade and the ergonomic handle. Its handle forming around the full tang, fastened with 3 rivets, in just a flawless design. It allows for a natural/ effortless gripping, hand control and agility. The material is ultra-premium G-10, which is highly impervious to moisture, heat or cold.
If what propels you are quality and aesthetics, then this model will kill it for you.
4. Zelite Infinity High Carbon Stainless Steel Utility Knife – Best Utility Knife
A special kitchen utility offering one of the highest performances when it comes to chopping, slicing, or cutting is the one and only Best utility knife. Its original design is characterized by beauty and high technological design to ensure ultimate comfort, efficiency, reliability, and durability are affordable in its use.
- Offers high performance
- Has an on-point balance and weight
- Multi-operational
- Comfortable pinch grip
- Sharp razor
- Strong and highly durable
- Comes with 15 years warranty
- Exceptional Edge Retention
- Relatively expensive
- Rust
Key features you would notice it with is its sharp Razor bearing a stunning look and easy to grab handle which allows for agility and quick control. Its effortless operation mode is influenced by the ThyssenKrupp High Carbon Stainless Steel which produced limited to no friction when cutting through any food substance and as such, leaves no traces on the blade.
The 5-inch Knife serves on a multipurpose mode expressing flawlessness in herbs mincing, fruit slicing, peeling of vegetables, cheese cutting among many other uses. Owing to its long endurance, its manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty which involves money return.
Key Features and Specifications
- ThyssenKrupp High Carbon Stainless Steel used in its making offers absolute resistance to rust, stains and above all contributes to its general robustness.
- The Full-Tang rounded handle feature with rare tapered bolster offers total control and a perfect balance.
- 56 Rockwell Hardness – meaning the knife’s Blade is hard and tough thus Exceptional Edge Retention
- Offers 15 to 18 degrees of cutting angles, making it sharp enough
- Comes with a 15 years warranty period
5. Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears – Best Kitchen Shears
Kitchen shears are such significant equipment which eases tasks operations in the kitchen premises. In most cases, they would be utilized in snipping flowers, herbs, strings or cloth. The market is currently flooded with varied models designed to meet the client’s expectations. The best one, however, is always that which express high performance and durability.
- Easy to clean blades
- Strong and durable
- Multipurpose; can open jars and make the cut
- Works for both left and right-handed persons
- Can be re-sharpened
- Free shipping only within the US
- Shears do not hold strongly
The technology utilized their craftsmanship is always up-front. Best kitchen shears, in this case, are like the 8″ Wusthof WU5558 black German kitchen shears. The shear comes is designed with a forged high carbon stainless steel easy to clean halves and a bone notch synthetic handle of great durability.
The advantages with the model are that with the ease of cleaning, no bacteria can hide in between the two halves nor can rust develop. Also, re-sharpening is possible when the two halves are taken apart to maintain the sharpness. The initial version of the model will always serve purposefully lasting you for many years.
Key Features and Specifications
- Steel-tooth Jar opener situated between the handles
- German-made shears
- High-carbon stainless steel blades curve inward to meet only at one place on a given position where the cutting activity is effortless and exact
6. Victorinox Swiss Army 10-1/4″ Serrated Bread Knife – Best Bread Knife
Today’s market is flooded with all models and variety of bread knife possing the question of which one among them is the best?
- Multipurpose
- Highly durable
- Comfortable handle to grip
- Lightweight blade steel
- Blunt
- Non-durable
Well, a highly reputed model is the Victorinox Swiss Army. Praised by many leading blogs and culinary publications, the 10.25-inch knife is more superior in its versatility, the sharpness of its razor, and the comfort offered by its handle among many other premium features.
Despite being called a bread knife, it is much efficient in other cutting, slicing or chopping operations of sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, melons among many others minus squashing the tender sections of the interior parts.
Its curved blade adds much efficiency to its wholesome performance as it allows effortless slicing in a rocking motion. Also, the clearance it offers from lots of knuckles makes the entire cutting procedure easier and relaxed.
Now with the online shops, you can make an order and have it delivered right at your doorstep.
Key Features and Specifications
- The curved blade which enhances rocking motion cutting style
- Serrated blade edge which allows effortless slicing
- Ergonomic, non-slip patented Fibrox Pro handle offers a comfortable grip despite the hand size or gripping position.
- High-quality, lightweight European steel blade
- Blade size of 10.25 inches
7. Victorinox Cutlery 8-Inch Straight Fillet Fishing Knife – Best Boning Knife
Ask the top chefs’ around you the best boning knife they use. Most would confirm to you that it is Victorinox Cutlery. The product has a long history when the manufacturing company, Victorinox was making armory knives.
- Strong and durable blade
- Ergonomically designed
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- Sharp blade
- Flexible blade
- Free shipping only within the US
They were indeed of high quality and with a lot of demand, they advanced into producing kitchen knives which were equally of high quality and were highly reputed as confirmed by many magazines, blogs, and other public forums.
Designed to withstand bends, resist rust and offers comfortable pinching grip, this knife works purposefully in helping separate meat from bones. These could be poultry meat, beef or even fish meat.
Key Features and Specifications
- High carbon stainless-steel blade offers ultimate sharpness and retains the edges
- Conical ground via length and depth for a wider break point
- Ice tempered to uphold sharpness extensively
- NSF – certified patented Fibrox handles
8. J.A. Henckels International CLASSIC 6″ Meat Cleaver – Best Cleaver Knife
The J.A. Henckels International Classic is now the mother of all confidence cuts in your kitchen. The made in Spain model is one of the best cleaver knife selling in the market today. Well, designed to take up actions of chunking large pieces of meat in different shapes and sizes, the product also influences an easy slicing or cutting through various bones effortlessly breaking them into pieces.
- Designed of strong and durable steel
- Comfortable handle to grasp
- Sharp
- Retains its cutting edge
- Heavy
- Blunt
If you would think the huge blade size cause imbalance, then you are wrong. The entire craftsmanship has ensured there is a seamless changeover from blade to handle. Its traditional triple-rivet handle promotes easy cutting thus yielding no fatigue.
Key Features and Specifications
- Original make from Spain
- High-quality German fabricated stainless steel blade
- Forged construction to offer durability as well as a seamless changeover from blade to handle
- Satin blade finishing technology which enhances effortless cutting and durable sharpness
9. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Straight Paring Knife – Best Paring Knife
When it comes to adding art to your cooking activities and styles, the multipurpose kitchen knife, Victorinox 3.25 inch paring knife comes very handy. The 3.25 inches knife with a spear pointing design offers the most accurate and precise cutting any chef admires in their cooking.
- Multipurpose
- Razor sharp
- Offers precise and accurate cutting
- Highly durable
- Blunt
- Small handle
Holding at its ergonomically designed and slip resistant handle, one can always make effortless peeling, slicing, or dicing and with more expertise, use it to remove devein shrimp, pepper seeds, trim beans, and core an apple with ease.
The knife comes with its razor sharp and that long-lasts as it has a tapered edge which resists bluntness long enough. Ordering an original design is the surest way to get the right quality item.
Key Features and Specifications
- Razor sharp
- Tapered knife
- Polypropylene handle highly durable and safe for dishwasher
- Ergonomically designed to resist slip
- Made in Switzerland
10. Messermeister Avanta 4-Piece 5″ Fine Edge Steak Knife Set – Best Steak Knife Set
Designed to meet all your kitchen functions, the Messermeister Avanta is a high-quality streak knife, professionally designed for slicing and carving operations. If you have a meet you need to separate from a bone, then its upswept boning tip will be of better use and much efficient.
- Strong and handy
- Sharp and highly efficient
- Can be re-sharpened
- Lifetime warranty
- Weak handle
- Non-durable
The 5 inch culinary remains a chef’s choice from its sharp razor, tampered edge, smooth and comfortable pakkawood handle. An experience with Messermeister Avanta is exactly that considered by its designer who ensured the balance, weight, maintenance style, and resharpening procedures are either catered for or much easier and affordable. As such only high-quality materials including German high carbon stainless steel and special handle material, pakkawood are utilized in its construction process.
Want to explore more German steak knives? Check out our review of the best JA Henckels steak knife sets!
Key Features and Specifications
- Packkawood handle with excellent workmanship to enhance grasp comfort
- German high carbon stainless steel blade to enhance strength and durability
- Excellent balance
- Edge retention feature
Picking kitchen knives is somewhat similar to picking shoes: you want ones that take the least time to break in, the most time to break up, all the while going exactly where you direct them with utmost safety and comfort for your limbs.
Thankfully, things are a bit easier when it comes to knives, as they sure are offered in a much smaller variety of designs and materials. Concerns essentially come down to one thing: choosing the right line from the right brand.
And that is what this article is trying to help you with: finding the best kitchen knife brands in various price ranges, so you can narrow down your options when seeking a companion in your cooking adventures.
Here we introduce the eight most well trusted brands on the market.
The first three, German JA Henckels, Wüsthof, and the Japanese blademaker Shun, are names that will always get the snobby chef’s approval. They all offer higher end collections with super durable and surgically sharp knives that still look and work like new after decades. The first German duo also have budget sets with knives made outside of Germany using lesser techniques and materials, but nevertheless more than sufficient for the casual home cook.
The other five brands have their knives established as middle-ranged. Their knives come out of the box with decent quality at much more affordable prices, and thus are usually favored over the fancy brands’ economic lines. With proper care, these knives can also last decades.
High End Kitchen Knife Brands
JA Henckels
Based in Solingen, the town of blades in Germany, JA Henckels has a history of three centuries in knife making. With top-notch blade-smith experience and high quality materials, their German knives are known to keep their edges for years. It’s not uncommon that a Henckels knife set outlives its owner and is passed among several generations in a family.
JA Henckels come in two brands: J. A. Henckels International (value), and Zwilling J. A. Henckels (premium), with pricing going from $50 all the way up to a couple thousand dollars for an individual knife.
Wüsthof
Also based in Solingen but operating at a smaller scale compared to JA Henckels, the family-owned brand of Wüsthof (pronounced Vooos-toff) started in the early 1800s and is going stronger than ever nowadays. Their upscale kitchen knives are known to be made and sharpened following extremely strict procedures, and are well-loved by world-class professional chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Martha Stewart, and Jamie Oliver.
Wüsthof makes both stamped and forged knives, with prices ranging between $50 and $900.
Shun
Although rather new (founded in 2002), Shun is no doubt one of the best known Japanese knife makers in the US. Both Western style and Japanese style Shun knives are made “in the spirit of the legendary swordsmiths of Japan” in Seki City, Japan. The brand is most famous for its unique multi-layered chef knives.
Single piece price: $75 – $375
Trusted Casual Brands of Kitchen Knife
Victorinox
Better known as the largest pocket knife manufacturer in the world and the maker of the legendary Huntsman Swiss Army knife, Victorinox is also a well-trusted kitchen knife maker among American home cooks.
The brand offers Swiss made blades with simple, function oriented designs at the middle price range.
Single piece price: $40 – $150
Cangshan
Founded only 11 years ago but with a marketing savvy team, Cangshan seems to be making its way to become one of the most popular quality knife brands on the market. Cangshan knives are made with German steel in Yangjiang, China, a town with more than a thousand years of knife making tradition.
Apart from the quality, their knives are loved for the impressive Japanese styling that can make you look and feel like a pro chef on operation.
Single piece price: $30 – $150
Dalstrong
Dalstrong is no veteran in blade making; however, the brand has been enjoying very warm hearted welcome in the US market thanks to its decent quality and fancy Oriental oriented designs. Dalstrong knives are mostly in Japanese style, and are made in Yangjiang, the same knife hub in China that Cangshan originates from.
Single piece price: $30 – $150
Cuisinart
Founded about 50 years ago, Cuisinart is no stranger to home cooks or professional chefs alike. In fact, you can easily find an item of their kitchenwares in pretty much every American home.
While they’re not specialized in only kitchen knives, Cuisinart does offer a decent collection of block sets with affordable prices. Their ceramic knife sets are widely enjoyed by casual hobby chefs.
Single piece price: $15 – $100
Chicago Cutlery
Starting out as a sharpening service for butchers in Chicago, Chicago Cutlery eventually started making its own knives since the 1930s. The brand enjoys good reputation for its super efficient signature meat and poultry knives with blue handles.
Chicago Cutlery knives fall to the lower spectrum of prices, with single pieces being sold at $20 – $50. Chicago Cutlery knife sets are super affordable at $50 up to $200 for a full 10-pieces set.
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