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Anyone who cooks frequently, needs the best kitchen knives available. We scoured the entire internet, aggregated millions of actual customer reviews, and tested the top models.
Whether you want Japanese, German, or something else entirely – we’ve got you covered. While you can certainly spend a lot, the good news is that you don’t have to, to have a fantastic set of kitchen knives.
We looked at durability, how sharp the blades were, ergonomic design, and much more. Whether you’re a novice cook just starting out, or an expert looking for a deluxe solution – we’ve got you covered.
Our Top Pick
Wüsthof Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
This deluxe kitchen knife performed absolutely flawlessly during all of our testing, and has an incredible amount of five star reviews. While it’s certainly not the least expensive option on our list, it will hold up for years, and be durable enough to withstand anything you can throw at it.
Many reviewers have noted that this knife will last 20 years (or longer). Since they’ve also noted the performance doesn’t decline with time, this longevity is even more impressive. Highly recommended, and easily our top pick.
Other Great Picks
Kramer by Zwilling Euroline Essential Collection 8″ Chef’s Knife
This flawless kitchen knife is another deluxe option – perfect for any serious chef. It’s made with the utmost quality, and stood up well during all of our testing.
With a plethora of five star reviews, we are far from the only ones who love this knife. Whether you want to mince, dice, or chop – this knife will allow you to do it all.
Home Hero 17 Piece Kitchen Knife Set
This 17 piece knife set has thousands of incredible reviews, and held up very well during all of our rigorous testing. It’s also priced very low, which makes it easily attainable for anyone.
While beginners may not need a 17 piece knife set, if you’re a more serious chef, this could be the perfect solution for you. Affordable, easy to use, and durable – what else could you possibly want? Highly recommended.
Farberware Stamped 15-Piece High-Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set
This 15 piece knife set comes in at a staggeringly low price point, and is well-crafted, made with durable stainless steel. They are also constructed with high carbon, and are extremely sharp.
While they may not quite be professional quality (to be expected, at this price point) they should be more than fine for any cutting you may need to do. Highly recommended, and any novice or casual cook should love them.
Henckels Graphite 20 Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set
This deluxe knife set may not be a budget option, but these knives will withstand pretty much anything. They also have tons of stellar reviews, and are extremely sharp.
If you want a set that will last 10 or 15 years – this is a perfect pick. We even tried cutting an aluminum can with this set – and the knives cut right through like it was nothing. Highly recommended.
Cuisinart 12 Piece Color Knife Set
This colorful set of knives is not only eye-catching, it’s very affordably priced. These knives are a top seller, and they also look great in anyone’s kitchen.
We loved the multiple colors, and if you’re on a tight budget, you can get 12 knives for very little money. While professional chefs may want a little bit more, for most people, this is a very affordable solution.
Amazon Basics 14-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
Amazon is now well known for their high quality products, and this very affordable knife set is no different. At barely over $1 per knife, this set also has thousands of tremendous reviews.
While serious chefs may want a higher priced set, for beginners or novices, this is a very affordable option. If you’re buying your first home, or just moved in to your first apartment – this is a perfect choice.
Brodark Kitchen Knife Set
This serrated set of kitchen knives is made with great care and craftsmanship, and did very well during all of our testing. They cut very well, and the blades were extremely sharp.
While not the lowest priced option on our list, if you care about quality, these are a great pick. We also found them very comfortable in our hands, which was yet another plus here. Highly recommended.
DV Knife Chef Knife
This budget priced knife set will provide you with the basics for cutting – but not much more. Perfect for beginners, but intermediate chefs and advanced ones will likely want at least a little bit more.
Made from stainless steel, the knifes cut well, but may not last for a decade. If you’re strapped for cash, or just need a good starter or backup knife – this is a perfect solution.
Cuisinart Advantage 12 Piece Metallic Knife Set
This very affordable knife set is another reliable choice. Cuisinart is known for their reliable home and kitchen products, and this set is no exception.
With thousands of great reviews, you can feel confident that you’re buying a reliable, long lasting set of knives. If you don’t want to spend a lot, but still want high-quality kitchen knives, this is the set for you.
What Are Kitchen Knives?
Kitchen knives are exactly what they sound like – knives you use for any and every thing in the kitchen. They can be used to slice, dice, and cut anything you need to.
Originally, kitchen knives were used for cutting tough slabs of meat, but now they can be used for just about anything. We tested these knives by putting them through the veritable wringer.
Mainly, there are two types of kitchen knives – German and Japanese. While they are different in name, they actually aren’t very different, in terms of how they are constructed and how they cut.
Japanese knives are lighter weight and have thinner blades than their German counterparts, but German knives can cut through just about anything. Japanese knives are usually made from harder steel as well, which means they can typically go much longer without needing to be sharpened.
What Knives Do Chefs Recommend?
Really it comes down to only three knives, for most professional chefs – a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. These three knives are able to accomplish almost all of their kitchen tasks.
What Is The Most Popular Knife In The Kitchen?
The most commonly used knife in the kitchen is the chef’s knife. As the name implies, every chef relies on this main knife for most tasks – and it holds up well under the weight of any task.
What Are The 3 Most Important Knives In A Kitchen?
According to multiple experts, you really just need a chef’s knife, a serrated knife and a paring knife in your kitchen. While some may argue you need more than these knives to have a successful home kitchen – you’ll likely find that these three knives will be the ones you use most frequently.
What Is The Best Knife For Slicing Meat?
While many different knives will work for slicing meat, a butcher’s knife is definitely the best choice. A meat cleaver is a close second, as it will also easily cut through even the toughest cuts of meat.
What Makes A Kitchen Knife A Good Knife?
You want to look at durability, as well as high quality materials. High-carbon stainless steel is usually best, and of course you also want a very sharp blade – this combination is what makes a kitchen knife a good knife.
What Is The Difference Between A Chef’s Knife And A Bread Knife?
Chef’s knives are typically more heavy duty, while a bread knife is a little lighter. Bread knives are also meant (obviously) for cutting bread – which means they may not stand up to heavier tasks (like cutting meat) – quite as well.
What Type Of Knives Are Good For Cutting Meat?
If you want to cut meat, nearly any knife will work. However, a butcher’s knife is undoubtedly the best choice for cutting meat.
What Knives Do Gordon Ramsay Use?
Ramsay has traditionally used two different types of knives. These are Wüsthof and Henckels branded knives.
Other Buying Factors For The Best Kitchen Knives
When it comes to the best kitchen knives, it’s definitely important to have a sharp edge, an ergonomic design, and durability. However, we looked beyond these factors, and considered Japanese knives, the dicing quality of each knife, what country the knives were made in, how easily home cooks might be able to use and sharpen them – and so much more.
Cutlery is important for eating – but the best kitchen knives are extraordinarily important, when it comes to preparing all of your meals. The best chef’s knives are far better than the average consumer knives, in fact, they are razor-sharp.
While it may not be super-safe to have extremely sharp knives in your kitchen (especially if you have little kids) – you’ll need a knife with a very sharp blade, if you want to make the best cuts possible. In our professional opinion, you should also invest in a high-quality cutting board, as well as possibly going with a steel blade.
There are many versatile uses for a kitchen knife, whether you go with a western-style knife, a Japanese-style knife, a Santoku knife, or a set of German knives. A good chef’s knife can make all the difference when it comes to cutting, and of all the kitchen tools in your arsenal, a cutting edge knife is definitely most important.
A bread knife and a paring knife are both somewhat important, but with a great knife that can cut through anything, you’ll be completely ready for anything – just like the professional chefs. We also took into account what price point would be best for most consumers, as a high quality knife shouldn’t have to cost a lot.
You want a workhorse of a knife – not one that looks nice, but is never used. We tried and tested these knives by cutting many different items, like butternut squash, tomatoes, peppers, and more.
A comfortable handle was another factor we weighed heavily during our testing, as you are likely going to be using these knives thousands of times. We also factored in whether corrosion might eventually become a factor.
No one wants to spend a good amount of money on an expensive knife – just to see it rust away, or get corroded quickly. Japan makes a wide variety of fantastic knives, but brands like Mercer Culinary, Damascus, Misen and Victorinox are definitely some other popular choices.
You may want a full tang knife, or a knife with an 8 inch blade – whatever works best for your home kitchen. You can go with a pakkawood handle, look for a knife with rivets, maybe one with dimples, simply use a meat cleaver – or even go for something specific, like the Victorinox Fibrox Pro.
While you may always need more than one knife in the kitchen – the right set of kitchen knives will go a long way towards making every dish picture perfect. Brands like Mac, or Miyabi also make tremendous knives, but be sure to practice honing, to keep your knife in the best shape possible.
There are some famous choices on the market, like Zwilling J.A. Henckels – which has plenty of heft to it. If you want something else, boning knives are another chef’s specialty, or you could go with a heavy-duty Japanese chef’s knife – the possibilities are truly endless.
Knife markers have such a wide variety now available, that you can even go with a forged knife, or one made from German steel. If you need a great kitchen knife, don’t forget to also get one of the best knife sharpeners.
These will keep your knives ready to use, and never allow them to dull. Knife makers do make knife blades with some resilience, but normal wear and tear will always wear down a blade.
The Best Kitchen Knives
There you have it – our picks for the best kitchen knives on the market today. It really comes down to personal preference, though there are some knives that are better than others.
You could go with a serrated knife, or a Shun classic, or even go with a simple mincing knife. You likely will want a stainless steel blade, with a sharper edge, so you can reliably make sharp cuts.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the best kitchen knives – they come with thin blades (or thick), are perfect for chopping veggies, and with a whetstone (a sharpening stone) – you’ll never have a dull knife for the rest of your days. If you enjoyed our review of the best kitchen knives, be sure to check out some of our other best product reviews.