Slice and Dice Like a Pro with These Top-Rated Kitchen Knives for Every Cooking Need

Honestly, I wouldn’t even consider this a “value” chef’s knife. It’s an incredible piece of hardware that just happens to be under $100. I picked one up earlier this year and it has a deadly-sharp blade with a weighty, premium-build handle.

Misen’s simple pro-grade AUS-10 Japanese Steel knife has almost 10K positive reviews and rivals some of the most high-end brands. You can even get it personalized with seasonal messages like “Class of 2024” and “World’s Greatest Mom.”

Internationally-recognized chef Michel Bras makes some of the most luxurious, refined pieces of kitchen equipment available. This santoku (slightly different from a standard chef’s knife) is made in Japan of high carbon stainless steel. Just be aware: this will run you a few hundred dollars.

This collaboration piece, priced close to $1,000, is 9.25 inches long and made from high-performance Swedish carbon steel. It can be used for everything from cutting a steak to curving fine details in your ingredients.

Wüsthof is an iconic name in the knives industry because of its German engineering and generous warranty. This is about as classic as a chef’s knife can get and works well with fish, meat, and vegetables.

Messermeister has been in business for over 40 years making German cutlery. The Meridian Elite Stealth Chef’s Knife has an industrial strength handle with a thinner, lighter blad than the brand’s traditional chef’s knife.

This blade is handmade in Seki, Japan and has a unique birchwood handle. The core of this blade is protected by 100 layers of steel and MIYABI has a proprietary ice-hardening process to extend its longevity.

The Shun Fuji chef’s knife is the pinnacle of Japanese design. Each side has 80 alternating layers of nickel and stainless steel resulting in a 161-layer blade that’s lightweight and precise.

HexClad’s damascus steel chef’s knife is a versatile blade for meal prep and finishing. It has a 60 Rockwell hardness rating, a green pakkawood handle, and is balanced throughout the blade and grip.

The Everyday Chef’s Knife is a basic full-tang knife available in six colors. It uses premium German stainless steel and is priced at just $70.

If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, chances are that you know Mercer. It has a non-slip grip that’s perfect for long shifts when the heat really starts to crank up and the blade stays sharp for a long time—a must for those who use it every day.

The Mac Knife clocks in at a whopping 6.5 ounces. It’s great for everyday use and has added dimples for help with even the most sticky foods.

The Hammer Stahl chef’s knife boasts a longer 10-inch blade and a unibody design from the blade through the handle. It can easily handle tough foods and long cutting sessions.

It turns out the well-known apron brand Hedley & Bennett makes a pretty good knife as well. This chef’s knife has a soft-touch spine and is perfectly balanced, so you can make every cut and groove flawlessly. The brand also offers a lifetime guarantee within its intended use, so you’ll never have to worry about malfunctioning.

Ergo Chef’s 8-inch blade is designed with comfort in mind. It’s perfectly balanced and has a patented design to offer users one of the most natural grips available. Don’t like it within the first two months of use? The brand offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

This unique knife has a curved tip and a flat-finger rest on the spine for both small and large hands. Best of all, it’s dishwasher safe, so no need to worry about rust or food buildup.

Another great blade from Shun, this knife has a stunning hammered finish with a walnut pakkawood handle. This is sure to get the conversation going in the kitchen, in addition to having a 22-degree cutting edge for help with cutting heavier foods.