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#1 Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
If the Victorinox name seems familiar, perhaps it’s because it’s the manufacturer of the very popular Swiss Army knives. Like the Swiss Army knives, this knife is made in Switzerland. This knife’s 8-inch blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel. It will keep its razor-sharp edge. The blade is straight with a gently curved tip that encourages a rocking motion, so it’s also great for slicing meats.
The handle is made of Fibrox material, which is textured to ensure a non-slip grip. It’s placed so you won’t hit your knuckles on the cutting board, even if your hands are large, and it’s designed to provide a comfortable ergonomic feel for most users. Our tester found the knife to be “seriously dull” and reported that it held its edge well throughout her testing.
#2 Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Edge chef Knife
Mac Knives are known for their Japanese craftsmanship and this 8-inch knife is a favorite of both professionals and beginners. Its lightweight design (6.5 ounces) and thin 2.5-millimeter blade and bolster make it easy to slice through almost anything. The added dimples make it easier to chop sticky foods like squash and potatoes. Pakka wood handles provide a comfortable grip and are easy to use regardless of what you’re cutting.
It’s very sharp and holds an edge well. Customers recommend Mac Knives sharpeners for when you need to sharpen the blade. The knife cannot be washed in a dishwasher, but if you carefully follow the care instructions, it should last for many years. Although it is not the most affordable, its durability and versatility make it well worth the price.
#3 Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife
Shun, a Japanese knife brand, refers to its Classic Chef’s Knife as the “one knife you cannot live without”. It’s easy to see how. It is beautifully designed with an elegant Pakka wood handle, full tang for balance, 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel wrapping each side of the knife. All Shun knives feature a VGMAX cutting core, which provides superior strength and durability.
This knife is both beautiful and very comfortable to hold. Although left-handed chefs may not enjoy the ergonomic D-shaped handle, it is comfortable to hold. It’s designed to be “rocked” (the curve belly is better suited to this motion than straight chops), and the extra-wide knife is perfect for transferring freshly chopped herbs from cutting to pan.
#4 Cutco 1728 7-5/8″ Petite Chef Knife
Cutco knives have a small following. This may be because they were sold only through their sales force. Now, they’re easy to buy since they’re available online. The Petite Chef Knife arrives very sharp and has a unique handle design that’s comfortable to hold. The blade is slightly shorter than most chef’s knives, but it’s still able to handle all the kitchen tasks, from slicing tomatoes to dicing celery. While the knife is expensive to purchase, the lifetime warranty means you’ll never need to pay for a replacement—and the warranty also covers sharpening and buffing to keep it in good condition.
#5 Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Inch Chef’s Knife
This chef’s knife has a 6-inch blade, so it’s easier for people with small hands to use, or for those who simply prefer the shorter length. It’s also great for tiny kitchens where counters and cutting boards are similarly small. The handle on this knife is made from Santoprene, so it’s NSF certified1 for commercial kitchens and easy to keep clean. The Santoprene material also provides a firm, non-slip grip, no matter if your hands are wet or dry, so it’s great for working with wet foods that you’ve just washed. Also, it’s unaffected by heat, cold, or food oils, so it won’t crack, get sticky, or degrade over time.
The blade is made out of German high carbon steel, which is resistant to corrosion. It is forged instead of stamped. The taper-ground edge means that it gradually decreases from tip to handle. This allows for easy honeing and will keep a sharp edge for longer periods.
#6 Global 8′ Chef’s Knife
This knife is not like other knives with an attached handle. It is entirely made of stainless steel and has no joints, rivets or corners that could allow food to accumulate. The handle features dimples that give the knife a tactile surface.
The knife is designed to be lightweight (despite being made entirely from metal), so it’s easy to wield. The blade is made from molybdenum/vanadium steel and will keep its edge. This knife is covered by a lifetime warranty against any breakage.
#7 Kyocera Advanced ceramic Revolution Series 7-inch Professional Chef’s Knife
Ceramic blades are becoming increasingly popular, and they’re being made better than ever before. While ceramic blades can shatter or break when dropped, they’re completely resistant to acids, salts, or oils, and they’ll never rust or corrode.
The 7-inch black blade on this knife looks professional and it’s precision-ground by the manufacturer for a super-hard and extremely sharp edge. You can send the knife back to the manufacturer for resharpening to maintain that sharp edge. The Kyocera electric knife blade sharpener for ceramic blades can be used at home.
Ceramics are lighter than metal, and the handle is ergonomically designed to make it easy for people who have trouble falling asleep.
#8 Farberware 5160714 EdgeKeeper Chef’s Knife
The knife is affordable to purchase and easy to maintain. The blade is swept against the sharpener every time the knife’s removed or inserted. This helps to keep it sharp and honed without the need of a separate sharpener.
The 6-inch blade is great for people who have smaller hands, and it’s also great for tiny kitchens. It comes with a sturdy sheath so you can store it in a kitchen drawer, or even toss it into your picnic basket. With an affordable price point and lack of maintenance needed, this is also a great knife for a vacation cottage or RV, or for taking along to potlucks or parties where you want to slice the food onsite.