by A good chef’s knife is key for quick and safe prep work in the kitchen. The long blade allows for chopping, dicing, and mincing as well as breaking down a roast chicken or slicing a steak for serving. They come in a variety of sizes usually from six- to 14-inch blades so you can find one that feels best in your hand.
When shopping for chef’s knives, the two main types to choose from are German knives, which are heavy and thick, especially at the bolster (where the blade meets the handle), and Japanese knives, which are lightweight and razor-sharp with thinner blades. In addition to blade length and style, they vary in the material of the blade and handle and how they’re made, which affects how they feel and how long they last.
Best Professional Kitchen Knives
| Brand Name | Image | Rating | Price |
| Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife |   |
9.5 | View on Amazon |
| WÜSTHOF Classic IKON 8-Inch Chef’s Knife |   |
9.6 | View on Amazon |
| Zelite Infinity Kiritsuke Knife 9 Inch, Professional Chef Knife |   |
9.4 | View on Amazon |
| BRODARK Chef Knife, NSF Certified Kitchen Knife Set 3pcs |   |
9.2 | View on Amazon |
| XINZUO 10 Inch Damascus Chef Knife Kitchen |    |
9.2 | View on Amazon |
1. Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife
The MTH-80 is our popular knife for everyday use. The 8″ length is the most commonly used size in both the home and professional kitchen. With standard features of our Professional series, the thin 2.5mm blade and bolster allow this knife to easily cut slice, and dice almost any food. The added dimples help the knife to glide through sticky foods such as potatoes, apples, and summer squash.
A super-sharp blade and slip-free handle make this a standout choice for the best overall knife.
This knife does not come with a sheath, so make sure to store it properly in order to safely preserve the super-sharp edge.
Overall, our testers were thoroughly impressed by how easily this knife passed all of our tests. It’s lightweight and sharp, which any serious home cook knows are the two most important factors in finding a reliable chef’s knife.
This Japanese-style knife features a thin blade and dimples that help prevent food from sticking. Throughout all of our tests, we found this knife to be surprisingly sharp, lightweight, and durable. Our testers were able to slice through dense vegetables just as easily as soft vegetables and the blade had no trouble gliding through a sheet of paper or slippery tomato skin.
The Pakkawood handle was easy to grip and felt sturdy in our hands no matter what type of material our testers were cutting against. Overall, this knife has a super-sharp blade that is expertly balanced with the handle, so pressure and strain on our hands and wrists were minimal.
2. WÜSTHOF Classic IKON 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
The WÜSTHOF 8” CLASSIC IKON Cook’s Knife is essential for preparing any meal. This all-purpose cook’s knife can be used for chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing.
Features a sleek and sophisticated black handle with a double bolster for exceptional balance, beauty, and the ultimate cutting experience. Classic IKON: Design, Ergonomics, and Quality Perfected.
Features an 8” long blade with a distinctive double Bolster design for professional-style heft. German Made Cook’s Knife with a sleek ergonomic handle design made from a long-lasting synthetic material to resist fading and discoloration.
Forged from a single block of High Carbon Stainless Steel and tempered to 58-degree HRC. The Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) yields a blade that is 20% sharper with twice the edge retention than previous models.
Family-owned for seven generations, WÜSTHOF was founded in Solingen, Germany over 200 years ago. WÜSTHOF’s cutlery carries the Solingen name, a designation reserved for products that meet the strictest quality standards.
When you use a WÜSTHOF knife, you can be sure that you are holding one of the world’s best cooking utensils. With more than 200 years of experience, we know what perfect cutting means.
Come and visit us in the WÜSTHOF brand world and discover our outstanding kitchen knives and knife blocks, as well as our broad range of excellent cooking utensils.
3. Zelite Infinity Kiritsuke Knife 9 Inch, Professional Chef Knife
Razor Sharp, Visually Stunning, Minimal Slicing Resistance, Satisfying Heft, Premier Kiritsuke Chefs Knife, an ideal Gift for any Home or Professional Kitchen Cook. 9-inch (22.8cm) Multipurpose Japanese Style Cooks Knife Ideal as a Yanagi (fish slicer) or an Usuba (Vegetable Knife). These Sword Shaped Knives feature a straighter edge than a Yanagi for vegetables, and a longer blade than an Usuba for slicing fish with Ease. The Extra Length gives Extreme Cutting Power.
ThyssenKrupp High Carbon Stainless Steel – Top Lasting Performance, Rust, Corrosion, and Stain Resistant Therefore Low Maintenance for You! 56 Rockwell Hardness means the Blade is Tough, Hard and Boasts Exceptional Edge Retention. Cutlery Never Looked or Felt So Good! Ultra-Deep Blade – 48mm deep and Extra-Long (our 8” Chef has 44mm Blade). Meet the Big Brother of the CP-series Family.
Full Tang, Ergonomic, Forged Rounded Black Handle, Rare Tapered Bolster which is Ideal for the Chefs preferred Pinch Grip Style of Cutting, Perfect Balance Offering Robustness and Total Control, 9 Inch Chef’s Pro Classic. Just what you’ve been waiting and Asking for – Comfort and Performance! Try this Sword-like Masterpiece and you will never look back.
Hand Finished using the Traditional 3-Step Honbazuke Method these blades have a 15-18 degree/side cutting angle for Maximum Sharpness & Edge Retention ensuring Precision Slicing Every Time – Take Your Culinary Skills to the Next Level. Set in an Ultra Premium Packaging Box making it Perfect for Gifting or even better, treating yourself! Wield the Power.
4. BRODARK Chef Knife, NSF Certified Kitchen Knife Set
Made of exclusive stainless steel for high corrosion resistance and strength, the Eagles Series have 14× Si of ordinary knives, making them harder, more durable, and have no cracks even after years of use.
Full-tang structure of each kitchen knife ensures its stability, the blades are hand-polished precisely to 12 degrees per side for superior sharpness and efficient cutting.
The great sharpness, toughness, and durability of the kitchen knife symbolize the spirit of strength, hardiness, and perseverance. We want you to be proud of being the chef of your own kitchen.
This kitchen knife set includes an 8-inch chef knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, and a 5.5-inch paring knife, which is the ideal combination for kitchen beginners and professional chefs. Each kitchen knife of the Eagles Series is NSF certified.
To start, if you’re thinking of giving these as a gift, they do arrive in a lovely, rugged presentation box, safely ensconced in custom-cut foam with tip protectors. They would make a nice gift, indeed.
Then, there are the knives themselves as nice as any, if not nicer, in this price range, and a nice variety. They may be a touch tail-heavy, but that is a matter of personal taste, and I tend to prefer the fibro-style handles of others. They’re certainly more balanced than some alternatives.
The edges arrive SHARP, and, so far, have stood up to moderate kitchen use: Others in this (or higher) price range have dulled in just a few slices of a steak or roast, so we’re off to a good start. We’ll see how they hold up, and how sharpening goes.
5. XINZUO 10 Inch Damascus Chef Knife Kitchen
Made of 67 Layers of High Carbon Damascus Steel with a 10Cr core, Hardness could reach 62HRC, also include strong features of anti-corrosion, anti-rust, and also toughness.
XinZuo Ergonomic handle design will create a comfortable holding and give the best level to slice through everything easily. Nature Rosewood with its original texture and natural color will make the knives more comfortable and more beautiful.
With the 10Cr core, the blade is incredibly strong and stable. The razor-sharp edge could be kept for months of frequent daily use. With outstanding sharpness, you could slice your meat and vegetables easily as thin as you like.
Best Material and Strictness on Finishing, our craftsman plays an important part in polishing, grinding, and edging. Make it to be a masterpiece.
Comes with a beautiful gift box, suitable for holiday gifts and daily use. XINZUO kitchen knife is ideal for professional chefs and culinary enthusiasts, beginners.
XINZUO is committed to creating high-end Damascus steel kitchen knives, insisting on the concept of moving life with ingenuity, doing a good job sincerely in every detail, and creating products that combine practicality and artistry. We believe that only truly excellent products can impress every customer and make every family experience the joy of cooking.