These Kitchen Knives Are A Surefire Way To Up Your Cooking Game
These Kitchen Knives Are A Surefire Way To Up Your Cooking Game
When’s the last time you upgraded your kitchen knives? As any professional chef will tell you, a quality knife is the most essential utensil you can have in your culinary arsenal. As a matter of fact, if there’s any kitchen tool you’re going to invest in, it should be a knife. (Yes, even more important than an air fryer or any other cool kitchen gadget.)
A sturdy, reliable knife not only affects the quality of your slices, but it can also be the one thing that stands between a safe cooking experience and a trip to your local urgent care. We could go on all day long about the differences and similarities between butcher’s knives, bread knives, and meat cleavers. But if you just want a single knife that can do it all—from chopping all the ingredients you need for a one-pan salmon and orzo and carving a whole chicken, to slicing up fruit, herbs, and cheese for refreshing snacks and side dishes like a watermelon feta salad—you’ve come to the right place. So put down that Cutco, because we’ve rounded up the best knives on the market, including popular brands used and recommended by the pros, like the Gordon Ramsay-approved Wüsthof and Bobby Flay’s favorite Shun, as well as the sharpest knives available (they can even slice through paper!). Curious if your favorite made the cut? Read on below for our recommendations.
Do you want to remain on the cutting edge of today’s most popular kitchen and food trends? We’ve got you covered—check out our tips for how to sharpen your knives and outfit your kitchen with the best cutting boards, as recommended by a professional chef.
Our top picks
- Best Kitchen Knife: Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Best Budget Kitchen Knife: J.A. Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife
- Best Splurge Kitchen Knife: Kramer by Zwilling Euroline Essential Collection 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Most Versatile Kitchen Knife: Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Craftsman Knife
- Easiest to Use Kitchen Knife: Made In 8-inch Chef Knife
- Most Durable Kitchen Knife: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Best Ergonomic Kitchen Knife: Zwilling Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Best Celebrity Kitchen Knife: Miyabi Morimoto Edition 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Best Lightweight Kitchen Knife: Mac Professional 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife
- Best Kitchen Knife for Beginners: Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Best Kitchen Knife for Small Hands: Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef Knife
- Sharpest Kitchen Knife: Global Hollow-Edge Santoku 7-Inch Chef’s Knife
How we picked these products
To determine which kitchen knives are a cut above the rest, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who over the years have evaluated over 30 knives to find the best on the market. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust. These Kitchen Tech Experts put each model through rigorous testing to determine their overall capability when performing tasks like slicing tomatoes, chopping herbs, mincing garlic, and dicing carrots and onions. We then narrowed down our recommendations based on their results and notes on each contender’s sharpness, ease of use, performance, handle and blade length, cleanability, weight, durability, and ergonomics. These are the best kitchen knives you can buy in 2022.
1) Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Wüsthof
Amazon
$170.00
If Thor didn’t have Mj?lnir, we’re sure he’d be reaching for the Wüsthof Classic as his instrument of choice. Forged in Solingen, Germany from a single block of high carbon stainless steel, its blade is made using the 200+ year old cutlery brand’s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) to ensure superior edge retention and tempered to achieve a 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale.
The Good Housekeeping Institute appreciated that the Wüsthof Classic is “razor-sharp,” but the true stand-out feature was its triple-riveted handle, which testers called “thin… but sturdy,” “ergonomic,” and “feels like you'd have good control.” This all-purpose chef’s knife also features a finger guard, full bolster, and full-tang—so it’s perfect for any chopping, mincing, slicing, or dicing you plan on doing in the kitchen. The only downside? It lacks a sheath for safe storage and transport and will require regular sharpening, especially with frequent use.
2) J.A. Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife
J.A. Henckels
Amazon
$70.00
With a full-tang construction and an HRC rating of 58, The J.A. Henckels Classic Chef Knife gives a whole new meaning to “Cost Cutters.” This German-style model may not come with a sheath to protect the knife when it’s not being used, but it doesn’t skimp when it comes to quality. This knife has the classic shape and heft of a pricier option, while its ergonomic triple-rivet handle gives balance and comfort—though it may be too large if you have smaller hands.
In addition boasting a full-tang construction and a Rockwell scale score of 58, its nitrogen-treated, stainless steel blade features a full bolster to give it some heft and ensure safety. What’s more, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s panel noted that the J.A. Henckels Classic remained “extremely sharp throughout testing, even after performing a month’s worth of cutting tasks.”
3) Euroline Essential Collection 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Kramer by Zwilling
Amazon
$250.00
Designed to master bladesmith Bob Kramer's precise specifications, the Kramer by Zwilling Euroline Essential Collection Chef's Knife is manufactured in Seki, Japan (the knife capital of the world!) and hand-sharpened using a traditional 3-step method to ensure a Rockwell hardness of 61. Rounding out the aesthetically-pleasing design is a polished bolster and full-tang construction for perfect balance whether you’re slicing up a butternut squash or some fresh basil.
As what we’d consider to be the Rolls-Royce of kitchen tools, its blade is made up of fine-carbide steel with a Damascus steel outer layer, so you get all the strength and edge retention of carbon steel with less fragility. In this regard, this knife most definitely succeeds—the Good Housekeeping Institute was thoroughly impressed with how it “stays sharp a long time between honings.” However, the Euroline Essential Collection Chef's Knife’s high cost isn’t the only thing that makes it pricey—this high-maintenance utensil also requires a lot more time and care than your standard kitchen knife, so it’s less suitable for beginners.
5) Made In 8-Inch Chef Knife
Made In
Made In
$99.00
Whether you’re chopping up a storm while hosting your entire family for Thanksgiving or you just want to turn your meal prep routine into less of a chore, you’ll have it made in the shade with pink lemonade with Made In’s 8-inch Chef Knife. To create this fully-forged, nitrogen-treated utensil, Made In partnered with a family-owned, 5th generation French cutler. The result is a well-balanced knife that feels sturdy in your hand and a blade that is hammered from a single rod of premium stainless steel to achieve a Rockwell score of 58-60.
Testers “had to use a little pressure” when cutting tomatoes and found the Made In Chef Knife’s “could only slice through [paper] once,” but they were overall impressed with its performance, as well as its “very cute” packaging. (It even comes with a plastic blade guard, instructions how to hold and use your knife, and a bandaid!) In all, the most difficult part of your user experience will be hand-washing—which, unfortunately, is required for this model.
6) Renaissance 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Mercer Culinary
Amazon
$43.00
The Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Chef's Knife is proof that you can buy a durable knife—even if you’re Baroque. Perfect for professional and home chefs, this modern take on a classic utensil can effortlessly slice through ripe, juicy tomatoes using its precision-forged, high-carbon steel blade (which boasts a Rockwell score of 58-60).
Not only is the triple-riveted Delrin handle tough, lightweight and resistant to wear-and-tear, but the Good Housekeeping Institute also liked how its rounded spine offers an ideal weight and comfortable grip. In fact, testers said it felt “nice, normal, [and] medium-heavy in the hand.”
To ensure you get the most out of your knife, Mercer recommends users hand-wash their cutlery with warm water and mild soap, rinse, and dry completely with a soft towel, which can be a drag, but the good news is the Renaissance comes with a soft plastic sheath to protect its super-sharp blade.
7) Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Zwilling
Amazon
$149.00
Some ailments, like arthritis, neuropathy, or motor difficulties, can make a seemingly-simple task like using a knife uncomfortable (and therefore, more daunting). Don’t let your difficulties hold you back from your passion for cooking—just pick up the Zwilling Pro. Featuring a 57 Rockwell hardness, this knife is perfectly bonded to the full tang and undergoes a four-step ice-hardening process called Friodur to fortify its cutting edge and prevent corrosion.
During testing, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lab panelists found the Zwilling Pro's strong, slightly curved 8-inch blade “made quick work of chopping parsley, slicing tomatoes, dicing onions, and even boning a chicken” and maintained its sharpness even after extended use, while the triple-riveted polymer handle “gives you a comfy, ergonomic grip.”
Due to its unique rounded half-bolster, this knife may not fit into some knife blocks, but if you use a pinch grip when cutting, it’s worth sacrificing some convenience for the sake of comfort.
8) Morimoto Edition 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Miyabi
Amazon
$150.00
You don’t have to be a huge Iron Chef fan to love the Miyabi Morimoto Edition Chef's Knife. Named after Japanese celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, this Japanese style knife features an 8-inch, high-carbon stainless steel blade (which the Good Housekeeping Institute called “noticeably thinner than on traditional knives”), a full-tang for excellent control, a small bolster, and a black, synthetic handle with three metal rivets.
In addition to boasting that infamously thin Japanese blade profile, this knife is hand-honed using the three-step Honbazuke process and ice-hardened to a 60 HRC on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. As “one of only two knives to earn a perfect score” for carving through cooked steak, the Good Housekeeping Institute was impressed with the Miyabi Morimoto's ability to hold its own in the kitchen—especially for a celebrity branded piece of cutlery. Their Kitchen Tech Experts remarked that “it performed well, but didn’t seem to be the appropriate knife for the job” when chopping carrots.
Unfortunately, this knife is not dishwasher-safe, but the good news is it’s super easy to clean by hand—not to mention, easy on the eyes.
10) Millennia 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Mercer Culinary
Amazon
$17.00
Are you looking to take a stab at amassing your own cutlery collection, but still hesitant to give that whole “home chef” thing a try? At a price that’s even more affordable than that of the J.A. Henckels Classic, the Mercer Millennia offers solid performance for such an inexpensive knife. This model is ideal for practicing your cutting skills or doing simple prep work like crushing garlic, mincing herbs, and shredding cabbage.
Designed with textured finger points for a safer, non-slip grip, this knife stood out during the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tests thanks to its “unique” ergonomic handle—in fact, the lab panel was pleasantly surprised to find it was “lightweight, but still big and durable” and “good for large grips.”
Meanwhile, the blade is made of high-carbon Japanese steel for straightforward edge maintenance and enduring sharpness, but it lacks a full-tang construction and only has a Rockwell Hardness Scale rating of 54-55. The Millennia won’t last you as long as its sturdier counterpart, the Renaissance, but to get the most out of your Mercer knife, you’ll still want to follow Mercer’s recommendation that you gently hand-wash and fully dry this handy tool.
11) Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef Knife
Shun
Amazon
$150.00
As any episode of Master Chef Junior will tell you, kids love to cook too! Whether you’re looking to encourage your budding Guy Fieri (who started his culinary career when he was in middle school, btw!) or you’re a gourmet Goldilocks searching for a knife that fits “just right” in your hand, consider the Shun Classic Chef Knife.
As pretty as it is practical, this lightweight model falls somewhere between a chef’s and a paring knife in terms of size and has a 60-61 HRC. Its cutting core is crafted out of Shun's proprietary VG-MAX steel—which offers premier sharpness and corrosion resistance—covered in Damascus steel. The result is a straighter, narrower blade, which the Good Housekeeping Institute attributed to its ability to “literally glides through ripe tomatoes with its sharp edge.”
Plus, the Shun Classic's rounded black pakkawood handle is D-shaped, so it’s comfortable to grip whether you’re a righty or a lefty. That said, you’ll need to take care with this knife, as it isn’t dishwasher-safe and can sustain nicks and chips if you throw it in a kitchen drawer instead of storing it in a sheath or knife block.
12) Global Hollow-Edge Santoku 7-Inch Chef’s Knife
Global
surlatable.com
$97.00
The Global Hollow-Edge Santoku is the Neil deGrasse Tyson of knives: It’s one of the sharpest tools in the shed (or rather, in your knife block). This well-balanced knife is made using Global's exclusive Cromova high-carbon stainless steel and, like the Wüsthof Classic Craftsman Knife, features hollowed-out kullens on its thick blade to streamline your slicing and dicing. Boasting a full-tang construction, it’s lightweight enough to prevent hand fatigue while also providing substantial control, while its molded handle is designed with Global’s signature dimple pattern for a stronger, more comfortable grip.
Calling it “one of the sharpest knives we've tested,” the Good Housekeeping Institute declared “This Japanese knife excelled at all tasks, but wowed us with its ability to power through chicken bones.” However, the Global Hollow-Edge Santoku does have one Achilles heel—like most Santoku knives, it has more of a straight edge, as opposed to a drop-point shape. This makes it more suitable chopping, rather than rocking back and forth or performing more delicate tasks like piercing or scoring.
Upgrade your kitchen with the best knives ever.