Top 10 Best Chef Knives in 2024
Cooking can be quite fun and pleasant. More and more people started spending time in the kitchen preparing their own food. Instagram might have something to do with it but there is a general trend for people to start eating healthy and that means cooking more and home and getting less processed foods. This also means that people spend more money on getting the right tools for their kitchen which implies appliances and knives.
The most important knife that should not be missing from every kitchen is the chef’s knife. It is a universal knife that will be used in 90% of the cases. Some difficult jobs like deboning a piece of meat might require a different type of knife but for the most part, the chef’s knife will prove to be essential. A common misconception is that a good knife needs to cost hundreds of dollars. While the more expensive ones are indeed superior, the differences are barely notable.
A good knife will remain sharp as long as it is sharpened before and after each use. Even the most expensive knives need to be sharpened regularly. What matters the most is for the knife to not be a ceramic one and to have a good handle. If it is maintained properly the knife will survive for many years of intense usage.
Best Chef Knives in 2024
For our list, we selected 10 chef knives that come from all price ranges. To keep things short let’s jump right into our list of the top 10 best chef knives in 2024.
Table of Contents
10. Allezola Professional Chef’s Knife
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Allezola professional chef’s knife can make cooking a lot more enjoyable. It is a knife made out of high-carbon stainless steel which means it will last for decades if it is properly maintained. It has a good construction and a wooden handle that makes it feel more natural when holding it. The knife is easy to control and it is surprisingly lightweight.
- Premium construction using high-carbon stainless steel
- Ergonomic wooden handle
- Superior control and well balanced
- Needs to be sharpened after each use
9. Mac Knife Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife
Mac Knife professional hollow edge chef’s knife is not for everyone. It is the kind of knife that only hardcore cooks would look at. It is an expensive knife made out of high-quality stainless steel in Japan. It has a 2.5 mm blade of standard length and a wooden handle that was designed to offer the perfect balance. Despite its size, the knife is quite lightweight but very precise and extremely sharp.
- Extremely sharp and durable
- Lightweight
- High-quality wooden blade
- Requires a lot of care to be maintained properly
8. Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife
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The mercer Culinary Renaissance forged chef’s knife is the perfect upgrade for a person that did not yet invest much in their kitchen utensils. It is one of the more affordable products on our list but it should not be disregarded. It is made out of high-quality stainless steel that is corrosion-resistant and very durable especially since it has a one-piece forged construction.
- Ergonomic wooden handle
- High-carbon stainless steel construction
- Low price tag for a premium knife
- The blade is more curved than usual
7. Dalstrong Chef Knife
Dalstrong is one of the bigger brands that offers a wide selection of kitchen knives. Their chef knife is a high-quality product made using high-carbon stainless steel and an ergonomic design. The kit includes a holster for the knife to keep it protected and everything is shipped in a premium box. The knife features a wooden handle that gives it excellent precision and balance.
- Durable high-carbon stainless steel blade
- Good balance and ergonomic handle
- Extremely sharp, designed for heavy usage
- Can only be sharpened with a whetstone
6. Zyliss Chef’s Knife
The Zyliss chef’s knife is by far one of the most affordable models on our list. It is a cheap knife with decent construction. The model is made from high-carbon stainless steel, just like the more expensive knives, and comes with a holster for safe storage. The handle is made out of plastic but it still offers a good grip and good control.
- High-carbon stainless steel blade
- Ergonomic handle with a rubberized coating for superior grip
- Safety guard included
- The handle feels a bit flimsy and poorly made
5. Global Chef’s Knife
Global chef’s Knife is a product designed for enthusiasts and professionals. It is a high-quality premium knife made using a special type of stainless steel that guarantees it will survive for many years. The handle of the knife is also made out of the same metal and has a dimpled pattern to improve grip. The model is fairly lightweight and precisely balanced. It includes a lifetime warranty for any kind of defects or damage.
- Lightweight and well balanced
Made using molybdenum stainless steel
All steel handle with a dimpled design for superior grip
- The high price makes it unreachable for most people
4. Kitchen Galaxy Chef Knife
Kitchen Galaxy chef knife is a great pick for the ones that need an upgrade from a standard plain and cheap knife. It has a modern design and it is made out of high-carbon stainless steel to ensure optimal durability. The handle is partially made out of stainless steel and has a shape that fits naturally in the hand. As expected the knife is properly balanced and extremely sharp.
- Lightweight and durable
- Made using high-quality high-carbon stainless steel
- Ergonomic handle that fits well into the hand
- The blade is thicker than usual
3. Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife
Dalstrong is a premium brand that makes knives that are used by some of the most famous chefs. The Shogun Series chef knife is a special model made using a particular type of steel that is more durable even than high-carbon stainless steel. The handle was designed to fit perfectly into the hand and the weight is perfectly distributed to offer the highest precision and control.
- Long, thin, and lightweight blade
- Well-designed handle for optimal control and precision
- Made out of the toughest stainless steel
- Price tag is a bit steep
2. Imarku Pro Kitchen 8 inch Chef’s Knife
Imarku Pro Kitchen chef`s knife is yet another cheap model that managed to offer both quality and reliability. Like with any good knife, the product is made using high-carbon stainless steel and comes with a simple wooden handle that offers a good grip and balance. The blade is very sharp and extremely tough. It remains sharp for a long period of time and it is corrosion and stain resistant.
- Extremely durable and very sharp
- Inexpensive
- Very easy to maintain sharp with a regular whetstone
- Ergonomic handle for optimal grip and precision
- Random reports of the knife being shipped with the blade blunt
1. Zelite Infinity Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife
There are very few instances in which one could say about a knife that it is beautiful. The Zelite Infinity Carbon stainless steel chef knife is a genuine masterpiece made using the highest grade stainless steel. It looks like a blade made out of Damascus steel with multiple layers that can be seen on the blade. The knife is extremely sharp and comes with a perfect handle that offers excellent balance and precision.
- Lightweight and durable
- Made out of premium stainless steel
- Perfectly shaped handle for optimal precision and balance
- Lifetime warranty
- Quite expensive
What Makes A Chef’s Knife Good?
It is difficult to say what exactly makes a good chef’s knife good. Probably the best way to test them is to just hold them with one hand. Even if a knife is highly appreciated, not everyone will feel comfortable handling it. Even a perfectly balanced knife might not feel right for a certain person.
One thing that is important to note is that for our list we managed to pick only knives that are made out of high-quality stainless steel. The difference in pricing is done by the attention to detail such as the shape of the handle, the material from which the handle is made, and how well-balanced it is. A good knife can last for many years but a $10 knife might turn into scrap metal after just a few months. When shopping for knives it is important to avoid the cheapest ones and try to find something that fits somewhere in the middle. A good knife does not have to cost hundreds of dollars.
Regarding: 10. Allezola Professional Chef’s Knife
I received this as a gift for Christmas, and it just BROKE into two pieces after falling to the WOOD floor in our kitchen. (I would post a picture if I were able.) I would never recommend.