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.

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.

Pros
  • Premium construction using high-carbon stainless steel
  • Ergonomic wooden handle
  • Superior control and well balanced
Cons
  • Needs to be sharpened after each use
Despite being made out of high-quality stainless steel, the knife will need to be sharpened after each use. Some high-quality knives tend to require less sharpening in order to remain in good condition. If it is properly maintained it will last a lifetime which is what everyone expects from a premium knife. It is well-balanced and feels very comfortable when holding it.

9. Mac Knife Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife

MAC Knife Professional series 8' Chef's knife w/dimples MTH-80

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.

Pros
  • Extremely sharp and durable
  • Lightweight
  • High-quality wooden blade
Cons
  • Requires a lot of care to be maintained properly
Such an expensive knife needs a lot of attention if it is to survive for many years. It needs to be sharpened often and it can only be cleaned by hand. It is not dishwasher safe as it can get damaged. The blade is quite sensitive to damage despite being very sharp. For such a knife it is recommended to get a dedicated sharpening stone.

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.

Pros
  • Ergonomic wooden handle
  • High-carbon stainless steel construction
  • Low price tag for a premium knife
Cons
  • The blade is more curved than usual
A regular chef’s knife has a straight blade and a small curvature towards the end. The Mercer knife has a bigger curvature which makes it a bit more awkward to chop with. Having a wooden well-balanced handle does help a lot. To maintain it in good condition it is recommended that the knife is sharpened often.

7. Dalstrong Chef Knife

DALSTRONG Chef Knife - 8 inch Blade - Gladiator Series ELITE - Forged HC German Steel Chef's Knife - Razor Sharp Kitchen Knife - Professional Full Tang Knife - Black G10 Handle - Sheath -NSF Certified

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.

Pros
  • Durable high-carbon stainless steel blade
  • Good balance and ergonomic handle
  • Extremely sharp, designed for heavy usage
Cons
  • Can only be sharpened with a whetstone
Most knives can be sharpened with a regular sharpening iron. The Dalstrong is recommended to be sharpened only with a whetstone. The whetstone will be able to preserve the knife in a like-new condition in terms of sharpness but it will scratch the blade a bit. In terms of performance, the knife truly looks and feels premium while the high-carbon stainless steel ensures that it will survive for many years to come.

6. Zyliss Chef’s Knife

Zyliss Utility Kitchen Knives with Sheath Covers - Dishwasher Safe - Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Perfect for Cutting Meat, Vegetables & Fruit - 7.25' Chef 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.

Pros
  • High-carbon stainless steel blade
  • Ergonomic handle with a rubberized coating for superior grip
  • Safety guard included
Cons
  • The handle feels a bit flimsy and poorly made
Not having a wooden handle might not be a major issue but the plastic one that the knife comes with will surely not impress anyone. It is a simple handle that feels good in the hand but seems a bit flimsy and poorly made. The design does offer good balance and precision and for the price, it is difficult to find something better. It is a cheap yet decent chef’s knife.

5. Global Chef’s Knife

Sale Global 8' 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.

Pros
  • Lightweight and well balanced
    Made using molybdenum stainless steel
    All steel handle with a dimpled design for superior grip
Cons
  • The high price makes it unreachable for most people
Everyone loves a good knife but not everyone is willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single one. It is an expensive knife that was made mostly for professionals. The ones that can afford it will be able to experience the quality of the tools used by genuine chefs. It is a well-made knife using the most durable stainless steel and a perfectly balanced shape for optimal precision.

4. Kitchen Galaxy Chef Knife

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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.

Pros
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Made using high-quality high-carbon stainless steel
  • Ergonomic handle that fits well into the hand
Cons
  • The blade is thicker than usual
A chef’s knife must have a thick but not too thick blade or it will become a bit difficult to cut with. The Kitchen Galaxy knife is indeed thicker than usual. It is still a good knife as long as it is maintained sharp. With such a low price tag it is difficult to find a better deal. It is not a professional-grade knife but it is surely much more durable and better built than your average chef’s knife.

3. Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife

Dalstrong Chef Knife - 9.5 inch Blade - Shogun Series ELITE - Damascus - Japanese AUS-10V Super Steel - Black G10 Handle - Razor Sharp Kitchen Knife - Professional Full Tang Chef's Knife - Sheath

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.

Pros
  • Long, thin, and lightweight blade
  • Well-designed handle for optimal control and precision
  • Made out of the toughest stainless steel
Cons
  • Price tag is a bit steep
If it weren’t for the high price tag the knife would have been one of the best-selling ones on our list. It is still a popular pick for both amateur and professional cooks. The model manages to maintain itself sharp for quite a while but it is still recommended to be sharpened with a whetstone from time to time. To avoid damaging it, the knife needs to be cleaned by hand and not in a dishwashing machine.

2. Imarku Pro Kitchen 8 inch Chef’s Knife

Sale imarku Japanese Chef Knife - Sharp Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chef's Knives HC Steel Paring Knife, Unique Gifts for Men and Women, Gifts for Mom or Dad, Kitchen Gadgets with Premium Gift Box

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.

Pros
  • Extremely durable and very sharp
  • Inexpensive
  • Very easy to maintain sharp with a regular whetstone
  • Ergonomic handle for optimal grip and precision
Cons
  • Random reports of the knife being shipped with the blade blunt
There are some inconsistencies in terms of quality control. Most users received a very sharp knife but there are a few instances in which the users received a knife that came with a dull blade that could barely cut an onion. The solution is to just get a whetstone and just sharpen it. Once sharpened, the knife should be good to go and will remain sharp even after several months of usage.

1. Zelite Infinity Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife

Zelite Infinity 6 Inch Chef Knife (8″ Chef Knife - Damascus JPN AUS-10 Super Steel)

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.

Pros
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Made out of premium stainless steel
  • Perfectly shaped handle for optimal precision and balance
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Quite expensive
The knife looks and feels luxurious. It was made to be used by enthusiasts and professional chefs. This can be seen also in its price tag as it is quite expensive. The quality is difficult to match. It is made out of the best stainless steel available and it can last a lifetime if it is taken care of properly.

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.

2 Comments

  1. 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.

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