This multipurpose knife can slice and dice, be used as a press to crush garlic cloves and even crack shells, too. Some Epi staffers use the Global chef’s knife at home and report that it stays sharp for a long time (and is easy to sharpen when the time comes). In order for a knife to secure our #1 spot, it had… For more information on these profiles and other highly specialized kinds of knives, see Common Types of Kitchen Knives. Henckels Four Star 8" Chef's Knife (31071-203), Wüsthof Grand Prix II 8" Cook's Knife (4585-7/20), J.A. In cooking, a chef's knife, also known as a cook's knife, is a cutting tool used in food preparation. Essentially, the types of kitchen knives you nee… J.A. It was as lightweight as the MAC knife, but lacked the strength to make it through heavy-duty items, sticking in the squash and only going through with concerted effort. She is currently writing a cookbook that aims to teach home cooks how to write without a recipe. We help you find the best stuff and make the most of the stuff you already own. All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. All rights reserved. Is a steam bath the secret to baking better bread? While it was sharp enough to cut paper, it made jagged slices of tomatoes and bruised the delicate basil. The MAC Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife was easily my favorite knife throughout the tests. The one thing you should never do with a chef's knife is put it in your dishwasher. One major drawback to the design is that the handle is offset further than the other knives we tested. Is the handle made of a high-quality material? 2. They’re sharp and effective for delicate knife work but had a bit of trouble handling the tough sweet potato. $319.00. The 6" utility knife or mini chef is the most widely used in my kitchen. How does chef-client/knife execute client.rb/knife.rb? The Mercer Renaissance chef’s knife ($48) felt clunky and awkward to use, especially when compared to smoothness of our winning models. When it comes to responsiveness, Morocco explains that you want a knife that feels “alive in your hand.” You can determine the responsiveness by tapping the blade against the cutting board or counter—a responsive knife will vibrate in your hand. … Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. Ad Choices, The Best Chef’s Knives of 2020, Tested and Reviewed. “A knife is the most personal tool a chef has. Similarly, the direct-to-consumer knife Bulat sliced through tough sweet potato with force, but it was too heavy and bulky to handle delicate knife jobs well—it resisted cutting through the skin of the tomato and crushed the interior of the fruit a bit. Here are the best chef's knives we tested ranked, in order: Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Again, understanding the difference between a German-style knife and a Japanese one is important here: German knives tend to have a thick cuff, or bolster, that runs between the knife blade and the handle. it is great … If you only cook occasionally, you may only need a paring knife and a chef’s knife. While the knife is available at a value price, there are better knives at the same price point that feature sharper blades, stronger steel, and more control. This chef’s knife from direct-to-consumer company Misen is made of Japanese AUS-8 high carbon stainless steel, which means it's tough, durable, and super sharp. As Test Kitchen Director Chris Morocco told us, “It’s probably the best chef’s knife out there for the money. If you tend to use a rocking motion while cutting, a heavier knife with a curved blade will keep your hand stable in one place; if you prefer a slicing motion, a light thin-bladed knife will be easier to maneuver back and forth. For me the slightly out of way location is what makes it work. For a super sharp and responsive knife that will last and sharpen easily, choose the Mac Knife. Similarly, the Bulat chef’s knife ($120) sliced through tough sweet potato with force, but it was too heavy and bulky to handle delicate knife jobs well. ©2020 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. The material is also a compromise between German and Japanese knives—it’s made of a hard steel like a Japanese knife, but isn’t quite as brittle, so it’s less prone to chipping. We evaluated the knives on the following factors. We tested each knife on three major criteria: sharpness, strength, and control. We hadn't reserved tables, but were OK with the regular tables. How does the handle feel? When highly rated products range in price from $5 to more than $3,000, it’s hard to know where to begin. Chef’s knives blades can range from 6 to 14 inches long and can be identified by their slight curve near the tip of the blade. While it certainly lies on the budget end of the spectrum, Rada’s stainless steel French chef knife is an excellent utility blade – the kind that you might want to toss into your RV or adventure van the next time you head out on a long trip. This makes the blade feel closer to a 10-inch knife than an 8-inch one, affecting the balance and level of control we felt when yielding this knife. Chefs must work with the best available tools and the right blade will allow you superior precision and skill. 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,068. J.A. The Wüsthof Gourmet and Classic models were both pleasantly lighter than the knives we’re accustomed to from the company. Sale. mainly, because everybody uses it! The chef's knife was originally designed primarily to slice and disjoint large cuts of beef. The Brandless chef’s knife (a shocking low $6) isn’t a great knife—it felt slippery in our hands and did a lackluster job with both sweet potatoes and tender herbs. © 2020 Condé Nast. After hours of testing, we came away with some solid recommendations: a high-quality chef’s knife capable of any kitchen task—the winning Zwilling Pro 8" Chef's Knife (available at Zwilling), a slightly more specialized knife for experienced cooks, and a value knife that went edge-to-edge with some of the more expensive knives. Why? In testing we found that we preferred the flatter belly characteristic of a Japanese or French knife more than the pronounced curve of a German-style knife; the latter is more conducive to rocking and requires a bit more force. Everything you need to know about Chef Knives: Click Here! After forging, the blade is ground and sharpened. Chef’s knives range in size from five to 14 inches, and the ideal size for you depends on the length of your forearm. Henckels International 31161-201 CLASSIC Chef's Knife, 8 Inch, Black 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,756. Chef Knife Set Knives Kitchen Set - Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Set Kitchen Knife Set with Stand - Plus Professional Knife Sharpener - 7 Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Knives Set by Home Hero 4.7 out of 5 stars 21,448. Check out our guides to the best bread knives, best paring knives, and best santoku knives. $332.10 $369.00. This super-light knife had a beautiful, sleek look. The Henckels Zwilling Pro is a serious workhorse, pulling ahead of the pack in nearly every one of our tests and earning the top spot as Best Overall Chef’s Knife. For people who prefer a heavier knife, the Misen chef’s knife ($65) is a good option. Henckels International Classic 8" Chef's Knife (31161-201), Credit: Reviewed.com / Lindsay D. Mattison, 7 tips for staying safe during space heater season. There are many styles to choose from which you deserve to own them. It was adept at slicing and rocked well, but it took a while for us to get used to the center of control on this knife The blade itself is skinnier than most of the knives we tested, changing the knife’s balance point and the feel of the grip. We also liked the Miyabi Kaizen chef’s knife ($130). Every family should have a chef knife set that suits their requirements in the kitchen. From the start we were looking for a thin, sharp blade, which makes slicing easier and smoother and also weighs less overall. And of course, how much money should you spend? How does the knife handle delicate herbs? It is a comfortable size for my kids, it handles most of the smaller task extremely well, and let's face it, you don't need a 9" Gyuto to cut a sandwich. If you're working with a flexible budget and don't mind the maintenance, a chef's knife really is really an essential part of the kitchen. Pro Chef Knife 8 Inch, Japanese AUS-10V Super Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife with Hammer Finish, Chefs Knife with a triple-riveted Ergonomic Handle, Professional Durable Cooking Knife with Gift Box. Credit: Lindsay D. Mattison, Credit: Reviewed.com / Lindsay D. Mattison. It was extremely sharp and sliced an onion with ease, but required more force than we would have liked to cut through sturdy sweet potato. Kiritsuke knives are becoming much more commonplace and popular amongst culinary professionals and Chefs because, similar to a multi-purpose Santoku or Bunka knife, they have a very capable blade shape that can perform a wide variety of cutting tasks. But if you like to cook every day and experiment with different meals, a larger range of professional Japanese Honshu steel knives will suit you better. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife, 8-Inch. But it wasn’t quite as responsive as the Mac knife and fell short of the Global in terms of its price point. Chef knives are usually made of either stainless steel or carbon steel. As a team, we preferred a lightweight knife. Today it is the primary general-utility knife for most western cooks. Plus it’s super sharp. It’s a Japanese-style knife, and though the blade is super thin and precise, the handle has some width and bulk to make it feel steady. It’s strong enough to get through tough vegetables with ease and delicate enough to chop tender herbs without smashing them. I was surprised by how much I liked this knife. Sure, the finish quality on this Victorinox knife isn’t nearly as high as the Mac or the Global, but at less than $40, it’s a total steal. 7667 Lupine Lane, Suite 101, Victor, ID 83455 … we had n't reserved tables but! Material chef ’ s knife will measure the same design for the.! Work but had a bit of trouble handling the tough sweet potato beaten to shape the.... 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