Home » The 15 Best Chef’s Knives – Guide

The 15 Best Chef’s Knives – Guide

Chef ‘s knives are suitable for cutting vegetables, meat and many other foods

. Due to their versatility they are very popular and should not be missing in your kitchen.

We have summarized all the important information about chef ‘s knives in a checklist for you. You can find a great selection of different chef’s knives in our product recommendations.

Checklist For Chef’s Knives

Blade Length
  • Chef’s knives are so-called all-round knives that can be used for many different tasks in the kitchen. The blade is relatively wide at the handle and tapers to a point at the front on a classic chef’s knife.
  • Chef’s knives have a blade length of about 16 to 23 cm. The blade length of most chef’s knives is around 20 cm.
Blade Material
  • Stainless steel is a commonly used material. Stainless steel is durable and resistant to rust. Stainless steel blades are hard to cut and can be easily resharpened.
  • Carbon steel blades are hard and somewhat brittle. These blades are very cutting and stay sharp for a long time. The disadvantage is that the blades can rust. Chef’s knives with a carbon steel blade should therefore not be cleaned in the dishwasher.
  • Damascus steel, or damascus for short, is used for particularly high-quality chef’s knives. This material consists of up to more than 100 layers of two different types of iron and steel. Damascus steel is resistant, tough and can be ground very sharp. Chef’s knives with a blade made of Damascus are expensive and not suitable for the dishwasher.
Handle
  • Forged from one piece and chef’s knives, the handle is also made of steel. It is important that the handle fits well in your hand and that you can guide the knife safely.
  • Classic chef’s knives have a handle made of wood, which is riveted or glued to the blade. Wooden handles are pleasantly warm in the hand and non-slip. Chef’s knives with a wooden handle may usually only be washed by hand.
  • Inexpensive chef’s knives are often equipped with a handle made of plastic. However, this material tends to become brittle over time, especially if the knife is frequently cleaned in the dishwasher.
Weight
  • Depending on the design of the chef’s knife, the weight will vary. Lightweight chef’s knives have a weight of around 150 g. Knives with a long blade and a steel handle can weigh up to 300 g. However, more important than the weight is that the knife is balanced and fits well in the hand.

Here you will find the top 15 among the most popular chef’s knives.

Tip: You can find lots of great “paint by numbers” sets in our guide to “paint by numbers”.

The Best Sellers Of Chef’s Knives

We have compiled the most popular chef’s knives for you in this bestseller list.

Tip: You can find practical meal prep boxes in our guide to meal prep boxes.

Current Offers For Chef’s Knife

Here you will find a selection of offers that are currently available in the Cooking Knife Sets section.

FAQ About Chef’s Knives

What is a chef’s knife?

A chef’s knife is not a special kitchen knife for a particular food, but an all-rounder that can be used in many ways.

Which chef’s knives are the best?

That can’t be answered across the board. You are sure to find the right chef’s knife for you in our product recommendations.

Which chef’s knives do I need?

There are many different kitchen knives for different products. Chef’s knives are usually knives with a blade length of about 20 cm, which can be used in a variety of ways.

Which chef’s knives are recommended?

Many different chef’s knives are recommended. You are sure to find what you are looking for in our product recommendations.

How do you hold a chef’s knife?

A chef’s knife should fit snugly in your hand with a firm grip. The thumb and index fingers should be to the left of the knife when cutting with the right hand.

Chef’s knife sharpening stone – which grit?

For chef’s knives, grits of 800 to 1000 are recommended for sharpening stones.

Chef’s knife – what length?

For beginners, a knife that is as short as possible is recommended, as the risk of injury is lowest here. Professional chefs or cooks with experience can use knives with a blade of 20 cm or more.

Wolfgang lives with his family in Stuttgart. He has a twelve-year-old daughter and five-year-old twins. When he's not writing product guides for Elternkompass and sharing his experiences with you, he likes to go on bike tours, play Monopoly or read novels.