Best Chef’s Knife

The Victorinox 8-Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is our best chef’s knife, which is more efficient and is a well-designed knife among others due to its versatility and good design that makes it ideal for chopping. The chef’s knife can be used for shredding veggies as well and has a non-slip handle for the ultimate safety.

Our step-up pick is the Mac Knife Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife and as a lightweight chef’s knife, it is considered a really nice knife by most people and is great for chopping. Being made with a pakka wood handle gives it the stability you need yet it glides like butter so easily. Its high-carbon alloy blade is made of chrome, molybdenum and vanadium and is rust resistant.

The budget pick is the Kuma Chef 8 Inch Chef’s Knife and it holds an edge better than most knife brands out there and the chef’s knife can be used as a paring knife as well. Perfect and easy to use right out of the box, you get a lot of control and comfort with this chef’s knife so you can use it every single day.

A Little Background

When you look for a knife, you will most likely encounter the chef’s knife, which is the all around kitchen knife that most people will use. Its length is from 8 to 10 inches depending on whether it is for the household kitchen or for restaurant use, and it is usually versatile for slicing and dicing foods. It also allows you to easily chop food items. A chef’s knife is also used mostly for beef cutting.
A chef’s knife is not just used for restaurant kitchens but also on regular household kitchens, despite the chef name. Different knives have their own purpose, but the chef’s knife is much like a jack of all trades in terms of kitchen needs. A chef’s knife can slice and chop fruits and vegetables as well as cut and dice meat and fish. However, it should not be used on hard items such as squash or especially tin cans (that’s what the popular can opener is for).
A chef’s knife is made with a blade that are usually made of carbon or stainless steel, with a sharp edge that can also be honed and sharpened. The tang extends to the handle and is part of the blade, which also dictates if it is durable and stable enough. The rivet holds the tang of the knife with the handle and the bolster and heel sits between the handle and the blade of the chef’s knife.
Like all knives out there, sharpening a chef’s knife is also important to sharpen your knife as much as possible when needed. There are instances that a dull knife can bounce back and cause you to get injury and cuts. Instead of risking your safety on a dull knife, you can consult your manufacturer to see which sharpening tools are the best for your chef’s knife.
Knives also come in other shapes and sizes. Aside from a chef’s knife, you also get a utility knife, a fillet knife, a paring knife and a boning knife. Slicer knives are great for meat and certain fish while cleavers are great for chopping and for butchering. Tourné knives are also for veggies because of the curved design.
The santoku knife is a similar knife to the chef’s knife, as both can be used for slicing and dicing anything, but chopping is perhaps the best purpose of a santoku knife. Also, chef’s knives are usually longer than santoku knives, which are only about 5 to 7 inches in length compared to the chef’s knives that run about 8 to 12 inches in length.
Because the chef’s knife is very versatile, it is worth buying a high quality one, so you should invest in a good chef’s knife because it can be used not just for fruits and vegetables but also for meat, poultry, herbs and many more food items it can possibly handle. However, you should also ask the manufacturer if there are item restrictions when using it, as different chef’s knives can be made out of different kinds of materials out there and not just stainless steel or carbon steel.
Chef’s knives come in various sizes and lengths, such as 10 inches to 12 inches if you work on a restaurant with big food, or just 8 inches if you’re simply cooking at home. The balance on both sides of the chef’s knife is also important because it will help you stabilize your grip and prevent accidents..
The chef’s knife is also similar to the utility knife, but bigger than that. While chef’s knives and utility knives are both used for general kitchen needs, some people will prefer one over the other depending on their usual food items to slice, dice, chop or prepare. Utility knives are, however, bigger than paring knives, which are used for fruits and veggies.
The most common material for chef’s knives is the stainless steel one, as with all kitchenware out there, because stainless steel does not rust, especially if you live in a highly humid area, and can be easily used with durability. However, if you are looking for something that is easier to sharpen then stainless steel might not be your thing, because carbon steel is much more ideal for that. You can also have a chef’s knife that combines both stainless steel and carbon steel properties.
It is important not to make mistakes in maintaining your chef’s knife. Detergents that are used in dishwashers can also possibly dull or discolor your chef’s knife. Soap and water is the best way to clean up a chef’s knife right after you’ve used it.

How We Picked

When choosing the best chef’s knife, you should consider the following factors first:
Blade material: carbon steel, stainless steel, laminated (alloy) or ceramic are the usual choices for a chef’s knife. If you choose chef’s knives that are made of carbon steel then it should be honed and sharpened as much as possible because it is somewhat of a maintenance problem compared to stainless steel, which in turn, doesn’t rust but can be harder to sharpen. Ceramic and alloy choices for a chef’s knife are also available in the market today.
Edge style: hollow ground, chisel edge, double grind and convex edge are the different edge styles you can find for a chef’s knife. These different chef’s knife edges can give you a different kind of outcome or result depending on the food you are preparing most often. For expert cooks and chefs, it is important to look for the edge style of a chef’s knife that suits their needs the best.
Blade procedure: hot forged or stamped (cold rolled) are the two possible ways to construct the blade of the chef’s knife. It is important to choose as both of them have their own pros and cons, such as stamped ones are easier to make but may run into some problems in the future. Hot forged chef’s knives are more traditional and may be more durable but it depends on the materials used.
Blade length: the blade length ranges from 6 to 12 inches for any chef’s knife. Regular chef’s knives can be about 8 inches in length but those with restaurants or work professionally as a chef or cook in a big kitchen may choose a 10 to 12 inches chef’s knife. Smaller variations of the chef’s knife at 6 inches can also exist in your kitchen for smaller food preparation needs.
Full or half tang: the tang indicates how much stability will you get from a chef’s knife. A half tang chef’s knife is okay but a full tang chef’s knife is better because it holds more stability with the knife and the handle, so there is less likelihood of the handle and the knife blade separating easily.
Included sheath: some chef’s knives can also include a sheath or protective case to keep it safe and sharp. While knife racks come with those knife sets, if you order a single chef’s knife then you may also get a free sheath or casing so you can possibly give the knife as a gift to someone or it can be stored elsewhere if you don’t have a knife rack without sacrificing its sharpness.

Our Pick

Victorinox
Victorinox 8-Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

Our best chef’s knife is the Victorinox 8-Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife which is a multipurpose knife that cuts precisely. It also gives you a comfortable grip as a chef’s knife that has enough weight and balance for your kitchen needs.
It holds a finer edge unlike others and is also a good tool in the kitchen for mincing. The chef’s knife has great durability and it is also easy to handle even when wet. As a very sharp knife made for general slicing, the chef’s knife is a nice workhorse knife that has been ergonomically designed.
The sharpening angle is at 15 degrees and the chef’s knife is ideal for dicing as well. Providing you with good cutting performance, it stays sharp for a long time and is also good for slicing meats. As a razor sharp chef’s knife, it is ideally made for short cooking sessions and it also includes a plastic sheath.
A sure grip handle is included with this laser-tested chef’s knife for a safer and cleaner cut every single time – from meats to veggies that you handle. It has a tapered knife edge for added stability so you can chop and dice through hard vegetables with great ease.
As an indispensible tool in the kitchen, this chef’s knife can be used for chopping herbs as well without much user fatigue, which is important in preparing certain dishes and the like. The exacting angle of this chef’s knife is very good so you can cut food precisely the way you want them, mostly for working and professional chefs and even for home based cooks.
Being easier to sharpen than other chef’s knives out there, this one greatly and significantly reduces hand and wrist fatigue due to the clever design. You can even be crushing garlic with the use of this chef’s knife due to the versatility.
Added to its other feature is the longer lasting sharp edge that will require less honing and sharpening. The chef’s knife is backed by a lifetime warranty against workmanship and material defects.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

While not really breaking the deal, the Victorinox 8-Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife does have a few caveats, such as the fact that some people might not like the plastic handle, but it is just fine for its price anyway, and is still a safe knife to use with proper knife and safety skills.

Step-up Pick

MacKnife
Mac Knife Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife

The Mac Knife Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife is our step-up pick for a chef’s knife, which has a 2.5 mm blade in thickness which is enough for processing vegetables and can be a great addition to a set. It is a great professional knife or even just a general knife for the kitchen.
The chef’s knife has a nicely balanced weight even for those who are not very good at knife skills. Like all knives, hand wash is recommended for this knife. You can cut and slice with great ease with this chef’s knife and with up to two years of no sharpening needed.
This knife comes with a box for easy storage or transport so you can give it to a friend. It has been made in Japan, where all the samurai katana swords are being made with precision and quality. This knife slices with ease and it is also a lot fun to use for those who like to add art in the kitchen.
Great for professional kitchens, the chef’s knife is quite easy to use and can be used for making beef roasts whenever you want it. the edge is asymmetric so it is easy to handle and it is also seriously durable as a professional 8-inch chef’s knife.
Moreover, the handle is nice so not only do you get less fatigue, you also get a lot of safety in the long run. It can process almost any food item and it can hold sharpness for quite a long time.
In addition to that, the chef’s knife fits those with big hands well. As a very sharp chef’s knife, it also features dimples so that things do not stick to the knife after cutting. Perfect for your home use and kitchen needs, it can be a big upgrade from your old knives.
Holding a good weight and balance, it will not need to be sharpened as often like others. With a thin blade and bolster that are both precise, this knife only needs a Japanese style sharpener.

Budget Pick

KumaChef
Kuma Chef 8 Inch Chef’s Knife

The Kuma Chef 8 Inch Chef’s Knife is our budget pick for a chef’s knife, which is quite razor sharp even for its price. Made with high quality 3cr13 stainless steel blade, the knife can be used to chop and dice carrots and potatoes with great ease. It is a good addition to your kitchen on a small budget.
With an ergonomic handle that makes it stable to hold, this kitchen knife also comes with a comfortable bolster for you to handle. It also resists acids so you can slice fruits and citrus items with great ease. Using its cutting edge design, carving meat will be so easy with this chef’s knife.
The metal is tempered so it is very tough and durable and can easily slice through tomatoes and similar veggies with great sharpness. It is also excellent at cutting through thin bones as a chef’s knife and a versatile kitchen knife.
With enough precision, the chef’s knife is also easy steel to sharpen and has good toughness. It allows you to slice meat inevitably. Moreover, it handles corrosion well unlike regular chef’s knives out there and it keeps you away from accidents due to the handle design.
It delicately slices anything such as vegetables and is very safe to use due to the ergonomic non-slip handle. Bearing a Japanese inspired profile design, this chef’s knife can help you slice anything as thin as you like and can be used on nearly all kitchens for general slicing.
The chef’s knife has good sharpness retention and is quite a versatile tool for most households due to being made of lightweight material that makes it well-balanced. It cuts well and is sufficient for daily use and for vegetables. It is quite affordable and comfort to use as a multipurpose knife for chopping.
Also great for filleting fish, the chef’s knife is quite soft yet durable and is also a perfect cooking knife partner in your kitchen. It has a lifetime limited warranty as well.

Best Chef’s Knife Made of Carbon Steel Blades

Culina
Culina 8-Inch Nonstick Carbon Steel Knife

The Culina 8-Inch Nonstick Carbon Steel Knife is a great chef’s knife made of carbon steel that is razor sharp to give you the best comfort and balance. Made of high quality materials and an ergonomic handle that keeps it safe to handle, it is light weight so it is okay for most household cooks.
Made of food-grade materials for its handle so it is safe to use, it is a nice sushi knife that is extremely sharp for your food prep needs. It gives you a firm grip and a durable build due to the carbon steel construction of the 8-inch blade of this chef’s knife.
Also perfect for most meats and nuts, it can help you make sashimi and similar Japanese food items. It also has a nonstick coating for ease of cleaning. It has a 1 3/4 inch width and the sharpness is pretty good. You can also safely sharpen it without damage when needed.
A black protective sheath is included with this chef’s knife to preserve its sharpness and elegant looks. Moreover, it is a good kitchen knife to make sushi rolls with as a versatile knife. It has good durability and can be easily used for veggies like tomatoes. Likewise, it also conveniently cuts through any fish.
Most cooked meats can be processed with this chef’s knife. The sleek look of the black finish makes it a stylish knife as well. It is safe to use on almost any meat or vegetable and provides a clean cut all throughout your task. With a decent look and design, you can prepare in the kitchen with ease with it.
Great for chopping vegetables and fruits, the chef’s knife is a nice all around kitchen knife and its blades are well protected by the included sheath. Moreover, it is a finely crafted knife in terms of shape and size and it is quite easy to clean and maintain. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best Chef’s Knife with an 8-Inch Length

DALSTRONG
DALSTRONG Chef Knife Gladiator Series 8″

The DALSTRONG Chef Knife Gladiator Series 8″is a great chef’s knife made with quality materials and is great for both professional and home kitchens. As a dependable kitchen tool that has been made with a satin finish, it is good with its performance and measures 8 inches so it is okay for regular kitchens.
With great maneuverability, the chef’s knife has been heat treated for durability and for its razor sharp blade. It is a very attractive knife with a just-right hardness to handle any food. It has an engraved rivet for style and a full tang for stability all the way. It also has just enough knuckle clearance for most chefs.
It cleans easily as a chef’s knife, making it less of a maintenance problem. It is made with high carbon German steel (forged ThyssenKrupp) for its blade and is also added with chromium for stain resistance, making it last longer. With enough comfort when you handle it, the blade is very sturdy.
The chef’s knife has a hand polished edge so it is very sleek in design and very sharp. It has a 55 Rockwell hardness on its scale and has been hand sharpened for precision. Made for busy kitchens, the chef’s knife has 18 degrees per side for sharpening.
With an excellent fit and finish for most cooks and chefs, the bolster is mirror polished for adding to the design. It gives you a nice grip and is also ice tempered for added durability. It gives you frictionless slicing and a lot of flexibility in the kitchen.
As a stain resistant chef’s knife, the sheath is BPA protective so it doesn’t contaminate your food. It has been laminated and polished for preventing the spread of germs in the kitchen. It is made with a luxury black pakka wood handle for added protection and style.
Perfect for gift giving for chefs or household cooks, the chef’s knife is a nice low maintenance knife to consider that has been triple riveted for durability and has a lifetime warranty.

Best Chef’s Knife with a 12-Inch Length

Victorinox12Inch
Victorinox 12-Inch Chef’s Knife Rosewood Handle

The Victorinox 12-Inch Chef’s Knife Rosewood Handle is a 12-inch version of our top pick and is great for chopping needs. It can be easily re-sharpened and has been laser tested for added durability. This chef’s knife is perfect for use in the home kitchen and ideal for a multitude of tasks.
Made for processing, chopping and handling vegetables and herbs, the chef’s knife gives you ease of sharpening due to the just-right material build. The handle gives you less wrist tension which allows you to use it daily as a versatile knife.
The classic rosewood handle gives it a lot of ease of use and a comfortable grip overall. It can also sustain sharpness for a very long time, which is important for chefs and cooks who are busy all the time. As an ergonomically designed chef’s knife that is made for the busy chef, it is made with a cold-rolled steel blade that is very sharp.
Great for mincing, the chef’s knife is an ice tempered knife that is also good for dicing. It is a long 12-inch knife that has been blade stamped and is great for slicing tasks and for chefs at work. With sufficient durability, it is made with high carbon stainless steel blade and is quite an essential to every cook. It features both balance and comfort and has great sharpness.
Made for larger hands, the chef’s knife has been made in Switzerland for quality. It has good edge retention for less sharpening needed and can handle vegetables or fruits with great ease. It has a bolster less edge for style and comfort and a conical ground design. It is also riveted very well.
As a chef’s best friend, the chef’s knife combines both function and style and it has a wider break point as well. It has a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

Best Chef’s Knife Made with Japanese Stainless Steel

Soufull
Soufull Japanese Stainless Steel Chef Knife

The Soufull Japanese Stainless Steel Chef Knife is made of quality material and has a very beautiful handle as well, perfect for the meticulous culinary experts due to its unique wood grain detailing. As an ultra sharp and a nice knife, it also features anti-corrosion properties that will not fade or tarnish.
It is made of Japanese stainless steel and feels very good for your hands even when it is frequently used for cooking. The waved pattern makes it look cool and it is very functional for removing flesh from bones as well. It has smooth polished contours for added style and the ergonomic handle keeps it safe.
Measured with a 62+ Rockwell hardness, the edge is sharp and maintains it for a long time as an 8 inches bladed knife made with 7Cr17 stainless steel for the best performance possible. As an ultra sharp knife made with high carbon stainless steel, it also has a sturdy wooden handle for stability and comfort.
The metal composition of this knife is good with its strength and it can also minimize any fatigue in the kitchen. You can cut through beef with ease and also comfort and strength with this knife’s durability. Moreover, it has been given a chrome finish to resist stains.
As an easy to handle knife with enough stability, it is also quite perfectly balanced and it features a seamless construction. It is made with an ergonomic pakka wood handle as well.

Best Chef’s Knife with a Full Tang Construction

Wusthof
Wusthof Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife

The Wusthof Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife is a forged and full tang knife that is very sharp and is great for slicing and dicing. As a full tang knife that is made for the professional chef, it can be used for heavy duty work or even as a general all-purpose kitchen knife. It has a little weight for added support.
The ergonomic handle makes it a safe knife to handle and the high carbon stainless steel blade makes it ideal for handling raw meat as well as mincing anything else. Made for culinary arts students and professionals, there is also a finger guard for safety.
As a very well balanced knife that has razor like sharpness, it is a nice essential kitchen knife to add to your collection and has a seamless handle in terms of style. It performs greatly in the kitchen and is also well sharpened and hand honed. It also has a synthetic black handle that is food safe.
Measuring 1 7/8 inches at the widest part, the knife is quite comfortable and ergonomic and is good for chopping as a workhorse of any kitchen. Bearing an 8-inch blade, it is perfect for preparing vegetables and meats and you can also sharpen and hone the edge with great ease.
Ideal for chopping most food items, this knife can take heavy restaurant use and is great at cutting up vegetables even with high speed. It is great for most cutting tasks in the kitchen.

Best Chef’s Knife that has been Forged

MercerCulinary
Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

The Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is a forged and triple riveted knife that is ideal for the professional chefs as well as even those who are food enthusiasts. Great for cutting and chopping, it has an ergonomically designed handle as a quality knife that has a no-stain design for safety and looks.
Made with a Delrin handle, it has great craftsmanship and a comfortable grip and it has been NSF certified for food safety. It has a shortened bolster in its design and has been forged for attaining that long lasting sharpness with less maintenance at home.
As a full blade edge knife, you will be quite happy with this knife with its stainless steel construction and quality that is not prone to discoloration. It has enough stability as a full tang knife and less lift is required when cutting. Providing enough efficiency as well a superior balance, it is great at sustaining sharpness with its taper-ground edge.
It is a one piece construction knife that allows for easy honing and is made from high carbon German cutlery steel and it has a rounded spine design as well.

Best Chef’s Knife with an Aluminum Handle

RadaCutlery
Rada Cutlery French Chef Knife Aluminum-Handle

The Rada Cutlery French Chef Knife Aluminum-Handle is a quality stainless steel knife that is made for general purpose needs and will get the job done as much as possible. It has a large arched blade and is made with a T420 high carbon surgical grade. It has a hollow ground and can handle whatever you’re cutting with great ease.
The blade length is at 8 1/2 inches in total and can process veggies and meats in a breeze. As a hand sharpened knife made for chopping and dicing and general cooking, it is hailed by serious cooks and has a silver brushed aluminum handle for uniqueness. You can use it for everything due to its great sharpness and it can even process a whole chicken.
It is a lightweight knife that has a wide blade and measures 13 inches overall with the handle. It is also great for general mincing and dicing and can be a indispensable tool in your kitchen. It will stay super sharp for a long time and has a lifetime warranty.

The Competition

Other chef’s knives out there were not included because they were not very sharp according to the customers, and they also had potential design flaws such as the rivets getting loose too quickly. Some are also difficult to hone or sharpen so they were not included in this list of the best chef’s knives.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a chef’s knife?
A: A chef’s knife is a kind of knife that is generally used for all-purpose kitchen cutting needs. It is usually 8 inches in its length and can be used for a number of kitchen tasks, such as dicing, slicing and chopping.
Q: Which food preparation procedures should be used with a chef’s knife and which shouldn’t?
A: A chef’s knife can be used for regular slicing, dicing and even chopping foods, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, fish and the like. The chef’s knife is the most versatile tool for all-around kitchen needs, and that makes it very popular and also an efficient and indispensible tool in most household kitchens. The only things you shouldn’t do with a chef’s knife is to use them in cans, skinning large and hard vegetables or for butchering.
Q: What are the different parts of the chef’s knife?
A: Like most knives in the kitchen, the chef’s knife has many vital parts you should know about. The blade is the most important part, as it is used to cut your item. The edge of the blade should be kept honed and sharpened as much as possible. The heel and bolster are located just between the blade and the handle. The rivet keeps the handle together and the tang is the excess part of the knife riveted into the handle.
Q: Why do I need to sharpen a chef’s knife? How do I sharpen it?
A: A chef’s knife can be sharpened depending on the user’s manual you receive with buying the knife or if you ask the sales personnel. Sharpening knives is key to safety because a dull knife will bounce back and potentially cause injury, so it is a good idea to invest in a knife sharpener or ask the manufacturer on how to sharpen it.
Q: Aside from a chef’s knife, what other types of knives are there?
A: Many types of knives exist for your kitchen preparation convenience and needs. The utility knife is ideal for smaller kitchen needs while the paring knife is used for veggies and fruits. The fillet knife does what it says – fillet fish, while boning knives are for taking out the bone from your favorite meat product.
Q: How is a chef’s knife different from a santoku knife?
A: While the chef’s knife is of French origin, the santoku knife is of Japanese origin. Both may look similar and have the same purpose, but santoku knives have a different design that makes it more ideal for chopping while the chef’s knife does better on rocking motion.
Q: What food items can I process with a chef’s knife?
A: As a multipurpose knife , a chef’s knife can basically chop or process anything, from steaks to vegetables to fruits, to herbs and spices, to chicken and to many other types of meat. This knife is so versatile that you will find it as a very useful knife for almost any general kitchen needs.
Q: When you test a chef’s knife, is the size the only important thing to consider?
A: No, there are many other factors that you need to consider when choosing a chef’s knife, other than the size. You should also check the balance and the weight of the chef’s knife. While its typical size is 8 inches for household items and 10 to 12 inches for professional chefs, you should also have a balanced weight between the blade and the handle part, so it does not cause injury. Knives that may be too heavy will be harder to handle.
Q: How is a chef’s knife different from a utility knife?
A: A utility knife is actually smaller, in terms of length, compared to the chef’s knife, making it a lot easier for most household members of the family to handle. If you want a super easy knife to use then you can try the utility knife instead.
Q: What are the types of blades you can have with a chef’s knife?
A: A chef’s knife can be made out various kinds of materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium and a combination of carbon and stainless steel. Some will also have ceramic materials, but generally, there are many options for you to choose from.
Q: Why is it bad to put your chef’s knife into the dishwasher?
A: Anything that ends up in the dishwasher that shouldn’t be, such as knives, can be bad for both your dishes and the knife itself. The knife’s blade can get dull with the dishwasher so it would be best for you to just wash it separately in the sink.
Q: What are the different basic knife skills I should be able to do with a chef’s knife?
A: Like most standard kitchen knives , a chef’s knife can allow you to slice and chop, but it can also allow you to make back slices and rock chops. Back slices are best used with things like spring onions or small vegetables while rock chopping is ideal for herbs and spices.
Q: Why should I only use specific knives for specific tasks and not the chef’s knife?
A: A chef’s knife may be an all-around knife in the kitchen, but there are many other knives that are tasked for different instances, such as carving knives, boning knives, paring knives and fillet knives. Cleavers are for chopping meat or butchering while a bread knife is, well, for breads and sandwiches. Always use a specific knife for the job or else it will get dull quickly. Having an entire set of knives in the kitchen makes your knives last longer, especially your chef’s knife.
Q: What is the difference between sharpening and honing?
A: A honing is simply straightening the edge of the knife but sharpening is basically improving the cutting edge using sandpaper or sharpening stones. Sharpening knives is best done with professionals or on your local sharpening shop, but you should also have a honing tool for your knife as well because both honing and sharpening are important aspects of keeping and maintaining any kind of knife.
Q: How do you test if a knife needs to be honed or sharpened?
A: Any
knife can be tested for its sharpness with a piece of paper. Being unable to cut the paper means that it needs to be honed and sharpened, but if it does cut then it is sharp enough, just not honed enough. A perfectly sharpened and honed knife blade does not make a sound and cuts perfectly through your piece of paper.
Q: What is the best kind of chopping board to use to avoid dulling my knife and causing accidents?
A: Wood chopping boards are always the best way to go, because plastic has the tendency to dull your knife and may also get damaged from time to time, causing its synthetic parts to possibly get into your food, whereas wood is alright because it is organic. Bamboo is also not that ideal because it can make the knife bounce back.
Q: Is it safe to hold the knife on the blade past the handle?
A: Yes, most professional chefs and cooks use the choke method, which allows you to hold the knife not just with the handle but also with a bit of the metal part of the knife to get a better grip when you chop or slice anything. It also helps you to balance the knife better and not just depend on the handle of the knife for support.
Q: How do I prevent a carbon steel knife from rusting?
A: To avoid corrosion altogether with any carbon steel knife, make sure it is properly dried and stored right after you use it. In fact, wrapping it up in newspaper helps keep it away from rust. If you shop at most Asian markets, you will see most knives and cutting tools wrapped in newspaper because the ink from the newspaper has oil that does a thing over your carbon steel knife, much like oiling it to prevent rusting.
Q: What is the importance of having a knife sheath or knife rack?
A: Protecting your knives is very important so that they don’t get soiled by the elements or potentially get dulled by other utensils. Don’t mix them with other utensils to preserve their sharpness. You can get either a knife sheath or a knife rack, if you have many knives to store. Most kitchens have knife racks in their spaces for easy organization of different knives.
Q: How do I keep the cutting board or chopping board stable when cutting with a knife?
A: A cutting board or chopping board should be secured with rubber feet or at least a damp towel. This makes the cutting board more stable to prevent accidents as much as possible.

Wrapping It Up

Overall Victorinox 8-Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is our best chef’s knife for its versatility, ergonomic handle and sharpness.