13 Best Kitchen Knife Brands

As with other kitchen utensils, brand matters (a lot) when it comes to kitchen knives! There are countless kitchen knives on the market right now, and distinguishing the good and the bad can be quite a task. That’s why you need to know the brands you can rely on. The best brands have a good track record of making durable, sharp, and well-balanced knives. While many brands claim to be the best, only some have the accolades and longevity to prove it. Need us to help you pick the best kitchen knife brand for you? Perfect! Below are some of our favorite brands, so why don’t you give them a look?

Cuisinart

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The first best kitchen knife brand on this list is Cuisinart. The knives from this brand are designed to make light work out of your heavy slicing and dicing. Cuisinart knives are made for greater precision, accuracy, and comfort. Moreover, many new chefs go to this brand when they’re looking for a cheap knife that they can always depend on.

One of our favorite Cuisinart products is the Cuisinart 12pcs Knife Set. As one of the best kitchen knife set brands, Cuisinart makes sure this set won’t let you down. These colorful knives are sharp out of the box, so you can immediately use them. Apart from that, this set consists of a chef knife, paring knife, bread knife, utility knife, santoku, and slicing knife. Since each is of different colors, you won’t have difficulty differentiating. Moreover, the stainless steel blades are durable, and the handles are ergonomic.

Kramer

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Based in Seattle, Washington, Kramer is another brand that won’t disappoint. This brand is owned and operated by Bob Kramer, who became one of 120 Master Bladesmiths in the US to achieve his goal of making the world’s best knives. He also offers custom knife options that arrive with a certificate of warranty and authenticity. Pretty awesome, right?

Kramer knives offer the best quality possible and are expensive. But if you’re willing to spend your money, we recommend getting the Kramer Damascus Collection 8-inch Narrow Chef’s Knife. This knife features a stainless steel blade and is made to last. The blade is also wide, so you can maximize knuckle clearance for larger hands and cut through piles of food. We also love the traditional three-step hand sharpening applied to the knife, making it exceptionally sharp.

Miyabi

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Are you serious about cooking? Then it’s time to enter the world of Japanese knives and get one from Miyabi! Miyabi knives are made with over 100 layers of steel over a powder steel core. They’re also hardened with a special ice-hardening process, making them a durable option. On top of that, Miyabi knives are also known for their lightness and comfortable handles.

If you want to try out one of its knives, we recommend getting Miyabi Chef’s Knife. Though expensive, the sharpness of the blade is unmatched. You can slice whatever you want with ease! Apart from that, this knife also comes in a stunning box and two outer sleeves. Though long-lasting, you should always clean this knife immediately so it can last a long time.

Yoshihiro

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Yoshihiro might be a perfect choice for home chefs who don’t want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on their kitchen knives. While there are many other brands out there, Yoshihiro knives are unique as they’re sharp out of the gate! Not to mention, they’re extremely durable.

One of the top products from this brand is the YOSHIHIRO Ice Hardened High Carbon Stainless Steel Wa Gyuto Knife. This item is loved because of its versatility. It features a curved blade that smoothly rocks back and forth. Plus, it has an extended tip for quick chopping, allowing you to easily cut meat, fish, and veggies.

Global

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Are you looking for the best kitchen knife brand that offers sleek and eye-catching knives? Take a look at Global! Global knives are manufactured in Niigata, Japan, famous for their use in MasterChef. Unlike most knives on the market, these knives don’t come with wooden handles or hammered Damascus steel. Yep, Global knives are Japanese-made knives that don’t have the traditional Japanese look.

If you want to prep your meal hassle-free, you should consider getting the Global 8-Inch Chef’s Knife. This knife boasts a sharp edge and a lightweight body. Though the handle isn’t wooden, it’s filled with sand to add more weight. What’s more, this knife is versatile! Whether it’s for slicing, mincing, or chopping, you can always rely on this knife.

Farberware

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For those who are just starting or are only in the kitchen once in a while, we highly recommend checking out the knives from Farberware. This best kitchen knife brand is known for its high-quality yet affordable knives. This brand’s blades are sharp enough to handle most cooking tasks. From dicing vegetables to cubing meat and slicing bread, you name it!

As one of the best kitchen knife set brands, Farberware offers plenty of knife sets. However, our favorite is the Farberware 22-Piece Knife Set. This massive set comes with six steak knives, measuring spoons, and three spatulas. Apart from that, it also comes with shears and a wooden storage block. Best of all, Farberware claims that the blades in this set never need sharpening!

MAC

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MAC is the best kitchen knife brand that produces top-quality knives. They’re crafted and honed by experienced Japanese craftsmen. The knives from this brand are widely known for having razor-sharp edges, comfortable handles, and outstanding balance. In addition to that, over 25 million MAC knives have been sold since 1964!

Among all of its amazing knives, the standout has to be the MAC Knife Professional 8-inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife. Its full-tang construction feels solid in hand without sacrificing weight. What’s more, this knife is extremely sharp. Meanwhile, the added dimples help it easily glide through sticky food like potatoes and apples.

Mercer Culinary

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Mercer Culinary is the best kitchen knife brand that many professional chefs favor. Its knives are made to meet the needs of seasoned chefs, and they’re a combination of modern technology and specifically crafted German steel. Most of its knives come with signature black handles, commonly associated with Mercer Culinary.

Extremely durable, the Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is one of its popular knives. As one of the best kitchen knives under 100 USD, this affordable knife looks like a high-end product. Meanwhile, the edge of this knife is taper-ground, making the blade more stable than many other knives. Taking care of it is also a breeze. Simply wash it with warm water and mild soap, and you’re done.

Victorinox

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You should consider Victorinox’s next best kitchen knife brand, which crafts its knives in Schwyz, Switzerland. Unlike some of the best kitchen knife set brands, Victorinox is known for making superb Swiss Army knives. Most of them are composed of a steel blend from Germany and France. Apart from that, the company’s bread knives and standard cooking knives are also extremely popular among home cooks and professional chefs.

Thankfully, most of this brand’s knives are affordable, including the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife. This knife is ideal for carving meats; a lifetime warranty backs this knife. It is made of lightweight European steel and features a long, sloping shape that’s also perfect for chopping and mincing in a rocking motion. To add, it has a non-slip handle that offers you a nice grip.

Imarku

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Popular among chefs and home cooks, Imarku is another best kitchen knife brand on this list. Compared to best kitchen knife set brands, Imarku’s knives are handcrafted by renowned Japanese artisans. Thus, you can rest assured the quality of the knives is top-notch. Furthermore, they’re sold at pretty reasonable prices, allowing even amateur cooks to enjoy the benefits of a good knife.

While this brand produces many amazing knives, our favorite is the Imarku Japanese Chef Knife. It’s made from high-quality stainless steel that can maintain its functionality for a really long time. Better yet, the steel contains 0.6 to 0.75 carbon, making this knife twice as hard as other knives. Additionally, we’re also a fan of the ergonomic Pakka handle.

Shun

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Of course, how can we have this list without mentioning Shun? It’s an iconic kitchen knife brand from Tokyo, Japan, that many love. This brand has made countless pieces of cutlery, including folding knives, razors, and more. Currently sold in more than 30 countries, this brand has also won many awards and has become a staple in home and professional kitchens.

The Shun Classic Chef Knife is our favorite product from Shun. This knife is light and durable in a 6, 8, and 10-inch variant. Forged from Damascus-clad stainless steel, the blade features a wavy pattern. This gives the knife a nice aesthetic and keeps food from sticking to the blade. Plus, this knife comes with a comfortable handle.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels

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Another best kitchen knife brand that’s located in Germany is Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Its products are produced in China and Spain in Solingen, Germany. From cooking knives to knives for carving pumpkins, its products are of high quality. Founded in 1731 by Peter Henckels, this brand is one of the world’s oldest and biggest knife producers. The manufacturing process of Henckels knives involves forging a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, which is later tempered and finished in liquid nitrogen.

As one of the best kitchen knife set brands, we recommend checking out the Henckels Definition 7-pc Self-Sharpening Block Set. What’s so amazing about this set is that the storage block comes with built-in sharpeners in each slot. In addition to that, the storage block is labeled, so there’s no confusion about getting the knives back in the right slot. Apart from that, all the knives are full tang, and the blades hold their edge well.

Wüsthof

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Of course, the best kitchen knife brand that deserves to be on the top of this list is none other than Wüsthof. It’s a craft knife company that’s based in Solingen, Germany. This family-owned business has been operating for seven generations. It’s known for selling reasonably priced, premium kitchen knives for home cooks and professionals alike. Famous chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey use some of this brand’s knives.

One of this brand’s most iconic products is the Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife. This durable high-carbon steel knife is designed with durability in mind. Slightly heavy, it’s also a nice pick for slicing denser food. Apart from that, it’s stain and corrosion-resistant! Though it’s easy to clean, you need always to rinse and dry it immediately to prolong its life.

How To Choose The Best Kitchen Knife Brands

After knowing which brands you should consider, we should share some of the most important features you need to think of.

History

Knowing the history of the brand is important. Brands like Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Victorinox, and Wusthof have been producing knives for over a century. While brands like Global and Shun are new, they come from years of legacies and traditions. So, make sure your chosen brand has a good reputation and a track record of producing amazing knives.

Japanese vs German

You also have to consider what kind of knife you want to get. Japanese-style knives like Global and Shun are thinner, sharper, and more lightweight than German knives. The steel is often harder, too, improving edge retention. They’re best for handling softer veggies and meats. Meanwhile, German-style knives like Wusthof and Zwilling J.A. Henckels are usually forged, full-tang, and a bit heavier. The blade is thicker and made with softer steel, making it resistant to chipping. They’re perfect for heavy works like slicing a pumpkin or deboning a chicken.

Forged vs tamped

Forged knives are usually pricier since they’re created when a single piece of molten steel is cut and beaten into the desired shape. The blade is extremely sturdy, and they come with a heavy bolster. Since they’re less flexible than stamped knives, they won’t bend easily. Stamped knives, on the other hand, are cheaper. They also usually lack a bolster and heel.

Who makes the best knives in the world?

There’s no exact answer to this question, as everyone has preferences and needs. However, we can assure you that the brands on this list won’t disappoint.

What knife does Gordon Ramsay use?

Gordon Ramsay uses both Wusthof and Henckels knives. These brands are known for their quality knives, and they’re among two of the best knife brands in the world.

What country makes the best knives?

As you can guess, Germany and Japan are widely known to have been making high-quality knives for centuries. Both of them also feature some of the most popular knife brands on earth.