13 Best Knives for Cooking

You’ll want a reliable knife if you spend much of your time in the kitchen. Trust us; having an excellent knife can easily up your daily meal prep game. If your knife is comfortable and razor-sharp, you can chop whatever ingredients you have way faster and with more control. It also means you can prep your meal more safely! Even if you’re a newbie in the kitchen, you should have the best knives for home cooking. That said, if you’re searching for the best knives for cooking, you’re at the right place! Since everyone has different budgets, grip styles, and preferences, we’ve selected some of the best options available on the market that we think are appealing and worth buying. Keep scrolling to find out which ones made the cut!

Shun Classic Chef Knife

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Do you have smaller hands or just simply prefer a shorter blade? If so, look no further than the Shun Classic Chef Knife! Available in a 6, 8, and 10-inch variant, this Japanese-style knife is light and dexterous. The knife, forged from Damascus-clad stainless steel, is also durable and has a perfect balance. On top of that, we find the handle super comfortable, even when used for an extended session.

As one of the best knives for home cooking, its Damascus steel also features a wavy pattern. Though not that noticeable, we highly appreciate this design and think it’s aesthetically pleasing. Plus, it also keeps food from sticking to the blade. If you don’t like the black handle, it’s also available in blonde. Though it’s not one of those kitchen knives under 100 USD, we think you won’t regret spending your money on this knife.

Global 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

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The Global 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is a popular Japanese-style blade that allows you to prep your meal hassle-free. Named one of the best knives for cooking, it boasts a sharp edge and a lightweight body. On top of that, the handle and blade are made of a single piece of high-carbon steel, and the handle is filled with sand to add more weight.

Many think this knife is an all-rounder, and we couldn’t agree more. Whether it’s for slicing, mincing, chopping, or breaking down a chicken, one can always rely on this knife. As one of the best knives for a home chef, it’s also durable. Though it’s not the cheapest option, you can rest assured that it’ll last for years when taken care of properly.

Miyabi Chef’s Knife

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If you think a 150 USD knife is expensive, wait until you see the price tag of the Miyabi Chef’s Knife! Costing you over 400 USD, this has to be one of the most expensive knives on the market right now! Don’t worry, though, as many reasons justify its price tag. For instance, the sharpness of the blade is unmatched. Plus, this knife can do it all! You’ll face no problem from slicing tomato to slicing through a raw chicken breast.

When it comes to the aesthetic, this knife is incredibly beautiful. As one of the best knives for cooking, it comes in a stunning box and two outer sleeves. There’s also an interior plastic piece to keep the knife in place and protect it during shipment. Like other best knives for a home chef, you should immediately clean this knife after contacting food to avoid rust or discoloration.

Cuisinart C77WTR-15P 15-Piece Knife Set

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The Cuisinart C77WTR-15P 15-Piece Knife Set is another best knives set for chefs worth getting. By purchasing this stylish set, you’ll get a bunch of full-tang knives with forged blades and triple-riveted handles. Like other best knives set on Amazon, every knife in this set is razor-sharp, and each handle feels super comfy. Better yet, this best knives set for chefs doesn’t break your wallet!

Considering the price, all of the knives in this set are amazing, and the storage block is easily one of the better-looking ones. However, to ensure this set can last for years, always remember to handwash and dry each knife immediately after use. In conclusion, we think this set is one of the better-designed and more durable options at this price point. By the way, have you checked out our best kitchen tools sets?

New Home Hero 17 pcs Kitchen Knife Set

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Here, we have another best knives set for chefs that won’t break your bank! Unlike some cheap, cookie-cutter options out there, the New Home Hero 17 pcs Kitchen Knife Set offers you not just 6 or 10, but 13 knives! This best knives set on Amazon is packed with all kinds of knives you’ll ever need. Along with the standard chef, utility, paring, and bread knife, you’ll also get a pizza knife, cheese knife, and six steak knives. What more could you ask for?

That’s not all! This best knives set for chefs also comes complete with a knife sharpener, peeler, and modern storage case that lets you showcase the unique finish of the knives. Similar to some of the best knives for cooking on the market, the knives are made of stainless steel and have a non-stick black coating. This prevents your food from sticking to the blade and protects the steel from damage and staining. 

WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

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Another great addition to our list of the best knives for cooking is the WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife. This German-made knife is made of a single piece of durable high-carbon steel. As expected from one of the best knives for home cooking, it’s designed with durability in mind and performs extremely well on a wide variety of kitchen prep duties. Plus, it’s slightly heavy, making it a nice option for slicing denser food like sweet potatoes.

In addition to that, this amazing knife is stain and corrosion-resistant, which is a huge plus! On top of that, cleaning this item is also a piece of cake. It doesn’t require much scrubbing after being used. However, you should always rinse and dry this knife immediately after handwashing it with warm water. We truly think this option is worth getting if you have an extra budget.

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

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Not everyone has the privilege of getting a high-quality, expensive knife. But who says the best knives for cooking have to be pricey? We introduce you to Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife, one of the best knives for home cooking. Ideal for carving all kinds of meat, this knife manages to deliver quality at an unbeatable value. What’s more, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty!

This eight-inch blade is made of incredibly lightweight European steel. Meanwhile, its long, sloping shape is perfect for chopping and mincing in a rocking motion. Apart from that, we also adore the razor-sharp edge that doesn’t need frequent sharpening. Plus, it has a non-slip handle that gives you an improved grip, making it a nice option for new chefs.

Cuisinart C55-01-12PCKS Knife Set

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Those hunting for the best knives set for chefs should take a look at the Cuisinart C55-01-12PCKS Knife Set! This knife set, which costs less than 15 USD, is extremely affordable! Don’t worry, though, as cheap doesn’t always mean bad. While it’s not the fanciest option, we think it’s the ideal pick for new chefs looking for the best knives set on Amazon.

This best knives set for chefs consists of a chef knife, paring knife, bread knife, utility knife, santoku, and slicing knife. Have a hard time differentiating each of them? Relax, as they all come in different vibrant colors, allowing you to tell which easily. What’s more, it’s also a great way to prevent cross-contamination. Not to mention, the blades are made of stainless steel and attached to ergonomic handles that are super comfy to grip.

Mercer Culinary MX3 Premium Knife

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If you don’t mind spending a significant amount of your money, you might want to consider getting the Mercer Culinary MX3 Premium Knife! Named one of the best home cooking knives, this thin Japanese-style knife comes with a hardwearing stainless steel core and a high-carbon steel exterior. This means it’s extremely durable and sharp out of the box.

Furthermore, this knife is also full-tang and comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you don’t have to panic if anything happens to it. What’s more, the ergonomically designed Delrin handle makes using this knife super enjoyable. However, you should always carefully wash it by hand after each use with warm water and mild soap to keep it rust-free.

Misen Chef Knife

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Inspired by Japanese knives, the Misen Chef Knife is another great option for those looking for the best knives for cooking. The bolsters at the base of the blade slope down, allowing you to have an easy pinch grip. It’s a huge plus as many knives don’t come with this, making it awkward for chefs who are used to having a designated spot to grip. On top of that, rocking the blade up and down on the cutting board is a breeze!

Available in four colorways, this knife is crafted from AICHI AUS-10 steel, offering superior durability and long-lasting sharpness. Aside from that, we also love how thin the blade is, allowing you to slice whatever you want effortlessly. The blade does eventually need sharpening, though. But the good thing is that the brand guarantees free sharpening for life! Simply mail it to them, and you’ll have your resharpened knife back within a week.

Mercer Culinary M20608 Genesis 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

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Affordable and durable, who doesn’t love the Mercer Culinary M20608 Genesis 8-Inch Chef’s Knife? As one of the best knives for home cooking, this knife surely doesn’t disappoint. Costing you less than 50 USD, you won’t believe how amazing this knife is. The feel and look of this item are that of a premium knife, but given the brand’s record of making high-quality knives, we’re not surprised.

The edge of this knife is taper-ground. This means it’s thicker at the base than near the tip. This design makes for easier honing and a more stable blade, making it better than other affordable options on the market. Apart from that, we also love the bend of the heel on the knife, as it makes ample room for a pinch grip.

Mac Knife Professional 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife

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Mac is no stranger to making affordable yet high-quality knives. So, if you’re searching for the best knives for a home chef, it’s normal to rely on this brand. However, the one on this list is a bit more expensive than its siblings. The Mac Knife Professional 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife may cost you over a hundred dollars, but rest assured that the money you spend will be worth it! Its full-tang construction feels solid in hand without sacrificing weight and is also very sharp.

With a base thickness of two and a half millimeters, this is more of an all-purpose knife, meaning starches and hard veggies won’t be an issue. Moreover, the added dimples help this knife easily glide through sticky food like apples, potatoes, and summer squash! However, you should note that this one isn’t dishwasher-friendly, unlike some best knives for cooking.

Tojiro DP Gyutou

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Introducing you to our top pick, the Tojiro DP Gyutou, one of the best knives for cooking you can find out there. As one of the most popular best knives for home cooking, it has the perfect balance of price and performance. Trust us; you’ll be hard-pressed to find knives under 100 USD which are as well-made as this one. It’s a full-tang VG10 stainless steel knife, which is extremely durable. Though it’s a common material, the core of the knife is laminated with softer steel, making it way easier to sharpen than most.

On top of that, at just under two millimeters wide, the blade is thin like a Japanese knife. However, the knife is heavier than most Japanese knives, which solves most Japanese knife owners’ common issue. What’s more, this amazing item is already sharp out of the box, so there’s no need for you to sharpen it anymore. As one of the best Amazon best kitchen knives, thousands of people have bought it on the platform, and they have nothing bad to say about this knife.

How To Choose The Best Knives for Cooking

When you’re looking for the best knives for cooking, there are several critical criteria to consider. Those criteria include:

Size

As the workhorse of your kitchen, you should consider the size of your knife. Most of the options available here are between 6 and 10 inches. Shorter ones are usually easier to control and handle. However, longer ones allow you to slice through larger food more easily. But for many, eight-inch knives are the best, as they hit the sweet spot.

Forged or stamped

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.

Handle

If possible, try to grip the knife’s handle to get a feel of the knife. You should ensure it’s comfortable, easy to control, and won’t cause cramping while cutting. Thankfully, some brands have return policies that allow you to exchange the knife after purchase.

Price

Like other kitchen appliances, some knives are cheap and insanely expensive. At the end of the day, don’t force yourself to get a premium knife that’s out of your budget. As you can see from our list, there are plenty of affordable options that offer amazing performance. Unless you’re a pro that notices even the slightest difference between a high-end and a cheap knife, there’s no need to purchase a super expensive knife unless you can and want to.

What knife is best for cutting vegetables?

We think the best knife for cutting vegetables is the chef’s knife. It’s an all-around option that can handle anything, from chopping and slicing to mincing and dicing.

What knives stay sharp the longest?

Compared to ceramic or stainless steel knives, carbon steel knives keep their sharp edges longer, making chopping, slicing, and shaving safer and easier.

Which are better Japanese or German knives?

Japanese knives use harder steel, making them great for cutting precisely and chopping fruits, vegetables, and fish. On the other hand, German knives are more durable and better for tough root vegetables and tough meats.