Investing in a quality Chef Knife is probably one of the most rewarding purchases you can make for your kitchen. Below is a list of what we define as the best chef knives available on the market today. While each of these feature unique characteristics in their designs, it is important to note that they are all full tang, made from a single piece of steel which is imperative for strength and balance.
The list of best chef knives:
- Global G55 Chefs Knife
- Shun Premier Chefs Knife 20cm
- Mac Ultimate Series Chefs Knife 23cm SBK-95
- Victorinox Rosewood Forged Chef Knife 20cm
- Wusthof Amici Cooks Knife 20cm
Global G55 Chefs Knife
Made in Japan, Global knives are the most popular kitchen knives used in Australia and with good reason. Their unique CROMOVA 18 steel that is ice-hardened keeps these knives sharp and hardwearing. They have excellent weight and balance and as one single steel piece, they feature a dimpled handle that has become iconic to Global. These knives, while Japanese are considered somewhat hybrid as they feature Japanese-styled blades with a more Western-style shape and handle.
The G55 is one of the most popular of Global's chef knives as their 18cm blade is a great length that is versatile for handling a majority of kitchen preparation tasks, from slicing herbs and small vegetables to cutting larger pieces of fish or meat.
Shun Premier Chefs Knife 20cm
Shun is another Japanese powerhouse brand in the world of kitchen knives and with a name like "Premier" for this collection, you can rightfully assume that this chefs knife would be a benchmark in both handcraft and performance. With over 100 hand-crafted steps for each knife in the Premier collection, stunning walnut textured Pakkawood handles and a combination of Damascus and hammered Tsuchime finish for its blades, this chefs knife looks more than just an impressive knife made for professionals, it's also a work of art. With Shun's trademark VG Max steel that is claimed to provide superior edge retention and rust resistance, this knife certainly should be a consideration for any chef or home cook.
Mac Ultimate Series Chefs Knife 23cm SBK-95
We couldn't list our best chefs knives without including at least one from MAC, a Japanese knife brand entirely dedicated to providing the best hybrid Japanese-Western knives known in the industry. It's no wonder they're the choice of famous Michelin-crowned chefs - Marco Pierre White and Tatsuya Wakuda.
The Ultimate series by MAC uses 2.5 to 3mm blades while having a larger, European-style handle with large bolsters to replicate the weight and heft of a traditional German knife. This specific chef knife has a 3mm thick blade and is ideal for those who enjoy the solidness and weight of European knives while requiring the sharpness and precision that only a Japanese knife edge can provide.
Victorinox Rosewood Forged Chef Knife 20cm
Hailing from Switzerland, Victorinox knives have been around for over a century and is one of the most renowned knife brands in the world. Their expertise in producing the iconic Swiss Army Knives extends to their superior craftsmanship in professional chef knives.
This chefs knife features full tang construction, where one piece of steel is uniformly hardened and forged, extending all the way through the handle. Because of this, the transition from blade to handle is sleekly seamless. The hand-polished rosewood handle is a combination of both beauty and function, ergonomic and easy to hold.
The blade itself is wider than standard Victorinox knives, providing confidence when chopping harder ingredients while remaining well-balanced.
Wusthof Amici Cooks Knife 20cm
Headquartered in Solingen, Wusthof is one of the world's most popular German knife brands and is sold in over 80 countries. Wusthof prides itself on utilising the latest innovative technology to produce their knives while maintaining their legacy of finishing each knife by hand by a skilled knife artisan.
The Wusthof Amici chef’s knife is forged from a single piece of steel with a sustainably sourced custom-grained Calabrian olive wood to give each Amici knife its unique trait. The Calabrian olive wood handle is designed with curved lines that sit comfortably in both small and large hands so you can slice and dice with ease. The Calabrian wood is also extremely durable and provides a beautiful warm contrast to the steel blade. Wusthof completes this chef knife with a full bolster to protect your fingers and a precision sharpened blade for superior edge retention.
Considerations when choosing a chef knife:
When shopping for the best chef’s knife for your needs, always consider:
The Handle: The first thing you’ll likely notice is the different handles and how they attach to the blade. The options above feature some of the best materials, however, it is important to note that the Pakkawood, Rosewood and Olivewood options above must never be dish-washed as the harsh chemicals will affect their finish.
The Tang: This ensures both balance and strength where the user essentially holds onto a single piece. Separating the blade with the handle creates a weak point where they connect. Fortunately, if you are considering any of the options above, you don't have to worry about that as all of the options above are full tang.
The Bolster: How the blade flows into the handle, aka the bolster, is another point of differentiation. All of the options above feature angled bolsters to allow for a more protected grip and greater control, however, one will notice on the Japanese options (and Wusthof Epicure), they have more contoured bolsters for those who prefer to pinch the heel of the blade.
All of the above options are superb choices, though if you are stuck in your choice we'd recommend:
- Global if you are a novice to Japanese knives and are limited by budget. It is the most affordable option in the list
- Shun, Miyabi and MAC if you are looking for maximum precision and are proficient in how to care and maintain delicate Japanese knives. Shun and Miyabi because of their edges and material composition provide the benchmark in sharpness but care must be taken in handling and caring for them as they can chip easily. MAC would be the best balance in sharpness and resilience.
- Victorinox and Wusthof if you require harder-wearing knives and enjoy the increased weight that comes with knives that have wider edges.
