A top-notch knife is a must-have for any serious cook. It makes meal prep a breeze and reduces the risk of kitchen accidents. With a long list of high-quality knives out there, we’ve taken the liberty of putting together the best of the best, and sorted them into different categories so you can choose the right one for you.
Are you ready to elevate your cooking game? Here’s our guide to the best knife brands out there!
Our criteria for selecting the best knife brands
We’ve selected the best knife brands considering these 3 factors:
Quality of the Materials
Knives made with high-quality steel like Japanese VG-10 or German X50CrMoV15 steel are tough, corrosion-resistant, and can hold a sharp edge. The make of your knife’s handle is also not something you should disregard. Look for ones made from top-notch materials like wood, stainless steel, or composites for extra comfort and durability.
Design and Craftsmanship
When searching for your perfect kitchen knife, look for a full tang design, which will provide better balance and durability. Additionally, a comfortable grip, well-balanced blade, and tapered bolster can make all the difference in making cooking easier and more fun.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Lastly, we won’t recommend knives without social proof! We’ve listed the best brands with raving reviews and recommended by home cooks and pros alike.
Ready to slice and dice like a pro? Here are 11 of the best knife brands for your kitchen!
Best Knife Set
Glaze Forged German Stainless Steel Knives Bundle
This brand may be relatively new to the market, but it's already making waves with its high-quality, stylish knives. Italic is a direct-to-consumer brand that aims to provide premium products at an affordable price point.
The Glaze Forged German Stainless Steel Knives Bundle is not only stylish with its minimalist design and comfy grip, but also easy to handle with a well-balanced weight. Made using durable German stainless steel, these knives are sure to hold a sharp edge for all your culinary adventures.
Pros: One of the biggest pros of this knife set is its price point. These Italic knives are proudly made by the same manufacturers as Zwilling and WMF. Yet compared to other high-end knife brands, the Italic Glaze bundle is affordable, making it a great option for home cooks looking to invest in a quality set of knives.
Cons: The knives are on the heavier side, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a lighter weight knife. These knives can also be challenging to keep spotless and free from watermarks, but a deep clean with baking soda and white vinegar should keep it looking good as new.
Best Chef’s Knife
Mac Professional Series 8” Chef’s Knife
Mac is a Japanese knife brand that has been around since 1964, specializing in creating high-quality knives using traditional Japanese craftsmanship techniques.
The Mac Professional Series 8” Chef’s Knife has an incredibly sharp, durable, corrosion-resistant steel blade that can slice through any ingredient with ease. A chef’s knife should be extremely versatile and this knife’s ergonomic handle provides a comfortable and secure grip – perfect for precise and effortless cutting for anything and everything. The knife's balance is perfectly calibrated, making it feel like an extension of your hand when you're using it.
Pros: One of the biggest pros of this knife is its weight and balance. At just 6.5 ounces, the Mac Professional Series 8” Chef’s Knife is lightweight and easy to handle. The balance is also excellent, with the weight evenly distributed between the blade and handle for maximum control and precision.
Cons: The Mac Professional Series 8” Chef’s Knife is a bit more expensive than some other options on the market. Unfortunately, a small percentage of customers have reported rust spots after a few uses. However, it shouldn’t be a problem with Mac’s 25-year warranty.
Best Cleaver Knife
WÜSTHOF Classic 6" Cleaver Knife
WÜSTHOF is a German knife brand that has been around since 1814, and is known for creating high-quality knives using traditional German craftsmanship techniques.
The WÜSTHOF Classic 6" Cleaver Knife is one of the best cleavers on the market, with a sharp, sturdy blade that makes it easy to chop through even the thickest cuts of meat and bone. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel, which is both durable and rust-resistant.
Pros: One of the biggest pros of this knife is its weight and balance. At just under 2 pounds, the WÜSTHOF Classic 6" Cleaver Knife is a bit heavier than some other options on the market, but this weight gives it the power needed to chop through tough meats and bones with ease. Additionally, the balance is excellent, with the weight evenly distributed between the blade and handle for maximum control and precision.
Cons: The only downside to the WÜSTHOF Classic 6" Cleaver Knife is that it’s more expensive than some other cleaver knives on the market.
Best Boning Knife
Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife
Victorinox is a Swiss company that has been around since 1884. The Fibrox line of knives is their most popular, and is known for its comfortable handles and sharp blades.
The Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife features a flexible, curved blade that makes it easy to maneuver around bones and joints.
Pros: The Victorinox Fibrox Boning Knife is much less expensive than some other boning knives on the market, making it a great option for home cooks who want a high-quality knife without breaking the bank. The knife is also lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to use for extended periods of time. The handle is made from a slip-resistant Fibrox material that is comfortable to grip and reduces hand fatigue. It’s also made from lightweight European steel, which ensures it stays sharp.
Cons: Some users may find the handle a bit small for their hands which can make it difficult to grip. It also dulls quite quickly, but sharpening it should be fast and easy.
Best Bread Knife
TOJIRO High-Carbon Stainless Steel Bread Slicer
TOJIRO is a Japanese knife company that has been producing high-quality knives since 1953. They are known for their attention to detail and use of high-quality materials.
The TOJIRO High-Carbon Stainless Steel Bread Slicer features a long, serrated blade that makes it easy to cut through even the crustiest of breads.
Pros: At 270mm (about 10.5 inches), the blade is long enough to easily slice through even large loaves of bread, while still being lightweight and easy to handle. The serrated edge also means that you won't have to worry about crushing your bread while slicing it.
Cons: This knife is on the pricier side, so it may not be the best option for budget-conscious buyers.
Best Paring Knife
Misen Paring Knife
Misen is a relatively new knife company that was founded in 2015. They're all about providing high-quality knives at an affordable price, and their products are designed to be both functional and beautiful.
The Misen Paring Knife has a 3.5-inch blade that is made from high-carbon stainless steel. The handle is made from a durable and comfortable fiberglass material that provides excellent grip and control.
Pros: At around $30, it's a great option for those who want a high-quality paring knife without breaking the bank. Additionally, the blade is sharp and precise, making it easy to handle all kinds of tasks, from peeling fruits and vegetables to trimming meats and poultry.
Cons: Some users may find the knife a bit heavy. While there are people who like a heavy and stable knife, those who prefer lightweight knives might not appreciate this.
Best Western-style Knife
Real Forged German Stainless Steel 7-Piece Knife Set
Italic is all about creating high-quality products at affordable prices, and this knife set is no exception.
Every knife in Italic’s Real Forged German Stainless Steel 7-Piece Knife Set features a corrosion-resistant, German stainless-steel blade that can handle whatever’s on the chopping block. Store them on the corresponding magnetic bamboo block to maximize vertical space when they’re not in use.
Pros: Durable, corrosion-resistant, and known for maintaining its edge. German steel is renowned for being heavy-duty and all-around more robust than other steel, thus making it perfect for any cooking task that comes your way. German forged steel blades are one of the most popular options around, with good reason.
Cons: The magnetic block is a great addition to the set, but it does have its limitations. It is an amazing way to store your knives, but it is not fully magnetic across the whole block so you can only store it vertically.
Best European-style Knife
Global G-2 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Global is a Japanese brand that has been around since 1985. They're known for their innovative designs and use of high-quality materials. The G-2 is part of their Classic collection, which features knives with sleek and modern designs.
The G-2 has an 8-inch blade that is made from high-quality Cromova 18 stainless steel. This type of steel is durable and rust-resistant, and it holds a sharp edge for a long time. The blade is also sharpened to a 15-degree angle, making it incredibly precise.
Pros: One of the biggest pros of this knife is its weight and balance. The G-2 is relatively lightweight compared to other European-style knives, which makes it easy to handle and control. It's also well-balanced, which means that it won't feel heavy in your hand even after extended use.
Cons: The G-2 can be a bit pricey. Additionally, the handle might be too small for those with bigger hands.
Best Japanese-style Knife
Miyabi Birchwood Chef's Knife
The Miyabi Birchwood Chef's Knife is a top contender for the best Japanese-style knife on the market. Miyabi is a brand of Zwilling J.A. Henckels, a company with a long history of producing high-quality cutlery. Miyabi's knives are handmade in Seki, Japan, known for its rich tradition of sword making.
The Birchwood Chef's Knife features a blade made of 101 layers of steel, with a core of ultra-hard micro-carbide powder steel, giving it exceptional durability and sharpness. The handle is made of Masur Birchwood, a rare and beautiful wood that is prized for its durability and natural moisture resistance.
Pros: At 8 inches, the blade is the perfect length for versatile use in the kitchen, and its Japanese-style design allows for precise cutting and slicing. The weight of the knife is well balanced, making it easy to handle and control. One of the pros of this knife is its exceptional sharpness, making it effortless to slice through meats and vegetables. The Birchwood handle is also comfortable to hold and provides a secure grip. The knife's exquisite craftsmanship and stunning design are also worth noting.
Cons: The 101 layers of steel may require a bit of extra care to maintain their sharpness.
Best Budget Knife
Kiwi Brand Chef's Knife
While not as well-known as some other brands, Kiwi has been producing high-quality knives in Thailand since 1964. Their knives are designed with a focus on functionality and affordability, making them a popular choice for both professional chefs and home cooks on a budget.
The Kiwi Brand Chef's Knife features a 7-inch stainless steel blade that is sharp enough to handle most kitchen tasks, from slicing vegetables to cutting through meat. The blade has a slightly curved edge that allows for a smooth rocking motion when chopping, making it easy to use for extended periods without causing fatigue.
Pros: One of the standout features of this knife is its lightweight design, weighing in at only 3.2 ounces. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a lighter knife or have difficulty handling heavier ones.
Cons: Because it is a budget knife, this knife may not have the same level of craftsmanship or materials as some of the more expensive knives on the market. It certainly gets the job done and won't break the bank.
Best High-end Knife
Stainless Damascus 8″ Chef’s Knife by Zwilling J.A. Henckels
Zwilling J.A. Henckels is a German company with a long history of producing high-quality cutlery, dating back to 1731.
The Stainless Damascus 8″ Chef’s Knife is part of their top-of-the-line series, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern materials and techniques. The blade is made of 66 layers of stainless steel, creating a unique Damascus pattern.
Pros: This knife is an excellent all-purpose tool, with a blade length of 8 inches, making it perfect for slicing, dicing, and chopping. The handle is made of beautiful and durable Micarta, which is comfortable to grip and provides a secure hold.
Cons: While this knife does come with a high price tag, it is definitely an investment in quality that will last a lifetime. Some potential cons to consider are that the blade may require more maintenance and sharpening than some other knives, and the weight of the knife may not be suitable for everyone's preferences.
A note from Italic.
Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, investing in a high-quality knife is always worth it. From the Japanese-style Miyabi Birchwood to the budget-friendly Kiwi Brand, there's a knife out there for every need and budget. Happy cooking!
