Best Professional Chef Knife Brands

Best professional chef knifes

Editor’s note: Best Professional Chef Knife Brands was originally published in November 2019 and most recently updated in May 2022.

This month’s Only Chefs blog post is a specialist takeover! Welcome please Mike Hardman from catering supplier, Alliance Online , who we’ve asked to share his knowledge about chef knife brands.

Searching for the right chef knives

Finding a preferred brand of chef knife isn’t easy and can be a case of expensive trial and error ahead of settling on a best fit.

While chef knife brands share general characteristics, each brand will also have distinct differences. So it’s wise to always handle a knife before buying it. Your knife should be an extension of your hand. You should find it easy to control, especially when it comes to precision chopping.

Mike’s insight into chef knife brands

In this article, I’m going to talk you through my three favourite chef knife brands: a fantastic starter option, a sturdy German blade and a sleek Japanese knife.

Best professional chef knife brands – Victorinox Chef Knife

Known for making its world-famous Swiss Army knives, Victorinox is a Swiss company that has been crafting blades since 1884.

The Victorinox chef knife is a great all-rounder that is quite easy to sharpen, ideal if you are just getting to grips with the art of sharpening. Though not as hardy and durable as their German counterparts, they’re excellent value for money.

If you are used to heavier knives, it can feel a little lightweight — but that doesn’t take away from how it feels when cutting. The full tang and perfectly designed handle help to make the blade feel nicely balanced in the hand, giving you the confidence to cut quickly and with precision.

Best professional chef knife brands – Wüsthof Classic

The Wüsthof brand has a strong tradition of knife making and has been doing so for over 200 years. The company is still based in the German city of Solingen, which became known as the City of Blades thanks to its strong knife manufacturing heritage.

I have been a fan of Wüsthof knives for many years, and their sturdy construction and beautiful balance have always felt good to hold.

Aesthetically, the European look is a favourite of mine, with a full tang stretching throughout the handle and the classic three-rivet look. You will find the blade curving as it gets towards the tip, making it great at mincing herbs in a pinch.

It feels heavy in the hand compared to some other brands, but not overly so. It gives a feeling of strength in your actions that’s ideal when it comes to chopping vegetables and meat. Overall, this is a quality knife that will feel good slicing just about anything.

Best professional chef knife brands – Shun Classic

While the previous two options come from a long heritage of European blade manufacturing, my next choice comes from the Japanese tradition. Though the Shun brand has only been around since 2002, the origins of its manufacturer the KAI Group, date back to 1908.

Today, Shun is synonymous with Japanese craftsmanship, and their blades are sought after around the world. They’re manufactured in Seki City in Japan, which is the
knife-making capital of Asia.

Not only is this knife beautiful to look at, it’s slim and hard core can hold a fine edge for a long time. It is manufactured using sandwiched construction — the same technique used in traditional samurai sword construction — protecting the knife and allowing it to flex and bend without breaking.

In the Japanese style, the blade is light compared to European alternatives, but this brings with it a sleekness that allows it to effortlessly cut through anything.

Read: Top Chef Knife Tips

I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, it’s always wise to handle a chef knife before you
buy it. Try a variety of chef knives and get a feel for what’s right for you. Don’t buy any knife irrespective of brand that doesn’t feel like a chef knife that you’ll be comfortable handling day in – day out.

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