Kitchen Knives: Reviews

Updated October 2009

November 8th:
Rescue dull blades with a knife sharpener
From: ConsumerSearch

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Best kitchen knives

*Est. $150 for three Compare Prices

Wusthof Classic knives beat the competition in nearly every comparative review we found. These top-quality, high-performance kitchen knives are the default choice of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts. They have… super-sturdy, fully forged, high-carbon, bolstered-steel blades that hold a razor-sharp edge. Plus, the tang solidly extends the full length of the handle for extra balance and durability. Two variations, the Wusthof Grand Prix II and Wusthof Culinar, differ only in handle design. The Grand Prix's handle is made of seamless molded, textured polypropylene; the Classic's handle is made of the same material, but is riveted to both sides of the tang. The Culinar line has a steel handle that not everyone finds comfortable.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Seven chef's knives are rated, with all but one getting a Recommended tag. This is easily the most detailed test we found.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org rates almost 50 knife sets. The overview is free, but the ratings chart is behind a subscribers-only wall.

Choice magazine: Australia's Choice magazine is similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. Thirteen knives are tested by both men and women, and ...

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: We didn't find many tests of serrated bread knives, but this one from Cook's Illustrated rates 12 knives, including the Wusthof ...

Fine Cooking: Twenty-five forged knives are tested chopping vegetables, but no two testers choose the same five favorites. The magazine lists ...

Fine Cooking: This guide to knife buying lists four favorites among German-style knives, but it doesn't detail testing. Driscoll says the ...

Good Housekeeping: In this undated report, Good Housekeeping magazine lists its top four picks. Testing is mentioned briefly, however, no ...

Amazon.com: More than 40 owner reviews give the Wüsthof Classic chef's knife an extremely high average score. The only mildly critical ...

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Cooking.com

for $159.95

Best budget knife set

RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox

*Est. $65 for three Compare Prices

In reviews, experts often express surprise when evaluating these stamped knives, as they run counter to the assumption that the best cutlery is forged. Some experts miss the bolster, a feature on forged knives that aids… in balance and maneuverability, but they say the RH Forschner's sharp blade can compete with knives costing twice as much. RH Forschner knives easily come out ahead of cheaper knives in reviews.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Seven chef's knives are rated, with all but one getting a Recommended tag. This is the most detailed test we found of chef's ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org rates almost 50 knife sets. The overview is free, but the ratings chart is behind a subscribers-only wall. ...

Cook's Country: This guide provides a list of equipment that Cook's Country feels is essential for every kitchen. It recommends RH Forschner by ...

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Serrated bread knives are tested in this 12-knife roundup. Brands are evaluated not only for slicing bread, but also for cutting ...

Choice magazine: Choice magazine is an Australian testing organization similar to ConsumerReports.org The RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox chef's ...

Amazon.com: About 50 owner reviews give the RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox three-knife set an extremely high average score, with almost ...

Cooking for Engineers: Reviews here focus on objectivity and precision. The methodology is explained in great detail, but only one tester tries out the ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $64.30

Japanese cutlery

Global

*Est. $199 for three Compare Prices

The blades on Global knives seamlessly taper into a textured stainless-steel handle. Made in the Japanese style, Global knives have a thinner blade and more angled edge than German or American knives, and some reviewers… say this makes them sharper out of the box. Although a number of reviewers love these knives, others say the handles are too short and that the non-slip grip can be uncomfortable. As with all kitchen knives, experts say it's best to handle one before buying.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Seven chef's knives are rated, including the Global Forged 8.25-inch chef's knife. This detailed review evaluates heft, ease of ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org rates almost 50 knife sets, including Global knives. Ratings are based on comfort, balance and ease of ...

Fine Cooking: This guide to knife buying lists four favorites among Japanese-style knives but doesn't detail testing. Driscoll says the ...

Choice magazine: Choice magazine is similar to ConsumerReports.org in methodology, comparing 13 knives. While testers say the Global knife was ...

Amazon.com: About 70 owner reviews give the Global 8-inch chef's knife a very high average score, with just a few negative reviews. A couple ...

Cooking for Engineers: This website explains its testing methodology in exacting detail, but testing is conducted only by one person. In this evaluation ...

Kiplinger.com: Along with general buying advice, chef Wayne Nish discusses his specific preferences among knives. For the most part, Nish ...

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Cooking.com

for $199.95

Best Santoku knife

Shun Classic Santoku

*Est. $115 Compare Prices

Santoku knives a straighter lower edge and a more curved upper edge. Professionals say this knife works well for intricate work, such as slicing paper-thin vegetables. However, reviewers explain that a santoku knife can't… match the versatility of a chef's knife, because its blade is too short and thin. Still, reviews say the top-rated Shun Classic Santoku makes an excellent supplementary kitchen knife.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Ten santoku knives are rated. Overall, this is the most detailed review we found of santoku knives.

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports rates about 50 knife sets, including one that contains the Shun Classic Santoku. The overview is free, but the ...

New York Magazine: Chef Masayoshi "Masa" Takayama rates 10 santoku knives, with the Shun Classic winning by virtue of its 32 layers of steel ...

The Wall Street Journal: Two chefs test five santoku knives here. The Kershaw Shun Classic, with a uniquely shaped handle that makes it easy to grip, ...

Fine Cooking: Twenty-five forged knives are included in this test, but no overall favorite emerged. Some Japanese knives are also listed, the ...

Fine Cooking: This guide to knife buying lists four favorites among Japanese-style knives but doesn't detail testing. The Shun Classic is ...

Amazon.com: About 30 owner reviews give the Kershaw Shun Classic chef's knife an extremely high average score. There are no negative reviews, ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $119.00

Wusthof Grand Prix Discontinued

2 picks by top review sites.

MAC Mighty Chef *Est. $130

2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

MAC Superior Santoku *Est. $60

2 picks including: Amazon.com, New York Magazine…

OXO Good Grips Professional *Est. $75 for 14-pc set with block, $20 for chef's knife only

2 picks including: Amazon.com, New York Magazine…

Henckels Twin Professional "S" *Est. $150 for three

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Kiplinger.com…

Henckels Four Star *Est. $170 for three

2 picks including: Amazon.com…

Shun Ken Onion *Est. $200 for 8-inch chef's knife

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Bon Appetit…


	MAC Brand Mighty Chef Knife 8.5 inch #MTH80 from Amazon.com New: $160.00 $113.50 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Santoku 6 1/2" (Superior Series) - Mac Knives from Amazon.com New: $80.00 $62.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Oxo Good Grips Professional 14-Piece Knife Set with Block from Amazon.com New: $88.95 $52.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 3-Piece Starter Set with Bonus Sharpening Steel from Amazon.com New: $304.00 $189.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Shun Elite Ken Onion 8-Inch Chef's Knife from Amazon.com New: $375.00 $299.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Kitchen Knives: Reviews

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