Kitchen Knives: Reviews

Updated December 2008

Compare All

Best kitchen knives

*Est. $190 for three Compare Prices

Wüsthof 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… fully forged, high-carbon, bolstered-steel blades that hold a razor edge. Plus, the tang extends the full length of the handle for balance and durability. Two variations, the Wüsthof Grand Prix II and Wüsthof 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.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated: Seven chef's knives are rated. Two Wusthof chef's knives (the Classic is not rated), the Grand Prix and the Culinar, are ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports rates 42 knife sets, including the Wusthof Classic. The overview is free, but the ratings chart is behind a ...

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

Cook's Illustrated: 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 lists their top seven picks. Testing is mentioned briefly, however, no methodology is ...

Amazon.com: About three dozen owner reviews give the Wusthof Classic chef's knife an extremely high average score. The only mildly critical ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Best budget knife set

RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox

*Est. $60 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 by Victorinox knives easily come out ahead of cheaper knives in reviews.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated: Seven chef's knives are rated by Cook's Illustrated editors, including the RH Forschner by Victorinox Fibrox, which is the ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports rates 42 knife sets, including three RH Forschner by Victorinox sets. The overview is free, but the ratings ...

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

Cook's Illustrated: Serrated bread knives are tested in this 12-knife roundup. RH Forschner Victorinox Fibrox is among the brands evaluated not only ...

Choice.com.au: Choice is an Australian testing organization similar to Consumer Reports. The RH Forschner by Victorinox Chef's Knife is among ...

Amazon.com: About two dozen owner reviews give the Victorinox Fibrox three-knife set an extremely high average score, with almost perfect ...

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

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Japanese cutlery

Global

*Est. $175 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 the non-slip grip is uncomfortable. As with all kitchen knives, experts say it's best to handle one before buying.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated: 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: Consumer Reports rates 42 knife sets, including Global knives. Ratings are based on comfort, balance and ease of cutting.

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

Choice.com.au: Choice magazine is similar to Consumer Reports 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 ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Santoku knife

Shun Classic Santoku

*Est. $115 Compare Prices

While sales of traditional knives are stagnant, popularity of santoku knives has tripled. This knife style has a straighter lower edge and a more curved upper edge. Professionals say this works very well for intricate… work, such as slicing paper-thin vegetables. However, reviewers say that a santoku knife probably can't replace a chef's knife entirely, because its blade is too short and thin to match the versatility of a chef's knife. For example, santoku knives are not recommended for cutting bone. Still, reviews say the top-rated Shun Classic santoku makes an excellent supplementary kitchen knife.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated: Ten santoku knives are rated, with the Shun Classic compared to the competition. Overall, this is the most detailed review we ...

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports rates 42 knife sets, including one that contains the Shun Classic Santoku. The overview is free, but the ratings ...

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, ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

MAC Knives Superior Santoku *Est. $60

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

Misono UX10 Santoku *Est. $150

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

Henckels Five Star *Est. $180 for three

2 picks including: About.com…

Edgecraft Chef's Choice Trizor *Est. $265 for three

2 picks including: Fine Cooking…

MAC Knives Mighty Chef *Est. $125

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

Friedrich Dick Premier Plus *Est. $300 for three

2 picks including: Fine Cooking, Choice magazine…

OXO Good Grips Professional *Est. $80 for 14-Piece Block Set

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

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

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

Shun Ken Onion Chef's Knife *Est. $200

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Bon Appetit…


	Santoku 6 1/2" (Superior Series) - Mac Knives from Amazon.com New: $60.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	J.A. Henckels Twin Five Star 3-Piece Starter Set with Bonus Sharpening Steel from Amazon.com New: $179.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	MAC MTH-80 Mighty Chef's Dimpled Knife 8" from Amazon.com New: $110.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Oxo Good Grips Professional 14-Piece Knife Block Set from Amazon.com New: $77.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 6-Inch Hollow-Edge Utility Knife from Amazon.com New: $69.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Ken Onion by Shun 8-Inch Chef's Knife from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Kitchen Knives: Reviews

Best kitchen knives

Best budget knife set

Japanese cutlery

Santoku knife

Kitchen Knives by Price Range