The Best Chef’s Knives for $75 or Less



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Our longtime favorite chef’s knife is sharp, capable, and comfortable to hold. But is it still the best?

Buy our winning Victorinox Chef’s Knife:
Buy the Mercer Renaissance Chef’s Knife:
Buy the Mercer Millennia Chef’s Knife:
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36 Comments

  1. Over the past 12 years, I'm on my second Victorinox because it was sharpened to a point of replacement. They are so affordable, you don't mind using them everyday, sharpening them often and wearing them out. I use it way more often than my expensive knives

  2. How does the Victorinox hold up to repeated super hot dishwasher cycles? I'd be willing to buy several of these inexpensive knives for a volunteer job if they can survive, say, twenty or more super hot cycles. I am a volunteer cook at a family housing facility. Everything in the kitchens must (of course) go through the commercial dishwashers' sterilization cycles so (of course) none of us bring our personal knives. The available knives are (of course) unimaginably awful although I sharpen and hone before each cooking session. Is there perhaps another inexpensive knife manfucturer anyone can recommend for this specific situation? Restaurant supply shops are nearby. They carry the usual brands.

  3. The Dexter-Russel 8” offerings are also spectacular for around $30, with the sani-grip holding well with wet hands, and fully dishwasher safe. Many of Dexter-Russel’s knives are made in the USA, too, as an added bonus.

    Victorinox and Dexter. Really hard to beat.

  4. ATK, I don't know what world you live in but your prices are completely out of touch with reality. The Victorinox 8-inch chef's knife is USD $62 / CAD $80. I was buying these in 2010 for USD $25 but it sure as hell isn't 2010 anymore!

  5. Is this a Victorinox commercial? I get it, they're awesome bang for the buck, but no Japanese knives? If these are all European, they won't be 13-16 degrees, and also .. what kind of chef doesn't pinch grip their knife?

  6. I'm personally not a huge fan of the Victorinox chef, BUT I have two others by them that I could not live without. A 4 inch "boning knife" which for me is really like a large paring. I've had it and and a Victorinox bread knife for probably 25 years. They are awesome.
    My personal favorite chef (and really, one should try before they buy) if I had to live with one is the 10 inch Zwilling I got several years ago. I also very much like my 8 inch Wustoff Classic.

  7. I understand the context of this where it is really geared for people who just buy something and use it right away and want it to stay sharp for as long as possible, but I’m less worried about the factory edge. If it has decent steel, it will take an edge and it will hold it for a while if you have it properly sharpened. I’m much more concerned about ergonomics. Having said all of that, the Victorinox is still my favorite and I’ve bought and used knives well north of $100. Yeah their steel is technically better and they may stay sharp a little longer, but they are generally just not as enjoyable to use. Global may be the worst offender here. I gave that one away because of how uncomfortable it was, but technically speaking it’s an amazing knife.

  8. A friend works for a restaurant supply service. They also do the rental knives. I used to buy Old Hickory knives. Straight hi-carbon knives. SHARP, but they rusted easily. I now buy new stainless Tramontina knives from him. I do my own sharpening.

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