Best Kitchen Knives

A sharp, well-balanced chef's knife is the single most important tool in any kitchen. Professional chefs consistently say they would rather have one excellent knife than a block full of mediocre ones. The right knife makes prep work faster, safer (dull knives cause more injuries than sharp ones), and more enjoyable. We compared knives across edge retention, balance, handle comfort, and maintenance requirements. The Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife is our top recommendation for most home cooks. Its full-tang forged German steel blade holds an edge well, the handle fits comfortably in a wide range of hand sizes, and it comes with Wusthof's lifetime warranty. German-style knives like the Wusthof have a slightly curved blade profile ideal for the rocking cutting motion most Western cooks use. Knife maintenance matters as much as the initial purchase. Any knife dulls with use, so invest in a honing steel for weekly maintenance and have your knives professionally sharpened once or twice a year. A quality cutting board made of wood or plastic also preserves your edge. Never put good knives in the dishwasher, as the detergent and jostling damage the blade.