The Kitchen Bench
Best Chef Knives in 2027
A chef knife is the most-used knife in most kitchens: chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing. Blade steel, edge geometry, handle comfort and length decide whether it becomes an extension of your hand or a drawer weight. The picks below cover the category's main types and sizes. Where a standalone review exists, it is linked; where it does not, the card states what to verify before buying.
By The Kitchen Bench Research Team · Updated for 2027 · Independent · Reader-supported · No paid placements
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The picks
Ranked 14 picks for chef knives — the number is the roundup rank, not a rating.
The suspense ends hereReveal the No. 1 pick →Tap to uncover the winner — the full ranking follows below.
Chef Knives
Wusthof Classic 8
Rank 1 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8
Rank 2 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Shun Classic 8
Rank 3 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Zwilling Pro 8
Rank 4 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Tojiro DP Gyuto 8.2-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 5 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
MAC MTH-80 8-Inch Chef Knife with Dimples
Rank 6 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Global G-2 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 7 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8
Rank 8 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 9 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 10 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Wusthof Amici 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 11 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 12 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 13 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Chef Knives
Miyabi Birchwood SG2 8-Inch Chef Knife
Rank 14 of 14 in Best Chef Knives — full review with what to verify, who it suits, and alternatives to compare.
Inside the chef knife
Illustrative exploded view — parts shown separated so you can see how it fits together. Not a photo of this exact product.
VIP pick — the winner is inside2027
Still deciding? Reveal the No. 1 pick.
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Best Chef Knives →Browse all reviews
Independent · Reader-supported · No paid placements — every pick links to its full review.
The winner is insideHow to choose
Blade length
An 8-inch blade suits most hands and tasks. Longer blades cut more per stroke but feel unwieldy for small hands; shorter blades suit precise work.
Steel type
Harder steels hold an edge longer but chip more easily and are harder to sharpen. Softer steels sharpen easily but need honing more often.
Handle and balance
The knife should feel balanced at the bolster, not blade- or handle-heavy. Hold it before buying if you can.
Maintenance
Hand washing and honing keep any chef knife performing. Dishwashers dull edges and damage handles.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sharpen a chef knife?
Hone regularly with a steel to realign the edge, and sharpen on a stone or professionally when honing no longer restores it.
Can it go in the dishwasher?
It will survive, but the edge will dull faster and the handle may suffer. Hand wash and dry promptly.
What cutting board should I use?
Wood or soft plastic. Glass, stone and ceramic destroy edges.