The Kitchen Bench
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.
By The Kitchen Bench Research Team · Updated for 2027 · Independent · Reader-supported · No paid placements
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Top picks
The reviewed chef knifes in this category. Each review states what is verified and what to check on the manufacturer sheet before buying.
Chef Knives
Shun Classic 8
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Wusthof Classic 8
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Global G-2 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
MAC MTH-80 8-Inch Chef Knife with Dimples
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Tojiro DP Gyuto 8.2-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Zwilling Pro 8
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Wusthof Amici 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Chef Knives
Miyabi Birchwood SG2 8-Inch Chef Knife
Full review — what to verify before buying, who it suits, and the alternatives worth comparing.
Head-to-head comparisons
Every difference page in this category — chef knives head to head, so you can compare two products directly before choosing.
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.
How 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.
VIP pick — the winner is inside2027
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Best Chef Knives →Browse all reviews
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The winner is insideGuides and fixes
In this category
The full chef knives cluster — the hub, the ranked best list, the buying guide, the problems-and-fixes article, and the use-case picks for this category.
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.