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10 Best 8 Chef Knife 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Mercer Culinary M22608 Millennia Black Handle, 8-Inch, Chef's Knife

The Mercer Culinary M22608 Millennia Chef's Knife is an 8-inch kitchen knife designed for both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts. It features a high-carbon Japanese steel blade, which is known for maintaining sharpness and being easy to maintain. The blade length of 8 inches makes it versatile for a variety of kitchen tasks like chopping, dicing, and mincing. The plain edge type ensures clean cuts through different types of food.

Its weight at 6.7 ounces makes it lightweight and easy to handle, reducing fatigue during prolonged use. The ergonomic handle made from Santoprene offers a comfortable and non-slip grip, enhancing safety and ease of use. However, the knife is not dishwasher safe, requiring careful hand washing to maintain longevity. While it comes with a strong warranty, it excludes damages from misuse or dishwasher use, which some users might find limiting.

The knife's construction type is stamped rather than forged, which can affect the durability and balance compared to more expensive forged knives. The blade shape is designed for efficient cutting, but users should be cautious to avoid bending or chipping under heavy use. This knife is well-received for its performance and value, making it an excellent choice for those in need of a reliable chef's knife without breaking the bank.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Blade Material
The high-carbon Japanese steel construction is a game-changer, maintaining sharpness through multiple uses over a few months.
Handle Material
The ergonomically designed handle provides a comfortable and non-slip grip, even during lengthy chopping sessions.
Weight
Lightweight yet sharp, it's perfect for a variety of tasks, from cleaning and cutting peppers to slicing raw meat.
Blade Shape
The tall blade design is appreciated for keeping knuckles off the cutting board while chopping.
Edge Type
The sharpness of this knife right out of the box is impressive, making quick work of chopping onions, mincing garlic, and slicing through vegetables and meats with ease.
#2

Dalstrong Professional Chef Knife - 8” Blade - Shogun Series ELITE - Damascus Chef Knife - Japanese AUS-10V Super Steel - G10 Black Handle - Razor Sharp - Chef Knife with Sheath

The Dalstrong Professional Chef Knife from the Shogun Series ELITE features an 8-inch blade made from AUS-10V Super Steel. This high-grade steel provides durability, strength, and a razor-sharp edge, which is essential for precision in slicing and cutting. The blade is layered with 66 folds of Damascus steel, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and reducing drag during use. The knife has a high Rockwell hardness rating of 62+, indicating it can maintain its sharpness over time, even with frequent use. The plain blade edge is ideal for general-purpose cutting tasks, making it versatile for various kitchen needs.

The G10 handle is another standout feature, made from military-grade fiberglass composite, it’s designed to be tough, resistant to impact, moisture, and extreme temperatures. This ensures that the handle remains sturdy and reliable over time. Triple rivets and a stainless steel end cap add to the knife's balance and control, making it comfortable to use even during extended cooking sessions. Weighing 9.6 ounces, the knife offers a substantial feel without being overly heavy, providing a good balance between control and ease of use.

Additionally, the knife comes with a PerfectFit thermoplastic sheath, which helps protect the blade from damage and keeps it safe when not in use. This product also includes a lifetime warranty against defects, offering peace of mind to the user. Some users might find the high hardness rating makes the blade more prone to chipping if not used carefully. Also, despite being labeled as dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended to preserve the knife's condition. The Dalstrong Professional Chef Knife is a durable, well-balanced tool suitable for professional chefs and home cooks looking for a high-quality, versatile knife.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Blade Material
The knife is made of authentic Japanese Damascus steel, not laser-engraved like many others.
Handle Material
The knife feels absolutely perfect in the hand with its weight, grip, rivets, and handle material.
Weight
The knife feels absolutely perfect in the hand with its weight, grip, rivets, and handle material.
Blade Shape
For push cutting style, it feels amazing, especially when ending the cut in the middle to the base of the knife.
Edge Type
Out of the box, this knife is sharper than any other kitchen knife I've ever bought. It glides through most everything.
#3

Dalstrong Chef Knife - 8 inch - Valhalla Series - Premium 9CR18MOV HC Steel - Celestial Resin & Wood Handle - Razor Sharp - Kitchen Cooking Chef's Knife - Leather Sheath

The Dalstrong Chef Knife from the Valhalla Series is an 8-inch kitchen tool designed for both professional chefs and home cooks. One of its standout features is the use of premium 9CR18MOV high carbon stainless steel, ensuring a durable and sharp blade that holds its edge well. The blade is forged from a single piece of steel and sharpened to an impressive 8-12 degrees per side, which contributes to its sharpness and cutting precision.

The knife's handle combines celestial resin, stabilized wood, and a stainless steel bolster, offering a sturdy and attractive grip. The included Valhalla-embossed leather sheath provides a stylish and practical means of storage and protection. Weighing 1.76 pounds, the knife has a substantial feel, which some users might find heavy for prolonged use. It is dishwasher safe, though hand washing is generally recommended to maintain the knife's longevity.

The knife is backed by Dalstrong's satisfaction guarantee and lifetime warranty. However, its premium materials and construction come at a higher price point. This knife is ideally suited for those who appreciate high-quality kitchen tools and are willing to invest in a durable and aesthetically pleasing product.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Edge Type
This knife is impressively sharp and well-balanced, making it easy to control and a pleasure to work with.

Buying Guide for the Best 8 Chef Knife

Choosing the right chef knife is crucial for any cooking enthusiast or professional chef. A good chef knife can make food preparation easier, faster, and more enjoyable. When selecting a chef knife, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Here are the key specs to look for and how to navigate them.
Blade MaterialThe blade material of a chef knife affects its sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. Common materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic. Stainless steel is resistant to rust and easy to maintain, making it a good choice for everyday use. Carbon steel is sharper and holds its edge longer but requires more care to prevent rust. Ceramic blades are extremely sharp and lightweight but can be brittle. Choose stainless steel for low maintenance, carbon steel for sharpness, and ceramic for lightweight precision.
Blade LengthBlade length typically ranges from 6 to 12 inches. The length affects the knife's versatility and ease of use. A shorter blade (6-8 inches) is easier to control and better for smaller tasks like chopping vegetables. A longer blade (10-12 inches) is more versatile for larger tasks like slicing meat or cutting large vegetables. Consider your cooking habits and the size of your kitchen space when choosing the blade length. If you do a lot of varied cooking, a mid-length blade (8-10 inches) might be the best compromise.
Handle MaterialThe handle material impacts the comfort and grip of the knife. Common materials include wood, plastic, and composite. Wood handles offer a traditional feel and good grip but require more maintenance. Plastic handles are durable and easy to clean but may not provide the best grip. Composite handles combine the benefits of both wood and plastic, offering durability and a comfortable grip. Choose a handle material that feels comfortable in your hand and suits your maintenance preferences.
WeightThe weight of a chef knife affects its balance and ease of use. A heavier knife can provide more control and power for cutting through tough ingredients, while a lighter knife is easier to maneuver and less tiring to use for extended periods. Consider your strength and the types of tasks you perform most often. If you prefer precision and ease of movement, a lighter knife may be better. If you need more control and power, opt for a heavier knife.
Blade ShapeBlade shape influences the knife's cutting performance and versatility. Common shapes include straight, curved, and serrated. A straight blade is versatile and good for chopping and slicing. A curved blade is ideal for rocking motions, making it great for mincing herbs and vegetables. Serrated blades are best for cutting through tough or crusty surfaces like bread. Choose a blade shape based on the types of tasks you perform most frequently in the kitchen.
Edge TypeThe edge type of a chef knife affects its cutting ability and maintenance. Common edge types include straight, serrated, and granton. A straight edge is versatile and easy to sharpen, making it suitable for most tasks. Serrated edges are good for cutting through tough surfaces but can be harder to sharpen. Granton edges have hollowed-out grooves that reduce friction and prevent food from sticking, ideal for slicing. Choose an edge type based on your cutting needs and maintenance preferences.

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