Knives are right at the top of the list of must have kitchen tools, and the chef’s knife is the most important knife in the block. Whether you’re a well seasoned chef or a budding culinary expert, adding an amazing knife to your collection will pay off incredibly. In this guide we break down the Top 7 Chef Knives of 2020 and what makes them great.
In addition to an overview of the specs and details of each knife, we will feature a review of each knife left by one of our beloved customers. If you’re new to chef knives or looking to expand your collection, read on to learn more!
1. Cold Steel Kitchen Classics 8″ Chef’s Knife
The Cold Steel Kitchen Classics series builds on Cold Steel’s reputation for making knives with incredible cutting power and durability. The Kitchen Classics 8-inch Chef’s Knife features a cry-quenched 4116 stainless-steel blade made for chopping and slicing food with precision and efficiency. Its handle is designed for both long-term durability and comfort and is made from food-safe polymer material. The Cold Steel Kitchen Classics 8-inch Chef’s Knife is one of those knives built to stand up to the rigors of professional and home kitchens alike. Check it out by clicking below.
- 8.00″ 4116 Stainless Steel Blade
- Polymer Handle
- 5.90 oz. weight
- Made in Taiwan
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2. Kai Wasabi 6.5″ Santoku
The KAI Wasabi 6.5” Santoku knife features a broad blade large enough to use with medium and larger pieces of produce and meats. Its handle offers optimum hygiene thanks to the special combination of bamboo powder and polypropylene – assisted by the natural anti-bacterial properties of the bamboo parts. This knife makes quick work of general kitchen cutting chores and is made from the stuff that stands the tests of time. Check out more below.
- 6.50″ Daido 1K6 Santoku Blade
- Polypropylene Handle
- 8.40 oz. weight
- Made in Japan
Matt G. says…
“The ‘Salad Samurai’ – I am no chef, but I prepare a salad every night for the next days lunch. This knife is comfortable and sharp. After many dozens of uses it still cuts pretty effortlessly.”
3. Boker Cottage-Craft 8.75″ Chef’s Knife
The year 2020 has been an historic year for many reasons, but one of the most important happenings is the introduction of the Blade HQ exclusive Boker Cottage-Craft line of knives. The premium kitchen knives are handmade in Solingen, Germany and built to a quality standard that rivals knives well above their price point.
The Boker Cottage-Craft 8.75” Chef’s Knife features gorgeous lines, quality materials and beautiful workmanship. Its blade is crafted from C75 carbon steel giving it excellent cutting capabilities while keeping it easy to hone and maintain in the kitchen. Stunning plum wood handles provide amazing grip during use and look great while sitting in your knife block. We are excited to introduce these knives and to be the exclusive dealer of Boker Cottage-Craft Series kitchen knives. Learn more about the Boker Cottage-Craft Series by clicking below.
- 13.375″ Overall Length
- 8.75″ C75 Blade
- Plum Wood Handle
- 6.92 oz. Weight
- Made in Germany
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4. Spyderco 6″ Santoku
Typically having spiders in your kitchen would be frowned upon, but this one will likely slide. The Spyderco 6” Santoku kitchen knife is ready for action with its precision crafted MBS-26 stainless steel blade. This specialized blade steel is great for kitchen work thanks to its superior edge retention, sharpness and cutting performance. The Spyderco 6” Santoku features a black Sermollan (polymer) handle with excellent ergonomics for comfortable grip and security during long sessions at the cutting board. With an overall length of 12.125” the Spyderco 6” Santoku knife is well balanced and ready for work. Check it out by clicking below.
- 12.125″ Overall Length
- 6.875″ MBS-26 Blade
- Sermollan (polymer) Handle
- 5.25 oz. Weight
- Made in Japan
Nicholas M. says…
“I figured if Spyderco makes a good pocket knife then they’d make a good chef’s knife. I’m glad I went with this one, it’s ended up replacing most of my other kitchen knives. Considering I do a lot of chopping and mincing, the santoku blade was the way to go!”
5. Shun Sora 6″ Chef’s Knife
This is the place to start your Shun Sora collection: the Sora Chef’s Knife. Of course you know it’s the essential kitchen knife. But what you might not know is that since the Sora line features traditional Japanese blade and handle shapes, in Japan, the Sora 6″ Chef’s Knife would be called a gyuto. It’s used for all the same purposes as a chef’s knife—all-around food preparation. But the Sora Chef’s has less curve than a Western chef’s knife, which means it contacts the cutting board along more of its length, so more food is cut per slice. Sora uses Shun’s proprietary Composite Blade technology to bring together a VG-10 san mai cutting edge with a Japanese 420J stainless steel upper. Its blade features an attractive wavy pattern at its joint based on traditional Japanese sword hamon lines. While Sora’s blade shapes and handle design are traditional Japanese, the textured PP/TPE polymer blend handle material provides a contemporary look, secure grip and balance, and is easy to maintain. This amazing chef knife is a great addition to any knife block.
- 11.25″ Overall Length
- 6.25″ VG-10 Drop Point Blade
- Polymer Handle
- 4.40 oz. weight
- Made in Japan
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6. Victorinox Cutlery 10” Chef’s Knife
Victorinox knives are an incredible investment whether you buy a simple Classic SD multi-tool or a full-blown kitchen knife set. The Victorinox Cutlery 10” Chef’s Knife is a quality kitchen knife built for daily cooking tasks. It features a quality 10-inch, multipurpose blade designed for everything from mincing to chopping. Its high carbon stainless-steel blade provides superior edge retention and maximum edge retention, and has been ice tempered for long-term durability and sharpness. Lastly, the Victorinox Cutlery 10” Chef’s Knife features patented Fibrox handles which are designed to be comfortable and slip resistant. Learn more about the Victorinox Cutlery 10” Chef’s Knife by clicking below.
- 15.25″ Overall Length
- 10.00″ High Carbon Steel Blade
- White Fibrox (polymer) Handle
- 5.59 oz. Weight
- Made in Switzerland
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7. Wusthof Classic 10” Cook’s Knife
The Wusthoff Classic 10-inch Cook’s Knife is a precision crafted blade built for everyday kitchen tasks. This all-purpose knife features a forged, high-carbon stainless steel blade with Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) making it 20% sharper with double the edge retention. Its handle is made from durable polymer giving it a traditional look and feel while making it comfortable and easy to clean. The Wusthof Classic Cook’s Knife has an overall length of 15.25” making it a well-balanced knife for everything from cutting vegetables to deboning ing below.
- 15.25″ Overall Length
- 10.00” High Carbon Steel Blade
- Polymer Handle
- 10.32 oz. Weight
- Made in Germany
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Final Thoughts
Odds are you have a set of kitchen knives. If you know your way around the kitchen it’s likely that you use them lots and they have their fair share of wear and tear. Chef knives are known for their versatility and general capabilities. They are well sized, balanced and easy to use and that’s why they are a must-have for any knife block. Though this list is short, it is a great start for looking for a designated chef knife to accompany your kitchen gear. Whether you’re into simplicity or intricacy, there are plenty of great chef knives to choose from. Stay tuned for more great kitchen knife guides.
Now that you have our recommendations, we’ve got way more knives than just the 7 featured here. Give our wares a browse, and find the perfect piece for yourself. Once you’ve built out your Kitchen Knife collection, leave a review of your knife! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all your knife updates.
Learn More
Check out our Learn Knives section for more great Kitchen Knife articles including, Best Kitchen Knives, Best Kitchen Knife Sets, and even a How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife tutorial. Still unsure of the best Kitchen Knife for you? No sweat. This video breaks down some of the best kitchen knives for knife guys. Whether you’re a well-seasoned chef or someone who cooks just to eat, there are tons of great kitchen knives to choose from. Watch and enjoy.
Other Best Knife Guides
Still in that information gathering phase? We’ve got a whole bunch more lists of all the Best Knives! Happy hunting and may you find that one special knife of your dreams!
*Customer reviews may be condensed for clarity and edited for grammatical errors. You know we have to make our high school English teacher proud. Check product listings for current pricing.
