If you have only one knife in your kitchen then it should be a high-quality chef knife. This large, sharp, all-purpose blade can make food preparation a pleasure. Finding the best option in the vast range of available kitchen knives may seem daunting but the reviews and buyers guide below should help you to make better sense of the selection.
Here are the best chef knifes in Australia:
1. Wusthof Classic Ikon Black Cook’s Knife 20cm (Top Pick)
The Classic Ikon is a well balanced, ergonomic knife that looks both stylish and timeless. The handle is comfortable to hold and the blade is forged from one piece of high-quality stainless steel.
This blade itself is 20cm long and is 4.7cm thick making it ideal for slicing, mincing and dicing food. The black handle looks elegant and is easy to hold and control.
This is a long-lasting option that has a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing faults and defects. There is also a sharpening service you can opt-in for where the first sharpening is free of charge. Overall, this German-made blade is excellent quality, easy to sharpen and comfortable to use.
What We Like:
- Easy to control
- High-quality
- Well balanced
What We Don’t Like:
- Not a suitable choice for cutting through bones
2. Mac Knife MTH-80 Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife
The MTH-80 is a beautiful chef’s knife that is sharp and well balanced. The sturdy wooden handle fits in your hand well and feels very comfortable to hold. The sharp blade allows you to cut and slice almost any food with ease and will make cooking for your family or guests a joy.
This timeless style of this blade will never look out of place in your collection. It is lightweight, 12.63 inches long and 2.5mm thick. The dimple detailing helps the knife glide easily through sticky foods such as apples, squash and potatoes.
The MTH-80 is an ideal choice for professional chefs or home cooking enthusiasts. This Japanese made knife is high quality and to keep it well maintained it is advised you wash it by hand.
What We Like:
- Versatile
- Well balanced
- Extremely sharp
What We Don’t Like:
- The handle may be better suited to small and medium-sized hands
3. Victorinox 8 Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife (Best Value)
The Victorinox 8 inch knife offers excellent value for money and is a great option for home cooks and professionals. It is an option that can handle all tasks and makes food preparation effortless.
Handling this knife is easy, it has an ergonomic handle and a non-slip grip even if wet. The knife is weighted and balanced so it is easy to use and control.
The 8-inch blade is made out of stainless steel so is high quality and reliable. It is also dishwasher safe for added convenience. This product is a great price and comes with a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.
What We Like:
- Ideal for all kitchen cutting tasks
- Ergonomic, non-slip grip
- Dishwasher safe
What We Don’t Like:
- The handle is quite large
4. Tojiro F-807 Kitchen Chef Knife
The Tojiro F-807 is a high-quality multi-purpose knife that can be used by professionals or home kitchen enthusiasts. Tojiro is a well-known manufacturer in Japan, they are known for making sharp and easy to use knives.
The black handle on the F-807 is made from recycled timber, this looks great and is also wear-resistant. The blade itself is 3 layers with the outer cutting edge being high cobalt alloy steel. This blade is durable and maintenance is simple.
The performance of this blade is great and it is extremely sharp upon arrival and stays sharp for a long time. You can tackle almost any type of food preparation with this Tojiro.
What We Like:
- Multi-purpose
- Durable
- High cobalt alloy steel outer layer
What We Don’t Like:
- Very thin blade
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
The Zwilling J.A Henckels Knife is an extremely resilient and long-lasting option.
It is made using special formula high carbon rather than stainless steel so it is very robust and the blade is ice-hardened so it stays sharper for longer.
The blade has been designed with precision and control in mind. It features a 15-degree cutting angle on both sides, ideal for durability and easy slicing. The ergonomic handle is sturdy and well-bonded to the full tang blade so you are always in control.
What We Like:
- Durable
- High quality
- Allows controlled and precise cutting
What We Don’t Like:
- This is a heavier model that is ideal for professionals but may take beginners practice to get used to
Chef Knife Buyers Guide
A good knife is an essential tool for any kitchen. The best knife in your knife drawer is the one that feels most comfortable for you, it all comes down to personal preference so consider the following factors when searching for your new favourite knife:
Weight
Knives vary in weight, the difference is very noticeable and weight preferences vary from person to person. Some people prefer heavier knives as they feel it makes chopping more effortless while others like lighter knives as they feel it allows you to manoeuvre more freely.
Size
The size of the most popular chef knives generally fall between 8 inches and 12 inches. 8 inches is often popular for home cooks as they are easier to handle, 10 and 12 inch blades are great for cutting more volume but can feel intimidating depending on the skill on the user. You can also find 6-inch knife sets that offer more agility.
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Balance
Balance is all about how the knife is weighted. When you hold the handle it should feel balanced rather than weighted more towards the blade or handle. If it is unbalanced then it will make you work harder to achieve the desired results. The chefs knives should also be balanced side-to-side meaning when you push down it doesn’t feel unsteady or like the knife wants to move more to one side than the other.
Handle
The handle needs to feel comfortable in your hand, for safety the handle material should not feel slippery or feel insecure at any time. Under the handle should be enough space that you don’t hit your knuckles against the worktop as you chop. If the handle has moulds or grooves they should fit nicely with the shape of your hand.
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Material
The most common materials used for knives include:
- Stainless steel – this is the cheapest option, generally, regular knife sharpening is required for stainless steel blades.
- Carbon steel – this steel has a high hardness rating, it is more expensive than stainless steel and is easier to keep sharp.
- Damascus steel – this gives the blade a mottled appearance and produces a knife that is both hard and sharp.
- Ceramic – a ceramic blade is harder than carbon steel but is considerably lighter. They are prone to chipping but do retain their sharpness incredibly well.
Knife Tang
The tang refers to the part where the blade attaches to the handle, and it is often a good indication of quality. Full tang is usually the choice of professional chefs, which when the blade runs into the handle seamlessly and is secured by rivets. Half tang is when the blade goes three-quarters of the way up the handle and these are great for everyday use.
Storage
Once you’ve chosen a suitable kitchen knife for you, you’re going to want to keep it safe and properly stored in order to maintain its chopping abilities. A knife block or magnetic board are common choices for knife storage.
Maintenance
Not all kitchen knives can be washed in the dishwasher. Handwashing and hand drying knives can actually help to keep them sharper for longer. If you plan to wash your knives in the dishwasher, check they are dishwasher safe beforehand.
Different Knives for Different Tasks
There are lots of different kitchen knives available to suit different jobs. Some of the key blade types found in a knife set include:
- Chefs knife – this is versatile, sharp and good for most chopping tasks in the kitchen. This is the most used option and is a great all-rounder.
- Kitchen knife – a smaller blade that is easy to use and great for everyday use.
- Bread knife – a long blade with a serrated edge for cutting bread or baked goods.
- Santoku knife – also known as a Japanese knife, this is a knife often used for dicing, slicing and mincing in professional kitchens.
- Paring knife – also known as a vegetable knife, the sharp edge and point are ideal for intricate jobs such as preparing and peeling small fruit and vegetables.
- Carving knife – this has a long, sharp edge for slicing poultry, meat and fish into thin slices.
- Boning knife – this is a small blade similar to a kitchen knife but with a narrower blade, ideal for removing bones from meat.
Chef Knife FAQs
A good chef’s knife is a large, multi-purpose knife that is well balanced, comfortable to hold and very sharp. A high-quality chef’s knife will last you for many years.
