America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) recommends different knives based on the task and your budget, but their overall top-rated 8-inch chef's knives include the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife as the best budget pick, and the Shun Classic 8" Western Cook's Knife as a top premium choice.
Our favorite inexpensive chef's knife is the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife. We've routinely tested and recommended this knife for nearly three decades, and for good reason: It cuts foods of all kinds effortlessly, is comfortable for hands of all sizes to grip, and arrives and stays quite sharp.
Cutco and Wusthof represent two completely different philosophies in knife making.
Gordon Ramsay relies on a few core, heavy-hitting brands in his kitchens. His absolute top recommendation and daily go-to for an all-purpose knife is the German-forged Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife. For full sets, he is a major advocate for the HexClad Japanese Damascus Steel line and frequently uses the Zwilling Four Star series by Henckels.
Bobby's Favorite: Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife
Bobby has sung the praises of Shun, his favorite chef's knife brand, on more than one occasion. The celebrity chef recommends the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife, which is handcrafted in Japan.
When choosing a kitchen knife, the best brands typically break down into two categories: heavy, durable German steel or light, razor-sharp Japanese steel. The top 5 kitchen knife brands favored by home cooks and professionals alike include:
If you have one chef's knife, one paring knife, and one bread knife, consider yourself equipped with thetop three knives every kitchen needs. Now it's time to find something good to cook!
There is no single "number one" knife brand, as the title depends entirely on the knife's primary purpose. Leading experts and enthusiasts consistently recognize distinct industry leaders across different categories:
Neither is definitively better; it comes down to how you cook. Think of German knives as durable pickup trucks and Japanese knives as high-performance sports cars.
Cutco knives are made using stamped steel which means they're cheaper to produce. Although there's nothing wrong with stamped knives, they don't always hold their edge as long as forged knives. That means that you'll have to sharpen stamped knives sooner than forged knives.
Choosing between Cutco and Henckels depends on whether you prefer the traditional forged feel of a German kitchen knife (Henckels) or a modern, stain-resistant stamped blade with a heavily contoured handle (Cutco).
Neither is definitively "better," but they cater to different preferences and budgets. Wüsthof knives are generally preferred for their slightly harder steel (meaning edges last longer) and heavier, blade-forward feel. Henckels (specifically their premium Zwilling lines) offer better ergonomic balance, easier sharpening, and stronger overall value.
The best slicing knives let you cut large pieces of meat and other foods easily. Our longtime favorite, the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox 12" Granton Edge Slicing/Carving Knife, has a long, ultrasharp blade that makes for effortless slicing.
Cutco and Wusthof represent two completely different philosophies in knife making.
The "best" American knife company depends on your intended use. For everyday carry (EDC), Benchmade, Spyderco, and Chris Reeve Knives are top-tier. For outdoor survival and heritage, Buck Knives is iconic, while Zero Tolerance leads in heavy-duty tactical folders.
Because "best" depends entirely on your intended use—whether you are prepping vegetables, surviving in the backcountry, or need an everyday carry (EDC) tool—here are the top-rated knives across the most popular categories:
In the high-end folding knife community, the original "Holy Trinity" refers to three legendary American makers who pioneered the modern premium tactical folder. Together, their designs set the gold standard for durability and precision.
America's Test Kitchen (ATK) top overall chef's knife pick is the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8-inch Chef's Knife. Praised for its affordability (around $45), razor-sharp blade, and comfortable textured grip, it has been the test kitchen's reigning favorite for nearly three decades.
The "best" kitchen knife depends on your preferred grip and cutting style. Top professional and home-cook recommendations are categorized below to help you decide:
Navy SEALs rely on a few specific standard-issue fixed blades, but they largely carry mission-dependent gear. Standard-issue knives include the Ontario MK3 Mod 0 dive knife and the Cold Steel SRK. For everyday carry and field operations, operators frequently choose rugged folding knives from premium brands.
Because the "best" knife depends entirely on its intended use, there is no single overall winner. However, a few legendary, high-performance blades stand out across major categories based on decades of user consensus and expert testing.
The best Western-style chef's knife is from Wüsthof—it's a powerful and sharp kitchen knife, but still refined. Hot on its heels is the Japanese-style Tojiro blade, which cruised through my chopping tests.
Neither brand is objectively better; both produce excellent, lifetime-quality German steel knives. The best choice simply comes down to your preferred cutting style, handle feel, and sharpening preferences.
Best Chef Knives Overview