Whether you are breaking down whole poultry, filleting fish, or trimming briskets, the best boning knives balance razor-sharp edge retention with agile, flexible blades.
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:
1. Boning knife (You'll see Gordon use Henckles brand knives in his MasterClass, but feel free to research brands and purchase what feels best for you. Remember, Gordon says a small collection of high quality sharp knives is better than drawers full of dull, second-rate ones.)
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's top boning knife picks cater to different budgets:
The best boning knife is the Zwilling Pro 5.5-Inch Flexible Boning Knife. It is highly prized by experts for its exceptional balance, ergonomic handle, and moderate flexibility. For those on a budget, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro 6-Inch Boning Knife is the standout value pick, offering top-tier cutting performance at a fraction of the price.
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.
Navy SEALs do not have a single standard-issue knife, but rather carry a mix of specific duty blades, hard-use survival tools, and custom-chosen personal knives.
Yet despite all the talk about knives that goes on in both home and professional kitchens — and despite all the knives out there that are truly great to have — there are just three knives every kitchen ultimately needs: a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife.
In many cultures, giving someone a knife or another sharp object is thought to symbolically cut or sever the bond between giver and receiver. The knife's sharp edge represents division, which can be interpreted as bringing misfortune to a friendship, romantic relationship, or family tie.
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.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. He underwent successful surgery to have the cancerous cells removed from his jawline and used the opportunity to share photos of his stitches and a public service announcement encouraging fans to wear sunscreen.
Anthony Bourdain famously recommended the Global G-2 8-Inch Chef’s Knife. He celebrated it in his memoir Kitchen Confidential for its lightweight design, razor-sharp edge, and ergonomic sand-filled handle, making it a perfect, affordable workhorse for both beginners and professionals.
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.
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:
The title of the oldest continually operating knife company in the USA is largely debated based on the type of knife (pocket vs. kitchen). The undisputed pioneer of American-made cutlery is Dexter-Russell, tracing its roots back to 1818 when Henry Harrington began making knives in Massachusetts.
America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) named the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife their longtime top pick, praising it for its lightweight design, razor-sharp edge, and comfortable, non-slip handle. At roughly $40, it consistently outperforms much more expensive knives.
Rule #1: It is important to use a knife adapted to what you want to do / food you want to prepare. For example, you shouldn't use a bread knife to slice a roast or use the blade of a paring knife and use it as a screwdriver (don't laugh, we've all done it!) Rule #2: Don't drop your knife on the floor.
For most home cooks, knives should be sharpened every 3 to 6 months. However, the exact frequency depends on how heavily you use your blades, the metal type, and how often you hone them.
The legendary KA-BAR USMC Fighting/Utility Knife (Mark 2) is the most iconic blade associated with the United States Marine Corps. Officially adopted in 1942, it features a 7-inch clip point blade made of 1095 carbon steel and a stacked leather washer handle.
The CIA doesn't issue a single, official knife to its personnel; instead, operatives typically carry versatile, non-metallic, or concealable blades suited for specific missions. Historic and publicly recognized blades range from the famous Cold Steel Kobun used during Operation Jawbreaker to highly covert non-detectable tools.
John Wick famously wields a signature series of high-end, out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives in his movies. The specific knives vary depending on the film, transitioning from production models by Microtech Knives in the first three movies to a highly exclusive custom blade in the fourth.
Cutco and Wusthof represent two completely different philosophies in knife making.
Cutting boards made of glass, granite, ceramic, or your dinner plate may look stylish or convenient, but they are the fastest way to destroy a knife's edge. These surfaces are harder than your knife's steel. So every time your blade contacts them, it suffers microscopic edge deformation, chipping, or even rolling.
While only straight-edge knives can be sharpened at home, Cutco's Double-D® edge will stay sharp for years, due to its recessed edge design. When knives with those edges need sharpening, they should be sharpened at the factory, which is free as part of The Forever Guarantee.