The 10 best chef knives to buy in the UK
Finding the best chef knife is challenging because it’s all down to individual preference. A good knife feels stable and comfortable in your hand, and generally just has the right feeling to it, so it’s important to choose a knife that suits your cooking habits rather than anyone else’s. Check out the buying guide below to help you find that perfect chef’s knife for your needs:
What are chef knives?
A chef knife is a type of kitchen knife inspired by those used by professional chefs. The blade is of a much higher quality than a standard kitchen knife, while the shape and design are intended for multipurpose use, including cutting, slice, dicing, boning etc.
Why should you buy a good chef knife?
The best chef’s knife will make cooking much easier and safer. Because the blades are sharp, stable, and durable, you have much more control over the blade movement through food, helping to reduce the chances of injury. Additionally, good chef knives are easy to sharpen and maintain, lasting for many years without needing to be replaced. That should highlight the exceptional value for money quality cooking knives offer.
How to choose the right chef knife in 2024?
Struggling to choose the best kitchen knives? Here are some things to consider:
- Weight: Always choose a knife that feels right in your hand. This is different for everyone, with some preferring the hefty weight behind a heavy blade while others find that a lightweight blade offers better cutting motion, so it’s all down to your preference. Therefore, it’s recommended that you always hold a knife to get a feel for it before you buy anything.
- Blade Length: An average chef’s knife blade measures 8-inches and this could be perfect for your needs, being highly versatile and suitable for most food prep. If you are unsure what length is suitable, go with an 8-inch as it’s hard to go wrong with this. However, some prefer the feeling of a shorter or longer blade, with the latter cutting more volume while the former is more agile to use.
- Material: Most chef knives are made from steel, with stainless and carbon being the two main varieties available. Stainless steel is more affordable and requires less maintenance, as carbon steel needs frequent sharpening, although it is more durable and sharper as a result.
What is the best kind of chef knife in the UK?
Here are some of the main types of chef knife that you can currently buy:
- European Chef Knife: Also called a western chef knife, the blade on this knife tends to be much heavier than other types, making it more durable and giving it a good bit of heft. Highly versatile, a good European chef’s knife will last for many years.
- Japanese Chef Knife: Also called a Santoku knife, this Japanese variation of the chef’s knife is just as versatile as the European type, although it’s usually sharper and much lighter, so if you like an agile feeling blade then this is a great choice. The thinness does make it prone to chipping though, so extra caution is advised when working around things like bone.
Top 10 list of chef knives in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their chef knives. Which chef knife is the best?
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![Image of HUIKAILI chef knife](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/chef-knife-image-51JQJh24oSL.jpg)
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![Image of Deer & Oak DNO-CHEF-K chef knife](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/chef-knife-image-41cKJCRfisL.jpg)
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- PERFECT BALANCE: A chef knife is one of the vital tools in the kitchen world. Ours…
![Image of Kimura Kimura chef knife](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/chef-knife-image-31Xi--0qC0L.jpg)
- [ LIFETIME WARRANTY ] - We are so confident in the quality of our Japanese kitchen…
- [ GREAT GIFT ] - Kimura’s Japanese chef knife is packaged in a premium gift…
- [ MADE TO LAST ] - Our Japanese kitchen knives are made from a single piece of steel…
![Image of Sunnecko 2010103S chef knife](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/chef-knife-image-41dpP4gzKCL.jpg)
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![Image of MOSFiATA GK5507 chef knife](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/chef-knife-image-51qqPYSCFBL.jpg)
- Best GiftMOSFIATA Chef's Knife is an ideal gift of choice for birthday, wedding,…
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