A proper chef
But sometimes, a standard-sized chef
Normally, it is 8-inches long, and you can even see more experienced professionals who use larger blades up to 12 inches long.
However, in this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best chef knives for small hands.
That means we’ll be taking a look at knives smaller than the standard chef
So if you’re looking for a chef
Read on to find out more.
Related: The best chef knives for the money
Best Chef Knives For Small Hands (Updated List)
* Featured Product *
How to Choose the Best Chef Knife For Small Hands
1. Size
Since you’re looking for a
Standard chef knives are usually 8”-10” long, and they can sometimes be even larger, measuring up to 12” long.
But these are not exactly recommended for those who have smaller hands.
For more control and precision, it’s best to look at smaller knives if you have smaller hands.
This means getting something around 6” long, which is a great size for an all-around
While there are chef knives this size, you’ll most likely find more Santoku knives, which are smaller versions of a Japanese chef
2. Materials
The next thing you should look at once you’ve found the right size is the materials used in construction.
For the blade, it’s recommended to look for blades made of high-carbon stainless steel.
This material is resistant to rust and corrosion, while also being an ideal material to sharpen to a very sharp edge.
Knives made of high-carbon stainless steel are known to retain their edge longer and be of higher quality than other blades.
Another thing to look at is the handle.
A quality handle should feel natural in the hands and help balance out it.
Some handles will be made of wood while others will be made of G10, a type of composite material known for its very high strength and water resistance.
A water-proof material is most ideal for the handles as they won’t deteriorate quickly.
So if you’re getting a
3. Construction
Another good thing to look at is how the blade was built.
Blades for kitchen knives will be either stamped or forged.
A stamped blade will be generally cheaper than a forged one, but it won’t be the same quality.
Forging blades are the way knives and swords have been made for centuries.
It is a technique that has stood the test of time and it consistently results in very sharp blades that are highly durable.
However, knives with a forged blade tend to fetch a higher price, so be prepared to pay a higher price for a higher-quality
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Reviews of the Best Chef Knives For Small Hands
1. Dalstrong (Best Choice)
To kick things off, we have a
This series is known to have knives of the highest quality, and this model is no exception.
This one comes with a 6” blade, which qualifies it as a chef
Out of the box, it’s sharpened to an 8-12 degree angle, which gives it a very sharp edge.
The blade is made with Damascus steel, which is responsible for the “tsunami-rose” pattern you see on the blade.
This not only gives it a great look, but also makes the blade resistant to rust and corrosion.
It has a G-10 handle, which is a very tough and durable material that is great for
It is full-tang, which gives it a good feel and balance.
This is a great premium choice for any chef out there, especially if you’re willing to spend a bit more money on a premium product.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Made of premium materials
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Damascus steel gives it a good look and good durability
- Great size for smaller hands
- Can be used for a variety of tasks
Cons:
- May cost more than other models on this list
2. Global (2nd Runner-up)
Global is a very well-known brand in the world of chef knives, and its most famous quality is a handle.
Or lack of a handle, that is.
It is one piece of high-carbon stainless steel that is very durable and very sharp.
The handle seamlessly melds with the blade, giving it a very sleek look and feel.
The way it is designed makes it very easy to grip, making it an ideal
On top of that, the blade only measures 6” which is the ideal size for a small chef knife.
Since it is made from a single piece of steel, it’s more durable than most other knives out there because there are no individual pieces that can get damaged.
This is a very unique
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Unique all-steel design
- Very durable
- Full-tang
- Great balance
- Great size for those with small hands
Cons:
- It is top-heavy (heavier on the blade-side)
3. Mercer Culinary (Best for Durability)
If you’re looking for the best chef
This Mercer Culinary is one of the best small chef knives on the market today.
It has a forged construction, which gives the blade more durability than knives with a stamped construction.
The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel which is resistant to staining while also keeping a very sharp edge.
It has a Santropene handle, which leaves less of a carbon footprint and is very comfortable in the hands.
Add that to the full-tang construction, and you have yourself a very well-rounded chef
It has a taper-ground edge, which means it can hold its edge for much longer than other blades.
For those looking for a top-tier product that remains affordable, then this should definitely be on your watchlist.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Great construction
- Santoprene handle feels great in the hands
- Full tang
- Made of German high-carbon stainless steel
- The taper-ground edge stays sharp for longer
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
4. Wusthof (Best for Western Style)
Wusthof is one of the top brands for chef knives today.
A lot of professionals stand by it and all it takes is one look at this premium product to see why.
It’s a santoku
It is typically used for slicing vegetables and other smaller ingredients, but it’s also a great size for a small chef
The blade measures 5”, which is one of the smallest sizes on this list.
This gives you a whole load of control and can make life very easy for those with small hands.
But because of its great construction and high quality, it can be used as a workhorse in the kitchen for a very wide variety of tasks.
It is sharpened using the brand’s Precision Edge technology which results in a blade that is 20% sharper than usual.
For those of you looking for something that is very sharp out of the box and can be used for a wide variety of tasks in the kitchen, this may be the best pick for you.
This is a fairly expensive model, and you might find that it’s one of the most expensive knives on this list.
But this is because it is a premium product and a very high-quality choice.
So if you’re willing to spend on one of the better knives on the market, then you should take a look at this Wusthof model.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Made of high-carbon stainless steel
- The polyoxymethylene handle feels very good in the hands
- Full-tang
- Sharpened with Precision Edge technology
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
5. Shun (Best for Eastern Style)
Next up, we have another model coming from a very well-respected brand, Shun.
These knives are some of the best Japanese chef knives on the market today and this Classic 6-inch model makes a case for the best chef
Since it’s only 6” long, it’s ideal for those with smaller hands, and one look at the construction will show you why it’s so respected in the culinary world.
This is a great looking one.
It has a Damascus steel construction, which gives the blade a beautiful pattern.
And when you pair that with the very elegant Pakkawood handle, you have yourself an eye-catching
The Damascus blade also gives it an extra layer of durability and better edge-retention.
It also has a slight curve to it, which will allow you to rock back and forth, making for a much faster cutting experience.
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, the Pakkawood handle is also very cylindrical, which makes it very easy to grip.
For those looking for a high-quality and durable model for someone with small hands, you probably don’t have to look much further than the Shun Classic.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Comes from a very reputable brand
- Full-tang construction
- Damascus steel adds durability and creates a beautiful aesthetic
- Pakkawood handle is ideal for those with small hands
- Can be used for a variety of kitchen tasks
Cons:
- Can be considered expensive
6. Ferrum (Best for Sharpness)
It is one of the more unique models on the list.
It is made from powdered metal, which gives it a denser and purer build.
The blade is also hand-sharpened to a 15-degree angle, which makes it very sharp right out of the box.
It’s 6” long, so it’s the ideal size for a small chef
It comes from the brand’s Estate collection, which prides itself on producing very functional knives with a simple and classic aesthetic.
This workhorse can be used for just about any kitchen task you can throw at it.
Obviously, since it’s a fairly small
It’s definitely a unique one made of unique materials.
But the risk paid off for Ferrum as the Estate collection is a series of knives that are true workhorses of the highest quality, and this model is no exception.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Ideal size for people with small hands
- Made with powdered metal
- Hand-sharpened edge
- Ergonomic handle
- Full tang
Cons:
- The unique design may not be for everyone
7. Mac Knife (Best for Home Cooks)
A santoku is a staple in any Japanese kitchen, and at times, it even takes the role of a chef
This santoku is great for anyone looking for a smaller chef
The steel used is AUS-8, one of the best materials out there and is used by other brands like Dalstrong.
This is Japanese steel with a high carbon content that results in a very sharp, flexible choice that is very resistant to rust and corrosion.
It has a straighter curve than a standard chef
That means that instead of rocking back and forth, you will have to use an up and down motion to cut properly.
It’s a lightweight full-tang blade with great balance, ideal for any chef with small hands.
It’s also relatively affordable, so anyone looking for a great budget blade should check this out.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Great construction
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Full-tang
Cons:
- Not ideal for those who cut with a rocking motion
Related guides:
What Is A Mezzaluna Knife Used For?
What Is A Cheese Knife Used For?
What Is A Tomato Knife Used For?
FAQ’s
1. What Size Should A Chef Knife Be?
Normally, it should be at least 8-inches long, and they can reach lengths of up to 12” in a professional kitchen.
However, the right size will always depend on the cook who will use it.
Larger cooks will obviously need larger knives, and smaller cooks will need shorter knives.
A good way to measure this is by looking at your forearm.
The ideal chef
2. What Is It Good For?
The reason this type of cutlery is so important is that it can be used for a lot of different things.
These knives are designed to be able to handle just about any cutting, slicing, or dicing jobs you can imagine in the kitchen.
They aren’t ideal for tougher jobs like chopping through large chunks of meat or cutting through bone, but that is something that a proper cleaver should handle.
These knives also may not be best for filleting meat, as the blade isn’t flexible enough for it.
But for any other kitchen job, you can always rely on your trusty chef
3. Does the Length Include The Handle?
No, when you see the measurement, they are strictly talking about the blade.
So an 8” chef
4. What Is The Smallest Knife In The Kitchen?
In the kitchen, the smallest
It is used for peeling fruits and vegetables which is why it is smaller.
To peel fruits and vegetables properly and efficiently, you have to have a lot of control, which you can get by using a smaller blade.
Paring knives are usually 4” in length and are very easy to use, but they won’t really cut through ingredients properly.
5. What Knives Should Ever Kitchen Have?
The standard rule for chefs is to have at the very least have three knives in the kitchen.
This is the chef
With these three tools, you can do just about any kitchen cutting job out there.
Most chefs will consider these three knives crucial in the kitchen and all the other knives out there may make certain jobs easier but are largely seen as an extra luxury.
Conclusion
A proper chef
And to ensure that you can perform all the required tasks in the kitchen, you need the right
If you’re a fan of Japanese chef knives, then you’ll enjoy the Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife.
Based on our research, this is the best choice for chefs with small hands because of its superior construction and ergonomic design.
We’d also like to mention the Global 6” Chef Knife as it has a sleek, modern design that would be welcome in any professional kitchen.
And if you’re a chef shopping on a tight budget, we recommend the Mercer Culinary Genesis Chef’s Knife.
While it is one of the cheapest options out there, it is made with great craftsmanship and has an incredibly sharp edge, making it one of the best knives in its price range.
Further reading:
Basic
The 4
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Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
