You know what?
Whether you’re a professional chef, or an amateur cook beginning your exploration into the culinary world, finding the best chef’s
These knives are workhorses in the kitchen, being able to handle just about any slicing, dicing, chopping, and mincing jobs you can throw at it.
And while most people believe that a quality chef
There are countless cheap & budget chef’s knives out there that you can get for under $100, and a lot of them perform up to par with some of the best chef’s knives on the market today.
But with all the different options out there, figuring out which ones are the best ones might be tough.
To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled reviews of some of the best chef knives for $100 on the market today.
Read on to learn which blade is the right one for you.
Related: Top 9 hottest chef knives you should know about
Best Chef Knives Under $100 (Updated List)
* Featured Product *
How To Spot A Good Chef’s Knife For Under $100
Now that we’ve gone over some of the best chef knives for under $100, it’s time to check out some of the qualities of a good chef
Here are some things to look out for when you want to purchase a chef
1. Partial Tang vs Full Tang Chef’s Knife
Tang refers to the part of the blade that’s connected to the handle.
A full-tang blade is one that runs throughout the entire handle and a partial tang blade doesn’t run throughout the entire handle.
A
That being said, whether or not a
There are some knives out there that are full tang and low quality, and there are also high-quality partial tang knives.
2. How It’s Made
Next, you have to check out how a
Everyone has different tastes, which means that different designs will serve different cooks.
The best way to test this is to try out it yourself.
While you don’t have to go around chopping a bunch of vegetables, it’s best to at least hold it before deciding on buying it.
Feel if the weight is right for you, check if it feels balanced, and whether the handle feels right in your hand.
After all, a super sharp
3. The Blade of the Chef’s Knife
The blade is one of the most important parts of a
And if you plan on investing in a quality chef
Even if it’s for under 100 dollars.
A couple of decades ago, it was commonly accepted that forged blades are superior to stamped blades.
But with the advancement of technology and easier access to high-quality materials, the difference isn’t as great.
Forged blades made of high-quality steel and are sharpened properly will always outweigh a stamped blade of the same quality, but there are also a lot of super high-quality stamped knives out there that are just as sharp as any forged one out there.
Another thing to check out is the material the blade is made of.
It’s best to get a
Aside from all of that, you have to figure out how large of a blade you want.
A full-size chef
For home cooks, amateurs, and those beginning their culinary journey, a chef
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 Products
Mac Knife Series Hollow Edge 8 inch Knife (Best Overall)
Kicking off this under $100 list is one of the best-made cheap chef’s knives under $100.
It’s the best
It comes from a Japanese company known for using very high-quality materials when constructing their knives.
Right out of the box, this is a very sharp
It’s a
The material used in making it is called Molybdenum, which is an alloy that is resistant to rust and acids that you can find in food like citric acid.
This gives it impeccable sharpness and durability which is one of the reasons it demands a higher price than some others on the list.
As this is a more premium model, it’s best for those who already have experience with high-quality chef’s knives and want to get one for themselves.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Made out of Molybdenum
- The design makes it very easy to use
- Hollow edge ensures long-lasting sharpness and improves cutting performance
- Allows you to cut through food faster
Cons:
- On the more expensive side compared to other models in this list
Other great collections:
- Best quality kitchen knife sets
- Best knife sets for culinary students
- Best knife sets for cutting meat
Global G-4 7 inch Chef Knife (Best Design)
This is a great cheap under $100
It is made out of a mix of Molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium, and is hollow-handled which gives it a razor-sharp edge that lasts and great balance.
It has a fairly unique design, one that almost resembles a Kiritsuke, but still retains that classic chef
The alloy that makes up it is also called CROMOVA 18 steel, which is best known for being a great material for chef’s knives.
Using it is very fun, partly because the design is so ergonomic and doesn’t put that much stress on your muscles.
it is also on the more affordable side of things, which makes it a great pick for home cooks and professionals alike.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Made of the best CROMOVA 18 Steel
- Unique ergonomic design
- Razor-sharp
- The hollow-handled design gives it a great balance
Cons:
- The shorter 7” blade has its limitations
Miyabi Morimoto 8 inch Chef Edition Chef’s Knife (Premium Choice)
In the world of chef’s knives, Miyabi is one of the most respected brands out there when it comes to the best kitchen cutlery.
And it’s great to see a top-tier brand like this come up with a more affordable choice.
This great under $100 blade is full-tang, triple-riveted, and is forged, not stamped.
Those qualities can be tough to come across when looking for chef’s knives under $100.
It’s a Japanese-style
This is a great pick for those who prefer the thinner style of Japanese chef’s knives, and the precision that comes along with it.
That being said, the thin blade does have its limitations.
While it is sharp, it may not be ideal for cutting around the bone since it’s so thin and delicate.
it is handcrafted by excellent craftsmen to ensure that all the knives that get sold are of the highest quality.
Right out of the box, it is razor-sharp, so you won’t have to worry about having to sharpen it before use.
One of the best chef’s knives out there for sure.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Made by the well-respected Miyabi brand
- Has a very thin and ultra-sharp blade
- Triple-riveted
- Full-tang
- Forged and not stamped
- One of the best overall & affordable Japanese chef’s knives out there
Cons:
- The thinner blade is not recommended for cutting around bones
Dalstrong 8 inch Chef Knife (Best Value for the Money)
This is an 8′ chef
It gives you enough size to cut through large ingredients, while still being small enough to control with a lot of precision.
It’s the ideal size, which is supposed to be used for anything in the kitchen.
It’s arguably one of the best overall budget 8” chef’s knives out there.
It’s a professional
This is one of the best products that can last you a while.
The triple-riveted design on the handle not only helps give a lot of balance but also adds a lot of durability to it.
This is another great choice for those looking to save on cost but who don’t want to compromise quality and performance.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very affordable, the price stays under the $70 mark
- Can be used for a variety of requirements
- Full-tang
- Very sharp
- Made out of high carbon stainless steel
- Good performance
Cons:
- May require sharpening from time to time
Shun Sora Japanese Chef’s Knife (Classic Choice)
The Shun brand is another
This under $100 cutter is no exception, and one of the best parts about it is that it’s affordable.
It doesn’t have the same quality as the premiere Shun models such as the Shun Classic, but that’s just to be expected since it’s one of the brand’s entry-level knives.
That being said, it still is one of the best choices and can outperform a lot of other models in its price range.
It has a quality razor-sharp blade with a VG10 Japanese steel core that gives it a very sharp edge.
This is another
It’s a full-sized model that is under $100 and comes from a great brand.
That is hard to come by nowadays, which is what makes the Shun Sora a top pick for anyone looking to purchase their first chef
Another really decent contender on our list of the best chef’s knives here.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Has a VG10 Japanese steel core
- Multi-layered steel blade
- Decent sharpness right out of the box
- Handcrafted
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Made by a reputable brand
- Good performance
Cons:
- It can be brittle
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chef’s Knife (Budget Choice)
Next up, we have a budget choice from Zwilling J.A. Henckels.
Just ask about any chef out there what are their top
It is on the more expensive side of things, but that should come as no surprise because there’s hardly anything wrong with it.
It’s under $100, made out of German Steel, is full tang, and it’s also forged and ice-hardened.
Having it forged and ice-hardened gives the blade much more durability, long-lasting sharpness, and better quality overall.
It’s a full-sized German chef
That ensures it would be a bit thicker than Japanese knives (but still razor-sharp), this thickness allows you to chop through heavier ingredients while sacrificing a little bit of precision and control.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Top-notch construction for under 100 dollars
- Forged and not stamped
- Ice-hardened blade retains its edge longer
- Full-sized
- Good performance
Cons:
- More expensive than a lot of others on this list
Imarku Pro 8 inch Chef Knife (Best Value for the Money)
This is one of the best budget Japanese knives under $100 you can get on the market.
It has a Rockwell hardness rating of 58, which is hard to come by in this price range.
It also has a super sharp and thin Japanese blade, which gives you more precision.
The handle is made of Pakkawood which serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose.
It is really nice to hold, with a great feeling of balance, and since the handle is made of wood, it gives it a very unique and elegant look.
The blade on it is made of a combination of carbon and chrome, and this makes it resistant to corrosion.
It’s very affordable and does a whole load of kitchen tasks very well for consumers.
It is highly recommended for home cooks who want to begin their collection with the best overall Japanese
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Has a great look to it
- Its sharpness is really good
- Has a hardness rating of 58
- Can be used for a variety of kitchen tasks
- Good performance
Cons:
- Can’t be used for either frozen or super hot food
FAQ’s
What Is The Best Chef’s Knife For On-a-budget Chefs?
The answer to this question will mostly depend on your tastes and needs in the kitchen.
But our pick for the best affordable chef
It topped our list, and for good reason too.
It is on the relatively affordable side, and the quality of it is seemingly unparalleled in its price range.it is arguably the best chef
Should You Buy From Wusthof? Or Wusthof Classic, to be specific?
Yes, the brand is definitely one of the best choices to purchase your next chef
And their Classic series is a high-quality collection, also.
You can find some knives for under 100 dollars from their other collections as well.
What Is The Best Material For Chef Knives?
When looking for a good western-style chef
While there are a lot of other very high-quality knives made of different materials, stainless steel is still the standard.
These knives will be very hard and durable, be very sharp right out of the box, and retain their edge for much longer.
Are Eastern Or Western Knives Better?
In the world of kitchen knives, Western-made and Eastern-made ones are considered some of the best quality knives out there.
None of these
But depending on your chopping style and preferences, you could benefit from choosing one of these knives.
For those who do a lot of delicate kitchen tasks with small ingredients such as slicing fish, chopping vegetables and fruits, as well as doing other detailed chopping jobs, it might be better to get an Eastern
This is because they are thinner and sharper than Western ones.
However, Western knives are built a bit heavier and thicker, giving them more durability.
These knives are best for those who do a lot of heavier chopping jobs in the kitchen like chopping meat.
What Knives Do Professional Chefs Use?
A professional in the culinary world will probably find themselves using a large variety of knives on the job.
However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have favorites.
A lot of chefs will usually resort to the traditional western-style chef
These knives are workhorses in the kitchen and they are also very flexible and can do a whole lot of different jobs.
What Knives Should I Own?
In a kitchen, you can have a very wide arsenal of the best tools possible, but there are three knives that are considered absolutely essential.
These are the chef
With these three blades, you’ll be able to accomplish just about any cutting, slicing, chopping, peeling, or dicing job in the kitchen.
Are Expensive Kitchen Knives Worth It?
Yes, they are of the best quality and will really speed up work in the kitchen.
That being said, unless you’re a professional, the small differences between the very expensive knives and the average chef
You can definitely get by with ease in a home kitchen using affordable chef’s knives, so getting an expensive chef
Is Damascus Steel Good For Knives?
Damascus steel is one of the best materials that can be used for knives.
It is durable, sharp, retains its edge longer, and has a good weight to it.
It isn’t a requirement for a
Conclusion
A chef
Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, this is one of the most important tools to have.
And while the expensive chef’s knives are well-worth the investment, they can sometimes be too expensive.
The affordable chef’s knives listed in this article are some of the best in the market today, and they can definitely hold their own when compared to their more “premium” counterparts.
Our favorite pick is the Dalstrong Gladiator Series Chef Knife.
While it doesn’t have a Damascus blade like other Dalstrong models, but it features a sharp edge, ergonomic design, and superior craftsmanship.
Another good contender is the Global G-4 Chef Knife.
It sports a stainless steel handle, sleek and sharp blade, making it a very ergonomic and modern pick for many chefs.
And for those on a very tight budget, we recommend the Mac Knife Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife.
It is one of the best budget picks out there and features a blade that glides through most ingredients like butter.
Further reading:
How to Sharpen Kitchen Knives
How to Keep a
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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!
