There’s no tool that’s more important to a cook than a chef
It is absolutely essential in the kitchen, and it can make cooking and prepping ingredients much easier.
Chef knives can be anywhere from 8” to 12” in length and they are multiple-use knives that chefs use for a very wide variety of tasks in the kitchen.
But if you’re a home cook, a student, or someone just starting their culinary journey, it might be hard to spend a lot of money on a quality
Luckily, there are a lot of options out there that don’t require you to bust the bank.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing some of the best chef knives for under $150.
These knives are all high-quality chef knives that aren’t too expensive that could serve as a great gift for yourself, or to anyone who’s been exploring the culinary world.
Best Chef Knives Under $150 – Quick Comparison
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How To Choose A Chef Knife Under $150
In this section, we’re going to take a look at a couple of things you need to look at when searching for a chef
1. Know Your Price Range
When it comes to chef knives, the $100-$150 range will get you a fairly decent
These won’t exactly be the most premium blades on the market, but they will perform at a high level.
This is a great range for home cooks and professionals because the knives in this range are generally very sharp, durable, and they aren’t too expensive.
It’s important to have realistic expectations when buying a chef’s
2. Check The Materials
When looking at a chef
A good chef
This is one of the best materials for a chef
In this price range, the handles will either be made out of G10 or wood.
Either of these materials will give you a good grip, but some chefs will have their preference as to which they prefer.
3. Check The Size
You have to make sure you’re getting the right-sized
Chef knives can be as small as 6” and as long as 12”.
The larger knives are usually reserved for professionals while the smaller knives are great for those with smaller hands.
But a good way to know the right size is to put the blade next to your forearm.
A rule that a lot of people follow is that a good chef
4. Feel
The last and most important thing to check out is how it feels in your hand.
A good chef
The only way to know if it feels right is to hold it yourself and go through the cutting motion.
You should instantly notice the difference in comfort when holding the right 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 Chef Knives Under $150
1. Dalstrong Shogun Series X Gyuto (Best Overall)
The first one on our list comes from the brand Dalstrong.
They are known in the culinary world for producing high-quality kitchen knives at a practical price.
This is a double-bevel
Both edges are sharpened to an incredible 8-12 degree angle that is a testament to its quality.
It is made in the Damascus tradition with high carbon Japanese super stainless steel and a super steel cutting core with a Rockwell hardness rating of 62.
The handle is triple-riveted, made of G10, and offers a natural grip that gives you a lot of control.
It’s a great place to start if you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen tools as it will give you something that you can use for almost any cutting, slicing, and dicing job that you can get at a practical price.
Which is about expected coming from Dalstrong.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Damascus steel
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Full tang
- Great balance
- Well-engineered
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
Other great collections:
2. Zelite Infinity (2nd Runner-up)
If you’re looking for a sturdy
It has a rounded handle that allows chefs to have a really solid grip that gives them more accuracy, precision, and control when slicing.
Right out of the box it is very sharp and will cut through paper with ease.
That’s a great plus for those who aren’t too experienced with whetstones yet.
This is also a
It has a military-grade G10 handle, so durability should be no issue when using this blade.
This is a Gyuto, which is the Japanese version of the German chef
It offers around the same versatility, but it also has a sharper edge and sleeker design.
This gives you a lot of control and allows you to slice really thinly, but it also means you won’t be able to do tougher chopping jobs than a thick German
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Great for Japanese cuisine and precision slicing
- Very sharp
- Full tang
- Well-balanced
- The tapered bolster is great for pinch grips
Cons:
- Has the tendency to rust if not well-maintained
3. TUO Fiery Phoenix Series (Best for Design)
This is one of the best budget options out there.
It has a very sharp blade with a Rockwell hardness rating of 62, which is not common in this price range.
The blade itself has a dragon keel pattern that is a result of the multiple layers of steel used in constructing the blade.
The handle of it is made of Pakkawood, which is a pleasant surprise considering how affordable it is.
The wooden handle gives it a classic aesthetic that would be a joy for any chef to have.
Because of the way the blade was constructed, it is rust-resistant and can last you years if taken care of properly.
Other customers have praised it for instantly becoming their go-to
It would make a great addition to any kitchen
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Affordable
- Pakkawood handle
- Damascus steel
- Can be used for a lot of different kitchen tasks
Cons:
- The design may not be for everyone
4. Miyabi Kaizen (Best for Japanese Style)
This is a classic 8-inch chef
It is part of Miyabi’s Kaizen series, which is Japanese for improvement because it combines modern and traditional techniques to create a
It is 8 inches and sharpened to an angle of 9.5 to 12 degrees, giving it exceptional sharpness right out of the box.
This is a
It has a Micarta handle with red accents that make for a very aesthetically pleasing
There isn’t much more you can ask for from a
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Classic design
- Combines traditional and modern knifemaking techniques
- Durable
- Full tang
Cons:
- Not ideal for cutting around the bone
5. Dalstrong Phantom Series (Best for Durability)
This is another
This is arguably one of the best knives in a collection that is known for great quality.
The
The blade on it is very sharp and made of high-carbon Japanese AUS-8 steel.
The
To add to the sleek design is a black Pakkawood handle.
The look of it is hard not to like.
It’s very modern and would fit the needs of almost any chef out there.
And it comes at a fairly affordable price which makes it an even more impressive pick.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Affordable
- Sleek modern design
- Pakkawood handle
- Comes with a sheath
- Made with Japanese AUS-8 Steel
Cons:
- Not the most premium option out there
6. Global (Best for Comfort)
It from the Global brand is a fairly unique one.
It is constructed with one piece of high-carbon stainless steel.
This not only makes it very durable, but it also gives users a very comfortable grip, making it easy to control.
And since it’s relatively affordable, this makes for a great chef
This is definitely a more modern take on the chef
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Modern design
- Durable
- CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel blade has excellent edge retention
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons:
- The
knife has a tendency to rust
7. Mac Mighty (Higher-end Choice)
Capping off our list is arguably the best chef
That being said, it is barely under $150.
But considering how high the quality of it is and the brand that it comes from, that should come as no surprise.
It has a Pakkawood handle and a hollow edge, giving it superior sharpness and durability.
This is a great
Other customers have said that even if they are home cooks, it makes them feel like a professional in the kitchen.
It may be fairly expensive, but it is definitely worth every single dollar it costs.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Premium choice ideal for professional
- Very sharp blade
- Great balance
- Non-stick blade
- Great size for any kitchen task
Cons:
- This is one of the more expensive options on our list
FAQ’s
1. What Is The Best Chef Knife For The Money?
There are a lot of good budget chef knives out there, but our favorite pick is the Dalstrong Shogun Series X Gyuto.
This is because it’s a
It is great for those who want to transition to more professional tools without busting the bank.
2. Do Professional Chefs Use Ceramic Knives?
While ceramic knives are very sharp and a favorite of a lot of home cooks, they are not ideal for the professional kitchen.
This is because they can be very delicate and fragile, and in a high-pressure kitchen, that can be very dangerous as they break easily.
3. What Brand Of Knife Do Professional Chefs Prefer?
There are a lot of chef knives out there, and they all have their own set of benefits, but there are still a couple of brands that stand out.
Knife brands that consistently deliver and are preferred by chefs are Shun, MAC, Henckels, Wusthof, and Messermeister.
4. How Much Should A Chef Knife Cost?
Chef knives can cost anywhere from $10 to $1500.
If you want a better
But a good average price for a decent chef
5. What Are Chef Knives Best For?
Chef knives are designed to be the go-to kitchen
That means that they are good and ideal for a whole bunch of different tasks.
They can slice meat, chop vegetables, chop spice, and a whole lot more.
They are supposed to be able to do most of the non-specialist kitchen tasks which is why it’s essential for any chef.
Conclusion
The Chef
Chef knives can be anywhere from 8” to 12” in length and they are multiple-use knives that chefs use for a very wide variety of tasks in the kitchen.
But if you’re a home cook, a student, or someone just starting their culinary journey, it might be hard to spend a lot of money on a quality
Our favorite model is the Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife.
It is made with Damascus Steel, has an incredibly sharp edge, and ergonomic design that would make kitchen life much easier for chefs.
If you’re into Japanese-style knives, we also recommend the Zelite Infinity 8” Chef Knife.
It also has Damascus steel and features a modern design with a beautiful handle.
We’d also like to mention the TUO Fiery PhoenixDamascus Chef Knife.
It is one of the best Damascus knives in its price range and comes with a beautiful PakkaWood handle.
Further reading:
25 Skills Every Cook Should Know
16 Kitchen Skills Every Home Chef Must Know
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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!
