A lot of people might think that a high-quality, professional chef
But that is far from the case.
In fact, there are so many knives out there used by professional chefs that cost below $300.
And these knives come from very well-respected brands, too.
But since there are so many different knives and brands in this price range, figuring out which ones are good and which ones aren’t can be difficult.
That’s where we come in.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best chef knives for under $300, and we’ve also included a buying guide for those of you shopping in this range.
So if you’ve been on the hunt for a chef
Read on to learn more.
Related: A review of the best chef knives on the market right now
Best Chef Knives Under $300 (Updated List)
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How to Choose a Good Chef Knife For Under $300
Here are some things to look out for when buying chef knives in this price range.
1. Steel
When shopping within this price range, you’d want to make sure you’re getting a quality product.
And one of the first indicators is the steel used in making the blade.
Ideally, you’d want to get a blade made out of high-carbon stainless steel.
This is a very durable material that is resistant to corrosion and can hold its edge for a long time.
You also want to avoid getting ceramic knives, especially if you’re going to end up chopping a lot of ingredients as they can be brittle and break easily.
2. Handle
One of the key features of a
A good
That’s why there are many different handle shapes, so make sure to choose one that suits your chopping style.
Before buying a
In this range, you should make sure that you have either laminated wood or a G10 handle.
Santoprene handles are fine but don’t have the same premium characteristics as wooden or G10 handles.
3. Construction
If you plan on investing money in a chef
This is the technique used by blade makers for centuries on end and has stood the test of time.
Stamped blades may be cost-effective and functional, but they lack the sharpness, durability, and quality of forged blades.
A good chef
This is also where you can figure out if your
Ideally, you want your
4. Bevel
The bevel or the edge of it can make a huge difference for chefs in the kitchen.
A double-beveled
This gives a slightly more durable construction and allows you to cut through heavier ingredients with ease.
These knives can also be used by either left-handed or right-handed chefs.
Singe-bevel knives on the other hand are much sharper, thinner, and are only sharpened on one side.
This is the kind of edge you’ll find on Japanese chef knives and it allows you to cut thinner and more precisely.
However, these knives are either only right-handed or left-handed, and leftie knives might end up costing you more money.
So make sure to put that into consideration before buying a high-quality 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 For Under $300
1. Dalstrong Shogun Series X Gyuto (Editor’s Choice)
To start things off, we have a
The knives in this line are of the highest quality and this specific Gyuto is excellent proof of why.
It is made of forged Damascus steel with an AUS-10V Super steel core.
This cutting core gives it a Rockwell hardness rating of 62+, which makes it incredibly durable.
The Damascus steel also gives the blade a beautiful look and a razor-sharp edge that won’t need regular sharpening.
The blade is sharpened to an incredibly thin 13-degree angle, so right out of the box, this can slice through paper like it’s butter.
The handle on this is G10, which is a very strong, waterproof, and sanitary material.
It’s also shaped very ergonomically to allow for a comfortable yet firm grip on it.
This
Highly recommended for both professional chefs and students.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Razor-sharp right out of the box
- Damascus steel
- AUS-10V super steel core
- Comfortable handle
- Full tang
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
Other great collections:
2. Zelite Infinity (2nd Runner-up)
This is another knife made of Damascus steel, so you can expect a beautiful pattern on the blade, a razor-sharp edge, and a very corrosion-resistant blade.
This is a Gyuto
It retains most of the dimensions such as an 8-inch blade, but it is sharpened very thinly.
This will allow you to slice through ingredients very precisely.
It’s a perfect
It has a tapered bolster, which allows you to use the pinch grip.
This grip gives you a lot of control when using it, which can be very important since it is so sharp.
Like other models in this price range, this has a G10 handle.
But another great thing about this is the box that it comes in.
It’s a beautiful box that perfectly showcases the pattern on the blade, making this model a great idea for anyone looking to gift a chef
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Comes with a gift box
- Very sharp
- Well-balanced
- Damascus steel
- Hand sharpened to a 12-degree angle
Cons:
- Requires a fair amount of maintenance
3. KATSU Kiritsuke (Best for Versatility)
Next up, we have a Kiritsuke knife.
A Kiritsuke is one of the most versatile knives in the Japanese kitchen.
It measures 8” in length, and it has a different shape than the classic western chef
This
It has a convex grind which gives it a durable, sharp, and precise edge that’s very easy to sharpen and maintain.
The handle of this is made of ebony wood and the bolster is made of buffalo horn which gives it a very classy look.
If you’re looking for a Kiritsuke for under $300, this might be the best pick on the market today.
It’s easy to maintain, comes from a trusted brand, and is razor-sharp right out of the box.
There isn’t much more you can ask for.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Very versatile in the kitchen
- Razor-sharp right out of the box
- Easy to sharpen
- Comfortable handle
- Come with a wood sheath and gift box
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
4. Enso (Best for Damascus Style)
- Chef Knife handcrafted in Seki City, Japan; 8 inch blade (13-3/8 inches overall); Weighs 7.9 ounces (225 grams)
- Japanese VG10 steel cutting core for excellent edge retention; Rockwell Hardness 61
- 37-layer stainless Damascus blades with hammered (tsuchime) finish
Next up on this list, we have another Gyuto.
It’s a Japanese-style
This
This gives it a razor-sharp edge and a lot of durabilities.
It has a double bevel, which means it is well-balanced and can be used by both right-handed and left-handed chefs, and the blade is sharpened to a 12-degree angle.
The handle features one of Enso’s signatures, a black canvass micarta handle with rivets, which not only feels very comfortable in the hand but also gives it a great classy look.
A great
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Beautifully designed
- Full tang
- Razor-sharp
- Damascus steel
- Very durable
Cons:
- Needs to be hand-washed and dried after every use
5. Miyabi Mizu SG2 (Best for Brand Recognition)
- Premium SG2 Micro-Carbide Powder Stainless Steel with hammered ("Tsuchime") Damascus finish
- Cryodur heat treatment process using ice-hardening results in a blade featuring a high 63 Rockwell Hardness rating, excellent flexibility and superior edge retention
- Traditional Honbazuke sharpening method that originated from traditional Japanese sword making; 3-step process that produces a razor sharp 12 degree double bevel edge
Miyabi is a very respected brand in the culinary world, and this is a great example of why.
It has a hammered Damascus construction with Micro carbide powdered steel.
This is a very well-constructed
It has a micarta D-shape handle, which offers a unique grip that any chef will love.
It also makes for a great
If you’re on the hunt for a good-looking, well-built, and razor-sharp
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Well-constructed
- Comfortable handle
- Hand honed to a 12-degree angle
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The textured finish on the blade may not be for everyone
6.WUSTHOF Classic (Best for Western Style)
This is the brand of chef
If you’re looking for a German-style chef
This
It’s full tang and triple-riveted, which gives it a great feeling when chopping and a lot of balance.
The handle also has a full bolster and a finger guard for an added element of safety and comfort when slicing.
This is one of the more expensive models out there, but if you want a very high-quality, premium
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Well constructed
- Comes from a trusted brand
- Very sharp
- Well-balanced
- Great edge-retention
Cons:
- May cost more than other models on this list
7. Miyabi Birch (Best High-end Choice)
This is the most expensive
This
It’s high-quality steel that comes from Japan, and it results in a blade that can hold its edge, be razor-sharp, and be an overall joy to have in the kitchen.
This is a hand-honed
Professionals from various places have lauded this for being one of the best knives in the market t0day.
It may be expensive, but if you’re willing to invest in an incredibly high-quality
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Premium construction
- Great design
- Beautiful handle
- Hand honed
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
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FAQ’s
1. What Brand Of Knives Do Professional Chefs Prefer?
There are a lot of brands out there, and each chef will have their own preference, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any brands that stand out.
In the culinary world, the Shun, WUSTHOF, Henckels, Miaybi, Global, and MAC.
2. What Are The Top Rated Chef Knives?
In the current world of chef knives, the top chef knives tend to be either German or Japanese-made.
These are knives that come from premium brands like Shun, WUSTHOF, and Heckels.
Professionals like Gordon Ramsay are commonly seen using the WUSTHOF brand because their knives are so reliable.
3. Are German Or Japanese Knives Better?
This will depend on your needs in the kitchen and your cutting style.
A German-style chef
This is great if you’re going to be doing a lot of heavy cutting jobs and kitchen prep.
On the other hand, Japanese-style chef knives are thinner, lighter, sharper, and are single-beveled.
This allows you to cut through small ingredients easier, and also have more precise cuts.
Ideal if you’ll find yourself working with fish, sushi, and other smaller ingredients that require precision.
However, you have to make sure you have a right-handed
4. Are Expensive Knives Worth It?
Generally, expensive knives are well worth the investment.
They are sharp, last you a long time, and can really help up your productivity in the kitchen.
However, expensive knives may not be practical for beginners and home cooks, and there’s nothing wrong with starting out with a budget chef
There are a lot of them out there that can easily compete with more expensive models.
5. How Much Should I Spend On A Chef Knife ?
This depends on what you want.
If you want a premium chef
However, if all you need is a reliable kitchen
In fact, there are a lot of quality knives out there that don’t even crack the $100 mark, all you have to do is know where to look.
Conclusion
A lot of top-tier chef knives can fetch prices of more than $1000.
And for most chefs, it wouldn’t be practical to spend that much on a
For chefs who enjoy Japanese cutlery, we highly recommend the Katsu Kiritsuke Knife.
The Kiritsuke is one of the hardest knives to use and is usually reserved for the executive chef.
This model features everything you would need from a kiritsuke like sharp edge, beautiful construction, and a traditional wa style handle.
If you like a mix of Japanese and Western influences, then we recommend the Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife.
With its Damascus steel blade, razor-sharp edge, and modern, ergonomic handle, the Dalstrong Shogun Series chef
And for those on a very tight budget, we recommend the Zelite Infinity Chef Knife.
Despite being one of the most affordable options out there, this
Further reading:
12 Pro Techniques Every Serious Home Cook Should Know
Recipes from Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro
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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!
