Cooking is an art and an everyday necessity. A quality knife is an irreplaceable tool that is used nearly every time you prepare a meal.
The best chef knives do not necessarily have to be the most expensive, despite what the majority of people think. So, what is the best chef knife for around $60?
Choosing the right knife requires a bit of personal touch since no one size fits all!
Hence, it’s crucial to consider different factors such as the size, sharpness, how well it fits in your hands and whether the blade and handle have proper balance.
Even though every knife has its use, some knives are universal. As such, if you wish to buy just one, consider what you cut most often – veggies, meat, or fish.
This post can help you know what to look for when choosing a high-quality knife for around $60.
Following rigorous selection criteria and a thorough review process, we went with our top 5 choices because they provide the best features for a high-quality chef knife.
And even though these chef knives are friendly to the pocket, they have an excellent track record and will serve you well.
Top 5 Chef’s Knives Around $60 at a Glance
- Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife: The Best Utility Chef’s Knife
- Mercer Culinary M21078 Genesis 8-Inch Short Bolster Chef’s Knife: The Best Value for Money Knife
- Imarku Japanese Chef Knife: Best Ergonomic Chef’s Knife
- Mosfiata 8” Super Sharp Professional Chef’s Knife: The Expert Butcher’s Knife
- Paudin N1 8-Inch Kitchen Knife: The Ultimate Meat Mincer
The 5 Best Chef’s Knives Around $60 Detailed Review
1. Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
The Victorinox Fibrox is a multipurpose knife that tops our list of top five chef knives you can get for less than $60.
This Fibro Pro chef’s knife has been the top choice of both home chefs and professionals alike.
Expertly crafted with a tapered stainless steel edge that cuts with ease and efficiency, it is fit for all tasks – big or small.
The ergonomic handle made from thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) provides a non-slip grip, even when wet, for easy handling.
Weighted and balanced for comfort, this exceptional knife is an essential for every kitchen.
Victorinox provides a lifetime against defects in material and workmanship, making their knives a lifelong commitment. The Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is dishwasher safe for an easy clean.
Pros
- Versatile cutting
- Excellent durability
- Good quality material and design
- Good grip even when wet
- Extra broad blade helps cut more significant chunks of food
Cons
- Poor maneuverability
- Unsatisfactory sharpness
2. Mercer Culinary M21078 Genesis 8-Inch Short Bolster Chef’s Knife
The Mercer Culinary M21078 Genesis Bolster knife is one of the most resilient knives on the market.
The knife is precision-forged with high-carbon German steel for better durability, and taper-ground edge allows for increased efficiency when cutting along with incredible long-lasting sharpness.
The handle is ergonomic and offers a non-slip grip, even with wet hands. The sharp tines are perfect for piercing food, and the knife is a great compliment to any of Mercer Culinary’s Carving Knives.
To maximize the performance and longevity of your carving fork, carefully wash by hand with warm water and mild soap; rinse and dry completely with a soft towel.
Do not place in dishwasher or submerge for long periods of time.
Pros
- Good hand grip
- Excellent cutting efficiency
- Retains sharpness even after months of use
- High-quality cutting blade
- Easy to maintain
- Value for money
Cons
- Rusts easily if not stored correctly
- Food sticks to the blade
3. Imarku Japanese Chef Knife
In our experience, the Imarku Japanese Chef knife cuts like broken glass.
And although it is built for kitchen enthusiasts, its sharpness is as good as that of a professional chef knife!
It is also a popular choice among professional chefs since it is lightweight, cuts fast, and its sharpness lasts long.
Moreover, its ergonomic design prevents additional pressure on the wrists while working.
So you won’t experience wrist or hand fatigue when using it for extended periods.
The knife also has a corrosion-resistant finish that will keep it looking like new.
Pros
- Super sharp and cuts through most items with ease
- Ideal weight
- Sharpness lasts long
- High-quality and ergonomic design
- Easy on the wrist
Cons
- Insufficient grip when the knife is wet
4. Mosfiata 8” Super Sharp Professional Chef’s Knife
Mosfiata’s chef knife is a professional knife ideal for home cooking. It has a finger guard that prevents self-injuries while working.
In addition, it comes with a special knife sharpener which is easy to use. So, you can maintain your knife without much trouble.
Furthermore, its Micarta handle helps keep the wrist stiff and prevents slipping of the hand while cutting.
Also the handle provides a comfortable grip that won’t fatigue your hand, even after extended use.
Pros
- Has a Micarta handle that keeps your hand sturdy
- Sharp cutting blade
- Rust and corrosion-free
- Suitable for all places – restaurants and home-kitchen
- Non-stick coating on the blades
- Multi-functional design
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Loses sharpness easily
5. Paudin N1 8-Inch Kitchen Knife
This German-made knife is crafted from high carbon stainless steel and features a sharp, durable blade that is perfect for slicing, mincing and dicing fruits, vegetables and meat.
The ergonomic wood handle provides a comfortable grip and the sleek, modern design will make a great addition to any kitchen.
Plus, the included gift box makes it a perfect choice for a housewarming or wedding gift.
Pros
- All-in-one knife that cuts almost everything – vegetables, meat, fish, beef, and chicken
- Easy to hold and maneuver
- Ergonomic design
- Ultra-sharp
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- It needs regular sharpening
- Questionable durability
Things to Consider Before Buying a Chef’s Knife
Blade material
The blade of a chef’s knife is typically made from one of two materials: stainless steel or high carbon steel.
Stainless steel knives are less likely to rust and require less maintenance than high carbon steel knives.
However, they are also less sharp and may not hold their edge as well.
High carbon steel knives, on the other hand, are extremely sharp and can retain their edge well. However, they are more susceptible to rusting and require more maintenance.
Blade size
Chef’s knives come in a variety of sizes, from 6 inches to 12 inches. The right size for you will depend on your needs.
If you do a lot of chopping, a larger knife may be better. However, if you do mostly slicing, a smaller knife may be a better option.
Handle material
The handle of a chef’s knife is typically made from one of two materials: wood or plastic. Wood handles are generally more comfortable to hold and provide a better grip than plastic handles.
However, they are also more susceptible to moisture and may require more maintenance. Plastic handles, on the other hand, are less comfortable to hold but are more durable and require less maintenance.
Weight
The weight of a chef’s knife can also be a factor to consider. Heavier knives are generally better for chopping, while lighter knives are better for slicing. Choose the weight that is most comfortable for you to use.
Price
As with anything, you get what you pay for when it comes to chef’s knives. Higher-priced knives will typically be made from higher-quality materials and will offer better performance than lower-priced knives.
However, not everyone needs or can afford the best of the best. Choose a knife that is within your budget and that meets your needs.
FAQs
1. Is a cooks knife the same as a chef’s knife?
There are many different types of knives used in the kitchen, but the two most commonly used are the cook’s knife and the chef’s knife.
Though they may look similar, these two knives serve different purposes. A cook’s knife is typically shorter and thicker than a chef’s knife, making it better suited for chopping vegetables and other ingredients.
A chef’s knife, on the other hand, is longer and thinner, making it ideal for slicing and dicing. In addition, a chef’s knife has a pointed tip that can be used for precision work, while a cook’s knife has a more rounded tip.
As a result, each type of knife is designed for a specific purpose. While both knives can be used for general kitchen tasks, they are best used for the specific tasks they were designed for.
2. Why are Chef’s Knives Wide?
If you’ve ever cooked with a chef’s knife, you may have noticed that they are wider than other types of knives. While this might seem like a strange design choice, there’s actually a very good reason for it.
The width of a chef’s knife allows for a more even distribution of force when cutting through food. This means that you can apply pressure more evenly to the food, resulting in cleaner cuts.
In addition, the wide blade provides more surface area for slicing and dicing, making it easier to chop large quantities of food at once.
3. Are 8-inch chef’s knives good?
The 8-inch chef’s knife is the most popular size among home cooks and professional chefs alike.
It’s versatile enough to handle a wide range of tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meat, but not so large that it feels unwieldy.
The 8-inch blade also provides a good balance between control and speed. If you’re only going to have one knife in your kitchen, an 8-inch chef’s knife is the way to go.
Read More: What Brand of Knives do Professional Chefs Prefer?
Conclusion
To summarize, choosing a knife that best suits your needs is crucial. The Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife tops our list since it is reasonably priced, is multipurpose, and has the perfect sharpness for daily use.
Even though others on our list are efficient knives for professional use, they make an excellent choice for home cooking, too.
Hence, make the right choice by considering factors such as durability, sharpness, size, and value. Then, since every individual has different comfort levels, select the one that fits your requirements.
