Whether an expert or novice home cook, a sharp, durable, and robust chef’s knife is essential for preparing a tasty meal.
You should, therefore, pick a knife you’re comfortable with and one you can use for chopping, slicing, and carving.
Still, with so many options available on the market, making a decision may seem daunting. So, what brand of kitchen knives do professional chefs prefer?
We searched for the top knives as suggested by experts to help you choose the best brand. This article explores our research-driven picks.
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Top 5 Brand of Knives Professional Chefs Prefer
There are several knife brands in the industry that professional chefs frequently use to make some of the best meals in the world.
1. MAC Knives
MAC Knives are coveted by both home cooks and professional chefs for their razor-sharp edges, comfortable handles, and outstanding balance.
The knives are handcrafted in Japan by experienced Japanese craftsmen and have been sold by MAC Knives since 1964. More than 25 million MAC Knives have been sold to date.
The company offers more than seven distinct series of knives, each designed for a different purpose. The Superior Series, for instance, is designed for general purpose use while the Chef Series is geared towards professional chefs.
The Japanese Series is, unsurprisingly, designed specifically for Japanese cooking techniques.
In addition to being sold by series, MAC Knives are also sold based on purpose; for instance, chefs can purchase a cleaver, a bread knife, or a sashimi knife.
No matter what the specific use case may be, MAC Knives is one of the most reputable Japanese knives on the market and is sure to provide users with a top-quality product.
2. Victorinox
Victorinox is a Swiss company that produces high-quality knives and other tools.
The company was founded in 1884 by Karl Elsener, and it is best known for its flagship product, the Swiss Army Knife.
In 2005, Victorinox merged with another company, Wenger, and the resulting company is now the largest supplier of Swiss Army knives.
Victorinox also produces kitchen cutlery, and their bread knife and standard cooking knife are two of their most popular items.
Victorinox is renowned for its attention to detail and commitment to quality, and its products are used by military personnel, cooking professionals, and outdoors enthusiasts around the world.
Whether you need a versatile pocket knife for everyday use or a durable hunting knife for your next expedition, Victorinox has the right tool for the job.
3. Misen
Founded in 2015, Misen is a direct-to-consumer cookware company that offers high-quality, affordable kitchen essentials.
The name “Misen” comes from the Japanese word for kitchen knife, mise-nagashi. The company’s stated goal is to create the “ultimate all-purpose kitchen knife” through a combination of excellent design and high-quality materials.
Misen uses Japanese AUS-8 steel for its blades, which is known for its durability and ability to take a sharp edge. The blades are also heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 60, which makes them very tough and resistant to chipping.
Misen knives are designed to be comfortable to use and easy to sharpen, with a double-beveled edge that can be honed to a razor-sharpness.
The knives are sold online and are currently available in three different sizes: chef’s, Santoku, and paring. In addition to its knives, Misen also offers a line of cutting boards made from end grain bamboo.
4. Wusthof
Wüsthof is a German knife manufacturer located in Solingen, Germany. The company was founded in 1814 by Johann Abraham Wüsthof.
The company produces a wide range of knives for the kitchen, including cutting, slicing, paring, and boning knives.
Wüsthof also produces steak knives, bread knives, cleavers, and Santoku knives. In addition to knives, the company also manufactures kitchen gadgets such as vegetable peelers and can openers.
Wüsthof’s products are available in over 80 countries worldwide. The company has over 500 employees and generates an annual revenue of €200 million.
5. Oxford Chef
Based in the UK, the Oxford Knife Company has been hand-crafting knives for professional chefs for over 35 years.
Using only the finest materials, their knives are designed for both beauty and function. Whether you’re looking for a Santoku knife for chopping vegetables or a chef’s knife for slicing meat, the Oxford Knife Company has the perfect blade for your needs.
And with a variety of handle styles and finishes to choose from, you’re sure to find a knife that suits your own personal style.
So if you’re in the market for a new chef knife, be sure to give the Oxford Knife Company a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Five Exceptional Knives from the Top Brands Used by Professional Chefs
- Mac Mighty Professional Hollow Edge Knife – Excellent Japanese-Style Knife
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife – Best Inexpensive Professional Chef’s Knife
- Misen Chef’s Knife – Best Professional Chef’s Knife for Beginners
- Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Great For Butchering
- Kiritsuke Oxford Chef’s Knife – Best for Precision Cuts
1. Mac Mighty Professional Hollow Edge Knife
We were delighted with how easily the knife passed all our tests.
A quality chef’s knife should be lightweight and sharp, and this model checks both boxes.
Moreover, dimples on the blade of this Japanese-style knife stop food from sticking. We found this knife remarkably sharp, light, and resilient in our tests.
It sliced through thick veggies as effortlessly as soft ones, and the blade didn’t have a problem sliding through a sheet of paper or a slick tomato peel.
Additionally, its Pakka wood handle was simple to hold and felt strong in our hands regardless of the material we were cutting.
In general, the knife’s blade is incredibly sharp and perfectly balanced with the grip, reducing stress on your hands and wrists.
Pros
- Well-balanced
- Slip-free handle
- Ultra-sharp blade
- Lightweight yet strong
Cons
- It does not come with a sheath
2. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
This model of professional chef knives comes with the Swiss-made reputation of Victorinox, which makes it a great all-around knife.
It promises a non-slip ergonomic handle with a sure and comfortable grip and lives up to its word. Onions, carrots, and raw steak were no match for this knife.
According to the company, the tapering knife edge, ground in two directions, assists the Victorinox Fibrox in retaining its sharpness for a longer time.
Hand cleaning your knife is generally suitable since it protects the blade and prolongs its sharpness. However, we did notice some discoloration after running the knife through the dishwasher.
Because it’s a low-cost knife, it comes packaged in a simple plastic clamshell (which proved difficult to open) with no instructions or other valuable materials. However, this is an excellent option for frequent preparatory work at a fair price.
Pros
- Non-stick blade
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable grip and easy maneuverability
Cons
- Not quite as sharp as our other options
- More susceptible to dulling than the other picks
3. Misen Chef’s Knife
The Misen Chef’s Knife is another excellent all-around knife for professional chefs. Beginners will appreciate the 8-inch Misen’s modest weight and ease of use.
Though some of the food we sliced stuck to it, it was thin and cut quickly. Knife care and handling instructions are included in the Misen.
We appreciated the fact that you can test it out for 60 days at home risk-free. You have a lifetime guarantee if you choose to keep it.
Pros
- Comes with knife-care instructions
- Lifetime guarantee
- Easy to use for beginners
- Narrow yet firm blade
- Easy to sharpen
Cons
- Somewhat susceptible to sticking
4. Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
The Wüsthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cook’s Knife is a sharp and durable knife that meets the average professional chef’s criteria for a good knife.
And if you are accustomed to the heavier German feel, this is particularly true.
With a narrower blade, the Classic Ikon was more precise in slicing carrots and butternut squash than any German-forged knife we tested.
This blade astonished us with how easily it curved around citrus rinds and butternut squash to remove the peel.
Nonetheless, the Classic Ikon’s soft steel blade prevents it from cutting as sharply as our top knife.
The Wüsthof also has the heaviest weight of all the German knives we tested. And while the extra weight might hinder maneuverability a bit, it proves to be an advantage when it comes to butchering or cutting dense foods.
Pros
- Ergonomic design and smooth cutting
- Good for butchering
- Resistant to stain and corrosion
Cons
- Duller than other knives on this list
- Extra weight means decreased maneuverability
5. Oxford Chef Bread Knife
Anyone hoping to improve their professional knife abilities should get their hands on this Japanese-style chef’s knife.
This knife quickly passed our tests because it could glide through every cutting surface.
When mincing garlic or removing seeds from butternut squash, our testers appreciated how the blade’s tip and belly were both razor-sharp.
The razor-sharp edge enabled consistent paper-thin slices from beginning to end, even on a slick plum. The thick sweet potato was also a breeze to cut into uniform cubes.
Despite being a little heavier than other knives on our list, none of our reviewers found that detrimental to performance.
Pros
- Sharp blade
- Perfect for precision cuts
- Ergonomic grip handle
- Durable steel blade
Cons
- Slight imbalance due to the handle being slightly heavier than the blade
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What brand of knives does Jacques Pepin use?
Jacques Pepin is a world-renowned chef, and his knives are a vital part of his kitchen. He uses a variety of brands, but his favorite is the Japanese knife company Global.
Pepin has been using Global knives for over 20 years, and he credits them with helping him to achieve the level of culinary excellence that he is known for.
Pepin loves the way the knives feel in his hand, and he believes that they give him an extra level of precision in the kitchen.
Whether he’s slicing vegetables or filleting fish, Pepin knows that he can rely on his Global knives to help him produce perfect results.
2. What brands of professional chef knives should I use in my restaurant kitchen?
If you’re outfitting a professional kitchen, you’ll want to choose knives that are up to the task. In terms of brands, there are a few that stand out above the rest.
Henckels and Wüsthof Ikon are both excellent choices for German-made knives. They’re both on the higher end of the price spectrum, but they’re also built to last.
If you’re considering Japanese knives, Shun is a good option. As for Swiss knives, Forschner by Victorinox is a good choice.
When it comes to material, you can choose between stainless steel and carbon steel. Carbon steel holds a sharper edge but requires more maintenance due to its propensity to rust. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your kitchen.
3. What knife brand(s) do Japan’s best chefs use?
It can be hard to pin down which knife brands Japan’s best chefs use since there are so many excellent knifemakers.
Each chef has their own preference, based on what feels comfortable and works well for them.
Some popular brands used by top chefs include Aritsugu, Minonokuni, and Nenox. However, many chefs also use knives made by local artisans who may not have an online presence.
Ultimately, it comes down to finding a knife that the chef enjoys using and sticking with it.
Conclusion
The right chef’s knife could become your greatest buddy in the kitchen. Invest in your chef’s knife by taking the time to discover what you need from it.
If you’re serious about improving your cooking skills, you should consider investing in a high-quality chef’s knife to get the ultimate chopping and cutting experience.
