The best kitchen knives: 6 kitchen knives to sharpen your cooking skills

Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned cook, the best kitchen knives are a trusted essential to transform the way you prepare food at mealtimes. The best knife will be sharp so it can easily tackle specific cooking needs.  In addition, quality kitchen knives can seriously reduce the amount of prepping-time, making slicing and dicing foods quick and easy. Which also means you will no longer have the hassle of using and sharpening blunt knives.

Far from being a basic tool, kitchen knives have evolved to become much more versatile. Nowadays, they come in different shapes, sizes and styles, and all serve a different purpose. The best knives also vary in price and can be expensive, so it’s important to find the right one to suit your lifestyle and get value for money. 

We’ve found some great knives that are best for carving, bread or everyday tasks. 

Read our useful guide to find the best kitchen knife for all your culinary needs.

The best kitchen knives

(Image credit: Vitorinox)

If you’re after a versatile knife that you can use on a day-to-day basis with professional results, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is a great pick. Here's everything you need to know:

Laser-tested blade

Whether it’s for big or small chopping tasks, this is a versatile knife with a professional finish. It’s razor sharp, laser-tested blade forms an exacting angle, which is ideal for mincing, slicing, and dicing ingredients in minutes.

Easy handling

This features an ergonomic handle made from thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), designed to provide a more secure grip for easy handling. This is also non-slip which is convenient for when your hands are wet.  

(Image credit: Wusthof)

If you spend your time in the kitchen chopping vegetables or mincing those smaller ingredients, the Wusthof CLASSIC Paring Knife is sharp enough to do the job in no time.  Here's why we love it:

Rounded and straight-edge precision blade

This knife is designed with both a rounded and straight-edge blade surface. Making it the ideal tool for crushing garlic, slicing vegetables and easily scooping up to transfer to a bowl or pot.

Light to use

Unlike most quality knives that are heavy to handle, this knife is light and comfortable to use. Plus, don’t be fooled by its small stature too, as it is strong and durable. 

(Image credit: Shun)

If you don’t mind spending a bit more for convenience, the Shun Utility Knife Classic can tackle just about every cooking task, making this a good investment. Here's why we love it:

Multi-purpose blade

With its razor-sharp blade, this makes it great for slicing through a variety of things with more precision. From meats and cheeses to fruits and vegetables, this will give a clean slice without unsightly tearing.  

Easy grip d-shaped handle

Being able to handle a knife with ease and without hassle is a key factor. Designed with a special d-shaped handle, this knife fits more comfortably in the hand. This also affects the quality of your slice.

(Image credit: Henkels)

If you prefer crusty bread or homemade loaves, and need a sharp and reliable knife, the Henckels Classic bread knife is the ideal choice. Here's why we love it:

Serrated-edge blade

This comes with a very sharp, serrated blade that can slice through the toughest of breads easily.  You no longer have to put in the effort or risk ruining the shape and texture.  Plus, it won’t leave messy crumbs everywhere.

Ergonomic handle

Bread knives usually have larger and cumbersome handles for better grip. But this bread knife has a traditional triple-rivet handle that makes it easier to hold with more balance.

(Image credit: Kai)

A combination of style and substance, this Wasabi Black Santoku knife has it all. A great choice for slicing finer cuts, without effort.  Here's why we love it:

Double-beveled blade

This Wasabi Black knife features a double-beveled blade that has been hand sharpened for extra precision. This makes it great for cutting thin slices of meat, seafood and other culinary delights with less effort.

Modern design

Santoku originates from Japan, which is why the Wasabi Black has style as well as substance. With its sleek design, it makes an attractive addition to any kitchen.

(Image credit: Kyocera)

Flexible ceramic blade

It comes with an extremely sharp ceramic blade that allows quick, precise cuts. Not only is the blade sharp, but it’s flexible, which makes it more resistant to damage. What’s more, this will probably last longer than traditional knives.

Ultralight weight

Ceramic is much lighter than stainless steel, and this knife is super-lightweight to handle and use. This makes all the difference when slicing and dicing foods on a daily basis. 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KITCHEN KNIFE

Besides sharpness being an inevitable key factor, there are a few other things to consider before buying a kitchen knife. Especially if you want your knives to last long and provide value for money. These include: 

Type

Depending on what you need it for, it’s important to find out what specific purpose it serves. Popular types include the chef’s (cook’s) knife, which is multi-purpose, a paring (vegetable) knife which is smaller and ideal for peeling fruit, and the Santoku knife is suited for slicing meat, fish and vegetables.

Size of handle

Just like the blade, handles can come in all shapes and sizes. Considering you will be using it frequently, it’s best to find one that is ergonomic, easy to handle and lightweight. Once you find one suited to your needs, this will make prepping more enjoyable.

WHAT IS THE BEST KITCHEN KNIFE?

With all of these in mind, if you want the best kitchen knife that is multi-functional, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is a great all-rounder. It’s convenient and versatile to tackle just about any culinary need - big or small.  It also features a razor sharp, laser-tested blade for better angling and precision. Best of all, it’s easy to use and dishwasher safe.