Buying a kitchen knife is a personal matter. No knife will fit anyone. This article aims to provide some guidance and starting points when looking for a knife.

There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when buying a kitchen knife. First and most importantly, you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money. This is especially true if you are a hobby cook.

One other thing to keep in mind is that there are two main styles of knives. Western style knives are the most common. They are characterised by a thicker blade and are the best fit for most people. Japanese knives on the other hand come in a variety of shapes. They require more research before making a purchase.

DISCLAIMER: Be aware that a better knife will not make you a better chef. I know this from experience.

Taking Care Of Your Knife

Although kitchen knives are generally very sturdy and will last a long time, you do still need to take care of them if you want them to last for life.

The most important property of a knife is sharpness. A blunt knife should be avoided at all times as it can often be more dangerous than a sharp one. Sharpening your knives is reasonably easy if you take the time to learn it once. Whetstones are very cheap and will keep your knife sharp forever.

Another thing to keep in mind is cleaning. Most knives are dishwasher safe, but similar to other kitchen equipment hand cleaning your knife will always be superior and better for the knife.

One thing that's often overlooked is your cutting board. You definitely don't need to spend a fortune on one, but please use a decent wooden board. Nobody wants plastics in their food and if you use a glass cutting board you don't even need to bother reading the rest of the article.

A final thing to keep in mind is storing your knife. You should aim to store your knife in such a way that it does not get damaged quickly. This is easiest with a (wooden) magnetic knife strip or in a cork knife block or drawer.

Our recommendations for BIFL kitchen knives

If you are just looking for brands that you cannot go wrong with, consider one of the brands from this list.

Budget Knife Under $50

Mostly known for their Swiss Army Knives, Victorinox also makes great chef's knives. Any of their knives are great, but if you are looking for the best bang for your buck you should get the Classic Fibrox knife. You can find these western style chef's knives for under $50 and if you treat them well they will treat you with perfectly chopped onions every time.

BIFL Kitchen Knife Under $100

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can consider browsing Zwilling's knife collection. Their PRO Knife is a great allround knife which will serve you well. However, keep in mind that knives are personal and you might actually just prefer the cheaper Victorinox knife.

Top Western Knife

Wüsthof is a German knife brand. Their Classic 8" Chef's Knife is one of the top recommended knives by both casual cooks and top chefs. Coming in at just under $150 it is however quite expensive. We would only recommend this knife for people with a true passion for cooking or knives.

Japanese Style Knives

If you are looking for a BIFL Japanese style kitchen knife, the best place to start would be Tojiro. Their knives are not cheap, but worth every dollar spent on them. Our preference goes to the DP chef knife.

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Written by dazf3865
May 31, 2024