Having a reliable knife will up your kitchen game from soup to nuts — in the most literal sense. (Amazon)
Have you ever attempted to cut up a butternut squash with a dull knife? Let me tell you, it's not fun. As delicious as they are when cooked, those gourds can be tough to prep, especially if you're working with a less-than-stellar blade. And stubborn produce aside, having a good knife is important for any cook, since accidents are less likely to happen when you're using less force. With so many knives on the market, choosing one can be overwhelming, which is why Yahoo editor Lisa Schweitzer went in search of the best chef's knives.
After testing a bunch, she awarded the Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef's Knife the title of "best budget chef's knife" — and budget is right. This top-rated tool is currently on sale for just $40 (down from $60) at Amazon. Better grab it while the slice is right!
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One Yahoo editor awarded this blade the title of best budget chef's knife after testing a slew of them. She says, "When I started culinary school, I was issued a curated set of knives and tools we would need to work with through our 600 hours of training in order to graduate. This Mercer Culinary chef's knife was the one we received that day and what we would use for 90% of our daily tasks. That should give you an idea of what this knife is capable of — and of its durability.
The Genesis may not be a flashy knife, but it is a real workhorse in the kitchen. This Western-style knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon German steel and features a handle made from Santoprene (a rubbery material) that ensures a firm grip even in damp hands."
It only dropped lower in price once this year ... so chop chop!
To those ladies who believe that plain old rubber gloves will keep their hands protected, we say: "No, woman — NoCry."
A decent knife can cost $100 or more (like this chef's knife, one of Lisa's other top picks), so the fact that this one clocks in at a mere $40 is pretty remarkable — even at full price, it would be a bargain! We've only seen it dip lower than its current price a handful of times over the past few years, so now would be a smart time to snag it.
At Yahoo, we wouldn't task just anyone with determining the best chef's knives; we enlisted Lisa, a French Culinary Institute alum who knows a thing or two about kitchen equipment. "When I started culinary school, I was issued a curated set of knives and tools we would need to work with through our 600 hours of training in order to graduate," she says. "This Mercer Culinary chef's knife was the one we received that day and what we would use for 90% of our daily tasks. That should give you an idea of what this knife is capable of — and of its durability."
She goes on to say, "The Genesis may not be a flashy knife, but it is a real workhorse in the kitchen. This Western-style knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon German steel and features a handle made from Santoprene (a rubbery material) that ensures a firm grip even in damp hands." Nonslip handle = less risk of accidental nicks and cuts!
As far as slicing and dicing is concerned, "It cuts through tomatoes and onions nicely but with some mild resistance on onions ... and butterflies chicken breasts smoothly," says Lisa. "The blade feels slightly chunkier than those of Japanese knives — whether you like this is all a matter of personal preference, much like the weight of a knife." (Psst: Her pick for "best chef's knife overall" is a lighter Japanese-style knife, though it's more expensive.)
With over 1,300 five-star ratings, this knife's a hit no matter how you slice it.
"We love to have a good 'go-to' knife in our kitchen," said this shopper. "As soon as we got this one, [we noticed] it was a little weightier and had a better grip than our other chef's knives. ... Quality steel and very good so far. ... We have already ditched our other knives because this one is so solid."
"Bought it almost four years ago," wrote another. "I take good care of it, and it's still a beauty. The inscriptions are almost gone because of washing and wiping, but the steel and handle are in great condition. It's so comfortable to handle."
Even the pros approve. "I've been a chef for seven years and been in the industry for about 18 years," shared one. "I know a good quality knife when I see one, and these are definitely it! I bought about 10 of these for our house knives at work and will continue to buy when needed. It's German steel, so they are super sharp, easy to sharpen and it will keep a very sharp edge without the need to sharpen it so often."
"In my experience, the only weak point on these knives is to be expected because they are high-carbon steel," said a generally pleased buyer. "If you leave water or have water spots on them for a very long period ... they will rust."
"My only complaint ... is that the rubbery handle is not particularly attractive and is a tad thick for my smallish hands," wrote a final fan. "Overall, nice fit and finish, though. Hardly anyone would be disappointed with this purchase."
And these No. 1 bestsellers will keep your precious little fingies safe while you slice.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
