The right chef’s knife can significantly improve your ability to complete common cooking tasks, but with so many pricey options available, are there any less expensive options? What are the top chef’s knives available for under $50? The top chef’s knives combine excellence with dependability, sharpness, and affordability. Even though there are many high-end options, you can easily find a good all-purpose knife for less than $50. For the best value, choose an 8-inch high-carbon stainless steel knife! Discover the best type of chef’s knife, some important warning signs to watch out for, and our suggestions by reading on!
The Importance Of A Chef’s Knife
A chef’s knife is a symbol of culinary culture as well as a precise cutting tool. No other tool is as important as this one — having the wrong knife can be disastrous, especially in a professional setting! Chef’s knives are all-purpose cutting tools made from superior materials and, arguably, better manufacturing processes. The end result is a tough and versatile knife that can not only withstand the test of time, but also make everyday cooking tasks enjoyable and simple.
If you’ve been looking for a good chef’s knife, you’ve probably come across a few expensive options. But why are these knives so expensive in the first place? Some of it is due to branding, but the majority is due to the product’s quality and prestige. The majority of chef’s knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel. This material helps to keep the knife sharp and extends its lifespan by years, if not decades.
The knife is handcrafted by expert knife makers using superior and traditional best practices, resulting in a razor-sharp cutting tool fit for Michelin-starred chefs. Fortunately, there are some chef’s knives that can do the job without costing an arm and a leg!
Can You Get A Less Expensive Knife?
Although inexpensive knives might not have the same premium grip or finishing, they are still capable and deserving of a place in your kitchen. Because of how well they are made, these knives are sometimes even impossible to tell apart from those that cost more money. Therefore, choosing the right type of chef’s knife is really all that matters! A great starting point is to purchase a less expensive knife rather than immediately making a sizable long-term investment.
You could graduate to buying its more expensive counterpart once you master a less expensive chef’s knife! Please read through our buyer’s guide in the section below before moving on to our recommendations.
Buyer’s Guide For The Best Chef’s Knives Under $50
Here are some of the things you need to look out for:
- Build Quality
- Comfort
- Weight And Size
Build Quality
When looking for a low-cost chef’s knife, the build quality will be the deciding factor. We recommend beginning with your personal preference. Remember that, aside from its sharpness, a knife is only as good as its owner. If you buy a knife that does not meet your needs, you may end up wasting your money. Choose a high-quality stainless-steel knife, preferably one made of reinforced Damascus steel. This type of blade will have a higher carbon content, making it more durable.
You could also use a ceramic knife! These knives are also long-lasting and do not rust. They do have some drawbacks when it comes to cutting hard or dense foods, but in most cases, they are ideal for everyday cooking tasks. Begin by visually inspecting the blade from heel to tip.
The blade should have a smooth finish with no flaws or imperfections. Look for nicked edges or chipped corners near the blade’s tip and heel. Proceed to the knife’s handle and inspect it carefully to ensure that it is made of high-quality materials.
Because we’re going for a lower-cost knife, you’ll most likely come across plastic handles — and that’s fine! The majority of plastic handles can provide a firm grip and complete control over the blade.
Comfort
The handle’s construction quality was already mentioned, but its comfort is equally crucial. Using an uncomfortable knife can really ruin the fun of cooking! We advise choosing a handle with good traction so you can rest your palm and fingers on it. There are many handle designs to pick from, but the best way to find one that suits your needs is to choose one that you have already used.
While some handles have a flat or straight design, others might have a cylindrical grip with grooves all the way around it. Please remember that a comfortable handle can not only improve your cutting abilities but also possibly reduce the risk of accidents and other risks associated with using a sharp knife.
Weight And Size
The weight of a knife may appear insignificant when selecting one, but it will matter greatly in the long run. Trust us when we say that a well-balanced knife is preferable to a thick and heavy blade. A heavy knife can cause wrist strain and may even affect how you cut food. Similarly, the size of the knife will be equally important. A chef’s knife can range in length from 6 to 12 inches, but an 8-inch knife is the most common.
A larger size will necessitate experience; if you don’t have it, you may end up wasting time and effort during routine cutting tasks. We recommend using an 8-inch or smaller chef’s knife, especially if you’re not used to using larger cutlery.
Best Chef’s Knives Under $50
Now that you understand how to choose a top-notch and reasonably priced chef’s knife, here are some of our suggestions! We recommend that you read through each of these knives before choosing one because they were all chosen based on our buyer’s guide.
1. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Knife
This 8-inch chef’s knife is a popular choice for a variety of reasons. It is made of high-quality stainless steel, so it will last much longer than other types of cheaper knives. The Victorinox Pro Knife is intended for both beginners and experienced users. It has a comfortable grip and a blade that is neither too light nor too heavy! The handle is designed with precision in mind, fitting like a glove and providing complete control over where and how the blade lands on the cutting board. We recommend this knife to anyone looking for a long-term cutting solution that is simple to use, inexpensive, and easy to maintain!
2. Mercer Culinary Ultimate White
This traditional 8-inch chef’s knife was made to handle any and all cutting jobs. Every type of chef can find use for the Mercer Culinary knife. You can get the quality of a professional tool without the astronomical price tag by purchasing this knife. It’s built to last thanks to its high-carbon stainless steel construction. Extremely long-lasting and balanced, with a blade edge that should stay sharp for a very long time. The ergonomic, universally-sized plastic handle of this knife makes it comfortable to hold for people of varying hand sizes.
3. WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
This traditional 8-inch knife will be a great investment for people who want not only a great cutting tool, but also a knife that looks professional. Because of its overall design and finishing, we believe this is one of the best-designed knives on the market. A razor-sharp edge, a comfortable grip, and an extremely balanced blade that feels natural in the hand are all to be expected. You can use any technique to cut food the way you want it, whether it’s slicing, chopping, or dicing!
4. Babish High-Carbon German Steel Chef Knife
Looking for a chef’s knife that is precise and razor-sharp? If so, we have the perfect tool for you! High-carbon German stainless steel is used to create the Babish chef’s knife, which will live up to the hype. Precision sharpening ensures that the blade keeps its edge for a very long time. The bottom of the 8-inch knife’s rounded handle is shaped to give you the best possible grip. Additionally, it has a polished finish that is sure to impress everyone! We sincerely believe that this knife will enhance the value of your kitchen if you are new to using chef’s knives.
5. J.A. Henckels Premio Chef’s Knife
Prepare to broaden your culinary horizons! The J. A. Henckels Premio knife, measuring 8 inches, is a professional-grade knife that checks all the boxes without breaking the bank. Look at the finish and quality of this knife before you look at the price — we guarantee you’ll be blown away by how much value this knife offers! It is made of high-quality stainless steel, and its design adheres to all of the best practices associated with premium knives. Despite the fact that this knife has a plastic handle, the design and grip of the handle will far outweigh its perceived inferiority. Keep in mind that a comfortable knife is preferable to one that costs several hundred dollars but feels mediocre in your hand.
6. HENCKELS Solution Starter Set
For the price of one, get three knives! Though it may seem foolish to choose a less expensive knife set, in this instance, we advise you to think about making an exception. This set excels because it places a strong emphasis on utility and value. Unlike other inexpensive sets, this one comes with a useful set of knives that you can use to your full advantage for a variety of cutting tasks. These knives are made from premium stainless steel, and each one offers something special. The smaller paring and cutting knives can be absolutely necessary for tasks like peeling, scoring, or skinning, while the chef’s knife can be used for the majority of bulk tasks.
7. Farberware Ceramic Chef Knife
Ceramic knives may appear to be inferior to stainless-steel knives, but they can easily provide the same utility! These knives are made of high-quality ceramic that has been reinforced and sharpened to a razor-sharp edge. While ceramic knives do not retain their sharpness for as long as steel knives, they are still extremely capable and simple to maintain. This knife was specifically designed with all of the best practices in mind to produce a sharp and extremely precise knife.
It is 6 inches long, so it will suit many beginners and can even assist you with peeling tasks, which large chef’s knives struggle with! If you’ve been looking for a lightweight and shorter knife that can handle almost any common kitchen task, this ceramic knife would be a great investment.
8. Mercer Culinary Genesis Granton Edge Chef’s Knife
This knife is not only beautifully finished on the blade, but it is also a highly functional and ergonomic tool that can meet the needs of most cooks. Anyone interested in learning how to use professional knives would do well to start with the Mercer Genesis.
This knife is expertly crafted to offer all the advantages of a high-end model at a price anyone can afford. It saves money by opting for a simple handle, but its ergonomic benefits more than make up for this. Made of high-quality stainless steel, it will replace any lower-grade blades you may have in your current knife set.
9. Dexter-Russell 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
We strongly advise you to check out this knife if comfort and safety are your top priorities. It is made of premium stainless steel and is made to keep its edge even after extensive use. This knife is more than capable of handling common kitchen tasks, making it the best choice possibly for those who are hesitant to use a bigger knife! You can confidently chop food using a sliding or rocking motion. This knife’s handle has an additional heel just before the edge of the blade, providing double protection from the edge as it descends.