The range of kitchen knives today is quite wide, and not all products are the same. It is not uncommon that a fashionable and well-known brand offers its customers products of not very high quality, and some little-known company puts up reliable and durable products for sale at a fairly attractive price.
Knives are products that are used on a daily basis, so one should choose them carefully enough to be not only attractive, but also comfortable, strong, durable and strong. Our today’s review is devoted to the choice of knives for the kitchen, especially since there is a fairly wide range on sale, in which it is very easy to get confused. However, before proceeding to a direct analysis of the characteristics of the models included in our rating of the best kitchen knives of this year, let’s first understand what you should pay attention to when buying such products.
Important points when choosing a kitchen knife in 2022
There are quite a few varieties of knives: there are products for cutting meat, vegetables and fruits, fish, cutting bread, and so on. It will be much easier to navigate the variety of products available for sale if you divide them by the material from which the blade is made. It is from this factor that the operational quality of products, the service life of the structure, as well as the features of caring for the knife are directly dependent.
Most often, knives are made from steel — a material that is an alloy of iron and various other elements. There are a lot of steel grades, but not all of them are used to make kitchen knives. Usually such products are made of carbon steel. The result is an inexpensive, hard and easy-to-sharpen design that is not very resistant to corrosion processes. If you care and store such a knife incorrectly, it can quickly become rusty. Stainless steel knives are not susceptible to corrosion, but this material is much softer, therefore, the product will have to be sharpened much more often, which will reduce the life of the blade. Units made of high carbon stainless steel combine the advantages of the two knives discussed above, respectively, they can be called almost ideal in use. Most knives on the market today are made of steel — the choice is quite large. They are very durable, besides, if necessary, they can be sharpened with their own hands.
One of the most popular are ceramic knives, which are made from zirconium powder, which forms a fine-grained structure during firing. Due to this, the material becomes very durable, approaching diamond in this indicator. These knives come in a variety of colors. One of the main advantages of such products is the sharpness of the blade, which will be maintained for many years. It is not recommended to sharpen these knives at home — it is better to use the services of a special workshop.
Another well-known material from which knives are made is titanium. Despite advertising statements that this is an eternal tool, such products are significantly inferior to steel and ceramic ones in terms of their performance. Titanium coating has high hygienic properties, does not leave a metallic taste on products, is insensitive to most acids, and does not rust.
The shape and size of the blade is also of great importance. It is unlikely that the hostess will be able to do without a universal knife, which is found in any set. The average length of the blade is in the range from 13 to 20 cm, it can be used for a variety of operations. The length of the blade of a chef’s knife is about the same, but it is much wider, the blade has a semi-circular shape, which makes it excellent for chopping. There are also a huge number of other highly specialized knives on sale.
When compiling our ranking of the best knives of the year, we took into account all these factors, and also relied on feedback from users and housewives. The ratio of price and quality of the model was also taken into account. For each model, we tried to collect as much information as possible to make it as easy as possible for you to decide on the choice of products. Now is the time to start analyzing the useful characteristics of each knife included in our review.
Steel products
5+. HATTORI HD Series
This is an elite product manufactured in Japan and is distinguished by the highest quality workmanship and a fairly long service life. The product is characterized by the perfection of lines; on the blade you can find a subtle and intricate Damascus pattern. The blade is excellently polished and well sharpened, which greatly distinguishes these knives from other similar products. Each knife that goes on sale is sharpened by hand by experienced Japanese craftsmen. The edges are slightly rounded, the mass of the knife is quite decent, but it fits comfortably in the hand, does not slip out of the palm.
All hieroglyphs engraved on the blade can only be seen on close inspection. The handle pads are not perfectly fitted: you can see slight gaps between them, but this does not affect the ease of use of the product. Finishing sharpening is almost mirror-like, the risks are perpendicular, and it is almost imperceptible. The product is made of 63-layer Damascus steel, stainless steel V-Gold No. 10 acts as a core. On the Russian market, you can find about 16 varieties of knives from this series, and all of them are distinguished by symmetrical sharpening. The handle is made of composite materials that are not afraid of water and do not absorb odors.
Advantages:
- Very durable and reliable knives thanks to modern production technology;
- The blades are quite sharp and flexible, it is very convenient to cut them;
- They can be used by both right-handers and left-handers;
- The handle is narrow, it fits well in the palm of a woman;
- The edges do not chip even after many sharpenings, they retain their original shape;
- They sharpen instantly and stay sharp for a long time.
Flaws:
- After washing, wipe thoroughly, otherwise they may begin to rust;
- When cutting meat, it is undesirable to get on the bones, otherwise microscopic notches may remain.
knife HATTORI HD Series
5. WUESTHOF Epicure
This is the latest collection from the German company Wuesthof, which perfectly combines German pedantry, attention to detail and quality with oriental traditions in the manufacture of knives and other cutting products. This includes a variety of products — for cleaning and cutting vegetables and fruits, products for steak, bread, making sandwiches and so on. The units have a blade made of proven X50 CrMoV15 steel, and this material has long been known for its high performance and resistance to rust and other negative influences.
The handles of the knives are made of the so-called stabilized wood (its other name is wood plastic), which is distinguished by its attractive appearance and resistance to external influences. It will retain its attractive appearance even in an aggressive environment, and has good hygienic qualities. Production is carried out using Full Tang technology, which ensures the reliability and durability of products. handles are superimposed with the help of special rivets. Each knife is equipped with a polished stainless steel bolster.
Advantages:
- Wide and balanced blade;
- The optimal qualities of steel — it is strong enough, but not brittle, even when working with durable materials, notches will not occur;
- Sharpening is made according to Japanese technology at an angle of 15 degrees;
- The shank is monolithic, it is one piece with the blade.
Flaws:
- They dull fairly quickly, but sharpening them is very easy.
WUESTHOF Epicure knife
4. MASAHIRO Hi-Tech
Another excellent Japanese brand, which is widely known not only in the East, but throughout the world. Both professional masters of their craft and lovers of home-cooked dishes increasingly prefer this particular product. The company itself has a rather long and remarkable history — its founders are representatives of the ancient Hattori clan, who have been famous for making combat swords for more than one century. Times are different today, but the quality of the products is on top. There are several series of knives, but the Hi-Tech collection is by far the most modern and popular among users.
Products are characterized by excellent hardness — 63 HRC. With such indicators, the blades do not have much flexibility, so they are best suited for cutting vegetables and fruits, as well as for other culinary operations that do not need filigree subtlety. One of the distinguishing features of this product is the asymmetric sharpening of the blade, which is typical for this company.
Advantages:
- Very sharp blades with a small sharpening angle — about 10-15 degrees;
- Able to maintain their sharpness for a long time;
- Good resistance to corrosion processes despite the fact that high-carbon steel is used in the manufacture;
- All-metal handles — they will not crack and fall apart;
- Perfectly balanced.
Flaws:
- It is not excluded the occurrence of so-called pitting sores on the blade, so the knives must be carefully looked after.
knife MASAHIRO Hi-Tech
3. GIPFEL Professional
Knives produced by this company are always of the highest quality and reasonable cost. They are perfect for both professional and home use. In addition, such products are characterized by a fairly long period of operation. Knives have all the necessary properties and qualities that are required for confident use. All of them are perfectly balanced, which ensures the safety of use. The shape of the handle is ergonomic, it is made of special plastic — Bakelite. This material well resists various kinds of aggressive influences: it is not sensitive to acids, alkalis, withstands temperatures up to 300 degrees. At the same time, it will retain its attractive appearance for a long time, fits comfortably in the hand, and is absolutely safe.
The blade has a high level of strength, it is made of carbon or stainless steel, chromium, molybdenum or vanadium is added there. Such products retain their sharpness for a long time, but require special care during operation. There are a lot of varieties of products — you can find knives of various shapes and weights, so you can comfortably work with a wide variety of types of products.
Advantages:
- Quite an adequate price for professional products;
- The handle does not slip in the palm of your hand, very comfortable;
- The blades do not become serrated even during prolonged use;
- Very sharp, do not need regular sharpening;
- It is allowed to use for cutting frozen meat and chopping bones.
Flaws:
- Carbon steel products can rust quickly and must be kept dry at all times.
GIPFEL Professional
2. TRAMONTINA Professional Master Chefs
Excellent geometry and edge reduction, made of medium carbon steel with stainless properties. Thanks to a special treatment, all unnecessary elements are removed from the steel, which ensures high hardness rates — about 56 Rockwell. The handles are very comfortable, made of high-quality plastic, which gets rougher closer to the blade. This prevents the knife from slipping out of your hands during operation, which reduces the likelihood of injury to a minimum. There are no gaps between the handle and the blade, the handle has an antibacterial treatment. The steel from which the blade is made is quite sharp, practically does not blunt during operation. You will not have to sharpen knives very often, you can do it at home, which provides additional ease of use.
It is advisable to use this product at home; for professional cooking, these knives are not very suitable. The fact is that here the sharpening of the blade is made at a sharper angle, so when working with solid products, various micronotches can form.
Advantages:
- Quite flexible and durable blades that do not crumble during operation;
- If desired, they can be sharpened at home, this will not have to be done very often;
- The handles have an antibacterial coating.
- Very affordable product prices.
Flaws:
- The blade should not be resharpened — this can lead to the fact that the steel on the edge will wrap.
TRAMONTINA Professional Master Chefs
1. Oberhof Schneidkante S-17
This multifunctional set of knives on a stand from a well-known European brand is the best gift for lovers of cooking. It includes 12 knives, which are enough to prepare any dish: chef’s knife, slicing knife, Santoku knife, serrated knife, utility knife, vegetable and steak knives, and kitchen scissors. They are placed on a stylish wooden stand, which has a built-in two-stage sharpening system with durable ceramic abrasive. Just a couple of moves and the knife is perfectly sharp.
The blades of the knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel, which is easy to sharpen and does not lose its sharpness for a long time. The handles are also oil coated steel. The anatomical shape and heat protection make them comfortable and safe. The blades are laser-hardened forged, making them extremely durable and resistant to damage. Stylish base walnut bottom is not subject to rotting, fading, fungus and mold. There is a separate compartment for each knife, so the blades do not dull for a long time. With such a set of knives, everyone can feel like a chef of an expensive restaurant!
Buy a set of knives Oberhof Schneidkante S-17 at a good price here!
Advantages:
- All the knives you need in the kitchen in one set;
- Laser-hardened stainless steel blades do not dull for a long time;
- Anatomically shaped handles are comfortable to hold;
- Compact storage in a walnut stand;
- Sharpening system in the stand;
- Stylish appearance.
Flaws:
Oberhof Schneidkante S-17
Ceramic products
3. SABATIER Ceramix
These are products of a French company that has been manufacturing similar products since the last century. The tip of the knife is packed in a special silicone tip so that it retains its sharpness, and this moment also allows you to ensure a high level of safety during the transportation of the product. The average length of the blade is 12.5 cm. It is made of high-quality steel, resistant to corrosion processes, which is coated with special powder compounds and goes through a special heat treatment, after which it is sharpened on professional equipment. This gives the knives a phenomenal sharpness, which will remain with the product throughout its entire service life — you do not have to sharpen it.
The manufacturer’s logo is engraved on the blade. The knife is great for cutting foods like meat, vegetables and even freshly baked bread. The product does not need additional care, after use it must be thoroughly washed and stored. The handle is made of rubberized materials that do not slip in the hand. Fits in a woman’s hand just fine, but for a man’s hand it may seem narrow. The appearance is excellent, and it will be maintained throughout the entire period of operation.
Advantages:
- Very sharp blades that do not need frequent sharpening — about three to four years of active use will not have to think about it;
- Does not need special care;
- The kit comes with a special shockproof case that will not allow damage to the blade from breakage during a fall or when stored with other knives;
- On sale there is a protector to protect the blade;
- Available in black and white.
Flaws:
- Finding original knives for sale is not very easy, but there are enough fakes.
kitchen knife SABATIER Ceramix
2. FISSMAN Margo
These reliable and durable knives are designed to greatly facilitate daily work in the kitchen. This product is made from zirconium powder, and it is also perfect for people who do not like to regularly fiddle with straightening the blade and sharpening the tool. According to users, it is best to purchase products painted in black, which indicates a significant density of this material — much higher than that of white products. The line does not include too many blades, but all available are the most popular. The knife comes with a storage case. Manufacturers do not recommend using the product on glass or stone board surfaces — this can eventually scratch the surface and chip the blade, causing it to become blunt.
You can cut absolutely any food with such products, except for frozen and bones. It will not oxidize fresh foods, they will not develop foreign taste, because ceramics do not react with food acids. Caring for this knife is quite easy — just wash it thoroughly after use with a soft sponge with a liquid agent, wipe it lightly and put it in a case. It is not recommended to wash the products in the dishwasher, as this may damage the knife. The hardness of the product is almost equal to diamond.
Advantages:
- Very easy to wash;
- Perfectly cut any food and keep sharpness well for a long time;
- Do not react with products, retaining all useful substances, including vitamins;
- Pretty reasonable cost.
Flaws:
- In addition to the need for sharpening in the workshop, not found.
FISSMAN Margo
1. SAMURA Ceramotitan
Another Japanese-made product, which is on the verge between titanium and ceramic products. These knives are characterized by a high level of durability. The base of the blade here is titanium, which is coated with a special zirconium oxide of an increased level of strength. Also, they are additionally covered with a layer of titanium on top, thanks to which the tool acquires even greater durability. The length of the blade can be different — from 14.5 to 17.5 cm. Knives are well suited for various products. They have excellent durability. Comes with a special cover with slots for ventilation.
The manufacturer’s logo is applied on one side of the blade, the original knives are made in Japan, but if the country is indicated on the package differently, then this will be a real fake. The handle is plastic, closer to the blade it has a corrugation that provides a high level of protection against cuts and other injuries.
Advantages:
- Thanks to the titanium coating, the likelihood of breaking the blade when the knife is dropped is greatly reduced;
- Soft-touch plastic handle;
- On sale there are kits with a matte or glossy coating;
- Sharpening is universal — both right-handed and left-handed people can use the knife.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
SAMURA Ceramotitan
titanium products
2. FOREVER Titanium Diamond
Another product made in Japan. The product is made on the basis of a titanium alloy, where diamond dust and zirconium oxide are added, due to which the knife becomes very hard. The silver coating provides a good antibacterial effect. By itself, titanium is a fairly light material that weighs significantly less than steel, so the hands will not get tired even when holding it for a long time. The high strength of the product is achieved by firing at high temperature with the gradual addition of all the main components. The cutting edge has excellent wear resistance. Both the blade and the handle are hypoallergenic, not exposed to corrosive processes.
If necessary, the knife can be sharpened at home. The blade sharpening is symmetrical and double-sided, which makes the product universal for right-handers and left-handers. It is worth noting that these knives are very suitable for professional use. They are not sensitive to water — the blade will not stain. The blades wear out for a long time, and they do not need to be sharpened.
Advantages:
- The blade and handle have good antibacterial characteristics, which ensures excellent hygiene;
- The blades have excellent flexibility, so these knives are well suited for milling;
- Reliably resist wear, do not get dull;
- Not affected by corrosion.
Flaws:
- The blade is very light, which causes the center of gravity of the knife to move towards the handle, which upsets the balance.
FOREVER Titanium Diamond
1. Berghoff Ron
It has blades of the highest strength, they are made of high-quality titanium alloy, and are additionally reinforced with small particles of diamonds. In addition, zirconium oxide and silver are added to them, which makes the product even stronger than other similar products. The knife is equipped with a plastic handle with a soft-touch coating, thanks to which the product will not slip out of your hands. As many users note, the handle is a bit thick, so it is more suitable for male hands than for delicate female hands. However, literally after one or two weeks of active use, you simply forget about this inconvenience.
The blade has a black engraving with the company logo. Knives can cut any meat, even fairly hard and frozen, sinewy, and so on. It rarely dulls, it will have to be sharpened about once every two years, and this can be done at home.
Advantages:
- The titanium coating prevents food from sticking to the blade;
- The handle is quite heavy, this provides a good balance of the blade;
- The hardness of the cutting edge is quite high, but there is also good viscosity, due to which the blade will not be serrated when cutting bones;
- Titanium plating is applied in a vacuum under considerable pressure — it will not scratch or wear off.
Flaws:
- Do not wash in dishwasher.
BERGHOFF Ron
In conclusion, a useful video
Our ranking of the best kitchen knives has come to an end. We hope that the information provided here will be enough for you to choose the most optimal products for yourself in 2022. If you decide to clarify some points for yourself or share your experience in using such products, then welcome to comment on this article.