The 12 Best Kitchen Knives Of 2023

Forged in Solingen, Germany, from a single block of high carbon stainless steel, the Wüsthof Classic blade is made using the 200-plus-year-old cutlery brand’s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) to ensure superior edge retention and tempered to achieve an impressive 58 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale.

The Good Housekeeping Institute appreciated that the Wüsthof Classic is “razor-sharp,” but the true stand-out feature was its triple-riveted handle, which testers called “thin… but sturdy,” “ergonomic,” and “feels like you'd have good control.”

This all-purpose chef’s knife also features a finger guard, full bolster (the junction between a knife's handle and blade), and full tang (the part of the knife blade that extends into the handle), which all make for a sturdier, better-performing blade.

The only downside? It lacks a sheath for safe storage and transport, and it requires regular sharpening—especially with frequent use.

No, you’re not seeing double—the Wüsthof Classic Craftsman Knife is a different variant of our favorite kitchen knife, but there are a few key factors that make it a more utilitarian option.

Like the Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife, this model has a full-tang construction and triple-riveted handles, but lacks a protective sheath. Furthermore, its high-carbon stainless steel blade is also forged with Wüsthof’s signature PEtec, earning it 58 HRC on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. However, it’s slightly smaller and has a unique hybrid design that combines all the best features of a chef's knife, boning knife, and carving knife into a single kitchen tool. For example, there are oval-shaped scallops (aka “kullens”) hollowed out of the blade to prevent more glutinous or starchy foods, like potatoes, from sticking to the knife as you chop.

Praising it for being “a top-performer in almost every test,” the Good Housekeeping Institute took note of the Wüsthof Classic Craftsman’s impressive sharpness. It was particularly adept at cutting through chicken, with testers remarking that it “cut through bone without even trying.” That said, the similarities between this workhorse of a knife and its equally-sturdy counterpart don’t stop there: Like most German knives, the need for regular sharpening increases the more often you use it.

The Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Chef's Knife is proof that you can find high-quality knives on a budget. Perfect for professional and home chefs, this modern take on a classic utensil can effortlessly slice through ripe, juicy tomatoes using its precision-forged, high-carbon steel blade (which boasts a Rockwell score of 58-60).

Not only is the triple-riveted Delrin handle tough, lightweight, and resistant to wear-and-tear, but the Good Housekeeping Institute also liked how its rounded spine offers an ideal weight and comfortable grip. In fact, testers said it felt “nice, normal, [and] medium-heavy in the hand.”

To ensure you get the most out of your knife, Mercer recommends users hand-wash their cutlery with warm water and mild soap, rinse, and dry completely with a soft towel, which can be a drag, but the good news is the Renaissance comes with a soft plastic sheath to protect its super-sharp blade.

Some ailments, like arthritis, neuropathy, or motor difficulties, can make a seemingly-simple task like using a knife uncomfortable (and therefore, more daunting). Don’t let your difficulties hold you back from your passion for cooking—just pick up the Zwilling Pro. Featuring a score of 57 on the Rockwell scale, this knife undergoes a four-step ice-hardening process called Friodur to fortify its cutting edge and prevent corrosion.

During testing, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lab panelists found the Zwilling Pro's strong, slightly curved eight-inch blade “made quick work of chopping parsley, slicing tomatoes, dicing onions, and even boning a chicken” and maintained its sharpness even after extended use, while the triple-riveted polymer handle “gives you a comfy, ergonomic grip.”

Due to its unique rounded half-bolster, this knife may not fit into some knife blocks, but if you use a pinch grip when cutting, it’s worth sacrificing some convenience for the sake of comfort.

Do you want to effortlessly chop with speed and precision like the chefs you see in movies? Then you’ll need a lightweight tool like the Japanese-style Mac Professional Hollow Edge Chef Knife. This utensil’s handle is made of a type of plywood called pakkawood (aka “colorwood” or “staminawood”), which is covered in a wood veneer and sealed with an epoxy resin to better withstand water damage and extreme wear-and-tear. However, you’ll still need to hand-wash this model if you want to keep it in peak condition.

Ranging between 59 and 61 HRC, the alloy steel blade has hollowed-out kullens to help the knife seamlessly glide through dense ingredients, like apples, potatoes, carrots, and squash. The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Tech Experts also found the Mac Professional's “thin blade allows for precise cuts” without tiring their hands or wrists, while the pointy tip provided “the neatest cuts and most yield when it comes to serving meat.”

The well-balanced knife Global Hollow-Edge Santoku is made using Global's exclusive Cromova high-carbon stainless steel and, like the Wüsthof Classic Craftsman Knife, features hollowed-out kullens on its thick blade to streamline your slicing and dicing. Boasting a full-tang construction, it’s lightweight enough to prevent hand fatigue while also providing substantial control, while its molded handle is designed with Global’s signature dimple pattern for a stronger, more comfortable grip.

Calling it “one of the sharpest knives we've tested,” the Good Housekeeping Institute declared that this “Japanese knife excelled at all tasks, but wowed us with its ability to power through chicken bones.”

However, the Global Hollow-Edge Santoku does have one Achilles heel: Like most Santoku knives, it has more of a straight edge, as opposed to a drop-point shape. This makes it more suitable chopping, rather than rocking back and forth or performing more delicate tasks like piercing or scoring.