Best Kitchen Knives: Chef's, Bread, and Paring

Article By:

The Editors

|Updated: February 27, 2023

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A good set of kitchen knives is essential for any home cook or professional chef. However, with so many different types and brands of kitchen knives available, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the best fit for you. In this article, we will discuss the best kitchen knives, including chef's knives, bread knives, and paring knives.

Chef's Knives

Chef's knives, also known as cook's knives, are the most versatile knives in the kitchen. They are used for a wide range of tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meat. When selecting a chef's knife, look for one that is comfortable to hold, has a good weight and balance, and is made with high-quality materials.

Bread Knives

Bread knives are designed to cut through crusty bread and other baked goods without squishing or tearing them. When selecting a bread knife, look for one that has a long, serrated blade and a comfortable handle.

Paring Knives

Paring knives are small knives that are used for precise tasks, such as peeling and trimming fruits and vegetables. When selecting a paring knife, look for one that is sharp, comfortable to hold, and has a good weight and balance.

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Best Chef’s Knife

Zelite Infinity Chef Knife

★★★★½4.7 stars, 3,627 reviews

$129

Whether you cook in a restaurant, for your family, for your friends, or yourself, this is the best all around chef’s knife. This knife is perfect for chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing all with minimal work on your part. This knife is well weighted and made with real 67 layer high carbon Japanese AUS-10 stainless steel. One reviewer described their experience with the knife, “Great knife and prepping food for cooking is no longer a chore!!” Every kitchen should have a chef knife. It is the most essential of all kitchen knives.

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Best Most Affordable (Cheapest) Chef’s Knife

Mercer Culinary M22608 Millennia 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

★★★★½4.8 stars, 47,630 reviews

$22

This is one of my favorite knifes. Its really affordable and feels great. Why get a knife if it isn't going to be comfortable to use! Every kitchen needs a chef's knife, this is truly a great value and a must get. This Japanese steel knife is the best blade at this price point. With a textured ergonomic handle, it provides a comfortable non slip grip that is essential. This knife was built to last and is very durable. One reviewer wrote in saying “The only reason this review is five stars is because I cannot give it more… Would be a perfect ten if available…”

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Best Bread Knife

10-Inch Imarku Pro serrated knife

★★★★½4.6 stars, 12,842 reviews

$23

Bread knives do a lot of work. This super sharp serrated german steel knife takes the work right out of it. Bread knives take a bruising based on their primary task of cutting into crusts. Rather than buying an expensive bread knife that will dull and therefore be impossible to bring back to their factory sharpness, we recommend buying a relatively inexpensive bread knife like this one and using it until it dulls. Rather than trying to sharpen your bread knife each time it dulls, we recommend starting fresh with a replacement. Your kitchen knives set isn’t complete without a bread knife.

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Best Paring Knife

Wusthof WU4066/09 CLASSIC Paring Knife

★★★★½4.9 stars, 1,487 reviews

$95

Forged with High Carbon Stainless Steel, this excellent 3-1/2″ paring knife gives you flexibility with whatever your cutting needs are. The ergonomic handle gives this knife a comfortable feel and allows for maximum precision and control. This is the perfect knife where fine precision is required such as peeling but is sharp enough to handle bigger jobs like chopping and dicing, making this one of the most essential kitchen knives.

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Best Flatware Set

Lenox 815486 Portola Stainless Steel 65-Piece Flatware Set

★★★★½4.7 stars, 3,266 reviews

$149

This marvelous flatware set is crafted with 18/10 stainless steel. It is dishwasher safe, and the manufacturer has a breakage replacement program. This flatware will give your kitchen an upgraded and sophisticated look.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, choosing the right kitchen knives can greatly improve your cooking abilities and efficiency in the kitchen. When selecting a chef's, bread, or paring knife, consider the tasks you will be using it for and look for a knife that has a sharp, durable blade and is comfortable to hold. Keep in mind the weight, balance, and material of the knife, as well as any additional features such as a serrated edge for bread knives or a pointed tip for paring knives. With the right set of kitchen knives, you can elevate your culinary skills and achieve better results in your cooking.

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