A sharp, durable, and reliable chef knife around the kitchen is essential to many cooking and preparation tasks. This is a highly versatile and useful blade to include in your meal toolkit, and we wanted to be sure that you have all the insight needed to make an exceptional selection for your home. Our top choice, the Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife, offers the most benefit for the price, or you can read our chef knife buying guide if you want to venture out on your own and discover a unique choice. In the meantime, here is our list of the top 8-inch chef knives!
Top 6 Chef Knives
  Editor's Choice | ||||
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 | Check Price | |||
 Best Damascus 8-Inch Chef Knife | Check Price | |||
 Best Gyuto 8-Inch Chef Knife | Check Price | |||
 Best 8-Inch Chef Knife for Under $150 | Check Price |
1. Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Editor’s Choice
This blade is an excellent balance of versatility to use for everything from cutting up a pineapple to getting the perfect-sized herbs for your next meal.
Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife Specifications
About the knife
A classic chef’s knife needs to be able to perform several various kitchen tasks. That includes working with small ingredients like herbs, garlic, and vegetables for a salad as well as larger pieces of meat. That is why it is essential to find a blade that provides the durability and reliability needed, and this top choice perfectly meets that bar. Even though this is not a flexible blade, it offers the hardness of the metal, ease of cleaning in stainless steel, and a lifetime warranty to make it the best possible solution for your kitchen for any style of meal.
Maintenance and Cleaning
You should not place this knife in the dishwasher. The forged stainless steel can be damaged when left to air dry with water. Better to hand wash and dry this blade to ensure longevity.
Pros:
- Well-rounded features for pretty much any use.
- Excellent handle material to reduce slipping or wrist wear.
- Lifetime warranty just in case something were to happen.
Cons:
- Incredibly sharp blade out of the box.
- Will rust if left in water.
- It might be too heavy for some users.
Read now >> WÜSTHOF Classic 8″ Extra Wide Chef’s Knife Review
2. Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8” Chef’s Knife
A comfortable kitchen tool to work with that includes a triple-riveted and ergonomic handle.
Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8” Chef’s Knife Specifications
About the knife
While the price point for this chef’s knife is fantastic, you do not get some of the features of our top choice blade. There is a bit more flexibility in the Mercer option, and you are only given a limited lifetime warranty. However, the high-carbon steel makes it a solid contender for the top of our list and more than worth the price. One point you will notice is the precision of the cut you get with the Mercer. It is probably due to a thinner blade, but you get the exact cut you wish whenever the edge is sharpened.
Maintenance and Cleaning
This is another blade that should not be placed in the dishwasher because of the high-carbon steel. Instead, stick to hand drying and washing, then safely storing away from kids.
Pros:
- A little more flexibility for working with more ingredients.
- Excellent high-carbon steel material construction.
- The reasonable price point for all the features you are getting.
Cons:
- Only a limited warranty instead of the full lifetime from our top choice.
- The blade could be a little harder for durability.
- The blade will blemish or rust if not correctly maintained.
3. Mac Knife Professional 8” Chef Knife
A highly versatile chef’s knife is designed to work with sticky foods without leaving any residue on the blade’s sides.
Mac Knife Professional 8” Chef Knife Specifications
Most suitable for | Especially good for sticky food like potatoes, apples, and summer squash because of the dimples on the blade |
About the knife
It is so nice to get an American-made blade on our lists. Most of the time, US-based manufacturers stick to stamped knives, which can lower the quality, but not in the case of the Mac Knife. You need to remember two things about this excellent chef’s knife. The first is that it is specifically designed to work with stickier foods. So you will not get squash sticking to the sides when preparing an autumn meal. The other is the hollow edge. This makes for a thinner, more lightweight construction without sacrificing cut quality or versatility.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The alloy steel will rust, so keep this blade out of the dishwasher and take your time going slowly while sharpening due to the hollow edge.
Pros:
- Excellent hardness and lightweight construction.
- The great balance point for a lighter knife.
- Easy to keep clean from sticky foods.
Cons:
- A bit pricier for a stamped blade.
- The handle could be slightly longer.
- The non-sticky side makes people forget to clean properly.
4. Aisyoko Chef Knife 8’’ Chef Knife – Best Damascus 8-Inch Chef Knife
A stunning example of quality Japanese craftwork with the sharpness and versatility needed for most kitchens.
Aisyoko Chef Knife 8’’ Chef Knife Specifications
About the knife
Have you ever seen a more attractive blade than the Aisyoko? This is well-made Damascus steel with all the trimmings of Japanese culture. The patterns along the side are the tell-tale mark of the blade construction, and you get a unique v-shaped point for working with ingredients that would typically be a bit tougher, even with a chef’s knife. Add the exceptional warranty and money-back guarantee, and you have an excellent gift for any foodie in the family or if you would like to treat yourself.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Even though this is stainless steel, it is Damascus quality. Do not put this in the dishwasher as it will rust. Hand-wash and dry with a microfiber cloth before storing again.
Pros:
- Stunning aesthetic quality.
- High sharpness for any ingredient.
- Unique Japanese style design.
Cons:
- The tip can be a little duller than expected.
- The shape can take a bit to get used to.
- Easily rusts if left in water for too long.
5. Hezhen Professional 8.3” Chef’s Knife – Best Gyuto 8-Inch Chef Knife
Everything about this blade is beautifully designed, from the finger guard to the luxurious gift box.
Hezhen Professional 8.3” Chef’s Knife Specifications
About the knife
The primary difference between this Damascus steel blade and the Aisyoko is that you get much harder material, but only a partial tang instead of full. However, that does not mean the overall quality is lacking. If anything, this is an exceptionally well-made blade with a beautiful presentation that would be worthy of any gift situation. The double bevel makes it perfect for those that are either left or right-handed, and it is sharp enough for sushi!
Maintenance and Cleaning
This is technically dishwasher safe, but we would avoid it because of the Damascus steel and wooden handle. Better to hand wash and dry thoroughly.
Read now >> Best Gyuto Knives
Pros:
- Beautiful presentation of aesthetic quality.
- Incredibly sharp, can handle fish.
- The unique handle makes it hard to slip or drop.
Cons:
- Only a partial tang.
- The point near the edge and handle can be dangerous.
- Unfinished handle alloy that may need working.
6. Zwilling J.A. Henckels 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Best 8-Inch Chef Knife for Under $150
An extremely reliable knife at an excellent price point for any home kitchen or beginning pro chef.
SunDiao 6” Fillet Knife Specifications
About the knife
We usually try to place a budget blade at the end of our knife list, but this is hands down one of the best starter knives we have ever seen. You get all of the features of a quality chef knife at a reasonable price, considering the material, hardness, and edge sharpness. Keep in mind there is not a lot of flexibility in the blade, although that could help as you develop more skills with various cooking styles and ingredients. If you are looking for a starter chef knife in your kitchen, this is the best choice.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Not dishwasher safe. It may require some sharpening. Only hand wash carefully and dry completely with a microfiber cloth.
Pros:
- German-made steel that doesn’t stain easily.
- High resilience and durability.
- Full tang at an excellent price point.
Cons:
- Edge may take some work at first.
- Some buyers report receiving rivets in the handle.
- The bolster could be smoother.
Conclusion
An 8-inch chef’s knife is one of those kitchen tools you always want to have around because of all the versatility it brings to your preparation and cooking. This list covered so many options with various benefits that we hope you were able to find a few to work for your situation. We highly recommend the Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife if you need a great place to start. It offers all the benefits of a well-rounded knife and superior material construction. Thank you again for reading, and we hope your next kitchen experience is fantastic!
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