If you ask any chef what he will never give up – you’ll get the same answer time and time again – a decent knife. As we can make raw food or even light a fire without a stove or a grill, a good knife is needed if we want to handle and create great food (or even basic food). Sure – there are tons of knives designed for many versatile uses, but unless you’re going for a specific recipe – there are the ones for everyday use.
While most professional chefs use very expensive, I found out that I can enjoy an array of excellent chef knives for under 100$ each as an amateur cook. I have used the Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8″ Chef’s Knife for quite some time now, but there are more to recommend. So here’s my pick for the 5 Best Chef Knife for Under 100$.
Top 5 Chef Knives for Under $100
  Editor's Choice | |||||
 Best American Chef Knife Under $100 | |||||
 Best German Chef Knife for under $100 | Check Price | ||||
 Best Japanese Chef Knife for Under $100 | |||||
 Best Premium Chef Knife Under $100 |
1. Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8 Inch Chef’s Knife – Editor’s Choice
A brilliant all-around knife that proudly stays ahead of its competition.
As stated before, this is my favorite knife, and if you’ll check the reviews it got from many other users and critics – you’ll find I’m not alone. The Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8″ Chef’s Knife, has a perfect combination of all-around use, excellent quality, a unique famed brand, and the best price. Super comfortable, ergonomic, and ideal for carving, slicing, and chopping meat and many other foods. The blade is wide, sharp, and long enough to cut through different types of meat at ease. The handle is non-slip, offering a steady grip and making it safe even in the hands of a beginner. The blade is made of light-weight European steel that barely needs sharpening, neatly curved on the cutting side and flat spined on the other, allowing much more power when cutting.
Maintenance
Victorinox Swiss army recommends regular hand washing of the knives using soap and water, and quickly dry after all.
While it is safe to clean the knife in a dishwasher, it is still recommended to wash it by hand instead, as the dishwasher may cause the knife to dull faster.
Pros:
- Safe and ergonomic non-slip handle
- Excellent blade quality and shape
- Best value for money
Cons:
- Dulls over time
Read now >> Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef Knife Review
2. Mercer Culinary 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife – Best American Chef Knife for under $100
The perfect knife for precise slicing.
This artfully crafted chef knife is forged as a one-piece high carbon stainless steel. The entire tang blade is immune to rust with the taper-ground edge, allowing greater precision when slicing vegetables, meats, and fruits delicately. Three rivets connect the handle to the blade for better durability and balance. The handle of the Mercer Culinary 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife is ergonomic, comfortable, and safe. As it is an American knife, we give it some fine credits, and price-wise – this knife seems like a sure bet.
Maintenance
Clean with water and soap, using cloth carefully along with the knife, use a towel or a cloth to dry it quickly
Do not clean this knife in a dishwasher.
Pros:
- One-piece construction
- Long-lasting quality
- Excellent for precision works
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
3. ZWILLING Classic 8-inch Professional Chef Knife – Best German Chef Knife for under $100
A decent multipurpose knife with details for safety.
As German products usually stand for high quality, the ZWILLING Classic 8-inch Professional Chef Knife is no different. This fully forged construction comprises solid stainless steel and is very well balanced, with a triple rivet handle that makes the blade balanced and durable. A full bolster offers protection and gives the cook confidence when effortlessly slicing, dicing, mincing, and chopping meats and vegetables.
Maintenance
Hand wash with a mild cleanser, safe to use in the dishwasher, and dry quickly.
Pros:
- One-piece construction
- Very balanced and safe to use
- Multipurpose, all-rounder knife
Cons:
- A plastic handle may seem cheap
4. DALSTRONG Chef Knife – 8″ – Gladiator Series – Best Japanese Chef Knife for Under $100
A stunningly designed, well-balanced, and flexible Japanese blade.
This prized knife is a true beauty. Presenting Japanese craftsmanship at its best, the DALSTRONG Chef Knife – 7″ – Gladiator Series is an all-rounder, multipurpose gift to humanity. It is favored by many pro chefs and amateurs alike for its brilliant design and usability. The high-carbon stainless steel blade is razor-sharp, coated with chromium to achieve longer-lasting sharpness. The triple-riveted handle is made of Pakkawood, giving it a fantastic look without settling for comfort and safety. It is a heavy-duty knife, making chopping, precision slicing, filleting, and dicing a treat. It comes with a unique, branded sheath to keep the knife’s quality and sharpness.
Maintenance
Do not use this knife in a dishwasher, as the wooden handle may gather humidity and moisture. Simply clean it with water and utensils soap, run a wet cloth over it, and then a dry one. When not in use, please keep it in the provided sheath.
Pros:
- Outstanding design and craftsmanship
- Made of top-quality materials
- Cuts, slices, and chops perfectly
Cons:
- Needs more attention when cleaning
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S 8 Inch – Premium Chef Knife Under $100
Professional knife with excellent value for money.
A German one-piece forged construction designed with outstanding geometry and cutting-edge laser technology to reach peak performance, and precise slicing of meats, vegetables, and fruits with no effort. The high carbon stainless steel blade is froideur ice-hardened keeping it sharp for a very long duration. The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S 8 Inch is comfortable and safe due to its ergonomic polymer handle. Many pro chefs recommend the knife as they use it for longer times and more frequently for precise work, slicing, cutting, and chopping at ease.
Maintenance
Handwashing with soap is recommended, followed by quick drying of the blade. The knife is dishwasher safe, yet it’s always better to wash by hand for the best results
Pros:
- Great design and materials keep the knife sharp
- Comfortable for long use
- Made for precise cutting and slicing
Cons:
- It may take some skill and experience to use
Things to Consider When Buying a Chef Knife Under $100 – Buying Guide
Buying a chef’s knife means going pro in the kitchen. While chefs learn, practice, and earn skills using their knives, the everyday cook would also like to feel confident and capable when using a knife. It is therefore recommended to pay attention to specifics, such as quality, size, and more. I recommend you’ll read our chef knife buying guide, but in the meantime – here’s what you should know for starters.
Knife’s length
Using a knife of the correct length is crucial for the control, stability, and overall safety of the user. While most professional chefs use a 12″ knife, the everyday cook can settle for 8″. The knife’s length is measured from the blade’s tip to its bolster. As for the handle – it changes from knife to knife, and it is recommended to hold it in your hands and get a feeling of what suits you most.
Blade material
The composite of materials determines the quality of the knife’s blade it’s made of. Stainless Steel is a must these days, but the Steel can be cheap and of poor density. The science behind steel blades goes back a thousand years. With the knowledge and technology today, it takes high-carbon Steel or other high-end ceramics and polymers to make a good, solid blade that can hold heavy-duty tasks without breaking or dulling. without breaking or dulling. When buying a chef knife for under $100 you do not settle for a blade that hasn’t the standards I mentioned here.
Warranty
Given a lifetime warranty, a knife holds more than words. It’s a manufacturer’s understatement of producing and selling top-quality knives that stand behind the brand. The main idea is that the knives are of such quality you won’t need to use this warranty, but just in case – it’s better to check what does the warranty covers. If it includes stains, rust, fast dulling, deformation of the blade, and more – it guarantees that you will not waste your money, even if it’s less than $100.
Conclusion
Cooking is a work of art, and while artists are different, they generally use the same tools. An excellent chef knife is not something you should settle for if you enjoy creating this art, and even if you’re an amateur, you must start somewhere. For under 100$, you can have a great start, gaining experience, skills, and value. As an everyday cook, I still heartily recommend The Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8″, but there are more options, some of which I mentioned here, to try and enjoy.
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