What knives do chefs use? Professional chefs rely on a selection of essential knives to handle a variety of kitchen tasks, from slicing and dicing to precise peeling and chopping. The most common types include chef’s knives, paring knives, utility knives, bread knives, and specialty blades designed for specific techniques. Choosing the right combination of these knives helps ensure efficiency and precision in the kitchen, whether you’re preparing everyday meals or working on intricate recipes.

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  • (1269)

    7 inch chef knife...I received this 7 inch chef knife as a gift. I have some of the other knives in this collection but never knew that the 7 inch chef knife was going to be such an invaluable part of my collection. ...Great Knife All-Purpose use...Otherwise,...

    sharpness, balance, comfort

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  • (682)

    Chef Knife...These are the best knives! I just got my 8" Chef knife and it is spectacular! ...Great Knife for Your Collection...I have several chef knives, but this is my favorite. It's light weight and sharp blade make using the knife a joy.

    sharpness, design, beauty

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  • (560)

    8in chef knife...Great knife! Bought it to use at work for slicing vegetables....Milano 8" Chefs Knife...Knife is extremely sharp and well made, I love this chefs knife!

    sharpness, design, quality

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  • (492)

    Birchwood 8" Chefs Knife...I reccomend this to any Chef as a go to workhorse knife....Miyabi 8" chef knife...This knife is absolutely stunning..incredibly sharp and comfortable!

    sharpness, balance, beauty

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  • (385)

    First chefs knife...Miyabi knives here I come....This is the first knife I am adding to my chefs roll and I was totally excited about using it and was able to use the knife before purchase and fell in love instantly can't wait to add more knifes

    sharpness, weight, quality

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  • (304)

    s knife, I got use to it very quickly, I used chefs knife for meat and fish, and santoku for vegetables. ...I love this knife. For years I’ve used low quality knives that would go blunt after a few uses. ...Amazingly fun to use

    sharpness, design, handle

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  • (260)

    7? chefs knife...Perfect size for multiple uses. This is my 4th Zwilling knife. However I noticed that two of my other knives have a crack in the black part of the handle, which does not impact usage....The Goldilocks of Chefs Knives...This knife is...

    quality, sharpness, weight

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  • (253)

    Damascus Euroline 8in Chefs Knife...Definitely heavier than all my previous knives...We decided to pull the trigger on 8" chefs knife and the 3.5" paring knife combo. Both knives are beautiful and sharp out of the box.

    sharpness, design, quality

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  • (241)

    Great knife and great price. Easy to use and I have small hands....Good workhorse knife

    sharpness, weight, versatility

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  • (204)

    This knife now gets more use than our larger chef?s knife. ...Best Chef Knife...Husband and I fighting over it when cooking together so when we found the Zwilling 4 star chef knife at Macy?s, bought it immediately. Both chef knives are the best knives...

    durability, sharpness, balance

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  • (203)

    Best knife you'll ever buy for the money...I'm a professional chef and will only use wusthof classic chefs knife's. ...Perfect size chef knife!...It's my favorite size and I also own three 8" chef knives. I reach for this knife first! Wüsthof also has...

    sharpness, size, versatility

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  • (189)

    I recently started working at a fine dining restaurant and constantly have to use a knife. This hibana 8in chefs knife is the perfect one for all my chef duties...Beautifully crafted and balanced knife...I use this knife as an all purpose chefs knife...

    sharpness, design, balance

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  • (182)

    I?m a chef at a sushi restaurant and this is the first knife I purchased for the job and it works great...8 inch chef...Great knife for professional use

    sharpness, durability, balance

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  • (182)

    Incredible knives - quality build!...I received this knife as a wedding gift. I?ve wanted a proper chefs knife for a long time and this is exactly what I wanted!...This knife is miles ahead of my butcher block knives set chefs knife in terms of quality...

    sharpness, quality, precision

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  • (159)

    Bought my first chefs knife 17 years ago. Had to send it in to be replaced recently. ...8" Chef Knife...I'm slowly replacing them with Wusthofs. The knives are wonderful and feel good in the hand. I use the 8" Classic Chef knife all of the time, its...

    sharpness, durability, balance

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  • (159)

    Pro - chef recommended....The best knives. I am pro- chef 47 years in The food industry. ...I find this to be the ideal Chef knife if your tasks involve more slicing/cutting as the tip is noticeably more narrow than your standard chefs knife

    comfortable, sharpness, quality

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  • (113)

    I found these knives from Olivia Tiedemann and got the chefs knife and love it so much. ...The 8" Oliva has a phenomenally comfortable handle (I use a pinch grip) and a good German-style chef knife for heavier-duty kitchen tasks (I use mine for chopping...

    balance, sharpness, weight

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  • (111)

    Great Knife!...This is a great chefs knife. Comfortable and lightweight....I mainly use it to chop produce and it is great. Also easily cuts proteins when I am too lazy to reach for my chefs knife.

    sharpness, versatility, balance

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  • (94)

    I love chef knives. I love to cook. I own lots of knives. ...I used this knife for 17 years until the handle cracked. Wusthof replaced it for me under warranty and my new knife is wonderful.

    sharpness, balance, quality

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  • (92)

    Prep knife for any prep work...It's larger than a paring but smaller than a chef. The blade is a little wider so you can use it on a cutting board and your knuckles do not hit the board. ...Best knife ever!...The size is perfect - smaller than a chef...

    sharpness, versatility, design

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  • (78)

    Kramer' Carbon Steel 8" Chefs knife...He describes it as thr Ferrari of knives. It is a beautiful piece of steel, perfectly balanced. ...It is my favorite knife. I personally have two of the 8" chefs knives and have bought one for each of my adult children....

    sharpness, quality, edge retention

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  • (72)

    Best knives ever!...Got this knife as a Christmas gift. I already have chefs knives but this knife is by far the most comfortable, sharpest, accurate knife I own. ...Beautiful Artisan knife...This one was a gift for my husband, last year he received...

    sharpness, balance, quality

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  • (67)

    Great knife for petite chefs!...This is a serious Chefs chef knife. Amazing sharpness and control for everyday use.

    sharpness, lightweight, quality

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  • (66)

    Super sharp chef knife that holds an edge...Excellent chef knife. Makes cutting tomatoes enjoyable.
    Has held an edge for a long time compared to any other knives I've owned. ...For all Chefs...This is the first knife you need for "Chef-ing"

    sharpness, durability, quality

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What Knives Do Chefs Use

When considering what knives chefs use, it’s important to look beyond the gleam of a polished blade and focus on how these essential tools fit into the rhythm of daily cooking. Professional chefs and enthusiastic home cooks alike reach for knives that balance comfort, precision, and durability. A chef’s knife, with its broad blade and gentle curve, is the workhorse of the kitchen, perfect for everything from mincing herbs to slicing through hearty vegetables. Paring knives, with their smaller profile, offer control for intricate tasks like peeling or deveining shrimp. Bread knives, with their serrated edges, glide through crusty loaves without crushing the tender crumb inside. Each knife serves a distinct purpose, and together, they form the backbone of any well-stocked kitchen—whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or working through a marathon meal prep session on a sunny June afternoon.

Selecting the right knives often comes down to how they feel in your hand and how they fit your cooking style. For those who spend time crafting meals from scratch, a knife that feels like an extension of the arm can make all the difference. The weight, balance, and handle shape all contribute to ease of use, helping reduce fatigue during long chopping sessions. Many chefs prefer knives forged from high-carbon stainless steel for their ability to hold a sharp edge and resist staining, but there are also excellent options in lighter materials that appeal to those who value agility and speed. Whether you’re dicing ripe summer tomatoes, carving a roast for a family gathering, or finely slicing fresh herbs from the garden, having the right knife at hand streamlines the process and adds a touch of confidence to every cut.

Knives also make thoughtful and practical gifts for anyone who enjoys cooking, from the newly independent college graduate to the seasoned home chef looking to upgrade their tools. A well-chosen knife signals an appreciation for quality and a nod to the recipient’s culinary ambitions. During the summer months, when farmers’ markets overflow with fresh produce and backyard gatherings become more frequent, a reliable set of knives encourages creativity in the kitchen and brings people together over shared meals. For those searching for what knives do chefs use, it’s not just about the blade itself, but about investing in tools that inspire and empower every cook to explore new recipes, master techniques, and savor the simple joy of preparing food for loved ones.

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