Top 8 Best Chef’s Knife Under $100 of 2024 Reviewed Plus Buying Guide

Ask any professional chef, and they will tell you the kitchen knife is their most prized possession. 

Why? You can barely do anything in the kitchen without a kitchen knife: chopping, slicing, dicing, and cutting are all kitchen tasks you can’t perform unless you use the help of a kitchen knife. 

But in a room full of knives, even professionals get confused and ask these questions: What’s the most affordable, sharpest, professional chef knife I can use that would work best for me? 

Don’t worry if you are in that dilemma; I’ve done all the research for you, and in this article, I’ve reviewed the top 5 best chef knife under $100 of 2024, along with their pros and cons and a buying guide so you can make the best choice on your purchase.

Let’s get started!

Top 8 Best Chef’s Knife Under $100 of 2024

Wusthof CLASSIC Cook’s Knife

I would describe the Classic 6-inch Chef’s Knife in two words: durable, comfortable. The classic 6-inch chef’s knife is a blend of a sturdy handle, functional design, and a sharp and strong blade.

The classic-inch chef’s knife’s design has a classic western-style profile with smooth curves at the edge and at the top, which comes to a sharp point at its tip. At the point where the blade and handle meet, there is a full bolster, which contributes to its weight and makes it well-balanced to hold convenient to work with. 

Its handles are made with polyoxymethylene, a synthetic material with a firm molecular structure, which makes it extra stable and durable. 

The Classic 6-inch chef’s knife is mostly other German manufacturers’ go-to knife, majorly because it is made from unique steel. This steel is a combination of stainless steel, 5% carbon, chromium, and vanadium. 

The carbon material makes it sturdy, and the molybdenum is for corrosion resistance, while the chromium contributes to a large extent, the quality of its durability. 

I love most about the Classic 6-inch chef’s knife because it is resistant to discoloration, which gives me great peace of mind as I can immerse it in any water temperature, knowing fully well that it won’t rust or suffer from any form of discoloration. 

What I don’t like, though, is that its sharpness tends to wear off after some time, which is understandable as every knife will certainly get dull over time. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

If you love to cut, slice and dice comfortably, then the Classic 6-inch chef’s knife is your sure bet. Also, if you tend to dip your knives in different water temperatures, then the Classic 6-inch chef’s knife is still a sure bet. It’s definitely the most affordable, sharpest chef knife you can ever get your hands on. 

Dexter-Russell Boston-Style Oyster Knife

Expert chefs tend to find it easy to shuck an oyster due to constant practice, but what about people like me who don’t shuck and Oyster often? Do I need to keep practicing to get it quickly? Of course, I don’t have to, especially when I have a Dexter-Russell Boston pattern Oyster Knife to help me through the process. 

The Dexter-Russell Boston pattern Oyster knife is smooth and long, with a rounded tip blade that makes it incredibly easy to shuck into any type of Oyster. 

The extra-long length of the Dexter-Rusell Boston pattern Oyster makes it possible to shuck the abductor muscle of any type of Oyster.

What’s more? 

You don’t have to spend so much time washing off stains as its handle is straightforward to clean; all you have to do is hand washes and dry. 

What I find fascinating is how very smooth its handle is, how it is really sleek to hold and how it makes the job of shucking an oyster pretty easy for a newbie like me. 

What I don’t like, though, is that it is made from carbon steel, which makes it susceptible to corrosion. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The Dexter –Russel Boston pattern oyster knife is one of the best cheap Oyster Knife you can ever buy. It is effortless to use and clean and works for almost any Oyster type, and is the best cheap chef knife you can buy for its worth.

HENCKELS Statement Knife Block Set

Honestly, J. A Henckels International Statement Knife set is all you will ever need in your kitchen when it comes to knives. It has every type of knife you will need, down to bread knives. So you don’t have to shop for different knives separately as you have them all in one set!

The best highlight for me regarding the J A Henkels knife is the fact that it is really lightweight. This means no more pain in the wrist, no matter how much vegetables I chop or how long I dice my carrots! I can spend chop, slice, cut, shuck all day long, knowing I won’t have to massage my wrist afterward.

It comes in a beautiful, fascinating set that would look extremely great for your kitchen aesthetics, making it functional and pleasing to the eyes. 

Who else hates the knife slipping off in the middle of use? I certainly do. But the J. A Henckels Statement Knife block set offers a firm handle that provides a good grip so you can rest assured the knife isn’t going to slip off whenever you are working in the kitchen. 

As a significant downside to a typical knife, the J, a Henckels, tends to lose its sharpness after a few months. However, you have the option to go ahead and sharpen it if you like. So this downside is understandable and a bit fixable.

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

If you want every type of chef knife you will need in your kitchen in one place, then the J. A Henckels International statement block set is definitely the perfect recommendation for you. This set is one of the top five best chef’s Knives under $100 of 2024 because it is highly functional and cheap. 

It allows you to cut for a long period without experiencing wrist pains and has a firm grip that keeps it from falling when you are making use of it. It’s an excellent choice for comfort and functionality if you ask me. 

Morakniv Wood Carving Hook Knife

When you want to carve a spoon, you will need a straight knife, an ax, and, most importantly, a carving hook knife to carve a spoon perfectly. The Morakiniv Wood Carving Hook Knife helps you cave not just spoons but bowls and cups of any size in the perfect way possible. 

It has an internal radius of 0.5 inches, which explains why it can carve a spoon of any size, and its knife is ideal for pull cuts and push cuts using one hand for each, respectively.

It offers comfort when in use due to its oiled birch handle and gives high stability and balance so you can carve for as long as possible without any form of discomfort. 

The Morakniv wood carving hook knife has a single edge blade, which makes it possible to use it as a stabilizer, especially if you enjoy using the push cut method.  

With its sharp razor, length, and thickness, you certainly can’t go wrong carving with the Morakniv Wood Carving Hook Knife. 

The Morakniv wood carving Hook Knife doesn’t just make carving spoons, cups, and bowls effective but also offers comfort to the user with its sheath. So you don’t have to worry about your safety when you are carving, as the Morakniv wood carving hook got you covered.  

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The Morakniv wood carving hook knife is one of the best professional chef knives you can use for a perfect spoon, bowl, and cup carvings. You can be sure to experience comfort all through your carvings as it is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable experience for you. 

Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife

The Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife is one of the top 5 best chef knives under $100 of 2024 to cut fish and remove bones electrically. 

The highlight of the bubba Li-ion Cordless Electric Fillet knife is that I can move it anywhere whenever I want to use it as I don’t have it is wireless. It is also handy to use due to its non-slip grip handle and its looped finger guard, which provides an exceptional grip quality. 

One unique feature that stands the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife from the rest of other electric fillet chef knives is that it comes with four blades in each box, which are removable. 

The removable feature of each blade makes it much easier and convenient to clean, coupled with the fact that these two blades are flexible and rigid; the flexible blades are 7 and 9 inches while the rigid blades are 9 and 12 inches, which give you the liberty to choose the blade that works best for the purpose you want it to serve.

The Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet knife also comes with a spare battery, enabling you to use the knife for a long time even if you are at a place with no power supply.

I love most about the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet knife because it isn’t restricted to cutting fish and fish bones; you can do so much more with it, ranging from ham to brisket to a lot more other options.

As you would expect, the Bubba Li-Ion cordless electric fillet knife is more expensive than corded, electric fillet knives, which is a downside for me. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

If you are going to go for an electric chef knife, you should go for a quality and functional knife that would give you value for your money. The Bubba Li-Ion cordless electric Fillet knife is one of the best professional chef knives you can use to cut not just fish but a wide variety of things like briskets and ham. If you are looking for an electric fillet chef knife that would give you comfort and ease of usage, then you should definitely consider the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless electric fillet knife. 

Mac Knife Series Hollow Edge

The Mac’s knife series is one of the best chef’s knives you can ever get your hands on. It is durable, sharp, and easy to use.

The Mac’s knife is very resistant to corrosion. It is mixed with an additive, known as molybdenum, which increases Stainless Steel’s resistance against corrosion.  This means you don’t have to worry if you dip Mac’s knife inside boiling water because it won’t corrode due to its high resistance against corrosion.

More so, you can be guaranteed that your Mac’s knife would stand the test of time. It has been specially formulated with carbon in order to enhance its strength and serve you better and for a longer period.

One intriguing feature of Mac’s knife is its dimpled blade. Therefore, a hammer is employed to include a small wave pattern along the sides of the blade. The beauty of this is that it prevents food or stains from sticking to the blade, making it really easy to wash because you won’t have to scrub food off its blade.

The Mac knife’s blade is very sharp because they are sharpened to the same level as razor blades, thereby making cutting, slicing, and dicing easier and faster. 

However, the only downside I find to Mac’s chef’s knife is that one can’t wash it. One can only hand wash it as recommended by the manufacturer.

Pros

Cons

Takeaway 

Mac’s knife is one of the best chef’s knives for the money. It is strong, durable, very sharp, and extremely easy and convenient to wash.

If Mac’s knife meets your ideal knife’s requirements as it can cut and slice easily, and you can dip it into any hot water without worrying about it corroding, among other benefits. 

It has an ergonomic handle that is really comfortable to hold the knife even if you are slicing through something really hot.

It also has a bolster just behind its handle, which provides balance whenever you are using the knife.

Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-Inch Santoku Knife

The Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged 7 is people’s favorite for many reasons.  It is durable and sturdy and is not susceptible to corrosion. It is sharp and provides long lasting sharpness. 

It has an ergonomic sahtroprene handle that is really comfortable to hold the knife even if you are slicing through something really hot.

It also has a bolster just behind its handle, which provides balance whenever you are using the knife.

The Mercer culinary genesis comes in long and short lengths, so you can always select which one works best for you.

What makes the Mercer knife different is the fact that it has a flat blade and is often used as an alternative to the popular french style knife.

What’s more? The Mercer culinary knife is extremely sharp due to the taper-ground edge of the knife. The sharpness makes cutting and slicing easy and faster. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The Mercer Culinary Genesis forged santoku 7 is the chef knife to go for if you want to achieve balance while you chop in the kitchen. If you are looking for a knife designed specifically for chopping, you can count on the culinary santoku 7 for the best shopping experience. 

Zelite Infinity Chef Knife

Zelite Infinity Chef’s knife is one of the best professional knives available in the market. It has an Imported VG10 super steel feature that makes it non-sticky. This allows for easy washing as you don’t have to scrub off food and stains from it.

The Zelite Infinity chef’s knife is also good for your kitchen aesthetics, as it has a Damascus pattern design that beautifies your kitchen.

It has a full tang handle that makes it really comfortable to use and enhances its durability to stand the test of time.

Its handle has been designed in such a way that it provides a firm, reliable grip, so you don’t have to worry about it falling off when you are making use of it in your kitchen. 

It has a 12-15 sharper edge that makes it really to chop, slice or dice the toughest good quickly and in no time. 

The only downside to the Zelite knife is that its sharpness wears off easily, which means you would often have to sharpen its blade. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway 

The Zelite Infinity chef’s knife is one of the best chef’s knives of 2024 due to its functionality. It does the job of slicing and dicing in the best way possible and provides the needed grip to give the best cutting experience.

Buying Guide to Best Chef knives under $100

When purchasing a chef knife that would last for long and give you the best value for the money, you should consider certain factors that would help you make the best, informed choice. Below, I listed the top 5 qualities to look out for when making your purchase for the best chef knife under $100. 

Size

The size of a blade sure matters when it comes to chef knives, as it goes a long way in determining how difficult or straightforward it would be when you are making use of it. There are different types of sizes available in the market, ranging from long, short to even shorter versions. Ideally, a chef’s blade should be 8 inches long, but this all boils down to what is most comfortable for you as a user.

Although knives with 10 inches tend to be able to cut large sizes of fish, meat, and vegetables, shorter knives of 6 inches tend to be more convenient due to their short length. In the end, what would determine the choice of the size you would go for is mostly based on your preference and what works for you best.

When buying a chef’s knife, pay close attention to your convenience, and that should be the basis upon which you make your choice. 

Weight 

Your choice of weight when it comes to choosing a chef knife is based on your preference. Heavier knives tend to be sturdy, while lightweight knives are more convenient to use. To determine what works for you, try to examine the weight of the chef knife you want to before making your purchase. 

Also, note that the weight of the knife you select will affect your cooking process. With a heavy knife, you will be able to cut root vegetables, which will be tiresome if you use a light weight knife. 

Handle 

A chef’s knife handle has to provide a good grip because, without a good grip, there is no way you are going to cut, slice or dice successfully. It also projects potential danger to you as it can strip and hurt you, which is why you must choose a chef’s knife with a good grip. 

How would you know if a chef’s knife has a good grip or not? You can find out by simply pouring some water on the knife you want to buy and trying to cut something with it. If the knife doesn’t strip, then it has a good grip.

Balance 

An excellent chef’s knife should provide the right balance. One way to determine this is by paying attention to the bank’s weight and at the front. If it’s heavier at the front than it is at the back, it won’t provide the balance you need. 

Sharpness

What would you do with a blunt knife? Absolutely nothing.  You can determine if the chef’s knife you are about to buy is sharp just by how the blade looks when you unbox it.

FAQs

Below are the top 8 frequently asked questions on the chef’s knife. 

What are the three things to remember when cleaning and storing knives?

• Wash your knives in warm and soapy water
• Rinse the soapy liquid off after washing
• Dry your knife carefully

How do Chefs Handle Knives?

Hold the handle of your knife with your middle fingers, relax your index finger against the blade close to the handle of your chef’s knives and put your thumb across the side of the blade.

What are the 3 knives’ safety tips?

• Always use a sharp knife
• Hold your knives correctly.
• Pay full attention to what you are cutting

How often should you sharpen your knife?

Ideally, it would be best to sharpen your knife after a month to get the best results when using a knife for the first time.

Should you wash a knife after sharpening?

You should wash your knife after sharpening as your knife should be clean at all times. 

What’s a chef’s knife?

A chef’s knife (you can call it a cook’s knife if you like) is a cutting tool commonly used in cutting, slicing, and dicing vegetables, small or large chunks of meat and fish during food preparation in the kitchen. 

What’s the chef’s knife used for? 

Although chef’s knives were initially produced to slice large beef sizes, they are now generally used for any kitchen task that involves slicing, cutting, and dicing. 

What are the qualities of a good chef’s knife? 

An excellent chef’s knife should be sharp, sturdy, and very comfortable to use.  A good chef’s knife should also provide a firm grip and stability to the user.

Summary

In this article, I reviewed the top 8 best chef Knife under $100 of 2024, along with their pros and cons and a buying guide. I also provided answers to the top 8 questions you may have concerning chef knives. By making the most of the information provided in this review, you would be able to make the best decision when you are making your next purchase of chef knives.