Chef's knifeIt depends
Chef's knife: is forged worth it?
A stamped Victorinox against a forged Wüsthof. The extra money buys edge life and heft, not better cuts on day one.
Aisle
Cut & Prep
Prep tools take the most daily abuse in a kitchen and give the clearest signal about where money goes. A better knife holds an edge for longer between sharpenings. A better board is kinder to that edge and can be resurfaced instead of thrown out. Neither fixes poor technique, and the basic versions of both are better than their price suggests.
Step-Ups in this aisle
Cutting boardSpend
Cutting board: plastic or maple?
A small OXO plastic board against an 18 × 12 Boos maple slab. Size matters more than material.
Every pick in Cut & Prep
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-inch Chef's Knife
A light, stamped blade with a grippy handle. Plenty of knife for most home cooks.
- Construction
- Stamped stainless steel
- Blade length
- 8 in (7.9 in listed)
- Handle
- Thermoplastic elastomer
- Warranty
- Lifetime, against defects (listed)
Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife
Forged, full tang, harder steel. The edge lasts longer; the knife weighs more.
- Construction
- Forged high-carbon stainless, full tang
- Hardness
- 58 HRC (listed)
- Blade length
- 8 in
- Handle
- Synthetic, triple-riveted, 4.5 in
- Bolster
- Full, with finger guard
- Warranty
- Lifetime (listed)
OXO Good Grips Everyday Cutting Board
Small, light, dishwasher-safe plastic. Cheap to replace when it gets scarred.
- Material
- Non-porous plastic
- Size
- 12.8 × 8.8 × 0.4 in
- Feet
- Non-slip
- Care
- Dishwasher-safe
- Extras
- Drip catcher, pour corners
John Boos R-Board Maple Cutting Board, 18 × 12 in
Thick edge-grain maple with real working room. Needs oil and hand washing.
- Material
- Northern hard rock maple, edge grain
- Size
- 18 × 12 × 1.5 in
- Sides
- Reversible, both flat
- Care
- Hand wash, oil regularly
- Made in
- Effingham, Illinois (listed)
- Warranty
- 1 year (listed)