15 Best Kitchen Knives Brands
Best Inexpensive Kitchen Knives
An inexpensive knife will not serve for decades, it will not cut a silk scarf on the fly. With him you will not be able to feel like a real chef. But he will cope with the daily cutting. Knife to knife strife - this is most acutely felt in the budget category. At the same price, the quality of two models of different brands can differ as white and black. This is where the brand matters.
5 attribute
Country: Russia (manufactured in China)
Rating (2022): 4.6
Attribute is a Russian brand with production in China. In our rating, these are the most budget knives at a price of 300 rubles. The company produces five series. Knives differ in steel and handle material. General characteristic - the blade runs through the entire length of the handle. The knife will definitely not fall apart when you cut something. In the Kyoto series, the manufacturer uses durable Japanese steel. It does not dull for a long time, rarely needs sharpening.
Most of all, buyers liked two series: Steel with a metal handle and Country with a wooden handle. Each line consists of a set of knives: universal, for meat, fruits, vegetables.Professional chefs will not be satisfied with the quality, but all the lines are suitable for home, cope with everyday tasks. Sharpness, ergonomics, price 300-1000 rubles, stainless steel are the main advantages that buyers list in reviews.
4 walmer
Country: UK (manufactured in China)
Rating (2022): 4.7
Walmer is affordability combined with convenience. The price of knives rarely exceeds 2000 rubles. Storage racks sold separately. Kits are both expensive and cheap. The company is registered in the UK, but production is based in China. This partly explains the low price. Knives are different: cutting, universal, santoku, for steaks, vegetables, bread. But there are no less common types - for butter, slicing cheese.
The blades are made of durable stainless steel, resistant to corrosion. The surface is coated with an anti-stick coating. Its "side" property - knives are easily washed. The handles are made of impact-resistant plastic with an anti-slip coating. There are few reviews of all models of the company, so it is difficult to single out popular lines. The evaluation of knives is also vague. More often users characterize them as "normal".
3 Nadoba
Country: Czech
Rating (2022): 4.8
Buyers know and love the Czech company Nadoba. Budget models cost in the range of 300-2000 rubles. Production is based in the Czech Republic, which distinguishes the company from brands of the same level. The quality is on top, as far as it is possible for this category. Durable stainless steel, sharpness, ergonomic handles - using knives is a pleasure.The blade made of X50CrMoV15 steel with the addition of molybdenum and vanadium keeps sharpening longer, does not oxidize, does not change color.
The choice is large - four series, chef's, carving, universal knives, santoku. Sets of 5-7 items with coasters cost 2000-10000 rubles. In popularity, the Marta line stands out with solid metal handles. Users characterize the knives of the series with such properties as strength, sharpness. This is a good choice for a home for price, reliability and convenience.
2 Rondell
Country: Germany (made in China)
Rating (2022): 4.9
In the assortment of inexpensive Rondell kitchen knives there is a much greater variety in the materials used, mainly in various alloy steels. The peculiarity of this manufacturer lies in the fact that, at very reasonable prices, the technical base allows us to put on the market an exceptionally high-quality product that is suitable for regrinding and has sufficient hardness.
A striking example of Rondell products is the budget series of Cascara knives, made using the standard alloy X30Cr13 (corrosion resistant). Blade hardness here rarely drops below 55 HRC. Another representative of the company - Rondell Langsax - uses X50CrMoV15 steel as the blade material, which is used to create high-class knives. The only complaint from consumers to all products is poor balance, leading to hand fatigue during prolonged use.
1 Tramontina
Country: Brazil
Rating (2022): 4.9
Not all Tramontina products belong to the budget segment.But among them there are a lot of knives within 1000 rubles. The ratio of quality and availability is the main reason for its popularity. The manufacturer produces 29 product lines. These are classic models, knives for cheese, steaks, tomatoes, ham, cleaning bones, chopping meat. All this abundance is complemented by sharpeners for sharpening and large sets with stands.
Among the inexpensive series, we highlight the Professional Master with a high-quality steel blade with a V-shaped sharpening. All models of the line are practical and convenient. Polypropylene coating provides a secure grip, making it easier to cut food. A series of classic kitchen knives - Dynamic. AISI 420 stainless steel blade, natural wood handle - practical, durable and inexpensive. According to the characteristics and user reviews, these are the best knives in the budget segment.
The best brands of mid-range kitchen knives
The middle price segment is the golden mean. Knives in this rating category are good enough for professional chefs, but still affordable for the home. Steel no longer bends from cutting hard products, the blade needs rare editing, the appearance inspires confidence and inspires hope for durability.
5 Samura
Country: Russia
Rating (2022): 4.9
Over the long history of its existence, the Russian company Samura has managed to gain fame as a manufacturer of high-quality and inexpensive knives. However, the heights achieved were not enough for her, and the owners urgently began to look for opportunities to enter the rank of premium brands. And, admittedly, they succeeded very much in this matter: not only the introduction of new technologies helped, but also the decision on the unique finish of future blades.
So, one of the most popular Samura themes was the imitation of Damascus steel. A similar approach was implemented, for example, in the Samura Sakai series of knives with an expensive mahogany handle. The role of the base metal of the blade here is played by the VG-10 lighter, overlaid with Damascus steel to give it a look and noticeable hardening. As a result, the hardness of the knife on the blade is a whopping 62 HRC - such a sample will rarely ask for sharpening.
4 Arcos
Country: Spain
Rating (2022): 4.7
Classic knives from the Spanish company Arcos are a godsend for unpretentious lovers of home cooking. Absolutely the entire range here is "packed" in classic wooden and plastic handles - somewhere a little slippery, but overall very comfortable. The mechanical characteristics of the blades do not fail either: for the most part, knives have good metal toughness and hardness in the region of 53-58 HRC. In some cases, consumers complain about the need for frequent sharpening of knives, but this is more an exception than an established rule.
As part of the Arcos brand series, one can single out the classic Latina knife model, with a wooden handle and a stainless steel blade with a hardness of 53-56 HRC. In fact, the same thing, but in a different set (with a polyoxymethylene handle) are the Clasica and Universal lines. They perfectly "sit" in the hand, are of high quality and cost a little more than budget category knives.
3 Kyocera
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 4.8
Unlike most competitors who rely on the external parameters of knives, Kyocera has chosen a slightly different path of development.While others make extensive use of fairly heavy metal vanadium and molybdenum grades, this Japanese manufacturer opts for zirconium with a minor addition of alloying elements. As a result, the world is not cheap, but high-quality knives with increased corrosion resistance, hardness and lightness.
Kyosera's flagship kitchen knives for the home for several seasons have been the Revolution (with plastic finish) and Elite Pro (with patterned coating on the blade and wooden handle) series. The former captivate consumers with extreme ease of use, and the latter with elegance and long-term preservation of appearance.
2 Wusthof
Country: Germany
Rating (2022): 4.9
The next participant in the rating was the premium German company Wusthof, the main feature of which is the production of products with a thin transition from the handle to the blade part. It seems to be a trifle, but there is not a single manufacturer in the world whose knives would be distinguished by such a design. What are the benefits? First, the thinness allows for more precise guiding of the knife, which is useful for thin slices. Secondly, the ergonomic shape of the handle does not burden the hand, so you can work in the kitchen for a long time and productively.
Reference examples of Wusthof products include the Classic and Silverpoint knife lines. Perfect proportions and the traditional fusion of the handle with the blade are combined here with the high strength properties of the alloy used. According to users, the blade steel of both knives is very resistant to blunting and corrosion.
1 Fissler
Country: Germany
Rating (2022): 5.0
The German knife manufacturer made it into the rankings thanks to the cold prudence and practicality of its own products. Unlike Japanese craftsmen, who are accustomed to creating a miniature work of art in each individual blade, Fissler does not pursue exclusivity, presenting knives to consumers for everyday work use.
As a material for the blade, the German company most often uses alloys with the addition of vanadium and molybdenum: for example, X50CrMoV15. Blades made of such steel are characterized by increased hardness (average 58 HRC), do not need frequent sharpening and can last a very long time with proper care.
Top Premium Kitchen Knives Brands
The premium class always brings together the best. So it is with knives. In this category, we have selected examples of expensive brands of knives used by professional chefs of all levels. Sharp blades made of durable steel, comfortable handles, solid design, sharpening remains unchanged after months of constant work - all these are the advantages of premium knives.
5 Yaxell
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 4.6
A Japanese firm with almost a century of history has been producing knives that a top-class chef will not be ashamed of. The manufacturer uses Damascus technology. Multi-layer carbon hardened steel reaches 61 units of hardness on the Rockwell scale. Knives withstand increased load, stay sharp for a long time. A knife bought for the home will not require sharpening for years. The handles are made of micarta, a durable and hard material. It is obtained from fabric and epoxy resin.
Products are divided into several series.All of them are good, but I would like to highlight the Super Gou collection. All knives of the brand are made using Damascus technology, but 101 layers of steel are used in this line. From here follow the characteristics of knives - strong, hard, durable. With this in mind, the high price seems not such a serious disadvantage.
4 Global
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 4.7
One of the many giants of Japanese knife production, whose products meet the high quality requirements of elite kitchen appliances. It has one very curious feature inherent in the units of world manufacturers: the handle of Global knives is always made in one piece with the blade. At the same time, the inner part remains hollow for fine balancing by pouring fine sand inside.
If we do not take into account similar manufacturing methods, then the company's products, in general, are very diverse and always pleasant in appearance. So, one of the Global - Standart lines has a porous handle and a classic smooth blade surface. Opposite to him, the Japanese company produced the Sai series with a corrugated surface of the blade part and a smooth transition to an oblong and “twisted” handle. As a material for the blades in these cases, X50CrMoV15 alloy steel with a hardness of 56 HRC is used, the conditions of which make it possible to easily cope with cutting a hard product.
3 Tojiro
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 4.8
The Japanese company Tojiro belongs to the circle of developers that relies on the classic look of kitchen knives.With standard profile views, these models fit perfectly in the hand and do not have unnecessary "frills" that often interfere with the normal use of the knife. The blades of Tojiro knives are based on the use of a chromium-nickel metal alloy, which is strong enough and does not require frequent sharpening.
As an example of knives for the house from Tojiro, we can cite the PRO series, a characteristic feature of which is a metal corrugated handle. Thanks to the use of VG-10 steel, the need for frequent sharpening of the blade in the models of this series disappears. A more standard version of Tojiro Zen knives has similar characteristics, the blade of which is made of the same steel (VG-10) forged in 3 layers. Instead of a metal handle, a standard wooden slip is used here, the ergonomic qualities of which are on top.
2 Mikadzo
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 4.9
The well-established slogan of Mikadzo: “Japanese quality at an affordable price” reflects all the specifics of the manufacturer and the main advantages for the domestic consumer in the best possible way. The hardness of their knives rarely drops below the 57 HRC mark, and they rarely need to be sharpened. The second significant feature of the company is experimentation with various appearance options, which is clearly reflected in the brightest representatives.
The Mikadzo Damascus series is a masterful work of creating an original Damascus pattern on the blade and wooden handle of a family of knives. This design fits almost any kitchen design, and in terms of purely mechanical parameters, it has no equal at all. Joking or not, but official sources report that the blade hardness of these models is close to 60 HRC.The Mikadzo Imari series is slightly worse in terms of parameters, but in terms of design it can be called one of the most interesting. However, its essence lies not so much in the "picture" as in ergonomics - the plastic handles are very comfortable in the hands.
1 Kai
Country: Japan
Rating (2022): 5.0
Kai loves and widely uses a three-layer "sandwich" with the addition of Damascus steel as the metal for the blade. It turns out expensive, chic, and very high quality - however, no one expects another from this manufacturer. Despite a large number of in-house developments, such as the exclusive AoGami Blue Paper San-Mai steel, Kai knives use VG-10 alloy, popular in Japan, as the base metal.
On its basis, such series as Shun Premier and Shum Kaji were developed, outwardly summed up to the appearance of Damascus blades (due to the use of overlays from the corresponding steel). The nominal hardness of such models is 60-62 HRC, which allows you to use knives for a long time without resharpening. As for the differences, in addition to the profile of the blade part, handles can be recorded in this category, in one case made of lacquered walnut wood, and in the other - from a more budgetary polymer.