With a reputation for quality and products that carry a lifetime warranty, Wüsthof is among our most trusted knife brands. The Wüsthof 8-inch classic chef’s knife is one we’ve referred to as a workhorse following our extensive testing of the must-have kitchen staple, prizing this model for its sturdiness and reassuring weight that allows it to slice through dense vegetables or break down a chicken with ease. We’ve also named Wüsthof’s classic 10-piece knife set as our pick for best overall knife set, beating out 41 other sets with its reasonable price in relation to its quality components.  

Wüsthof has an extensive selection of knives, including cleavers, boning knives, serrated knives, and a 7-inch santoku we’ve also happily reviewed. Staying true to their roots — a move we can always respect — Wüsthof’s limited product line only relates to blades, from beautiful cutting boards to shears to sharpening tools. 

Miyabi is a line of Japanese-designed knives from the German brand, Zwilling, which we’ll also get into below. These knives are made with precision — the brand’s website touts 100 steps and 42 days to make just one Miyabi knife — and the range is impressive. We’ve praised the Miyabi Kaizen 9.5-inch bread knife for its beauty and incredibly sharp, serrated blade; and we’re also fans of the Miyabi Koh chef’s knife, which has a gently curved blade that makes it perfect for rocking and chopping, yet is gentle enough to slice through delicate tomato skin without squishing the fruit. 

With Zwilling’s distribution (and lifetime warranty), Miyabi knives are widely available — yet the quality and craftsmanship that Japanese knives are known for are not compromised. These are some seriously refined, high-performance knives.

Shun makes some truly eye-catching cutlery — just have a look at the Gokuji 6-inch boning and filet knife — and is one of our favorite brands for Japanese knives. We named the Shun 8-inch classic chef’s knife the best high-end chef’s knife after proving its ability to create paper-thin slices with its rust-, stain-, and stick-resistant blade. 

If you’re up for a splurge on a complete set of Japanese knives, Shun’s classic knife block is a worthy investment. These are definitely knives you’ll want to be sure to care for properly, including washing by hand, drying thoroughly, and honing regularly. As with other top knife brands, Shun knives come with a lifetime warranty — but it won’t cover neglect.

Like Wüsthof, Zwilling knives are made in Solingen, Germany, but this brand has been around even longer — since 1731. The full brand name is Zwilling J.A. Henckels and there’s a vast product range of knives and kitchen products designed for home and professional use. 

We think the Zwilling Pro 10-piece knife block set is a great value for the quality, striking a nice balance between ultra-luxe and reasonably priced sets. There are three knife brands that operate under the Zwilling umbrella — Zwilling, the aforementioned Miyabi, and budget-focused Henckels — so the choice can be overwhelming if you’re starting from scratch. We prefer Zwilling’s Pro line for consistent quality and durability. 

We’ve been so pleased with MAC knives during our testing that we’ve named the 8-inch hollow edge chef’s knife the best overall chef’s knife, as well as the best everyday Japanese knife. Food & Wine’s own editor-in-chief, Hunter Lewis, declared this MAC knife “evenly balanced between the weight of the blade and the handle,” making it “feel solid and good in my hand.” 

While any good chef’s knife is versatile in the kitchen, MAC’s is even more so, thanks to its hollow notches that help stop food from sticking to the blade. The Pakkawood handle, meanwhile, feels secure and non-slip for limitless chopping. And while MAC doesn’t offer a lifetime warranty like some competitors, they do back their knives for a generous 25 years.

If the Hedley & Bennett name sounds familiar in the context of kitchen aprons, well, you’re right — the brand makes some of our favorites. When we learned that they’re now offering knives, we were initially skeptical but quickly learned that Hedley & Bennett knives aren’t just a marketing ploy. The chef’s knife is a worthy competitor in a busy ring, impressing us with its comfortable handle and a sharp blade that made quick work of both paper and tomatoes during our testing. 

We’ll keep an eye on Hedley & Bennett as a knife brand over the coming months, but so far? We like what we see.