Answer Details

Here are excellent chef’s knives (specific brand + model) that are consistently recommended, all under $300. I grouped them by “feel” so you can pick what suits your style as a home cook. Laser-y & nimble (Japanese/Hybrid profiles) MAC Professional MTH-80 (8", dimples) — perennial expert favorite for sharpness + control; repeatedly top-rated in hands-on tests. GearLab +3 MAC Knife +3 Forbes +3 Tojiro DP Gyuto (210 mm, F-808) — best bang-for-buck gateway into Japanese knives; thin, hard VG-10 core with stainless cladding. Nothing But Knives +1 Global G-2 (8") — very light, one-piece steel construction; great if you like a featherweight that stays sharp. WIRED Miyabi Koh (8") — refined, balanced cutter that’s easy to control; praised for versatility. Eater Shun (Classic/Premier lines, 6–8") — thin, aesthetic blades with excellent factory edges; WIRED’s pick in the “Japanese-made” slot. WIRED Heft & durability (German profiles) Wüsthof Classic (8") — stalwart Western workhorse; Serious Eats’ top Western-style pick. Serious Eats Zwilling Four Star (8") — forged, ice-hardened German steel; recommended as a solid, long-lasting option. WIRED Mercer Genesis (8") — budget German-style that punches above its price; named best Western chef’s knife under $50. Serious Eats Ultra-value that still performs Victorinox Fibrox Pro (8") — unbeatable utility for the money; WIRED still endorses it as a great pick. WIRED How to choose (quick, practical rules) Try the “pinch test.” If you pinch-grip and the knife tracks straight without wrist strain, it’s a match. Pick a profile that matches your motion. Rock-choppers → Wüsthof/Zwilling; push-cutters/slicers → MAC/Tojiro/Shun/Global. Board + maintenance matter more than steel hype. Use a wooden or soft plastic board; hone every few sessions and sharpen 1–2×/year. (WIRED’s guide aligns with this cadence.) WIRED If you tell me whether you prefer heavier vs. lighter and rock-chop vs. push-cut, I’ll narrow this to the best 2–3 for your hand size and prep habits—plus find current pricing from reputable retailers.