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For under $300, you can get an excellent chef's knife that will last for years. Here are the top recommendations: Best Overall Options Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife (~$50) The best value knife available Used in professional kitchens worldwide Comfortable grip, well-balanced, and stays sharp Perfect if you want to save money for other kitchen tools Wüsthof Classic 8" Chef's Knife (~$150-180) German-made workhorse with a great reputation Full tang, heavier weight that some prefer for chopping Excellent durability and edge retention Classic choice that's been refined over decades Mac MTH-80 Professional 8" Chef's Knife (~$150-180) Japanese-style knife with thinner, sharper blade Lighter weight than German knives Exceptional edge retention Great middle ground between Western and Japanese styles Premium Options (Still Under Budget) Miyabi Koh 8" Chef's Knife (~$200-250) Beautiful Damascus pattern Japanese craftsmanship with Western handle comfort Very sharp out of the box Zwilling Pro 8" Chef's Knife (~$160-200) German engineering with modern design Excellent balance and comfort Ice-hardened for durability My Recommendation Start with the Victorinox if you're budget-conscious or unsure about your preferences. If you want to invest more, the Wüsthof Classic (German-style, heavier) or Mac MTH-80 (Japanese-style, lighter) are both outstanding and will tell you which style you prefer for future purchases. The key is getting comfortable with sharpening—even a $50 knife will outperform a dull $300 one!