Answer Details

Here’s a tight, field-tested short list of chef’s knives (8" / 210 mm) that home cooks love—and that consistently win expert reviews—while staying under $300. I’ve grouped them by “feel” so you can pick German-style (heavier, curved/rock) or Japanese-style gyuto (lighter, thinner, more precise). Japanese-style / gyuto (nimble & ultra-sharp) MAC Professional 8" (MTH-80) – Widely praised “sweet spot” knife: thin, very sharp, easy to control; symmetrical edge is beginner-friendly. Serious Eats +1 Misono UX10 210 mm – Pro-leaning performance without being fussy; superb factory edge and a very light, agile feel (note the asymmetrical bevel—lefties should buy the left-handed version). Serious Eats +1 Global G-2 8" – Lightweight, grippy steel handle, great balance; a longtime editor favorite and a classic “starter Japanese” pick. New York Magazine +1 Tojiro DP Gyuto 210 mm (F-808) – Best value gyuto: VG-10 core, excellent cutting performance for the money. Nothing But Knives +1 German-style / Western (heft & rock-chop) Wüsthof Classic 8" – The stalwart Western pick: durable, well-balanced, and broadly recommended in contemporary tests. Serious Eats Zwilling Pro 8" – A solid alternative in the same family (often a touch less aggressive on dense veg than Wüsthof, but still excellent). Food & Wine Budget standouts (way under $300) Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" – An affordable, industry-standard workhorse with a comfy, non-slip handle; frequently recommended to beginners for value. Reviewed +1 Mercer Genesis 8" – Incredible value pick that still performs well in testing (great as a first “real” knife or a beater). Serious Eats Quick buying advice Size & style: For most home cooks, choose an 8" chef’s knife or 210 mm gyuto. If you prefer a light, laser-like feel, go gyuto; if you like a heavier rocker, go German. (Recent roundups test and confirm both styles excel—pick your preference.) WIRED +1 Steel & care: All of the above are stainless or stainless-clad and easy to live with. Get a honing rod and hone lightly every few sessions; sharpen a few times a year (or when you feel drag). Handle/ergonomics matter: If possible, hold a couple of candidates—comfort and control trump specs. Recent expert guides emphasize this “fit” over chasing Damascus patterns or max hardness. New York Magazine If you tell me which “feel” you prefer (light/nimble vs. heavy/rocker), your hand size, and whether you’re left-handed, I’ll narrow this to 2–3 perfect picks.