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Here are some excellent chef's knives for home cooks under $300: Best Overall Value Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife (~$50) Professional workhorse used in culinary schools Excellent edge retention and balance Comfortable non-slip handle Best bang-for-buck option Wüsthof Classic 8" Chef's Knife (~$150-180) German-made, full-tang construction Heavier blade great for rocking cuts Lifetime warranty Industry standard for durability Japanese-Style Options Tojiro DP 8" Chef's Knife (Gyuto) (~$80-100) VG-10 steel core for sharpness Lighter, thinner blade than German knives Excellent edge retention Great introduction to Japanese knives Mac MTH-80 Professional 8" Chef's Knife (~$150-170) Razor-sharp out of the box Lightweight and nimble Dimpled blade reduces sticking Popular among home cooks Premium Pick Zwilling Pro 8" Chef's Knife (~$150-200) Ice-hardened German steel Perfect balance and ergonomics Precision forged construction Step up in quality and feel Miyabi Artisan SG2 8" Chef's Knife (~$280) Beautiful Damascus pattern Super-hard SG2 powder steel Japanese craftsmanship with German design At the top of your budget but stunning Key considerations: Start with the Victorinox if you're unsure—it punches way above its price Choose German (Wüsthof, Zwilling) for heavier, more durable knives Choose Japanese (Tojiro, Mac) for lighter, sharper edges All these knives will last decades with proper care