Answer Details

Here’s a tight, no-regrets shortlist of chef’s knives (8" / ~210 mm) that consistently test well and come in under $300. Any of these will serve an enthusiastic home cook for years: * **MAC Professional “Mighty” MTH-80 (8")** — thin, very sharp, nimble; a frequent “best overall” pick and a joy for precise slicing. Typically ~$150–$180. ([Food & Wine][1]) * **Wüsthof Classic (8")** — classic German workhorse; sturdy, well-balanced, great edge retention; excellent all-rounder. Usually ~$160–$200. ([GearLab][2]) * **Misono UX10 Gyuto (210 mm)** — Japanese-style, light and precise but durable; a long-time editor favorite in pro tests. ~$200–$260. ([Serious Eats][3]) * **Shun Classic (8")** — refined fit/finish, very sharp Damascus-clad blade; great balance if you like a lighter, rocker-friendly profile. ~$160–$200. ([GearLab][2]) * **Tojiro DP Gyuto (210 mm)** — best value Japanese option; thin, sharp VG-10 core that’s forgiving to maintain. ~$80–$110. ([GearLab][2]) * **Victorinox Fibrox Pro (8")** — unbeatable budget pick; grippy handle, easy to live with; great as a first “real” knife or backup. ~$45–$60. ([Food & Wine][1]) * **Global G-2 (8")** — lightweight, one-piece steel, very maneuverable if you prefer a slimmer, handle-heavy feel. ~$110–$150. ([Food & Wine][1]) * **Zwilling Pro/Professional S (8")** — robust German alternative to Wüsthof with slightly slimmer feel; excellent daily driver. ~$130–$170. ([GearLab][2]) ### How to choose (quick guide) * **Feel & balance first:** If you like a heftier, rock-chop style, lean **Wüsthof / Zwilling**. Prefer lighter, slicey performance? Go **MAC / Misono / Shun / Tojiro / Global**. (All are top-tested picks in recent roundups and labs.) ([Food & Wine][1]) * **Maintenance:** All above are stainless or stainless-clad; hone regularly and sharpen 1–2×/year. Avoid dishwashers; use a board (wood or quality plastic) and store with a guard or strip. ([Serious Eats][3]) * **Blade length:** 8" (or 210 mm gyuto) is the sweet spot for most home kitchens. If you want a one-line recommendation under $200 that satisfies most home cooks: **MAC MTH-80** (nimble and sharp) or **Wüsthof Classic 8"** (bomb-proof all-rounder). Both are repeatedly top-rated in 2024–2025 tests. ([Food & Wine][1]) Happy to tailor this to your hand size, cutting style (rock vs push), and what you cook most! [1]: https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/kitchen/best-chefs-knife "The 7 Best Chef's Knives of 2025, Tested & Reviewed" [2]: https://www.techgearlab.com/topics/kitchen/best-chef-knife "The Best Chef's Knife of 2025 | Tested & Rated" [3]: https://www.seriouseats.com/the-best-chefs-knives "The 8 Best Chef’s Knives of 2025, Tested & Reviewed"