Answer Details

Here are excellent chef’s knives (specific brand + model) that consistently test well and come in under $300. I grouped them by price so you can skim fast. Under $100 (great starters) Victorinox Swiss Classic / Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife — Lightweight, grippy handle, easy to maintain; a long-time budget favorite in pro kitchens. Epicurious +2 insight-kitchenknife.com +2 Tojiro DP 210mm Gyuto (VG-10) — Incredible value Japanese gyuto; sharp, thin, and easy to sharpen. Burrfection Store +1 Mercer Culinary Genesis 8" — Ergonomic handle, solid everyday performer for little money. People.com $100–$200 (sweet spot for most home cooks) MAC Professional (a.k.a. “Mighty”) MTH-80 8" Hollow Edge — Often rated “sharpest feeling”; thin, nimble, great all-rounder. GearLab +1 Global G-2 8" — Lightweight, all-steel build; easy slicer if you prefer a thinner, nimbler feel. New York Magazine Zwilling Pro 8" — Classic German profile with a comfortable bolster; robust and durable. Food & Wine $200–$300 (premium but still under $300) Wüsthof Classic 8" — Heftier German workhorse; repeatedly recommended for longevity and balance. Serious Eats +2 Serious Eats +2 Shun Classic 8" — VG-MAX core with Damascus cladding; a refined Japanese option that stays under $300. Food & Wine Misono UX10 210mm Gyuto — Lightweight, precise, and beloved by testers looking for premium fit/finish below $300. Serious Eats Quick pick by feel Want light & laser-y? MAC MTH-80 or Tojiro DP. GearLab +1 Prefer some heft/forgiving edge? Wüsthof Classic or Zwilling Pro. Serious Eats +1 All-metal, super nimble? Global G-2. New York Magazine Budget workhorse? Victorinox Swiss Classic/Fibrox Pro. (Note: Swiss Classic replaces Fibrox Pro at retail, but performance remains similar.) Epicurious Two tiny tips to make any knife feel “pro” Hone regularly; sharpen a few times a year based on use. Use wood or soft plastic boards (avoid glass/stone) to preserve the edge. If you tell me your preferences—weight, handle style (wood vs. synthetic vs. metal), and whether you pinch-grip—I’ll narrow this to a single “best match.”