It isn’t easy to finalize a knife under $100 because of the countless variety and characteristics. To aid your hunt to buy the best chef knife under $100, we’ve reviewed some five top products. In the end, there’s also a buying guide if you wish to learn more about this kitchen tool. With these chef knives, you’ll become a master chef!
Table of Contents
Best Chef Knife Under $100
| Image | Best Chef Knife Under $100 | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Knife | 99% |
 | 2. DALSTRONG Gladiator Series Chef Knife | 96% |
 | 3. J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef Knife | 92% |
 | 4. Mercer Culinary Genesis Santoku Knife | 89% |
 | 5. Imarku Pro Kitchen Chef Knife | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Here are our chef knives under $100 reviews.
1. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Knife
If you want a knife that professionals highly regard, then the Victorinox should be on your wishlist. This 8-inch version knife from Victorinox will be your perfect tool since it is versatile and ergonomic. The sloping, long, and curvy blade can mince, slice, and chop like a kitchen wizard.
If you often indulge in cooking large fish pieces or grilled meats, you’ll love this knife. One characteristic that we appreciate in this knife is the Thermoplastic elastomer handles. This textured handle is not only durable but also temperature-resistant. Besides, the material is also somewhat anti-slip.
The knife equips a stainless steel blade that is entirely dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning a snap. If you find the 8-inch variant significant, you can also opt for the 5, 6, 7, 1/2, and 10-inch sizes. Each knife size has a different purpose. The features and the quality is consistent throughout each length.
The knife’s spine is flat, which allows more power to the user while slicing tough-skinned ingredients. Thanks to the stainless steel construction, the blade can hold its edge pretty well. You can also save plenty of time since you don’t need to sharpen up the knife frequently.
Why do we like it?
- Thermoplastic elastomer for dishwasher-safe cleaning
- Stainless steel blades for resisting rust and damage
- Well-balanced and ergonomic design
2. DALSTRONG Gladiator Series Chef Knife
This Dalstrong Knife is part of the Gladiator series. The ultra sharp-blades in this knife offer enhanced performance and a sleek and elegant look. The overall tapered construction adds flexibility and hardness to the blade.
Maneuverability and superior comfort are the two essential aspects of the ergonomic handle of this knife. Rest assured that the handles or the blades will not slow you down while you’re performing cooking tasks.
Since this knife performs and feels like a professional knife, it’ll inspire you to take up more cooking challenges. German steel and chef-standard blades have a long history. Many knife manufacturers use German steel because of its robust strength and consistent quality.
The German steel stretches along the length of the tool through the handle. This full tang knife will not break apart when you’re trying to cut through dense food items. The high carbon content in the blade holds the edge exceedingly well.
Plus, you don’t have to waste time sharpening the blades very often. Another benefit of high-carbon steel is that it won’t bend easily. To safeguard the knife when it is not in use, Dalstrong also employs a BPA sheath. With a 56+ hardness rating, this Dalstrong knife is the classical example of quality and functionality.
Why do we like it?
- 56+ impressive Rockwell hardness rating
- A high-glossy finish gives an upscale look.
- Triple rivets for more durability
3. J.A. Henckels International Classic Chef Knife
Are you looking for a chef knife that won’t pinch your pocket? In that case, take a look at the J. A. Henckels International Classic Chef Knife. This J. A. Henckels knife takes the traditional design route while having a reasonable price tag. If you are on a shoe-string budget, this is your best option.
Unlike other low-priced knives, this knife does not lose out on its sharpness. It stays consistent with its performance. This Henckels knife employs modern production qualities for a well-made and neat construction.
The knife has a fine-edge blade and a satin finish. The knife is precise and honed for a lasting sharpness even after everyday use. With this knife, you can dice vegetables, chop fruits, mince all varieties of meat and onions within a few minutes.
It is a Spanish-origin knife that uses German stainless steel to ensure high-quality and durability. The tripel rivets in the handle offer a tremendous amount of balance to the blade. The ergonomic handles won’t cause fatigue when you have a basket full of veggies to chop.
A significant advantage of this chef knife is that it is dishwasher-friendly. Also, a lifetime limited warranty backs this knife against material and craftsmanship defects. With a cost-effective and quality kitchen tool like this, nobody can stop you from cooking your favorite dishes!
Why do we like it?
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
- The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty.
- Blemish-resistant blades with a satin finish
4. Mercer Culinary Genesis Santoku Knife
When it comes to quality knives, you can trust Japanese-origin products blindly. The Japan-origin blades have a touch of sophistication and use state-of-the-art technology to offers the best. This Mercer Culinary Genesis has a Santoku knife design. These knives are an alternative to the traditional French-style knives.
The Santoku knives have a flat blade. This top-notch quality knife employs high-carbon content German steel to resist discoloration and rust. NSF also independently tested and certified this Mercer Culinary knife. The NSF certification ensures quality, performance, and safety.
The precision-forged production of this knife enhances its overall sturdiness and durability. This tool is full tang, which means the blades run through the knife’s handle’s entire length. Full tang blades are more durable and tackle ingredients better.
We love the extremely ergonomic Santoprene temperature-resistant handle. It can bear both cold and hot temperatures while maintaining a non-slip and comfortable grip. If you have small palms or prefer using small knives, the Santoku might be the right option for you.
The knife is also lighter and thinner than many other similar products. On an important note, this knife is not dishwasher safe, and the manufacturer recommends handwashing. Also, the product comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Why do we like it?
- Short length and light-weight for netter maneuvering
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
- NSF certified for performance, safety, and quality
5. Imarku Pro Kitchen Chef Knife
The final product on our list is the Imarku Pro Kitchen Chef Knife. This knife will clear all your dilemma between the French-style and Japanese-style Santoku knives. The type of knife also depends on your cooking habits and preferences. The Imarku knife adopts a Gyutou design that is a blend of Santoku and French styles.
This German-made, sophisticated knife is both strong and versatile. This tool’s ultra-sharp edges can chop, cut, mince, and dice all kinds of ingredients without hesitation. This robust knife is also apt for removing flesh from bones and cut through dense meats. With a 56-58 Rockwell Hardness rating, this one looks like a reliable option.
The Gyutou design combines a French-style blade shape, and the Santoku knife inspires the blade and the handle’s characteristics. This construction results in a well-made and more ergonomic grip.
Your first impression of the handles will be that they are well designed and very stable. The total length of the knife is about 13-inches, out of which the handles are 5-inches long. This combination knife inherits the best characteristics from the French-style and Japanese-style blades.
You must also know that this product will not tarnish or gain rust even after prolonged and rough usage. In case you notice any factory defects in the product, you can opt for the 30-day returns policy.
Why do we like it?
- 75% carbon construction for enhanced strength
- Offers value for money for buyers
- Corrosion and rust-resistant metal material
Chef Knife Under $100 Buyer’s Guide
If you want to slice like a pro, you also need the right tools along with the essential skills. Can you imagine fine chopping with a blunt knife? You can use the chef knife for a multitude of chopping tasks. However, not all chef knives have outstanding craftsmanship. The best chef knives under $100 should be a combination of quality and durability. These days, simple tools like knives also come with a bundle of design features. To help you understand all the features of a good knife, here’s a buying guide! This buying guide will lead you to the best and most suitable chef knife under $100.
Length
The standard chef knife size is about 8-inches. Most of the home and professional kitchens across the country will be having an 8-inch size knife. The 8-inch knife is big enough to cut through most of the ingredients. Besides, the 8-inch size does not sacrifice maneuverability or ergonomics to chop small foods.
However, there are other lengths of knife available as well. For first-time buyers, it is better to stick to the standard 8-inch size. The feasible size of the tool also depends on your cooking habits.
Weight
Initially, the weight of the knife might seem like an insignificant aspect, but it is essential. The thing is that heavy blades are much better options when it comes to chopping hard foods. You don’t have to put up a lot of pressure while using heavy knives for dense ingredients.
However, that bulky weight will cause frequent fatigues to your arms. If you are going to indulge in chopping all day long, it’s better to buy a light-weight knife.
On that note, you must know that the light-weight knives will not be your friend when it comes to cutting hard ingredients. With light-weight knives, you can chop veggies, fruits, and other soft things.
You can determine the weight of the knife by looking at its construction material. In general, the all-metal blades result in a much more bulky weight. In case you want a light-weight knife, go for light and composite alloy blades.
Bolster
You can spot the bolster of the knife along the non-cutting edge. The bolster starts from the beginning of the handle. It is a thick metal part that lies on the base of the blade. The bolster is the initial thickness of the steel that was used to produce the knife.
The bolster is thick so that it protects your hand. It safeguards your hand from sliding forward on the sharp blade. Most of the knives with a thick bolster will have a single-steel brick construction. Such a blade will hold up its shape and perform better even after rough use.
Metal Strength
Most of the knife’s blades have a steel body. However, this steel is not the same for all the knives in the market. Usually, the edges use a combination of steel and various other materials. This combination makes the blade more durable and robust.
There are also many chef knives under $100 that use stainless steel. The mixed stainless steel can effectively prevent rust. Many a time, these steels also have carbon content to enhance the overall strength of the blade. If you don’t want to sharpen your knife often, get a knife with high-carbon stainless steel.
Tang
The tangs are the bottom part of the tool that extends to the handle. The tangs have a design to keep your hands slipping from the grip.
It has a similar purpose to that of a bolster. Most importantly, these tangs help you to balance the knife.
The tang works acts as a counterweight to strike a balance in the center of your palms. The weight and size of the tang can have a drastic impact on the feel of your knife. You will come across chef knives under $100 that extend up to the handles’ full length.
On the other hand, there are some knives with partial tang. Though full chef knives are robust, partial tangs are generally more comfortable to use and lighter.
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