Whether you consider yourself a great cook or not, I can tell you that by having the best chef knife set, your life in the kitchen will be so much easier! It doesn’t have to be the best chef knife in the world, just as long as it’s a great quality knife then preparing meals will be so much more pleasurable.
Obviously you don’t need to be a chef to have the best chefs knife Australia has. All a kitchen chef knife is, is a high quality, multi purpose knife that can be used for slicing and chopping meat, vegetables and pretty much anything really. I recently purchased a chef’s knife after being tired of meal preparation being such a chore and boy was I surprised what a difference it made in meal prep.
Like any cooking products, there is a huge variety of chef knives on the market. From the best starter chef knife set to the best professional chef knife set as well as cheap chef knives and top of the range chef knives. With so much to choose from, it can be a bit tricky working out what is the best chef knife brands or which are the best chefs knives Australia has.
Click here to see the best chef knife in Australia now.
I have put all my research on chef knives in this chef knife reviews Australia guide, so other Australian families can choose the best home chef knife for them.
This guide takes you through all the various features you need to consider when purchasing good chef knives and I have also included a handy chef knife comparison chart so you can easily see the features of different chef knives side by side.
Regardless of whether you are after a classic chef knife to help with meal prep or something a little more fancy like the best Japanese chef knives or German chef knives, this guide will help you purchase one of the best quality kitchen knives on the market for you.
Let’s get started with our run through of the best knives for home cooks Australia has!
Best Chef Knife Australia 2024 Comparison Chart
| Name | Image | Knife Size/Length | Blade Type | Material | Weight | Rating | Price |
| Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku Chef Knife |  | 7 inches | Dimpled | German Steel | 200g | 5.0 | Here |
| Victorinox Broad Blade Fibrox Chef’s Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Stainless Steel | 227g | 4.5 | Here |
| Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Chef’s Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Carbon Steel | 277g | 4.0 | Here |
| Messermeister San Moritz Chef Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Stainless Steel | 295g | 4.5 | Here |
| Mac Knife French Series Chef’s Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Molybdenum Alloy Steel | 272g | 4.5 | Here |
| Paudin Pro Chef’s Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Stainless Steel | 193g | 5.0 | Here |
| Triple Tree Chef Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Stainless Steel | 142g | 4.5 | Here |
| Kai Shun Classic Chef Knife |  | 8 inches | Dimpled | Stainless Steel | 212g | 4.5 | Here |
| Global G-48 Santoku Hollow Chef Knife |  | 7 inches | Dimpled | Stainless Steel | 90.7g | 4.5 | Here |
| Dalstrong Tanto Chef Knife Shogun Series |  | 8 inches | Standard | High Carbon Steel | 454g | 5.0 | Here |
| Mercer Culinary Genesis 8 Inch Chef Knife |  | 8 inches | Standard | Stainless Steel | 249g | 5.0 | Here |
| Titan Forge 8 Inch Chef’s Knife Pro Series |  | 8 inches | Standard | High-Carbon Steel | 907g | 4.5 | Here |
The Best Chef Knives Australia 2024
Here’s a handy reference list of the best knives Australia has – see all chef knife reviews below!
- Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku Chef Knife, 7 inches
- Victorinox Broad Blade Fibrox Chef’s Knife, 8 inches
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Chef’s Knife, 8 inches
- Messermeister San Moritz Chef Knife, 8 inches
- Mac Knife French Series Chef’s Knife, 8 inches
- PAUDIN Pro Chef’s Knife, 8 inches
- Triple Tree Chef Knife, 8 inches
- Kai Shun Classic Chef Knife, 8 inches
- Global G-48 Santoku Hollow Chef Knife, 7 inches
- Dalstrong Tanto Chef Knife Shogun Series, 8 inches
What Is A Chef Knife?
So what is a chef knife? A chef’s knife is the most versatile knife you can have in the kitchen and are some of the best kitchen knives Australia has. It is a fairly large knife (usually ranging from about 6-14 inches in length) with a broad and sharp blade and has a range of uses. These uses of a chef knife include chopping, dicing, slicing and mincing of a range of foods such as meats, vegetables, herbs, nuts – pretty much anything.
Unlike your standard knives, you most likely have in the kitchen, the best chef knife for home cooking will make all the tasks mentioned above super easy and therefore is a must for anyone who wants to make meal preparation quicker and easier.
Choosing The Best Chef Knife In The World
When looking for the top chef knives, there is a range of factors to consider. Consider the following factors before purchasing a chef knife.
Sharpness
Perhaps the most important factor of a chef knife is how sharp it is when looking for good knife brands Australia has. Now all knives are sharp when you first purchase them, even the cheap ones, but you want a knife that is sharp enough to cut through a tomato without any resistance every single time. A knife that loses its sharpness quickly is of no use to anyone.
Quality chef knives hold their sharpness for longer periods of time and can have their original sharpness revived (see more on how to sharpen a knife below) with ease. A big factor in determining the sharpness of a knife is what material the blade is made from (see below).
Size/Length
The most popular length chef knife is 8 inches as this length is said to be more versatile. For professional chef’s or the serious home cook, other knife lengths to consider are the 10-inch, which is said to be better for cutting through thicker food items, or the 6 inch which is best for agility. If you’re not sure which length you’ll prefer using and are buying your first chefs knives Australia has, it can be a good idea to start with one of the chef knife set Australia options for sale.
Weight
The weight of a chef’s knife is somewhat a personal choice. Some people say that a chef’s knife works better when it is heavy enough to cut through food when it falls naturally due to its weight, while others will say that it’s better when it’s light and the user can more freely maneuver the knife.
Handle
The handle of the chef’s knife should feel comfortable in your hand and not difficult to grip. Some people prefer knives that have handles with moulds or indentations to aid a better grip, whilst others prefer handles without.
Also, look for handles which provide enough space between the underside so that your knuckles aren’t hitting the benchtop as you’re cutting.
Blade Type & Quality
When searching for the best kitchen knives Australia has for you, it’s important to know that the material the blade is made from will determine the sharpness and durability of the knife. The most common type of material blades are made from is either stainless steel or carbon steel.
Carbon steel is sharper than stainless and requires sharpening less often. However, carbon steel knives are high maintenance as they are required to be dried thoroughly and oiled after each use or they will rust and discolour, which can be rather inconvenient for most home cooks. Carbon steel blades are also more expensive.
Due to the regular maintenance required of a carbon steel chef knife, stainless steel is the more popular choice. Stainless steel knives are less expensive and resistant to corrosion. However, they do require more frequent sharpening than carbon steel knives.
You also have the choice of a dimple or standard blade. A knife with a dimpled blade is one which has small shallow indentations across the knife near the cutting edge. The purpose of the dimples is to reduce suction while cutting, as well as to reduce the amount of food which gets stuck to the blade as you chop. Some people don’t believe the dimples offer any advantage and prefer to stick with smooth cooking knives Australia (standard) blades.
Design/Style
There is a range of chef knife styles including a Japanese, German and French style chef knife. As to which style is best tends to come down to personal choice.
Japanese knives tend to be lighter, with a thinner blade made from hard and sharp steel. The downside is that these knives tend to be more prone to chip if they accidentally hit something such as bone. However many do recommend using a Japanese chef knife Australia due to their cutting efficacy. Japanese chef knives Australia are widely available.
German knives tend to be bulkier with thicker and heavier blades. These types of knives can withstand much more of a beating including cutting through chicken bones and harder vegetables. A French chef’s knife is much like a German knife but tends to be a little thinner and lighter.
Proper Care For Your Chef Knife
Once you’ve bought your choice of chef knife sets Australia, it’s important to take proper care of your knives. Here are some general tips for caring for good quality kitchen knives:
- As soon as you have finished using your knife, wash it, dry it and put it away.
- Always wash your knife by hand and never put it in the dishwasher to avoid the potential for it to be scratched.
- Don’t keep your knife in the utensil drawer as it can get scratched from being jostled around with the other.
- Don’t leave chef knives lying around in the kitchen sink as they can become scratched or chipped.
- Regularly sharpen the blade on your knife.
- Always cut on a wooden cutting board, any other surface will damage the knife.
When To Sharpen Your Chef Knife
One of the best ways to determine if your knife needs sharpening is by a quick “paper test”. This test simply involves grabbing a piece of paper, holding your knife perpendicular to the paper’s edge and seeing if the knife will cleanly and easily slice through it, with minimum effort on your behalf. If the paper slices with ease, your knife is nice and sharp, if not, it’s time for sharpening, even if it’s the best knife Australia has.
How To Sharpen Your Chef Knife
Sharpening Steel
A sharpening steel is a rod of steel which is held firmly in one hand while with the other hand, the knife is held. The knife is then drawn up and down across the steel.
This is a quick and easy method of sharpening knives and tends to be most popular with home cooks. If the knife becomes too blunt though, this method will not produce good results for even the best knife set Australia.
Send to the Manufacturer
Some people simply choose to send their knives to the manufacturer for sharpening. Quite often the service is free and you will just need to pay for the postage and packaging, which is definitely a reason to choose one of the best knife brands Australia has over non-local brands.
Electric/Manual Sharpener
An electric sharpener is an appliance you can use at home to sharpen your knives. These appliances are fast and easy to use and provide great results. The only downside with electric sharpeners is a lot of material is lost during the process compared to some of the other sharpening methods.
A manual sharpener is much like an electric one in that you pull the knives through a guide which sharpens the blade. The differences between a manual sharpener and an electric one tend to be that the manual version is much smaller and portable and requires a lot more effort on your behalf.
Whetstone
A whetstone is a fine-grained stone which comes in the form of a block. Knives are sharpened by being moved backwards and forwards across the block.
The use of a whetstone if often best left to the professionals as it does require some skill to do this method correctly. However, this method does produce very sharp results.
Click here to read our reviews of the best knife sharpeners.
Best Chef Knife Reviews Australia 2024
Ready to choose? Let’s find out the best knives and knife set reviews Australia has.
Wusthof Classic Ikon Santoku Chef Knife Review
Rating: 5.0
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 7 inches
- Blade Type: Dimpled
- Material: German Steel
- Weight: 200g
When it comes to professional chef knives, brand Wusthof is a popular choice. So whether you’re looking for a new chef knife for your business or home kitchen, the Classic Ikon Santoku chef knife from Wusthof is well worth consideration.
This 7-inch, Japanese style knife is made from one piece of high carbon steel which provides the blade more strength and durability making it much easier to use. It also features a dimpled blade which creates air pockets to prevent food from sticking.
The traditional style handle of this knife has a contoured shape for an easy ergonomic grip and a curved bolster to provide your fingers with greater control when cutting. Being a Japanese style knife it is a fine, lightweight knife perfect for those who like control when chopping, slicing and dicing.
Whether you’re adding this knife to your existing Wusthof chef knife set or this is your first Wusthof knife, you can be assured that with the Classic Ikon Santoku Chef Knife you’re purchasing a top-quality companion for the kitchen which will be around for years to come. This Wusthof chef knife Australia also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Victorinox Broad Blade Fibrox Chef’s Knife Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 227g
Victorinox kitchen knives are a great choice for the home chef. So if you’re looking for the perfect all-rounder, inexpensive chef knife for your kitchen, be sure to consider the Victorinox Broad Blade Fibrox Chef’s Knife.
This Victorinox chef knife is the popular 8-inch length being the perfect size for all those meal preparation tasks including chopping and slicing. It is a Japanese style 20cm chef knife, so is lightweight and perfect for precise chopping tasks.
Made from one piece of high-quality stainless steel, this is a durable and sturdy chef knife and features a broader blade as well as a textured, non-slip handle.
Like all good quality chef knives, this Victorinox stainless steel knife also comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you can purchase with confidence knowing you’re purchasing a great product.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Chef’s Knife Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Carbon Steel
- Weight: 277g
This Zwilling Henckel 8 chef knife is a professional quality knife manufactured by one of the oldest brands in the world who have mastered the art of producing supreme quality steel.
This Henckels chef knife is made to last a lifetime as it’s precision-forged from a single piece of the Zwilling brands special no-stain formula steel. The steel in this knife has undergone the Zwilling specialised FRIODUR ice-hardening process which ensures a long-lasting blade.
This 20cm Henckel chef knife delivers optimum strength and balance stemming from the blade running all the way through the traditional three rivet handle design. The knife weighs around 330grams which is dishwasher safe and won’t chip or stain, even if being used multiple times on the day.
If you’re looking to add a quality knife to your home or professional chef knife kit, this Henckel knife with its ergonomic handle and bolster for precision cutting is a great choice.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Messermeister San Moritz Chef Knife Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 295g
Messermesiter is another one of the great German chef knife brands and this Messermeister chef knife is a great all-rounder for those home chefs who like to use the best.
The handle is triple-rivet with a polished spine made from fully forged food-grade plastic and the whole knife weighs in at around 295grams. The handle is most likely suited to people with a bigger hand. However, the riveted handle fits nicely into the natural curves of the hand.
This German knife is razor-sharp and ready to work hard as soon as you get it out of the box. It is strong enough for the biggest of tasks yet graceful enough for the more detailed work like julienne and mincing garlic.
The Messermeister San Moritz Chef Knife is ergonomically balanced with a cambered knife blade that holds its sharpness well and a perfect addition to the home or commercial kitchen.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Mac Knife French Series Chef’s Knife Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Molybdenum Alloy Steel
- Weight: 272g
This Mac chef knife is a lightweight, well-priced chef’s knife that can handle the toughest as well as the most delicate cuts with professional precision. It has been designed and crafted around the standard French chef’s knife with a slightly curved knife edge that tapers towards the tip.
It slices easily through potatoes and cuts onions into thin even strips with ease. The blade is made from hard steel which means it is less prone to chipping. It is easy to sharpen and, once finished, will stay sharp for a long time.
Complete with a simple design and finish, with a wooden handle that fits comfortably into any size hand, the Mac Knife Professional French Chef’s Knife is one that will quickly become your everyday go-to knife. A great choice for the best chef knife under 200 dollars.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Paudin Pro Chef’s Knife Review
Rating: 5.0
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 193g
For this Paudin chef knife review we prove that expensive does not necessarily mean best. If you’re not after the most expensive chef knife, but rather a good quality cheap knife, these Paudin chef knives are worth considering. Coming in a range of sizes including the 5” utility, 6” fillet, 8” carving and 8” chef knife, you’re sure to find the perfect knife for you.
As one of the cheaper knives in this review, the Paudin Pro Chef’s Knife range is still a great quality product for the home chef. Made from German Steel it is rust and stain-resistant and can handle any daily cooking tasks with ease. The blade has been designed with a waved pattern to help reduce food sticking to it while chopping, slicing, mincing or dicing.
The handle is soft and comfortable and ergonomically shaped to create the perfect grip. Whilst perhaps not the world’s best chef knife, if you’re after a great quality knife for the home kitchen, the PAUDIN Pro Chef is a good choice. All-in-all, a great knife for home use.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Triple Tree Chef Knife 8 Inch Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 142g
If you want to find the best mid-range chefs knife, we have a great option for you. This knife is made from premium high-carbon stainless steel. It’s resistant to rust, scratching, breakage, and corrosion. A knife like this can last a lifetime, which makes the affordable price even more appealing.
The 8-inch blade is good for a variety of applications. It works for chopping smaller food items, but it’s also big enough for cutting melons and other large produce. The pakkawood handle fits nicely in your hand and offers enough grip to provide safety when cutting.
Triple Tree uses special polishing technology to create an extremely sharp edge that can cut through just about anything. Unlike some knives, it requires little to no maintenance.
It’s safe to say that you’ll enjoy having this knife in your kitchen collection. It comes with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee and lifetime warranty.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Best Japanese Chef Knives
Kai Shun Classic Chef Knife Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Dimpled
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 212g
“Shun” is Japanese for “at the peak of perfection” and with Kai branded knives that’s just want you are guaranteed. For over 100 years, Kai has been using traditional Japanese blacksmithing methods combined with modern technology to create some of the very best chef knives in the world.
When it comes to the best Shun chef knife there are many to choose from including this classic Kai chef knife. This 8” Shun chef knife is hand made from 32 layers of VG Max Damascus Steel (forged steel characterised by distinctive patterns of banding) which create small air pockets that reduce friction when cutting, making it perfect for slicing, dicing and chopping.
The tasteful and contemporary design of the lightweight Pakkawood Handle is a beautiful and striking feature which fits comfortably into the palm of your hand. The blades are razor-sharp, durable, corrosion-resistant and extremely well-balanced.
If you’re looking at starting your Shun Chef knife set then this Shun 8 chef knife is the perfect start. It is the perfect length knife for a range of tasks in both the home or professional kitchen.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Global G-48 Santoku Hollow Chef Knife Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 7 inches
- Blade Type: Dimpled
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 90.7g
If you’re partial to the Global brand and wanting to get your Global chef knife set started, the Global G-48 Santoku Hollow Chef Knife is a great mid-range knife popular with professional chefs. This Global chef knife is the perfect all-purpose knife.
The stamped blade is made from exceptionally hard, Cromova high-carbon stainless steel and ice-tempered to provide resistance from staining and corrosion. The blade is indented to reduce drag and minimise food sticking to it. The handle is made from stainless steel and textured to help control your grip.
At only 108 grams, this knife is lightweight, perfectly balanced and comes from an award-winning brand. This is definitely a knife to consider when purchasing your next chef’s knife or starting to build the Japanese kitchen knife set Australia has.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Dalstrong Tanto Chef Knife Shogun Series Review
Rating: 5.0
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: High Carbon Steel
- Weight: 254g
The Dalstrong Tanto Chef Knife is one of the best Japanese chef knives you will come by. Dalstrong are so confident with their products that they back them with a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back, and a lifetime warranty.
This knife is inspired by swords used by Samurai’s, you know this is going to be good. The blade of this 8” Dalstrong knife has been sharpened to a ruthlessly sharp finish using the traditional Japanese Honbazuke honing method whereby the blade is sharpened and polished by hand in three steps. These knives are built to last a lifetime.
The ergonomic, comfortable grip handle has been engineered for superior control and is made from military-grade G10 for durability. Plus, the design is beautiful and sure to impress if you’re looking for the ultimate chef knife to gift.
These are serious knives for the serious chef and you really can’t go wrong with this knife. It is one of the best-selling Japanese cooking knives Australia has, and with a lifetime guarantee, you know that you’re purchasing a quality product.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
More Best Cooking Knives Australia Reviews
Not found quite what you’re looking for? Here are some more best chef knife options we love.
Mercer Culinary Genesis 8 Inch Chef Knife Review
Rating: 5.0
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 249g
This Japanese style 8 inch chef knife by Mercer is another best knife brand Australia contender, which reviewers certainly love.
Featuring an ergonomic handle made for both comfort and durability, the handle has been crafted with textured finger points to provide anti-slip resistance and safety while using along with a protective finger guard. The blade is made from high carbon stain-free Japanese steel for a razor sharp finish that’s easy to sharpen.
This knife is also NSF certified, which tests for safety and quality performance.
If you’re looking for a cheap Japanese chef’s knife, or just getting started and looking for the best value chef’s knife Australia has, this could be a great knife to consider. Have a look and let the reviews do the talking!
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Titan Forge 8 Inch Chef’s Knife Pro Series Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Knife Size/Length: 8 inches
- Blade Type: Standard
- Material: High-Carbon Steel
- Weight: 907g
Last but no means least in our roundup of the best chefs knives is this 8 inch blade from the Titan Forge pro series.
Made from high carbon steel, this blade has been handcrafted with increased carbon and chromium count to create better sharpness and edge retention between sharpening, delivering a knife that stays sharper for longer than its competitors. There is a chef approved ergonomic handle design for better hand control and comfort. Made from an ABS/TBE polymer blend, the handle is even heat, cold and moisture grip resistant, as well as being easy to clean.
This knife carries a lifetime warranty against defects and is another option with many very happy customers. It’s not the cheapest chef’s knife out there but it is very reasonably priced, and if you’re looking for a knife that’s going to maintain it’s sharpness then this option is another appealing one to consider.
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
I hope you have found the best chef knife for you. You can read our full best knife sharpener buying guide or check out our other buying guides here.
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