The 5 Best 8-Inch Chef Knives 2023
Having the right set of knives in your kitchen is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself. It takes a reliable chef’s knife to really be able to accomplish many kitchen tasks.
A chef’s knife is a multi-purpose knife that is capable of delivering results for a variety of needs.
You can use your chef knife to slice, dice, chop, mince, and more. If you really want to be able to get things done, it’s important that you have a good chef knife on hand, even if you won’t use it very often.
So what is the best 8-inch chef’s knife? The best options are made with high-quality blade materials, such as high-carbon stainless steel. The best chef’s knife will be truly sharp and stay sharp, comfortable to use, and well-balanced. German and Japanese blades are considered to be of exceptional quality.
In this guide, we will take you through a quick buyer’s guide to let you know just what you might want to look for in your new chef knife.
From there, we will share product reviews for our top choices for the 5 best 8-inch chef knives on the market. Keep reading to learn about the 5 best 8-inch chef knives and more!
How to Choose an 8-Inch Chef Knife
Before we focus too closely on our options, let’s take just a moment to discuss some things that you might want to be aware of before you make your selection.
The materials, blades, handles, and overall design can vary quite a bit so we want to point out a few things to look for.
As you take a look at your option, keep these characteristics in mind:
Blade Material
It stands to reason that the best chef knives would have quality blades.
The blade material often makes a difference in the blade’s quality. You will find that German and Japanese blades tend to be the strongest and sharpest materials but they also tend to be the most expensive.
Stainless steel, carbon steel, ceramic, and Damascus materials are all typically reliable as far as strength and durability go.
Handle Material
Next, you will want to observe the handle. The handle needs long enough to hold and get a grip on, and made of a strong material but more than anything, your handle needs to be comfortable.
You can find handles in wood, resin, plastic, and other materials. The key is to find a handle that provides a comfortable grip that you can control without slipping when you’re using it.
Knife Balance
Knives like this are meant to be balanced. This means that they are not overly heavy on either the blade or the handle end. A handle that is too light will make controlling the blade very tricky.
Your very best knives will be well-balanced so that you can have the utmost control.
Sharpness
Finally, you want your knife to be sharp! Not only that but you want it to be able to hold and maintain a sharp edge. The materials and the way that the knife is made are directly related to the reliability of the sharpness of the blade.
The 5 Best 8-Inch Chef Knives
From Japanese steel to simple stainless steel and everything in between, you will find that there is a multitude of 8-inch chef knives to choose from.
That’s why we’re searched and researched and narrowed down the market to bring you the best recommendations:
| Rank | Product | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife | Handcrafted in Japan |
| 2. | Mercer Culinary Chef's Knife | Short bolster |
| 3. | Rialay International Chef's Knife | German stainless steel |
| 4. | Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife | Precision-forged |
| 5. | Victorinox Fibrox Pro Knife | Swiss-made |
Below are our top picks for the 5 best 8-inch chef knives in more review, so keep reading and happy cooking!
1. Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife
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Our top pick is truly one of the best options out there. It is a premium-made chef’s knife and it does cost a bit more but the quality and craftsmanship are nearly unmatched in the market.
This knife sports a Japanese blade, which is one of the very best materials out there. This blade is made of VG-Max steel.
It has extra tungsten in the materials, which gives it a sharper edge. You can purchase the 8-inch chef knife from Shun with or without a sharpener.
The blade also has more chromium in it so that it is resistant to corrosion. Finally, factor in cobalt and carbon, and the blade is strong and sturdy.
The handle of this Shun chef knife is made with ebony Pakka Wood. This hardwood makes the blade ultra-strong and durable. It has resin in the wood as well for added durability. The finish is water-resistant.
This knife is tough and impressive. It’s beautiful by design and it is truly one of the best 8-inch chef’s knives you will find.
Pros:
- High-quality blade materials
- The wood is made with ebony Pakka wood
- Sharp and durable edge
- Durable and comfortable
- Japanese hand-crafted blade
Cons:
- The tip is very sensitive and may require gentle care.
- The blade may need to be sharpened before first use.
2. Mercer Culinary Short Bolster Chef’s Knife
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If you like the look and quality of our top pick but simply can’t swing it in the budget, this one makes a great runner-up.
This Mercer Culinary Genesis chef knife is much more affordable and it is a highly-rated option that will be a great addition to your kitchen.
This blade is made with high carbon-forged steel that comes from Germany. German steel is renowned for being truly high-quality.
This blade is stain resistant and durable. It has a full tang that runs the entire handle length to give you the perfect balance. This knife has a taper-ground edge which makes it more stable with a long-lasting sharpness.
The knife handle is made with Santoprene. The material makes it comfortable but also provides you with a steady, reliable grip. The handle is NSF certified as well.
Pros:
- Covered by a limited lifetime warranty
- Tapered edge for sharpness and stability
- Full tang for a balanced knife
- High-carbon steel blade made in Germany
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- You will want to pat this knife dry with every wash in order to avoid rust.
3. Rialay International 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
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Next on our list is another affordable option that is surprisingly well-made. This chef’s knife is unique by design.
The blade has a wood-grain look but is made with quality materials. This blade is made using high-carbon German stainless steel.
We could go on and on about this blade. Not only is it made with German carbon materials but it is also mirror polished and looks awesome.
The blade is ultra-sharp but this knife also comes with a small knife sharpener for when it is needed. It comes in a gift box as well.
The grip is one of the outstanding mentions of this knife. The wood is Pakka wood. It is comfortable and easy to control but contributes to the balance as well.
The knife is lightweight and is well-balanced. It is hard and stable, so it will not bend or break easily. It is covered by a limited warranty.
Pros:
- Includes a sharpener and gift box
- Perfect weighted balance
- Ultra-sharp knife
- German carbon steel materials
- Comfortable to grip and work with
Cons:
- The blade tends to dull quickly but the sharpener does come in handy.
4. Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
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This knife from Wusthof was made in Germany. It is another premium option.
This company has been making high-quality knives for over 200 years and they seem to have it down to a science. All of their knives are highly-rated and well worth the money.
This blade is made of German steel It has a full bolster as well as a finger guard to make it as comfortable as possible to grip and handle.
This blade was precision forged using high carbon stainless steel. It was tempered to 58 HRC for the ultimate hardness. This knife also has a full tang. The handles are triple-riveted so it is simple and comfortable.
You really can’t beat the overall design of this knife from tip to handle. It’s sharp, it’s strong, and it’s sturdy. This company has high-quality control standards and they stand behind their products.
Pros:
- Full tang for balance
- Made in Germany
- Precision-forged carbon stainless steel
- Super sharp and strong
- Comfortable to handle
Cons:
- This knife may need to be sharpened before first use.
- You will need to gently care for this knife to maintain it.
5. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Knife
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Our final option is a budget-friendly option that is highly-rated. Victorinox offers reasonable solutions at reasonable prices and you might just be surprised at how great this 8-inch chef knife really is when you take a closer look.
This highly-rated knife has always been recommended by even professional chefs. This knife is super sharp. It has a tapered edge to make cutting a breeze. The blade is stainless steel and holds up very well to just about any task.
This knife is comfortable to work with and easy to handle. You will feel completely in control. It can handle big and small tasks with ease.
The handle is ergonomically designed and made with sturdy materials. It also has a non-slip grip.
Pros:
- Non-slip grip handle
- Budget-friendly option
- Highly-recommended across the board
- Stainless steel blade materials
- Easy and comfortable to work with
Cons:
- The handle sits at a slightly awkward angle to the blade.
- The blade is thin and not weighted as well as some options.
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