Imagine yourself in this situation: you have guests over and you are in the middle of preparing some food for them. And you are doing some kind of cutting or chopping when your knife suddenly decides that it can not withstand the toughness of whatever you are cutting. Or that it has become dull before its time. You don’t want to be caught in such a situation, do you? No. No one does. Therefore, to save face and to perform your kitchen activities with ease and comfort, you need the best chef knife under 100.
Comparison Of The Best Chef Knives Under $100 In 2021
| PRODUCT | LENGTH | BEST FOR | HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
|
8-Inches | Best Overall |
|
|
8-Inches | Best Durable |
|
 Victorinox 45520 Fibrox Pro |
7.9-Inches | Best Budget Pick |
|
 DALSTRONG Gladiator-Series |
8-Inches | Best Design |
|
1. Imarku Pro
Highlighted Features
- High-carbon stainless steel
- Multi-purpose
- Pakkawood handle
- Sharp edge
- Corrosion-resistant
This amazing chef knife is highly durable because of its stainless steel construction and the presence of carbon supplements its strength.
Construction: This chef knife is made of stainless steel that enhances its durability while the presence of carbon supplements its sturdiness. The handle is made of pakkawood and it is built in a way that it guarantees a firm grip. The edge is amazingly ultra-sharp which ensures cutting of the toughest meat in a breeze. Besides carbon and steel, chrome is also included to render a glassy look to this knife in addition to safeguarding it from tarnishing and corrosion.
Function: If you are looking for an efficient chef knife under 100, then you probably would like this one by the Imarku company as it is ultra-durable because of its stainless steel construction. In addition, it can perform multiple functions; it can be used to dice, cut, slice, chop or cut the meat off bones. The ergonomic handle facilitates its users as it ensures a comfortable and firm grip over it while chrome renders a classic, glossy look to it. The sharp edge is strong and pierces the toughest of things.
Cleaning and maintenance: Although high-quality stainless steel knives are dishwasher safe but try to avoid putting this one in a dishwasher as it can hurt your knife and affect its functionality. You can easily clean this best chef knife under 100 by hand by rinsing it with warm, soapy water and letting it air dry.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Highly durable
- Glossy look
- Serrated edge
Cons
- A bit heavy
2. J.A. HENCKELS 31161-201 CLASSIC
Highlighted Features
- German stainless steel
- Riveted handle
- Multi-purpose
- Full-length tang
- Durable
This best all-purpose chef knife under $100 is made of high-quality stainless steel from Germany, which symbolizes strength, durability, and efficiency.
Construction: J.A.HENCKELS chef knife is the best 8-inch chef knife under 100 and is highly durable because of its stainless steel construction, which is made in Germany while the knife itself is manufactured in Spain. It is constructed in such a way that there is no joint between handle and the blade, which supplements the strength of the knife. The blade is sharp and has a satin finish that enables the knife to cut with precision. The handle is riveted with three steel rivets that give strength to the knife.
Function: If you are looking for a knife that can perform multiple functions including chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing, then this knife can potentially end your search as its 8-inch blade makes it suitable to perform all these functions. Besides, the sharp edge of this knife eases the laborious task of cutting while the satin finish boasts precision cutting. The ergonomic handle fits quite perfectly into the hand and thus ensures complete control over the knife while using it.
Cleaning and maintenance: Just for your convenience, this chef knife is made dishwasher safe to save you from the labor of cleaning it. However, you can easily clean it by hand by rinsing it with hot, soapy water and letting it air-dry.
Pros
- Perfect balance
- Very efficient
- Dishwasher safe
- Elegant design
Cons
- The handle is a bit long
3. Victorinox 45520 Fibrox Pro
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel
- Ergonomic handle
- Multi-purpose
- Ideal weight
- Ideal length
Victorinox is a Swiss-based manufacturing company that has been known for making quality products since 1884.
Construction: Victorinox is one of the oldest cutlery industries and the reason for its survival is that it manufactures high-quality knives. This chef knife is highly durable as it is made of stainless steel while the tapered edge helps in easy cutting. The blade is razor-sharp and laser-tested which ensures effortless cutting. The handle is made of Thermoplastic Elastomer that makes it non-slip. This knife has an ideal weight that eases its handling and usage.
Function: Whether you are a professional chef or you cook only to feed your own family, this knife is surely going to help you in either case. This knife can perform multiple functions as it can mince, slice, and dice with its tapered laser-tested blade. The handle is highly ergonomic as it is non-slip and can be handled easily even with wet hands. In addition, this knife is surely going to serve you for a longer period of time because of its stainless steel construction.
Cleaning and maintenance: Victorinox is one of the best cutlery industries for a reason and the reason is none other than the fact that they keep the user’s comfort at the top. And this knife is made dishwasher safe so that you aren’t bothered with the clean-up. You can also clean it by hand as it is a simple item and you just need to rinse it with soapy water.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Very efficient
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-slip
Cons
- Plastic handle
4. DALSTRONG Gladiator-Series
Highlighted Features
- High carbon steel
- Cutting-edge technology
- Full tang
- Ergonomic handle
- Elegant design
This knife has a premium design and an incredibly razor-sharp blade that ensures easy and effortless cutting.
Construction: This amazing knife is made of high carbon German steel that renders durability to it while a full tang construction makes it strong. It features cutting-edge technology and it has an amazing razor-sharp blade that ensures cutting with precision. It is stain-resistant because of chromium and has enough flexibility to withstand the hardness of whatever you’re cutting. The handle is triple-riveted and made of plastic.
Function: If aesthetics appeal to your senses and you want a certain aesthetic touch in your kitchen items then this knife might be just what you’re looking for as it has an incredible award-winning design. However, the design is not the sole quality of this knife as it is highly efficient and durable. Its cutting-edge technology and razor sharpness ensure effortless cutting while its riveted, ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip over it. This knife can also serve as a present because of its elegant design.
Cleaning and maintenance: If you want to secure eternal services of this knife, then you need to put a bit of effort to keep it clean. All you need to do is to rinse it with warm, soapy water and let it air dry. Once it gets dry, you need to store it away safely.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Highly durable
- Easy to clean
- Extremely sharp
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
5. Zelite Infinity Alpha-Royal Series
Highlighted Features
- Steel construction
- Solid, short blade
- Rounded handle
- Versatile
- Elegant design
If you’re looking for the best 6-inch chef knife under 100 then this is for you. This knife has a short, solid blade and an ergonomic handle that ensures precision and accuracy while cutting.
Construction: This knife is made of imported Japanese AUS10 super steel while a layer of high carbon stainless steel supplements its sturdiness and efficiency. Besides, tsunami Rose Damascus pattern and liquid Nitro cooling give this knife an incredible hardness and make it resistant to rust and stain. The handle of this knife is riveted and rounded while a full tang finish ensures further strength. Its blade is short and solid with a mirror-polished cutting angle that cuts even the toughest item in a breeze.
Function: If you are looking for a knife that can potentially perform versatile functions then this knife might be of your liking as this knife can perform multiple functions; including mincing, dicing, and slicing. Besides, this knife has a short, solid blade that helps in cutting the toughest items while the sharp cutting edge facilitates effortless cutting. The riveted, rounded handle is built according to the needs of users and it ensures a firm grip over it thus facilitating the cutting process. The stunning design of this knife makes it a suitable choice to even serve as a present.
Cleaning and maintenance: This knife can potentially serve you for the maximum time with optimal efficiency if you maintain it well. And its maintenance is not a hectic job at all; all you need to do is rinse it thoroughly with warm, soapy water and let it air dry. Make sure that you store it properly so its serrated edges remain safe and efficient.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant
- Sturdy construction
- Efficient
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
6. Mercer Culinary Genesis
Highlighted Features
- High carbon steel
- Santoprene handle
- Full tang mirror
- Versatile
- Limited lifetime warranty
This knife is durable and efficient as it is made of German steel.
Construction: This knife is made of high carbon German steel that makes it durable. The addition of chromium layer guards the blade against corrosion and stain. The blade is tapered perfectly so that its serrated edge makes a perfect angle and thus ensures cutting with precision. The full tang that runs along the whole handle renders balance to the knife while the handle is made of Santoprene, which is a high-performance elastomer.
Function: This knife can complete your kitchen with its amazing traits as it is durable and efficient and ensures cutting with ease and precision. Besides, it is highly versatile and can be used to mince, chop, and cut items. The German steel with chromium coating resists corrosion and staining. The sharp blade makes cutting easy while the ergonomic handle ensures a firm grip over it.
Cleaning and maintenance: This knife is not dishwasher safe as the harsh detergent can hurt the material of the blade. You can easily clean it by hand as you just need to rinse it thoroughly using warm, soapy water and let it air dry.
Pros
- Extremely efficient
- Highly durable
- Ensures great balance
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Blade length is short
7. Utopia Kitchen With Sheath
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel
- Ideal length
- ABS handle
- Rust-resistant
- Protective sheath
This classic stainless steel knife is quite efficient because of its 8-inch, sharp blade that cuts the items easily.
Construction: This classic knife is made of stainless steel that resists tarnishing and corrosion. The blade has an ideal length of 8 inches that cuts effortlessly through various items. The handle is riveted with three bolts and it is made of ABS material that is non-porous and comfortable to hold.
Function: This knife can potentially mitigate the risks that you might encounter while cutting tough items as it has a perfect blade with the ideal length and thickness. The ABS handle is user-friendly and allows its users to hold it firmly and with a lot of ease. The riveted handle and full tang create an outstanding balance and you can use it easily.
Cleaning and maintenance: Although this knife is dishwasher safe, however, hand-washing is highly recommended to keep it efficient for a longer period of time. You need to wash it with warm, soapy water and let it dry.
Pros
- Extremely elegant design
- Highly durable
- Dishwasher safe
- Ideal blade length
Cons
- Plastic handle
8.Wusthof 4862-7/20 Pro
Highlighted Features
- Steel construction
- Multi-purpose
- NSF approved
- Rust- resistant
- Ergonomic handle
This knife is specially designed for commercial use and it is rust-resistant.
Construction: This knife is made of steel that resists rusting and corrosion and also renders durability to the blade. The handle is made of polymer that is approved by NSF and the design of the handle is such that it fits perfectly into the hand. The length of the blade is ideal (8 inches) while the edge is sharp.
Function: This knife is specially designed for professional use at a commercial level. It can perform multiple functions as it is effective in mincing, slicing, chopping, and cutting various food items. This knife has the potential to serve you for a long period of time as it is made of German steel that resists corrosion. The ergonomic handle allows a firm grip over it, thereby giving you complete control to use it properly.
Cleaning and maintenance: This knife can maintain its shape and efficiency for an ample amount of time if you take proper care of it. And you can do that by handwashing it using soap and warm water and letting it air dry. Proper storage is necessary to keep its blade safe.
Pros
- Rust-resistant
- NSF approved
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
9. KUMA Multi-Purpose
Highlighted Features
- 3Cr13 stainless steel
- Versatile
- Ergonomic handle
- Easy to sharpen
- Japanese inspired profile
This knife has a Japanese-inspired profile and offers smooth and effortless cutting.
Construction: This knife is made of 3Cr13 stainless steel that makes it lightweight and easy to sharpen. It has a smooth ergonomic handle made of a Thermopolymer and it is riveted with three steel bolts that improve its strength and balance. Attention has been given to it during production, which enables it to keep a fine balance between toughness and edge retention.
Function: This knife is versatile in the real sense as it can perform multiple functions including chopping, mincing, slicing, and cutting. The ergonomic, riveted handle ensures a perfect grip and great balance, thus easing the whole process of cutting or dicing. In addition, the chromium-coated stainless steel offers an outstanding amount of resistance to rust and strain thus making this knife really durable.
Cleaning and maintenance: This knife can potentially be your lifelong companion if maintained properly. And its maintenance is really easy as all you need to do is to clean it with warm, soapy water after every use and make sure that it is completely dry before you put it away.
Pros
- Rust-resistant
- Performs multiple functions
- Easy to clean
- Ideal weight
Cons
- The blade might bend sometimes
Things To Look For Before Buying!
You can find a chef knife in almost every kitchen whether commercial or home because of its versatility. However, not all of the chef knives are efficient as some become dull prematurely and some bend while dealing with tough food items.
Therefore, you need to be very conscious while opting for a chef knife. Essentially, the best chef knife under $100 should:
- Be made of quality material
- Have an ergonomic, strong handle
- Have an ideal size
- Have ideal weight
Buying Guide
What Are Some Important Things To Know About Chef Knives?
There are various kinds of knives available i-e slicing knives, boning knives, paring knives, chef knives, and utility knives. However, you need to have an ample amount of information pertaining to the kind of knife that you are looking for as there are a lot of knives available in the market in every category. This prior knowledge will definitely help you choose the better knife among the available options. The defining features include:
- Material
- Handle
- Size
What Should Be The Material Of The Blade Of A Chef Knife?
The most important trait that defines the efficiency and credibility of any chef knife is the material of its blade. Ideally, the material should be such that it should resist corrosion, rusting and should be sturdy enough to bear the toughness of food items. Stainless steel or high carbon steel can serve these purposes in a better way as they are sturdy, durable and resist corrosion as well. Besides, a chromium layer would be a welcome addition as it would definitely increase the life of the knife as it is corrosion-resistant.
What Should Be The Design And Composition Of The Handle Of A Chef Knife?
The handle is the second most important part of the chef knife that defines its functionality. The handle should be such that it ensures a firm and comfortable grip over it so that the knife may be used with complete control. The material of the handle can either be rubber or plastic; both serve the purpose of providing a comfortable grip very well. However, you need to make sure that the rubber or plastic should be of high quality so that it can maintain its shape for the maximum time. Moreover, a full tang, riveted handle can be a good choice as it ensures the fact that the knife will remain in balance while using.
What Should Be The Size Of The Chef Knife?
The size of the knife is crucial to its effective functioning as it also defines the weight of the knife. Ideally, an 8-inch knife is the best choice as it can be used with complete control. However, it’s up to your personal choice as well as you know better than anyone else with what size and weight you can perform best. But a knife should not be too heavy as you can lose control over a heavy knife and can end up hurting yourself.
Should A Chef Knife Be Serrated?
As chef knives are used for performing various functions; including mincing, dicing, chopping and cutting; therefore, it is not necessary that chef knives should be serrated as serrated knives are good for cutting material that is hard from outside and soft from within, e.g. bread. Chef knives are usually plain, with a blade that is wide and usually tapers to a point.
What Is The Importance Of A Chef Knife?
A chef knife is a kitchen item that you would probably find in almost every kitchen because of its versatility and its ability to perform various tasks. It can be used to cut, mince, chop and dice the food items. Due to the multiplicity of the functions that a chef knife can perform, it has become an extremely important part of the kitchen. You would need a separate knife for each of these functions in case you do not have an efficient chef knife.
What Can You Use A Chef Knife For?
Well you can use these chef knives for mincing, slicing and chopping veggies, slicing meat and disjointing large cuts as it is a multipurpose knife that performs quite well while doing many different kitchen tasks.
Do I Need A Chef’s Knife And A Santoku?
Well, both are considered to be multipurpose tools for slicing, dicing, and mincing fruits, veggies, and herbs. But when we talk about meat, the chef’s knife is more commonly used for cutting through thick cuts of meat and even bones, while the Santoku is the go-to for fish. You can also get the best chef knife set to tackle all of your culinary problems.
How To Sharpen A Chef Knife?
If you want to protect yourself from injuries caused by a dull chef knife then you are required to sharpen your knife regularly. You can sharpen your chef knife with a whetstone that straightens and refines the cutting edge of your knife. Usually, whetstones are soaked in water before use and you need to slide your knife across them which will refine the cutting edge of your knife.
You can also use an electric knife sharpener.
How To Clean And Maintain A Chef Knife?
In commercial kitchens and homes, dull knives cause more injuries than any other kitchen item. And it is due to carelessness that knives become dull and ineffective. Therefore, you need to take proper care of your chef knife to keep it sharp and effective for as long as possible. You need to wash your knife thoroughly after every use with warm, soapy water. Make sure that your knife dries completely before you put it away. Avoid putting your knife in a dishwasher as it can damage its sharpness and harsh detergents used in the dishwasher can also damage your knife.
Besides, sharpen your knife regularly so that it remains effective. In order to prevent the growing and spreading of potentially harmful bacteria, allow your knife to air-dry properly and then store it in a magnetic knife holder or a knife rack.
Conclusion
That’s all guys! Hopefully, this guide will help you select the best chef knife that can serve your purpose in the best possible way. And Imarku chef knife can potentially serve your needs as it is versatile, durable, and efficient.