Kitchen knives are essential tools in any culinary setup. We put a wide variety of them through rigorous testing to ensure that we provide our readers with reliable recommendations. Whether you’re in the market for a budget-friendly set or seeking high-end chef’s knives, we’ve got you covered.
How We Select Kitchen Knives to Review
We prioritize reviewing knives from well-known brands like Wüsthof, Victorinox, Zwilling, and Shun, among others. These flagship models often set the standard in the industry. Additionally, we seek out knives from lesser-known brands that offer great performance at affordable prices, ensuring our recommendations cater to various budgets.
Since not everyone is looking for professional-grade knives, we also review knives tailored for entry-level cooks. We consider factors like durability, sharpness, and ease of use to ensure our reviews cover a wide range of user needs. Furthermore, we evaluate knives designed for specific tasks, such as filleting fish or slicing bread, and compile guides like the best knives for meat or the top-rated bread knives.
How We Test Kitchen Knives
Our testing process has evolved over time to keep pace with advancements in knife technology. Our reviewers are culinary experts with extensive experience in using various knives across different cooking scenarios. They assess factors like blade sharpness, edge retention, balance, and overall ergonomics to provide comprehensive evaluations.
Real-world Testing
We believe in hands-on testing, literally. Our reviewers spend significant time using each knife in real cooking situations to evaluate performance accurately. They assess how well the knives handle different cutting tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meat, and consider factors like comfort and precision.
We use a consistent testing approach to ensure fair comparisons between different knife models. Reference knives serve as benchmarks to maintain consistency across reviews. Additionally, we use a variety of ingredients and cutting techniques to gauge each knife’s versatility and adaptability.
How We Evaluate Knife Performance
Each knife undergoes extensive testing over the course of several cooking sessions. Reviewers assess factors like sharpness, edge retention, and ease of sharpening to determine overall performance. They use a range of cutting surfaces, from wooden cutting boards to plastic and stone, to evaluate how well the knives maintain their edge over time.
We test knives with different types of food, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread, to assess their performance across various culinary tasks. Reviewers pay attention to details like blade geometry, handle comfort, and overall durability to provide insightful recommendations.
Factors We Consider When Rating Knives
All our knife reviews are rated on a 5-point scale, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Knives that excel in specific areas and receive a rating of 4 stars or above may also receive special recognition, such as the Editor’s Choice award.
We evaluate factors like sharpness, durability, ease of maintenance, and value for money when assigning ratings to kitchen knives. Our goal is to provide our readers with accurate and unbiased assessments to help them make informed purchasing decisions.
You can check out the best kitchen knives we’ve selected after rigorous testing in our lab.
Our Product Testing Reviews
If you want to access all of our most up-to-date test results, subscribe to our Product Testing Reviews. It’s worth every penny, as you’ll save money by selecting the right kitchen knife that truly works.