a Good knives are essential in any kitchen, but that doesn't mean you need a complete collection. Sure, there are chef's knives, paring knives, Japanese Santoku knives, bread knives, and so on, but think about how you actually cook and prepare accordingly. As Anthony Bourdain wrote in Kitchen Confidential, “Trust me, that's all you need in the knife department: one good chef's knife that fits in your hand.”
But the search for the perfect knife is personal; what feels right (shape, weight) is different for each person. “You only know the right knife for you when you hold it in your hand,” says chef and restaurateur Tom Kerridge. “It should feel like a part of your hand.” But there are an incredible number of knives out there, so we asked some of the UK's top chefs which are their favourites. Whatever you choose, be sure to pick up a steel or whetstone along with it to keep your knife in tip-top condition.
1
Meera Soda
Feast Columnist, Author of Dinner
(Released in August)
“I love the Global G-80. It's light, feels good in the hand, and has no joints or bolts to rub, so you can do a lot of chopping without worrying about getting nasty blisters. It's made from one seamless piece of stainless steel from tip to tip. Global also sells a simple pull-through knife sharpener to keep the edge sharp.”
buy: £145
Global Knife
“Most expensive isn't always best. Many chefs, myself included, swear by standard Victorinox because it's easy to use, easy to maintain, and easy to find. Sure, a beautifully crafted Japanese steel blade and hand-carved wooden handle is satisfying, but they can be a pain to maintain. Plus, choosing a Victorinox gives me the luxury of investing in a small serrated knife, which is a must-have for me. Italian grandmas might use one for just about anything, but for us mortals, it's perfect for tasks that require a bit more precision.”
buy: Tomato cutter knife, From £6.34
Source
or chef's knife, £33.99
amazon.co.uk
3
Andy Oliver
Chef, announcer, author
Pepper Pot Diaries
“I just got a great set of knives from HexClad. They're heavy, affordable, and very chic looking. Good knives can completely transform the way you cook, and you don't realize that until you have a well-made, beautifully sharp knife. Suddenly cutting onions becomes like cutting butter.”
buy: Pairing Knife, from £49.99
Hexaclad
Four
Rukmini Iyer
Feast columnist and author
Green Cookbook
“Just looking at a knife dulls it. Before I met my husband (who brought me a lovely set of Japanese knives), the biggest, sharpest knives I could find in Sainsbury's – Sabatier, Victorinox etc – were my favourites. Sadly, better knives are a waste for me and sharp ones from the supermarket are good enough.”
buy: Large chef's knife, 11 pounds
Sainsbury's
Five
Tim Hayward
Restaurateur, TV writer, author
steak
“Buy the best Santoku knife you can. Santoku knives are versatile Japanese knives that are light and easy to keep sharp.”
buy: Santuco knife, £40
John Lewis
Or from £34
Japanese
“My favorite chef's knives are Blenheim Forge. They're not cheap, but they're well made. I love everything about them: the feel, the weight, the handle, the edge. I'm obsessed with them. I use them for everything. Kitchen Provisions also has a really great selection.”
buy: From £190
Blenheim Forge
“You won't know until you've picked it up, so go to a restaurant. You'll need a 18-20cm knife because it can be used for slicing, chopping, and all other purposes, but it doesn't have to be the most expensive. Just get one that's the right weight and feels best in your hand.”
“I wholeheartedly recommend Victorinox. Buy a chef's knife and a paring knife and they will last you a lifetime, or you can just buy a new one when they wear out from overuse. I don't like kitchen utensils that I have to look after, and in our house, if they don't go in the dishwasher, they don't exist.”
buy: Chef's knife, £27.58
Source
Or £13 for a set of two pairing knives
John Lewis
“I love my Global 20cm chef's knife, but I often use my small Ambrogio Sanelli paring knife.”
buy: £140
Global Knife
Ten
Ravneet Gill
Feast columnist, pastry chef and Junior Bake Off judge
“I like the Victorinox tomato knife. It chops quickly and is dishwasher safe. It's one of my most used knives. I also love the All Day Goods knives, but they wear out quickly and need to be looked after.”
buy: Victorinox Tomato Knife, £6
boroughkitchen.com
Or £6.34
Source
11
Margot Henderson
Chef and co-owner of Rochelle Canteen
In London
“I buy knives the same way I buy wine: I don't buy from any deep knowledge, I buy from what I can afford. I'm crazy about Japanese knives though. I don't want anything flashy, but something beautiful and sharp. And the weight is important – not too heavy or too light. I have a little 7cm knife I bought from Kataba in London and it's a great all-purpose knife.
buy: From £85
katabahamono.com
12
Richard Corrigan
Chef and Patron for the Corrigan Collection Hospitality Chain
“Gustav knives. I still have the original, the first one I used when I was training in Holland in my twenties. They're incredibly well made and not that expensive.”
buy: From £11.98
Source
13
Paul Ainsworth
Chef-owner of Paul Ainsworth, No 6, Padstow, Cornwall, and author of For the Love of Food
“I use HexClad knives both at home in my kitchen and at work. They are beautifully made, look great, are incredibly sharp and are the perfect weight.”
buy: From £49.99
Hexaclad
or
amazon.co.uk
14
Philip Cooley
He is the head pastry chef at Harrods and author of A New Way to Bake.
“I'm not particularly picky about knives, but there are two I can't live without. First, my Victorinox bread knife. Everyone needs one because the serrated edge makes it smooth for everything, whether it's slicing bread or cutting a cake in half. Secondly, my David Mellor cook's knife. I love the weight distribution and it stays sharp for a long time. I think I've sharpened it twice in the three years since I bought it, and to be honest, I put it in the dishwasher even though I know I shouldn't.”
buy: Victorinox Bread Knife, from £35
Victorinox
David Mellor chef's knife, £36
davidmellordesign.com
Spence Blades uses the finest materials and their knives are a joy to use. The small paring knife, curved boning knife and chef's knife will become good friends forever.”
buy: Knives from £175
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16
Mitch Tonks
Founder of The Seahorse and Rockfish Group of restaurants in Dartmouth, Devon
“I use a Japanese Santoku knife, which is a good all-purpose knife. A good knife is worth investing in, but it's also a personal thing, so it's important to pick it up and see if the handle suits you, is comfortable to hold, and well-balanced. Everyone will feel differently, so you need to go to a shop and try it out for yourself.”
