If you’re trying to save money on your kitchen knives, there are plenty of high-quality options available that won’t break the bank. However, it can be very hard to find the best knives that fit within the $100 price range. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and tested several of the top contenders to find out which ones are good and which ones are merely mediocre, so you don’t have to do all that work yourself!
Why You Should Buy Best Chef Knives under $100
What’s the point of having the right kitchen knives if they can’t handle the tasks you need them to? While you may be tempted to buy the most expensive set on the market, sometimes it’s more important to prioritize performance over price and go with a cheaper set that gets the job done without breaking your budget.
In order to help you find just such a set, we’ve compiled this list of 5 Best Affordable Chef Knives Under $100. These high-quality knives won’t break your bank, and they will definitely improve your cooking experience!
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Our Pick for the Best Chef Knife
Topping our list of best kitchen knives under $100 is Victorinox’s 8-inch chef knife. Chef knives are more practical than most other types of kitchen knives and provide a good range of functions, making them extremely useful. Chefs often work with a variety of ingredients and cuts, so you’ll want to make sure your knife has a sturdy blade that can handle frequent chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing, and julienning.
Victorinox 8 inch Chef Knife
Meet the Swiss Army Knife of the kitchen, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is essential for everything from chopping onions and butchering a cut of beef to opening a stubborn jar.
Handle all your kitchen cutting jobs with effortless precision and control with the Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife. Weighing in at a mere 8 ounces, this durable chef’s knife is made with a comfortable resin handle and features an extremely sharp blade that can tackle any culinary cutting task.
Made with a unique edge retention system, this knife will retain its sharpness up to 10 times longer than other professional cutlery. This essential chef knife is well suited for all cutting needs and boasts a comfortable grip that won’t slip.
“If you love to cook, you’ll love the versatility of the Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife. It easily performs a wide variety of kitchen tasks, including chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing. This knife is designed for professionals who use knives all day, every day, but it’s also a great choice for home cooks.” – Says Noor Khadija Senior Editor at Kitchen Deets
If you’re interested in reading more about Victorinox knives, check out our review on Victorinox Knives.
Features
Size: 8 inch
Weight: 8 ounces
NSF certified
Dishwasher Safe
Lifetime Guarantee
Stamped Knife
No bolster
Benefits
The Fibrox Pro Chef’s knife has a razor-sharp edge that is easy to sharpen when needed.
It’s dishwasher-safe and also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
It’s also ergonomically designed for added comfort and stability.
This workhorse of a knife is ready for your everyday cutting tasks.
Drawbacks
Due to its lightweight, it cannot cut through heavy items.
Made-in 8 Inch
Made In is new to the market but they have made a good name in a short time.
The Made in 8-inch chef knife is one of the best kitchen knives available for under $100. The full tang X50CrMoV15 German stainless steel construction and curved half bolster feel good in the hand, balancing strength with flexibility.
Perfectly weighted, this knife will effortlessly glide through large or small tasks with ease. Plus, Made In’s lifetime warranty adds an extra level of protection.
“This is an affordable and fantastic all-purpose chef’s knife that you should definitely add to your shopping list.” – Says Noor Khadija Senior Editor at Kitchen Deets
Features
Size: 8 inch
Weight: 8 ounces
Not Dishwasher Safe
Lifetime Guarantee
Forged Knife, Full tang construction
Full tang knives are generally more durable than those with tangs that are attached only halfway through their blade length. They are also easier to sharpen than partially attached tangs because they have greater surface area and require less muscle strain to use during sharpening.
Curved bolster
Angle 12.5 Degree on each side
Made In uses the same steel as some of our favorite top tier cutlery brands like Wusthof
Benefits
The curved bolster makes it extremely comfortable to use.
Each knife is handcrafted from a single piece of X50CrMoV15 stainless steel, known for its exceptional strength and durability.
It is made in France by master craftsmen who follow a 200-year tradition of excellence.
It excels at chopping, mincing, and dicing fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Drawbacks
Extra sharpness can be dangerous for some.
Zwilling Professional S 8 Inch
We happened to find this Zwilling Professional S 8 inch chef knife and tested it by cutting potatoes and we were amazed by how well it worked.
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to defining quality, but with Zwilling, quality cuts are what we aim for. A high carbon stainless steel blade takes on any kitchen task you want. A handle made of non-porous black synthetic material POM (polyoxymethylene) and full-tang construction ensures a precise grip, no matter how repetitive the job.
The Professional S Series knives from Zwilling J.A. Henckels are an excellent choice for those who love to cook and desire a top-quality cutting tool that is second to none. The high-quality, razor-sharp German-manufactured blades feel incredibly light in the hand. And the 15-degree edge angle ensures flawless cutting performance with every use.
“If you are still loving your old kitchen knife that has been used for a long time and is making cutting a nightmare, then this Zwilling Professional S 8 inch chef knife will be a perfect choice.” – Says Noor Khadija Senior Editor at Kitchen Deets
If you’re interested in reading more about Zwilling knives, check out our review on Zwilling knives.
Features
Size: 8 inch
Weight: 10 ounces
Not Dishwasher Safe
Lifetime Guarantee
Forged Knife, Full tang construction
Ice hardened Friodur blade
Full bolster
Benefits
A perfect choice for home chefs who are looking for a good knife at an affordable price.
This knife comes with a lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.
The handle of the knife is made out of POM material with full tang construction.
Drawbacks
It costs $20-$30 more than $100.
Henckels 6 Inch Chef Knife
Henckel’s Classic 6 inch chef knife is the best affordable knife for home cooks. This Henckel’s classic knife is made in Spain for people who do not want to spend a lot of money and wants to get out of their knife most.
This Spain made knife features high-quality German steel for durability and fast cuts, so you can tackle all the prep work with ease. The handle of this chef knife is ergonomically designed with triple-riveted handles that give balance and comfort.
“If you’re looking for an affordable chef knife, this is the one. It features a comfortable triple-riveted handle, full tang construction, and all-purpose blade for home chefs who are just getting started and don’t want to spend too much money on a quality kitchen tool.” – Says Noor Khadija Senior Editor at Kitchen Deets
If you’re interested in reading more about Henckels knives, check out our review on Henckels knives.
Please Note: Zwilling and Henckels are two different brands under the same company. Their qualities and prices differ due to their craftsmanship.
Features
Size: 6 inch
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Made in Spain
Dishwasher Safe
Limited Lifetime Guarantee
Forged Knife, Full tang construction
Full bolster
Benefits
It is well balanced for easy maneuvering and features full tang construction for durability.
This knife is the best affordable knife for home cooks.
The blade edge glides smoothly through food.
This knife will make chopping a breeze.
With all premium features, it only costs around $70
Drawbacks
Comes in plastic packaging.
Mercer Renaissance 8 Inch
A knife is an element of a chef’s outfit. The Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8 inch chef knife is the best selection if you want to purchase a professional quality knife. The renaissance knife is built with high carbon steel which gives the knife long-lasting performance.
This knife has full tang construction with a high carbon blade and ergonomically designed handle for easy gripping. You can easily choose this knife for your kitchen without thinking twice about its quality and durability as it has been made with perfection to meet all your needs in the kitchen when it comes to dicing and slicing meat, or any other type of cutting.
“I have been using these knives for 2 years now. They stay sharp and I do put them through the dishwasher and they come out great. I love the way they feel in my hand.” – Says Noor Khadija Senior Editor at Kitchen Deets
If you’re interested in reading more about Mercer Culinary, check out our review on Mercer knives.
Features
Size: 8 inch
Weight: 9 ounces
Dishwasher Safe
Limited Lifetime Guarantee
Forged Knife, Full tang construction
Short bolster
Benefits
The full tang core is made from high carbon steel, which resists stains and rusts over time.
The blade is sharpened to a razor edge, making it a great multi-purpose chef’s knife for chopping, dicing, and mincing!
With a short bolster and sleek design, this knife can stand up to heavy use in your kitchen.
Drawbacks
Pamela, a verified reviewer on amazon has complained about its plastic packaging.
Why We Chose These Top Picks
With so many Chef knives on offer these days, it can be hard to pick out a good set of kitchen knives that won’t break your budget. With our top picks for best kitchen knives under $100, we’ve picked out some quality knives that are both affordable and reliable. From great brands like Zwilling and Victorinox, you’ll be able to make quick work of any culinary task with these sharp, dependable kitchen tools. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different kitchen tasks.
