10 New Chef Knives Under $100 & Buying Guide

You might know the kitchen paring knife and slicing knife, but those knives are for some specific works, but when we talk about the chef knives, they are the all-rounder knives of the kitchen, and they can do some complicated tasks like carving chicken and cutting pineapple. There are many chef knives available in the market, some are expensive, and some are affordable. 

We have recently covered the cheap pocket knives in the market, so we decided not to cover the chef knives under $100 because many people cannot afford the expensive knives. So, after very hard research of our team, we can find the ten best chef knives under $100 in the market that home chef and professional chef both would love. 

Top-Pick

Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife

The knife’s design is very ergonomic, and its handle is made of Santoprene, a very comfortable material. It makes your grip strong so, when your hands are wet with the oils or water, it does not slip from your hand, and the ergonomic design allows you to use it for a long time without causing any fatigue.

After analyzing all the knives, we concluded that Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife is the best knife in the price range of $100. You can buy this knife.

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10 Best Chef Knives Under $100 – Quick Overview

1. Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife
2. Imarku 8-inch Chef Knife
3. Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife
4. Kutt Chef Knife
5. J.A. Henckels International 31161-201 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife
6. Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef Knife
7. Global 8-inch Chef’s Knife
8. TATARA 8-inch Chef Knife
9. Dalstrong 8-inch Chef Knife
10. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 9-inch Chef’s Knife

Image	Product & Features	Ratings	Price
Top-Pick	Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife It is resistant to wear, rusting, and corrosion. It is certified by NSF. It comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.	9.7	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
Best by Design	Imarku 8-inch Chef Knife Packaging and design are both beautiful. It is very durable and sharp. Suitable for multiple tasks.	9.5	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
Budget-Friendly	Kutt Chef Knife Razor-sharp and durable knife. It is very easy to grip because of its ergonomic design. The brand offers a money-back guarantee and a lifetime limited warranty.	9.1	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife It is very lightweight and durable. The handle is made of pakkawood. Suitable for cutting and slicing.	8.8	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	J.A. Henckels International 31161-201 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife It comes with a triple-riveted handle that surrounds a full-tang. It is a multi-purpose knife.	8.6	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef Knife It is a razor-sharp knife. It has a finger guard to protect your finger. It is a trusted brand with experience of 200+ years.	8.2	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	Global 8-inch Chef’s Knife D-shape handles for a comfortable and secure grip The design of the blade is very amazing. It comes with a very sharp thin blade.	8	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	TATARA 8-inch Chef Knife The blade is made of VG-10 stainless steel. Full-tang that provides more strength It comes with a wooden case.	7.7	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	Dalstrong 8-inch Chef Knife Hand-polished with a satin finish. It comes at a very budget price. Money-back guarantee	7.4	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay
	Victorinox Fibrox Pro 9-inch Chef’s Knife Comfortable and non-slip handle Best for home and personal use. It comes with a lifetime warranty.	7.2	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on eBay

1. Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife –  Best Value for money

The most important thing in the knife is its blade, and when you buy some knife, you make sure that the blade is made of good quality steel so, the base of this knife is made of the x50 Cr Mo V15 German steel, which is a very known steel in the market. This steel prevents rust, corrosion, and discoloration from your knife. 

This knife has a tapered ground edge which makes it very easy to use when you are cutting and chopping, and not only this, it also retains the sharpness for the long-time, which is a great budget-friendly feature of this knife. 

The knife’s design is very ergonomic, and its handle is made of Santoprene, a very comfortable material. It makes your grip strong so, when your hands are wet with the oils or water, it does not slip from your hand, and the ergonomic design allows you to use it for a long time without causing any fatigue. 

When you buy a chef knife, you can’t trust the product; that is what they are claiming or not; you don’t have to worry about this issue because the knife is certified by the NSF. Not only is it certified, but the brand is also providing a lifetime warranty on their product, so if the product you received is not according to your expectations, you can claim your warranty. 

Specifications

2. Imarku 8-inch Chef Knife – Best Design Knife

The design and look of this knife are very classy, which means it would be a pleasant addition to your kitchen. This knife looks nice, and its blade is made of German steel, which is known for its durability and firm value. 

The knife is very classy and suitable for most complicated tasks in the kitchen, like cutting different kinds of meat, veggies, and fruits. The overall build of the knife is very strong, and by looking at it, you feel that it is a solid and comfortable knife that will be very useful in your kitchen for various tasks. 

The handle also plays a vital role in the knife because it gives you a firm grip; otherwise, it would cause trouble, so the handle is made of pakkawood, which is very user-friendly and does not cause fatigue to your hands. 

The problem with this price range of knives is that they can’t retain sharpness for a long time, but this knife can keep an edge for a long time, which means you don’t have to worry about sharpening it again and again. The best thing about this knife is that its glossy finish makes it a perfect gift for anyone. 

Specifications

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3. Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife – Best Lightweight knife

This knife has one of the thinnest blades in the market, which is 2.5mm thinner. The blade means much easier to cut things. It is razor-sharp and cuts the thing very easily and faster. It does not matter if you have chicken or beef. Its blade has dimples at the end of the Knife that prevents the veggies from sticking with the knife. 

It also has the famous pakkawood handle because it makes the knife’s grip very strong and eliminates the chances of any kind of accident, which means you can use it without any fear. You have to clean this knife through the hand wash if you want it for a long time, and it is not dishwasher safe. 

When using the knife in the kitchen, it comes across many acids like citrus and some others that can cause rust and corrosion, but its blade has Molybdenum, which prevents rust and corrosion and makes it durable. 

The knife is also very lightweight, which means it is not very hard on your hands when cutting and chopping. 

Specifications

4. Kutt Chef Knife – Best Budget knife

It again looks like a very sharp and classic piece of art crafted for your kitchen work by the brand. It seems to be a perfect option for professional chefs as well as home chefs. The knife is skinny and provides you with a very outstanding balance while cutting anything in the kitchen. 

This knife blade is also made of 7CR17MOV German steel, which means you don’t have to worry about the quality of the knife. It won’t attract rust and corrosion. This steel has more vanadium than other steel, which means it is stronger and tough than most steel. 

One more pakkawood handle ensures a firm grip for the user and increases the overall beauty of the knife. The knife is very versatile, and you can do whatever you want in the kitchen, like cutting, chopping, mincing, dicing fruit, vegetables, and meat.

In the kitchen, you have to cut the garlic, onions, and different things with the knife to cause a bad odor on the blade, but this brand comes with a solution that provides a perfect quality soap that removes all the odor of the knife. There is also a finger guard in the knife that secures your fingers for any kind of accident. 

Specifications

5. J.A. Henckels International 31161-201 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife – Most Versatile knife

Henckels International is one of the most famous cutlery manufacturers. Henckels manufactures knives in many countries like Spain, France, China, Japan, Denmark, Italy, and Switzerland. The blade’s satin finish is perfect for precision cutting, and the edge of the knife remains sharp for a long time. This knife is best for people who want a good chef knife with remarkable blade strength and sharpness. 

This knife is also best for all types of tasks in the kitchen. You can do the chopping, slicing, and dicing with this knife very easily. The knife’s handle is made with a non-slip polymer that gives great comfort and stability to the knife. Its full forged construction provides a smooth transition from the blade to the handle.

Mostly the problem with this kind of knives is that they are not dishwasher safe and you have to wash them with your hands, but this knife is dishwasher safe, and you can wash it with the dishwasher; however, if you want it to last for a long time then wash it with your hands. 

The brand is very trusted, and they stand behind their products so, if you have any problem after the purchase, you can claim their limited lifetime warranty, and their after-sale services are one of the best in the market. 

Specifications

6. Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef Knife – Most Experienced brand’s knife

Wusthof cutlery was founded 200 years ago in Solingen, Germany. Wusthof belongs to one of the world’s best German knife brands. In my opinion, no person in the world is not aware of the Wusthof knives.

The Wusthof 8-inch Chef knife is made from a single block of high-carbon stainless steel, which provides long life and stability. Stainless steel is heat treatable and provides extremely high toughness at approximately 58-degree HRC.

When it comes to sharpness, the Wusthof knife is 20% sharper than some of its ancestors because of the Precision Edge Technology, and it also retains its sharpness for a long time. 

The knife comes in full-tang, which is triple-riveted to the polymer handle, which gives the knife more durability, strength, and long life. The triple-riveted handle of the knife is comfortable to grip and can satisfy every home or professional cook.

There are many people that we’re worried about some sudden cuts that they got while cutting the meat or some other things, and that is why the brand is giving the finger guard in the knife so you can protect your fingers from the sudden cuts. However, still, you have to be very careful because this knife is known for its sharpness. 

Specifications

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7. Global 8-inch Chef’s Knife – Classic Design

This knife looks unique from all the other knives in the market. It gives you a very premium and classic look by looking at it for the first time. The steel used in knife manufacturing is so hard that the knife’s edge will retain its sharpness for a long time without any sharpening.

Both sides of the Global Chef’s knife come razor-sharp like a Western knife, and both sides are sharpened to 15° only for effortless slicing and cutting.  Also, the edge of the knife is extremely thin, which is perfect for cutting and slicing.

The handle of the knife is also very different. It is a D-shaped handle with dimples on it, which prevents it from slipping from your hands when you cut the meat and vegetables. The weight of the knife is so light because it has no plastic or wooden handle. Its premium material makes it lighter so that every chef and home cook can easily handle it without fatigue.

There are many big companies. Everything changes when you purchase from them; they don’t reply to your question but not with this brand. They have very good after-sales services. If you receive the damaged knife, you can replace it because of its lifetime warranty. 

Specifications

8. TATARA 8-inch Chef Knife – Best for the Gift

Tatara’s chef knife comes at a reasonable price that is both good-looking and practical for everyday use. The stylish look and unique design of the knife make it better than other knives. The knife comes with an 8-12° degree cutting edge that helps you in effortless cutting and slicing. You can easily slice, cut, and dice with precision, making it a great knife for making soups, making sushi, and cutting meals.

Tatara Chef knife comes with a military-grade G-10 handle with three rivets that provides stability to the knife and a safe and firm grip in all conditions. The G-10 handle will not slip even with greasy or wet hands. The knife’s handle is also comfortable, and you will not tire despite hours of slicing or dicing. The handle also looks classy when you hold it in hand. Just use it with care.

Sometimes you are confused about what to give to your father, mother or brother, so this knife is the best option to give someone if he/she is into cooking. The brand also offers a one-year money-back guarantee so, if you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can claim your money back. 

Specifications

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9. Dalstrong 8-inch Chef Knife – Award-winning design

This chef knife is beautiful, affordable, and comes with unique cutting-edge technology. It is ideal for kitchen purposes because it has a long straight blade that is incredibly sharp, beautiful, elegant, and durable. With a lot of features, you can use it for your everyday cooking and get instant results. 

The knife comes in full-tang with a razor-sharp edge that helps in effortless cutting. This chef knife comes with a hand-sharpened edge at 14-16° degrees per side, ensuring a super sharp, stains, and rust-resistant edge. This super sharp cutting edge is always ready to provide excellent cutting performance.

The knife’s handle features a polymer handle that gives long life and durability to the knife. The handle of the knife is engineered for superior hand control, comfort, and agility. Also, the hand-polished blade is made to provide flexibility, high performance, and smooth handling.

Some chef knives claim that they can do everything, but the reality is different. We have tested this knife, and you won’t believe that it can do all the tasks you can expect from a chef’s knife, including chopping and cutting all types of meat, fruits, and veggies. 

Specifications

10. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 9-inch Chef’s Knife – Ideal for Carving

This chef knife is beautiful, affordable, and comes with unique cutting-edge technology. It is ideal for kitchen purposes because it has a long straight blade that is incredibly sharp, beautiful, elegant, and durable. With a lot of features, you can use it for your everyday cooking and get instant results. 

The knife’s handle features a polymer handle that gives long life and durability to the knife. The handle of the knife is engineered for superior hand control, comfort, and agility. Also, the hand-polished blade is made to provide flexibility, high performance, and smooth handling.

The knife comes in full-tang with a razor-sharp edge that helps in effortless cutting. This chef knife comes with a hand-sharpened edge at 14-16° degrees per side, ensuring a super sharp, stains, and rust-resistant edge. This super sharp cutting edge is always ready to provide excellent cutting performance.

All the good brands want to satisfy their customers, and that is why this brand is offering a 100% money-back guarantee on its knife so, if you are not satisfied with the knife, you can claim back 100% money.

Specifications

Product Technical Comparison

What should I look for in a good chef’s knife? – Buying Guide

After very detailed research, we have collected some of the best chef’s knives in the market. If you are planning to buy these chef’s knives or any in the market, there are some rules or points that you should know for buying a good chef’s knife. Below we are going to discuss all those rules so, read it carefully. 

Material

The first thing to consider is the material from which the blade of the knife is made? Usually, the knives are made of stainless steel or high-quality carbon steel. The material plays an important role because the durability and sharpness both depend on the material quality; that is why to choose the material very carefully. 

Weight

The second very important thing is the weight of the knife. If the blade is heavy, you might find it hard to cut the meat and the veggies, and it will also cause some fatigue in your hand, and you can’t continue using it for a long time. On the other hand, if the knife is lightweight, you can use it very easily for cutting and chopping; that is why the weight plays a very important role, and when you are going to buy the chef’s knife select the lightweight one. 

Built quality

The build of the knife also plays a very important role. Usually, knives are made with two methods: forged knives and stamped knives. The forged knives are made with one piece of metal, and the stamped knife is made with the blade and the handle. 

The forged knives tend to be stronger and sharper than the stamped knives, but the stamped knives are cheaper, so make sure you know what you want before buying the chef’s knife. 

Hardness

Are there different kinds of materials that knives are made of? The strength of the blade depends on its material. The hardest and strong material is carbon steel, and if you are looking for a hard and strong knife, you should go for the one made of carbon steel. 

After this knife, the hard and strong material is stainless steel, but compared to carbon steel, the stainless steel is not that strong, but it is very easy to sharpen, so make the decision wisely about what you want in a knife. 

Budget

It is also a very important question that you should ask yourself: what is your budget, and how much do you want to spend on a knife. Many people can’t afford expensive knives, but on the other hand, some people don’t compromise on the knife’s quality, so you should know your budget. It is the amount I want to spend on the chef’s knife. 

We tried to cover all the ones that are under $100 and also high in quality. So, make sure you check our list of knives. 

Chef Knife Under $100 – FAQs

Conclusion

These are the best chef’s knives in the market. If you are looking for a recommendation of which one you should go for, we would say that you have to go for the Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-inch Santoku Knife because it is the best option available in this price range. It is certified from the NSF, and the material of the blade is rust and corrosion resistant; and if you have any problem with the edge, you can claim your limited lifetime warranty. 

If you want to purchase this knife, make sure to do it from our link because then we will receive a minimal amount of commission which motivates us to write more reviews for you. 

Thank you for buying.