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10 Best Chef Knife Under 50 Dollar Shopping Guide
Every artist needs their art supplies, and every chef needs their tools and cutleries. One of the most necessary tools required for pro cooking is a chef knife, and whether you are a lazy cook or someone who has mastered the art of cooking; a decent chef knife will make your life a hundred times easier and can save you a lot of time and energy. But here, good quality doesn’t necessarily mean overpriced. You can find the best chef knife for under 50 dollars. You just have to know where to look and what to look for; we will show you the way in this article!
In the kitchen, the very first thing you’ll need is a good quality chef’s knife, no matter if you cook occasionally or have taken your kitchen game to an art form. You can do all the basics of food prepping with a chef’s knife, let it be chopping or slicing.
But the good news is you don’t have to develop a frown line trying to research and study the reviews of hundreds of chef’s knives out there; because we have completed that task for you! For your peace and ease, we have gone through tons of decent options on the market and picked 10 kitchen knives used by artisans and are easy on the budget!
Also, you can read our another article about: 10 best cordless electric fillet knife for fish professionally work
Cangshan V2 Series 59526 German Steel Forged Chef Knife Under 50 dollar
This Cangshan V2 series knife comes as a surprise as it’s a multitasking chef’s knife in the appearance of a regular kitchen knife. It looks and appears to be simple but serves a multitude of purposes. This knife is made of alloy steel or German steel, and it comes with adequate sharpness, balance and is usable for a long time without causing damage to the blade shaft or handle.
The design is one of a kind patented by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The knife was designed to be stain-resistant, so it’ll keep shining even after years of usage. It can be used for mincing meat, chopping and dicing vegetables, slicing meat or veggies, etc. the knife handle is extremely comfy. All knives from this brand happen to be handcrafted and treated with heat to increase hardness and prolong durability.
According to its Initial Cutting Performance, aka ICP scale, it is extremely sharp, and as per its Total Card Cut ( TCC ) scale, it ought to stay sharp for a long, long time.
Zelite Infinity 8 Inch German High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife
This little boy here is very impressive looking and very sharp! As it’s a treat for the eyes, it’s a perfect little gift item for cooks and chefs. The sharpness is just enough that it’ll cut your vegetables smoothly but has low chances of cutting yourself accidentally. You can slice, carve or cut food items safely with it without the risk of cutting yourself by accident.
The handle is black and made of plastic, and is molded in a way that fits the shape of your hand. It comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can get it fixed anytime, even if it gets damaged.
But the issue with this knife is, it is somewhat tricky to use as it’s sturdy, so it would require an excessive amount of strength to operate, which might be a deal-breaker for some users. It also can get oxidized or rusty sooner than expected, so you should be careful while washing.
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Best Chef Knife under 50 dollar
Even though it’s not as fancy-looking or flashy as its opponents on the market, it does its job fantastically. You can feel the difference in how thin and smooth the vegetable and meat slices are when cut by a Victorinox knife vs. a regular kitchen knife. Once you have used this knife, you wouldn’t want to return to your everyday kitchen knife again; your average knife will look like a plastic toy!
It’s a great product that comes with the user’s comfort, versatility, balance, and an effective sharpener. The suppliers ensure quick delivery, and the grip is very comfortable to use.
But you have to be careful and buy from authorized retailers only as the market is full of deceptive knock-off products, and you will be ripped off in exchange for an ineffective knife. Some might experience poor packaging, but it is probably not from an authorized seller. Rather it might be an imitation item.
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Inch Chef Knife
The thing I like about this product most is that it’s a steal! This brand has a much more reasonable price range than other competitor brands. It’s very, very affordable, and it serves its purpose well. It’s made of German steel, and its highly sharp edges make it a good choice for cutting into stubborn pieces of meat and disjointing them. Its razor-sharp edges and excellent quality steel make it one of our top picks!
Suppose you don’t have much upper body strength. That’s not an issue because it’s sharp enough to take care of that for you! Even though its sharpness might cause injuries if not used with caution, it has a comfy and safe grip, so if used with proper care, you could avoid any risks of injury.
Another good thing is, the technology it was made with makes it safe from oxidization, decay from friction, corrosion, or any external factors. It should keep stain-free even after years of use, according to its manufacturer.
Imarku High Carbon German Stainless Steel Chef Knife with Ergonomic Handle
This knife is crafted with high-quality steel and has a higher percentage of carbon than other competitors on the market. It has twice the carbon content than other knives, so it’s twice as hard. Specially made for pros, this knife is an allrounder that excels at chopping, cutting, dicing, slicing, and disjointing meat. According to the HRC scale or Rockwell Hardness Scale, it has a good score meaning it’s tougher than the competition it has.
It is made with an ingredient called pakka. Pakka is an ingredient from Africa which has great stability and prevents your fingers from getting sore for holding the handle too long. It is known for being razor-sharp, and it doesn’t lose its sharpness even after cutting through a stubborn piece of meat or disjointing meat.
It has a little bit of chrome in its formulation, which keeps it stain-free and glossy even after being used for a long time. The chrome also makes sure that it’s low maintenance and easy to take care of. The size of the blade is 8 inches which makes it easy to operate and handle.
ZWILLING Classic 8-inch Professional Chef Knife
Manufactured in Spain, this product is made from German stainless steel, making it an excellent pick for your kitchen use. The material is very long-lasting and sharp, making it usable for years, and you can cut through meat or vegetables very precisely. Along with thin and precise cuts, it also offers a well-balanced, riveted handle that protects you from sore fingers. You can use it for all cutting applications in your kitchen. It also comes with a bolster which makes it easy to handle and safer to use.
The length is very convenient for cutting through all sorts of food items, and it has just a little bit of flexibility needed for cutting into some specific food items like turnips and sweet potatoes, etc. In addition, it’s pretty low maintenance and doesn’t require a dishwasher. Only when it needs to be sanitized; consider a dishwasher. A necessity in food prepping, it is bound to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Adored by the worldwide recognized chef Gordon Ramsay, it’ll soon be your personal favorite too! It feels as easy to operate as if you were moving your own hands!
KUMA Multipurpose Chef Knife Which is best for under 50 dollar
This product offers very thin and precise cuts at a very reasonable price. It also offers adequate hardness and toughness, sharp edges, safety from corrosion, and sore hands. Kuma Chef Knife stays sharp no matter how rough the surfaces it has to cut through. It protects your hands from feeling fatigued with a super comfy grip. It doesn’t corrode with prolonged usage or gets oxidized easily.
Like most other chef’s knives, it also has to be cleaned with dish soap and dried with a towel. You don’t need a dishwasher but it shows no signs of problems if you use one. This trusty and handy kitchen tool is bound to be your favorite once you get your hands on it.
Soufull Professional High Carbon German Stainless Steel Chef Knife – 8-inch
This chef’s knife comes with adequate hardness and sharpness. It can cut through all sorts of food items, let it be meat, seafood, vegetables, fruits, fish, etc. This product is beloved by all, from pro chefs to caterers to almost everyone in the culinary community. It is designed for both professional usage and ordinary usage.
They designed the product to be free from rust, stain, and corrosion. The blade is strong enough so it won’t break if used roughly, and the handle is sturdy enough, so it is easy on your hands and doesn’t tire them. It requires a minimal amount of maintenance and can be hand-washed and towel-dried.
The chemicals in the dishwasher can damage the protective barrier of the blade and make it have a dull appearance. Not in any circumstances should the knife be used to chop bones as they might break. It shouldn’t be used on frozen foods as it might lose its edge.
DALSTRONG Japanese High-Carbon AUS8 Steel Chef Knife
Even though a little pricier than its competitors, this one is the most visually pleasing knife amongst them all. The handle is well-balanced and made of Pakkawood ( a special kind of material of Spanish origins). You will feel how comfortable and gentle it is on your hands. It prevents your hands from getting sore and tired.
The price range is a little luxurious, but it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee, so you are playing a safe bet. Even if the knife gets defective, they are offering a lifetime warranty so you can get it fixed anytime.
Having a 58+ score on the Rockwell Hardness Scale, it is one of the most rigid knives in the market. The craftsmanship of the handle is beautiful and it’s friendly to your hands! It has all the qualities of a good chef’s knife like adequate hardness, extra strength, edge retention, sufficient sharpness, durability, etc.
PAUDIN N1 8 inch German High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Knife in 50 Dollar
It’s the cheapest one on our list, but it’s more for less! It also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you are dissatisfied with the product and a lifetime warranty if there are any defects. The blade comes with a beautiful wave pattern on its surface which makes it look distinctive and unique. Like the other knives we recommended, it also has a fantastic deal of sharpness, multi-functionality, edge retaining qualities, longevity, remarkable craftsmanship, etc.
The thickness of the blade is only 2 millimeters which makes the sharpness perfect for prepping all kinds of food items in a quick and smooth motion. The handle is wooden and ergonomic, which makes it gentle and easy to handle.
What to look for while picking your chef knife under 50 dollar
If you are going to buy a chef’s knife soon; you should note down a few things on how to choose your desired knife.
Blade type
One of the most prominent traits of a chef’s knife is, the blade will either be forged or stamped. A forged knife is the best choice in general but there are also very effective stamped knives and also ceramic knives.
Blade ingredients
The main ingredients of the blade are carbon alloy steel or stainless steel or a combination of both.
Sharpness
The manufacturers laminate the blade for sharpness and shine. You can test the sharpness by cutting through an object like a pile of paper. If the cut is smooth then it is sharp enough. You need a sharp blade that will cut through the toughest meat but not so sharp that you accidentally injure yourself with it. The sharpness and the edges need to be perfect.
Edges
Professional chefs use knives with multitasking blades. These kinds of blades typically have different kinds of edges at different parts. the tip should be fine so that you can use it in precision work like mincing meat etc. The middle portion of the knife also called the belly, should have a moderate amount of sharpness to do ordinary cutting applications like chopping vegetables, etc. the heel and the spine of the blade should have thick edges so that it can serve the purpose of heavy tasks like disjointing beef or pork.
Handle
The handle should be sturdy but not so heavy that it’s hard to operate. The handle should be ergonomic which means it should be made of materials and shaped in a way so that it’s gentle on your hands and doesn’t tire them when you overwork with the knife.
Maintenance
Good quality knives are in the best shape when you wash them with dish soap by hand and towel dry them. We don’t recommend most knives to use with a dishwasher.
Frequently asked questions
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How to use a chef knife properly?
The pros use the pinch grip technique to hold the knife, directly holding the blade in a particular style. If you didn’t go to culinary school, you could grab the handle with all four fingers with the thumb underneath.
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What should be the standard size of the blade?
Eight inches should be the ideal size, and it’s perfect for all purposes. Of course, ten inches can feel too big, and 6 inches can feel too small, but it’s all about your comfort zone and personal preference.
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Which will be a better option? A light handle or a heavy one?
Again, it all depends on your upper body strength and your personal preference.
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How to take care of a chef’s knife?
Avoid dishwashers. Use it on a chopping board instead of directly on your marble kitchen table! Sharpen it with care.
Conclusion
Now you know all the necessary hacks on how to buy a quality chef’s knife! And owning a fine piece of blade-like that also needs proper care and precautions to keep your knife good as new for years! Our list here includes the best chef knife under 50 dollars for a moderate to low budget, and hopefully, you can choose your desired chef’s knife from this list. No matter if you are a culinary artisan or just a regular person practicing a basic survival skill, this list includes an option that will meet all your needs. So you can choose the right chef’s knife for you from our budget picks without putting in a load of money. Good luck with your cooking journey!
