Best Kitchen Knives August 2026
Finding the right kitchen knife can make all the difference in your food preparation. Whether you need a versatile chef's knife, a precise Santoku, or a complete set, this guide helps you compare the best options available. Our independent ranking highlights the pros and cons of each model so you can find the perfect knife for your kitchen.
Last updated: 14 August 2026
Victorinox Swiss Classic Knife Set 5-pack climbed 1 position
Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife 20cm dropped 2 positions
Kitchen Knives: Top 5
1
Victorinox Wood Santoku Knife 17cm
from £50.523 stores
from £50.52
3 stores
2
Victorinox Swiss Classic Knife Set 5-pack
from £66.993 stores
1
from £66.99
3 stores
3
Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife 20cm
from £135.583 stores
2
from £135.58
3 stores
4
Victorinox Swiss Classic Santoku Knife 17cm
from £30.995 stores
from £30.99
5 stores
5
Victorinox Fibrox Chef's Knife 19cm
from £24.995 stores
from £24.99
5 stores
This is a Japanese-style Santoku knife from Victorinox, featuring a 17 cm fluted blade. The fluting helps prevent food like sliced vegetables from sticking to the blade. It combines Victorinox's well-regarded steel with a traditional wooden handle.
Pros
Fluted blade prevents food from sticking
Sharp stainless steel blade
Classic wooden handle
Cons
Handle design may not appeal to all
The Victorinox Swiss Classic set provides a 5-pack of knives to cover a range of kitchen duties. The set also includes a carving fork, making it a convenient starter package. Some of the included blades are serrated, which is ideal for cutting bread or tomatoes.
Pros
Includes 5 knives for different tasks
Comes with a carving fork
Contains serrated blades for specific foods
Cons
Serrated blades are difficult to sharpen at home
May include knives you won't use often
The Wüsthof Classic is a quintessential German chef's knife with a 20 cm blade. Its forged construction gives it excellent balance and durability for all-around kitchen tasks. Praised by users for its quality, it represents the European knifemaking tradition with a focus on a tough, easily maintained edge.
Pros
Forged blade provides excellent balance
Durable and relatively easy to sharpen steel
Versatile 20 cm all-purpose blade
Cons
Full bolster can hinder sharpening
Traditional design may seem dated to some users
This Victorinox Swiss Classic model is a 17 cm Santoku knife designed for precision. Like its wooden-handled counterpart, it features a fluted blade to keep food from clinging. Its synthetic handle and lightweight design make it an accessible and practical choice for everyday slicing and dicing.
Pros
Fluted blade helps prevent food from sticking
Lightweight and easy to handle
Affordable Japanese-style Santoku
Cons
Stamped blade lacks the heft of forged knives
Less suitable for heavy-duty chopping
The Victorinox Fibrox Chef's Knife is a 19 cm workhorse, famous for its Fibrox handle that provides a secure grip even when wet. It's a lightweight and flexible knife, making it easy to handle for long prep sessions. While it holds a decent edge, it performs best with regular honing.
Pros
Fibrox handle offers an excellent non-slip grip
Versatile 19 cm chef's knife blade
Lightweight and agile in the hand
Cons
Requires frequent honing to maintain its edge
Stamped blade has less weight than a forged one
Compare specifications
| Number of knives | 1 st | 5 st | 1 st | 1 st | 1 st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blade length | 17 cm | — | 20 cm | 17 cm | 19 cm |
| Type of Japanese Knife | Santoku | — | — | Santoku | — |
| Type | Chef's knife | Knife set | Chef's knife | Chef's knife | Chef's knife |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
