Finding a chef’s knife depends on your own choices. What might be the best knife for someone you find too heavy. It is important to find out which factors in knives matter to you like safety, sharpness, maintenance and dishwasher elements. These all factors will help you to find out the best chef knife for under $200. Our choice and recommendation for our readers for the best knife under $200 is shun classic 8” knife. It enables their users to cut everything in a professional and beginners kitchen. As it is well balanced, easy to grip and can be used for daily tasks. We will further talk about more chef knives which we suggest after sometime in this article.
- Best 6 Chef Knives Under $200
- Shun Classic 8” Chef Knife – Editor’s Choice
- Zwilling Professional S Chef Knife – Best German Chef Knife Under $200
- Shun Classic Chef Knife 6” – 2nd Best Overall Japanese Chef Knife
- Wusthof Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
- Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife
- Global 8” Chef Knife – Best Japanese Chef Knife under $200
- Thing to Consider When Buying a Chef Knife Under $200 – Buying Guide
- Final Verdict
Best 6 Chef Knives Under $200
Image
Product
Blade Material
Price
Warranty
Balance
Shun Classic 8” Chef Knife
German High-carbon stainless steel
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Lifetime Warranty from Manufacturer
Balanced
Zwilling Professional S Chef Knife
High Carbon Stainless Steel
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Lifetime warranty against material and manufacturing defects
Well Balanced
Shun Classic Chef Knife 6”
German High-carbon stainless steel
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1-year Warranty
Well Balanced
Wusthof Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
High Carbon Stainless Steel
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Lifetime Warranty
Well Balanced
Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch
Japanese VG10 Core, 67-Layers Damascus Blade
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Lifetime Warranty
Well Balanced
Global 8” Chef Knife
Japanese VG10 Core, 67-Layers Damascus Blade
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Lifetime Warranty
Well Balanced
Shun Classic 8” Chef Knife – Editor’s Choice
The shun classic 8” chef knife is the knifeploon choice for the best knife because it has the greatest number of positive reviews, great rank and good price and it is one of the most versatile and creative knives in the current market for under $200.
Shun Classic 8” Chef Knife Specification
| Brand | Shun |
| Price Range | $155 – $175 |
| Balance | Well Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | USA |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Most Suitable for | Ideal for chopping, dicing, and preparing a wide variety of foods including proteins, fruits, and vegetables |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 15/11.63 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 7.1/201.28 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 8 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 3 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 0.08 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | Forged |
| Blade Material | Carbon |
| Blade Flexibility | Unknown |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | Double Bevel |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | 16 Per side |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 60-61 |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Asymmetrical Rounded |
| Handle Material | PakkaWood |
| Handle Color | Black |
Maintenance
You need to prevent your knife by hand washing it with soft dish soap. Don’t use any soap with citrus extract or bleach as it can damage your knife. Rinse the knife and dry it as soon as possible and make sure all the moisture and water is removed from cutting edges. It is dishwasher safe but still we don’t recommend applying it.
About the knife
The damascus material is used for making shun classic 8” chef knives and it has added rust resistance as well. It also uses a pakkawood D shaped handle which is highly suggestive of their comfortness and long time use. Furthermore, it is a lightweight and perfect balance knife that is great for all kitchens due to their utility. The knife will provide any cook with the ability to carry out different kitchen tasks, such as preparing fruits, vegetables and proteins. The extraordinary width of the knife makes it easier to cut vast vegetables. Its little bit upward curve blade enables it to do fast and neat mincing of mini food like ginger, garlic and herbs etc. Moreover, the shun classic 8” chef knife is best for handling a daily basis work and sharp enough to cut anything. It is considered one of the sharpest blades used by home chefs. It does not become dull after using it two or more times and you can say that no kitchen could be complete without a shun classic 8 inch chef knife.
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Zwilling Professional S Chef Knife – Best German Chef Knife Under $200
The Zwilling Professional S Chef Knife is the best German Chef Knife Under $200. It comes with german stainless steel that has sharp razor and low maintenance required.
Zwilling Professional S Chef Knife Specifications
| General | |
| Brand | ZWILLING |
| Price Range | $115 – $120 |
| Balance | Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | Germany |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Most Suitable for | Ideal for all kitchen activities |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 16.5/41.91 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 9.8/277.83 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 8 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 1.5 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 0.7 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | Forged |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Blade Flexibility | Slightly Flexible |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | V-Edge |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | 15 Per side |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 57 |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Ergonomic |
| Handle Material | Plastic |
| Handle Color | Black |
Maintenance
Theoretically, it is dishwasher safe up to 130 degrees. Its manufacturers strongly suggest that knives should be washed with hands which leads to extending its life span. You can also wash with lukewarm water having modest detergent and non scratch cloth or sponge. Furthermore, dry it immediately once you have done your rinse and place it in a safe place.
About the knife
The Zwilling Professional S Class Knife is formulated with a unique established formula that will make the blade hard, sharp and will not stain or chip. It is workshore knife which is great for chopping, mincing, dicing as well as slicing the fruit, fish, protein etc. The knife comes with an accurate honed blade and laser controlled edge. It allows you to cut with more precision and the knife will remain sharp even if you use it on a daily basis. The well built bolster gives the right balance and behaves as a finger preventer, making it easy to hold while preparing food for hours in the kitchen. Using the handle is comfortable and it comes with full tang which gives you more stability and trust to handle the knife even if you are cutting the hard vegetable. It is a nice knife for both beginners and professional chefs.
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Shun Classic Chef Knife 6” – 2nd Best Overall Japanese Chef Knife
The shun chef 6 inches chef knife is a mini version of 8 inches knife and is made up of advanced steel and comes with a harder blade which stays sharper for a longer period. It is the best chef’s knife for under $200.
Shun Classic Chef Knife 6 Inch Specification
| General | |
| Brand | Shun |
| Price Range | $140 – $150 |
| Balance | Well Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | USA |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Most Suitable for | Suitable for slicing cheese, charcuterie, vegetables, and fruit |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 11.63/29.54 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 4.7/133.24 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 6 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 2.5 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 0.75 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | Forged |
| Blade Material | VG-MAX Steel |
| Blade Flexibility | Flexible |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | Double Bevel |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | 16 Per side |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 61 (±1) |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Asymmetrical, Ergonomic, safe |
| Handle Material | PakkaWood |
| Handle Color | Ebony – Silver |
Maintenance
It is not a dishwasher safe knife and recommended to handwash the knife with some decent soap and does not contain any bleach and citrus material. After that the user should use the towel to clean and dry it and don’t leave the knife in the sink for a long time.
About the knife
It is the small version of an 8-inch chef knife and has more flexibility. It is a great thing for small hands as it is light in weight. Its small length allows you to cut the small elements easily like mincing garlic. The shun classic 6 inches is an all rounder knife which can do all types of tasks like slicing, dicing without any immediate sharpening as large 8 inch knives. It will never disappoint you ever.
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Wusthof Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
The wusthof classic 8 inches chef knife fulfills the cook’s ambition as it cuts through fruits, vegetables and meat with great ease.
Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife Specification
| General | |
| Brand | Wüsthof |
| Price Range | $150 – $165 |
| Balance | Well Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | Germany |
| Warranty | Lifetime Warranty |
Most Suitable for | All-around, mostly Cabbage, Fish, Fruit,Head Of Lettuce, Herbs, Meat, Vegetables –also good for heavier duty worklike thicker vegetables and meat |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 12.5/31.75 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 11.1/314.68 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 8 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 1.06 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 3.18 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | Forged |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Blade Flexibility | Not very Flexible |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | Double Bevel |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | 20 |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 58 |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Ergonomic |
| Handle Material | Resilient Synthetic Handle, Riveted |
| Handle Color | Black |
Maintenance
This knife is not dishwasher safe and you need to wash it with your hand having warm, soapy water and also use soft sponge. Once you wash it then dry it as soon as possible to protect it from rust.
About the knife
The wusthof classic 8” chef knife allows their users to make food presentable by nice cutting. It can cut and chop anything and make itself best for those chefs who are looking for a versatile knife. It can do almost all kitchen work and is especially great for thick cuts of meat and large vegetables. This knife is considered a manual food processor of chef knives as it has full tang, finger protector and full bolster. These features give you more access for full control of the knife and provide you accurate cutting. These features also make the knife heavy to hold, but after a use of two or more times, you don’t notice the weight and it is easy to use. The knife is highly sharp and can be sharpened at home, which is a big plus for many home cooks.
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Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife
It is the best japanese chef’s knife that is great addition in your home or professional kitchen.
Mac Knife Professional 8” Hollow Edge Chef Knife Specifications
| General | |
| Brand | Mac Knife |
| Price Range | $145 – $175 |
| Balance | Well Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | USA |
| Warranty | Limited 25-Years |
Most Suitable for | Can cut, slice, and dice any food.Especially good for sticky food like potatoes,apples, and summer squashbecause of the dimples on the blade |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 12.62/32.05 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 6.5/184.27 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 7.88 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 1.88 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 0.098 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | Stamped |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Flexibility | Slightly Flexible |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | Hollow |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | Around 12 |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 60-61 |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Ergonomic |
| Handle Material | PakkaWood |
| Handle Color | Silver |
Maintenance
Just like other knives, this is not a dishwasher safe knife. So don’t leave your knife in the sink of water otherwise it will get rusty. Try not to use it to cut citrus or lemons because this will impede the long life of the knife. Use neutral soap and warm water and use a smooth sponge to wipe the blade. Once you hand wash it then dry it immediately and store it in a safe place for its longevity.
About the knife
The Mac knife professional 8 inch chef knife is a famous tool for daily use. It is made with a unique steel 2.5mm blade which makes it lightweight and easy to use for chefs and smaller hands. It is also a multi tasker knife which can slice and dice any kind of food. The knife works great with stickier fruits and vegetables like potatoes, apples, and cousa squash.
Furthermore, the divot on the blade makes it harder for adhesive elements to stick to the blade. The highly sharp edge of the blade enables it to make accurate cuts of small foods.
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Global 8” Chef Knife – Best Japanese Chef Knife under $200
Global 8” Chef Knife Specifications
| General | |
| Brand | Global |
| Price Range | $115 – $160 |
| Balance | Highly Balanced |
| Manufacturing Country | Japan |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty against defects and breakage |
| Most Suitable for | Can slice through the toughest of vegetables |
| Dimensions | |
| Total Knife Length (In/cm) | 14.72/37.39 |
| Knife Weight (Oz/Gr) | 7.8/221.13 |
| Blade Length (Inches) | 8 |
| Blade Height (Inches) | 3.46 |
| Blade Thickness/Width (Inches) | 0.94 |
| The Blade | |
| Forged/Stamped | G1 model is FORGED – G2 model is STAMPED |
| Blade Material | High-tech molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel |
| Blade Flexibility | Unknown |
| Tang | Full Tang |
| Blade Edge | Double Bevel |
| Straight/Serrated | Straight |
| Blade Angle | 15 |
| HRC (Rockwell Hardness) | 56-58 |
| The Handle | |
| Handle Feel | Ergonomic, safe grip |
| Handle Material | Stainless Steel |
| Handle Color | Silver |
Maintenance
It’s not a dishwasher safe knife and recommended to use it with your hands using mild detergents in water. Once you rinse the knife with water then dry it with soft cloth. Always make sure that the liquid has completely soaked before storing it.
About the knife
This knife is a layman and expert chef’s dream, designed by the legendary Komin Yamada. This ensured that the knife was designed to be smooth and sterilized– no mark on the knife where food could catch.
Its lightweight and sharp edges allow it to make the slices of hardest protein and vegetable in no time. You can easily cut the small fruits such as tomatoes with ease by applying without any pressure on it. The Mac knife professional 8 inch chef knife is highly ranked by chefs because you can easily sharpen it at your home and does not require any maintenance.
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Thing to Consider When Buying a Chef Knife Under $200 – Buying Guide
There’s no one size fits all: The search for a good chef’s knife varies depending on use case, hand size, and more. When you go for buying a chef knife for under $200, then there are alot of things to consider and the most important thing is blade material, maintenance and warranty as well. $200 is the price of that knife which will be in your kitchen for lifetime.
Blade Material
A durable chef’s knife for $200 less is a bargain. A chef’s knife is a knife that is widely used in the kitchen because it is important to choose the right material. We always recommend high carbon steel or stainless steel as a perfect material for a chef knife. Carbon steel needs more nurture and this thing keeps your knife sharp and nice for cutting fruits, veggies, meat and many more. Stainless steel can maintain their sharpness and require less maintenance as compared to carbon steel. Furthermore, their ceramic blade is also sharp but it can chip easily and does not last long.
Maintenance
It is a necessary thing to maintain in your chef’s knife for under $200 suitably for it to final. You need to sharpen it once a year professionally. Beside this we also suggest sharpening your chef knife every couple of months at home to maintain its longevity and sharpness. To maintain the blade’s sharpness, avoid storing the knife on a wood’s block and store it in a dry place with a guard. This will protect the knife from hitting something and slowing down too quickly. Moreover, it will increase the life of a chef’s knife. Don’t place it in the dishwasher as its detergent can break the metal of the knife and cause it to lose the sharpness and rust.
You need to handwash the chef knife with water including slightly soap(does not contain citrus or bleach) once you rinse it then wipe it with soft paper or towel. Once you make sure that it has been completely dry then place it in a safe place where there is no air.
Warranty
We always recommend buying a knife with a lifetime warranty. As we know it is an investment in your kitchen for the time to come. Defects happen and chips and other breaks on this expensive item should be covered by the manufacturer. This lifetime warranty ensures that if something goes wrong with your knife, you won’t be left scrambling to buy another chef knife.
Final Verdict
Shun classic 8 inch chef’s knife is our editor’s choice and it is overall the best knife under $200 because it offers adaptability and versatility. It will help you in your kitchen for daily basis tasks as well and could cut the toughest protein and vegetables if you take care of it properly then it can stay with you for many years. One knife for $200 is better than buying 10 low quality knives which will last for a long time and lose their sharpness quickly. We suggest this knife to anyone who are looking a versatile chef knife