Whether you are an expert cook, a cooking enthusiast, or someone who enters a kitchen because you need food to survive, knives can be one of the essential accessories.
Top brand chef knives may demand hundreds of dollars from your pockets, while cheap products bought without proper knowledge can fall victim to rusting within weeks.
Luckily, we are here to help you find the best of both. If you know what you’re looking for, Chef knives can cost as little as 50 dollars or less. We now bring to you the top five competing for the best chef knife under 50.
The Top Five Chef Knives Under 50
We will cut straight to it, no pun intended, and start ranking our best products. These knives have been shortlisted based on multiple criteria such as the sharpness of the blade, quality of the metal, handle design, and others.
1. imarku Chef Knife – Pro Kitchen Knife
At number 2, we have the Pro Kitchen Knife from imarku. This robust and robust piece of cutlery is also manufactured with stainless steel.
The metal used is of very high quality, with 0.6 to 0.75 carbon. The amount is higher than most close competitors who only contain around 0.3 carbon. Its construction gives it a very sturdy nature and ensures long-lasting service regardless of how much you use it.
Moreover, the knife is multipurpose, suitable for all kinds of uses. You can cut, slice, dice, chop, and do just about anything else in the kitchen that may require a knife. As for the hardness, it comes with an HRC (Rockwell Hardness Scale) of 56 to 58, making it one of the most challenging products on the market today.
And the handle is made from Pakka, a material native to specific regions in Africa and known for the comfort and stability it provides when holding. It also follows an ergonomic design that ensures a pain-free experience for the user.
You can work with this knife for long periods without suffering from soreness, numbness, or aches. The latest German engineering techniques give the blade an ultra-sharp edge. It can cut through challenging targets such as tough meat and meat off the bones.
Moreover, the sharpness does not fade with increasing use, furthering improving the longevity factor associated with this product.
Pros
- Made of high-quality stainless steel, 0.6 to 0.75 carbon for sturdiness
- Ultra-sharp edge made with latest German engineering technology
- Ergonomic handle design, made using Pakka, protects the user from soreness
- HRC of 56 to 58, a tough knife with long-lasting service
- Able to cut through challenging targets such as tough meat
- Multipurpose knife, suitable for cutting, chopping, slicing, etc.
Cons
- Price could have been a bit lower
2. J.A. Henckels 31161-161 CLASSIC Chef’s Knife
Our final entry has been a staple in kitchens both at home and in restaurants run by professionals. Whether you are cooking your Sunday brunch or dealing with an order from a customer, this is a go-to knife that can handle almost anything that you may be preparing.
This craftsmanship is exquisite, and the tapered stainless steel edge cut through the toughest of textures with complete ease. Whether mincing, chopping, or slicing, this all-purpose knife, and its laser-tested razor-sharp blade will undoubtedly have you covered.
Furthermore, this edge is ground to an exacting angle, maximizing the cutting efficiency and helping retain sharpness for longer. The structure and design are tailor-made for maintaining balance when working.
Its handle has an ergonomic model and features a thermoplastic elastomer. The grip it provides is not prone to slipping. Even when wet, your hand will not be sliding off this handle.
As for maintenance, it is relatively easy to clean, and you can safely use a dishwasher to get rid of the problematic stains without worrying about the blade getting damaged in any way.
And the customer service is also up to the standards. If you have any questions regarding the product, you can ring their customer service, and they will help you in any way they can.
Pros
- Versatile, all-purpose knife, suitable for professionals and home cooking
- Tapered stainless steel edge that can cut through most textures
- Edge has an exacting angle for better sharpness retention
- Ergonomic handle made of thermoplastic elastomer, no slipping if wet
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy use
5. Newild Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chefs Knife
Kicking us off is our top pick, this beautiful steel knife from Newild. Made of high carbon German stainless steel, 7Cr17, it solves the first durability issue with its top-quality material. The entire thing is rustproof.
In terms of actual function, its crafted manual edge offers excellent sharpness and lets you get through most of your daily kitchen work with the utmost ease. The design also makes sure your cutting is adhesion-free and does not leave bits stringing along the blade’s edges.
The knives underwent precision forging, with extremely high temperature generating methods and cryogenics to create an extremely sturdy product. It also brings you a heat-treated cast for vastly enhanced performance when in use.
The ergonomic structure design looks after your hands as you work, ensuring they don’t get too sore.
Once done with your cutting, the knife is easy to clean. Something which becomes very important as a knife gets older and the more you use it. You may use a soap and a duster cloth afterward for drying. It also makes for good visual appeal with its wave-patterned blade.
Pros
- Made of German stainless steel for durability and robustness
- Wave patterned blade
- Precision-forged with high-temperature forge and cryogenics
- Ergonomic handle design for increased comfort of the user
- Easy to clean with soap and dry with a duster cloth
- Stiff blade offering good sharpness for cutting
Cons
- A bit heavy
Buying Guide: How To Pick The Best Knife Under 50
We talked about several criteria when we reviewed each of our products. Now, we go into more detail and consider what to look for when deciding on a knife.
Material
Arguably the most crucial aspect of a knife is the blade, and hence it is critical you pick one made of suitable quality metal. Carbon stainless steel alloys appear in most chef knives, and the best ones often have a carbon percentage of over 0.3.
A chef knife made of good steel will be more robust, resistant to damage, and ensure you won’t have to buy another one in a long time.
Blade
As the most critical component of a knife, it goes without saying you can’t buy one without paying extra attention to the blade. We talked about precision-forged blades. These are made for different hardness and retaining their sharp edges over extensive usage.
It is a helpful guide to look for these features to ensure that the product you buy is worth it. The Rockwell rating is another helpful metric. Generally speaking, 56-58 on this scale is an excellent standard.
Some blades have the option for re-sharpening; this could be another handy aspect to want in your knife.
Ease of Cleaning
After use, your knife will be dripping with juices, and various bits of meat and vegetables will be clinging to the blade. You would want to be able to clean all this up without much of a hassle.
Many knives these days are dishwasher-friendly, meaning you can automate the entire cleaning process and help save yourself a significant amount of extra effort.
Watch this video.
The penultimate entry on our list is the Four Season’s knife from Messermeister. Handcrafted from Santa Catarina, Portugal, it is a product made using German carbon steel, dry cut from a single billet of the stamping steel material.
And the carbon composition in this one is at 1.4116. The blade, a stainless steel alloy, is highly resistant against degradative processes such as rusting and corrosion, remains rigid and durable, and the sharpness of the blade lasts over considerable periods.
Furthermore, the blade can also be re-sharpened in case the edges somewhat lose their razor-like characteristics. This knife is given a Rockwell rating of 56-58 after heat treating and subsequent cooling during the forging process.
Moreover, the entire line is one-piece stamped, bringing to you consistent blades in their strength from the tip to the bottom of the handle.
As for the handles, they’re extra-sized, hygienic, specifically shaped polypropylene. It’s a beneficial attribute as it makes sure your hands remain as comfortable as possible, even if you work in the rigorous environment of a commercial kitchen.
You will find a use for it in just about every cooking task. The service and precision offered will make you choose it for your cutting and chopping, time and time again.
Pros
- Made of German stainless stamped steel alloy, durable and robust
- Resistant against processes such as corrosion and rusting, long-lasting
- Carbon composition within steel material is at 1.4116
- Handles made of extra-sized hygienic polypropylene, very comfortable
- The blades are good at remaining sharp over time, and heavy use
Cons
- A bit expensive
4. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
Our final entry has been a staple in kitchens both at home and in restaurants run by professionals. Whether you are cooking your Sunday brunch or dealing with an order from a customer, this is a go-to knife that can handle almost anything that you may be preparing.
This craftsmanship is exquisite, and the tapered stainless steel edge cut through the toughest of textures with complete ease. Whether mincing, chopping, or slicing, this all-purpose knife, and its laser-tested razor-sharp blade will undoubtedly have you covered.
Furthermore, this edge is ground to an exacting angle, maximizing the cutting efficiency and helping retain sharpness for longer. The structure and design are tailor-made for maintaining balance when working.
Its handle has an ergonomic model and features a thermoplastic elastomer. The grip it provides is not prone to slipping. Even when wet, your hand will not be sliding off this handle.
As for maintenance, it is relatively easy to clean, and you can safely use a dishwasher to get rid of the problematic stains without worrying about the blade getting damaged in any way.
And the customer service is also up to the standards. If you have any questions regarding the product, you can ring their customer service, and they will help you in any way they can.
Pros
- Versatile, all-purpose knife, suitable for professionals and home cooking
- Tapered stainless steel edge that can cut through most textures
- Edge has an exacting angle for better sharpness retention
- Ergonomic handle made of thermoplastic elastomer, no slipping if wet
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy use
5. Newild Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chefs Knife
Kicking us off is our top pick, this beautiful steel knife from Newild. Made of high carbon German stainless steel, 7Cr17, it solves the first durability issue with its top-quality material. The entire thing is rustproof.
In terms of actual function, its crafted manual edge offers excellent sharpness and lets you get through most of your daily kitchen work with the utmost ease. The design also makes sure your cutting is adhesion-free and does not leave bits stringing along the blade’s edges.
The knives underwent precision forging, with extremely high temperature generating methods and cryogenics to create an extremely sturdy product. It also brings you a heat-treated cast for vastly enhanced performance when in use.
The ergonomic structure design looks after your hands as you work, ensuring they don’t get too sore.
Once done with your cutting, the knife is easy to clean. Something which becomes very important as a knife gets older and the more you use it. You may use a soap and a duster cloth afterward for drying. It also makes for good visual appeal with its wave-patterned blade.
Pros
- Made of German stainless steel for durability and robustness
- Wave patterned blade
- Precision-forged with high-temperature forge and cryogenics
- Ergonomic handle design for increased comfort of the user
- Easy to clean with soap and dry with a duster cloth
- Stiff blade offering good sharpness for cutting
Cons
- A bit heavy
Buying Guide: How To Pick The Best Knife Under 50
We talked about several criteria when we reviewed each of our products. Now, we go into more detail and consider what to look for when deciding on a knife.
Material
Arguably the most crucial aspect of a knife is the blade, and hence it is critical you pick one made of suitable quality metal. Carbon stainless steel alloys appear in most chef knives, and the best ones often have a carbon percentage of over 0.3.
A chef knife made of good steel will be more robust, resistant to damage, and ensure you won’t have to buy another one in a long time.
Blade
As the most critical component of a knife, it goes without saying you can’t buy one without paying extra attention to the blade. We talked about precision-forged blades. These are made for different hardness and retaining their sharp edges over extensive usage.
It is a helpful guide to look for these features to ensure that the product you buy is worth it. The Rockwell rating is another helpful metric. Generally speaking, 56-58 on this scale is an excellent standard.
Some blades have the option for re-sharpening; this could be another handy aspect to want in your knife.
Ease of Cleaning
After use, your knife will be dripping with juices, and various bits of meat and vegetables will be clinging to the blade. You would want to be able to clean all this up without much of a hassle.
Many knives these days are dishwasher-friendly, meaning you can automate the entire cleaning process and help save yourself a significant amount of extra effort.
Watch this video.
Up next, say hello to this classic knife from J.A. Henckels. The Spanish-made chef knife is another stainless steel construction, with only the finest metal quality used while making the blade.
It brings you a fully forged construction, ensuring long-lasting service, durability, and a very robust nature. The handle-to-blade transition is also seamless, making it easier for the user to get to grips with it.
The blade gives you precision cutting and design made to retain its sharpness after long periods of use. The edges are all finely honed, made with a professional satin finish for good visual appeal.
The handle construction follows an ergonomic model, specifically made for user comfort when in constant use. You can spend as much as you want, cutting meat or chopping vegetables. Your hands will not start to pain when doing so with this knife.
And its range of uses is also relatively wide, from slicing beef to chopping carrots to whatever else your cooking requires.
Finally, the knife is relatively easy to clean. You may even put it into a dishwasher if you want to save the manual effort. J. A. Henckels has one of the most illustrious reputations in this line of products, having been around since the late 19th century.
Pros
- Made with top-grade stainless steel, robust and usable over long periods
- Very sharp blade and precision cutting
- Finely honed edges and professional satin finish
- Ergonomic handle for more comfortable user experience
- Wide range of uses on different kinds of food items
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- I could not find any significant drawbacks
3. Messermeister Four Seasons Chef’s Knife
The penultimate entry on our list is the Four Season’s knife from Messermeister. Handcrafted from Santa Catarina, Portugal, it is a product made using German carbon steel, dry cut from a single billet of the stamping steel material.
And the carbon composition in this one is at 1.4116. The blade, a stainless steel alloy, is highly resistant against degradative processes such as rusting and corrosion, remains rigid and durable, and the sharpness of the blade lasts over considerable periods.
Furthermore, the blade can also be re-sharpened in case the edges somewhat lose their razor-like characteristics. This knife is given a Rockwell rating of 56-58 after heat treating and subsequent cooling during the forging process.
Moreover, the entire line is one-piece stamped, bringing to you consistent blades in their strength from the tip to the bottom of the handle.
As for the handles, they’re extra-sized, hygienic, specifically shaped polypropylene. It’s a beneficial attribute as it makes sure your hands remain as comfortable as possible, even if you work in the rigorous environment of a commercial kitchen.
You will find a use for it in just about every cooking task. The service and precision offered will make you choose it for your cutting and chopping, time and time again.
Pros
- Made of German stainless stamped steel alloy, durable and robust
- Resistant against processes such as corrosion and rusting, long-lasting
- Carbon composition within steel material is at 1.4116
- Handles made of extra-sized hygienic polypropylene, very comfortable
- The blades are good at remaining sharp over time, and heavy use
Cons
- A bit expensive
4. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
Our final entry has been a staple in kitchens both at home and in restaurants run by professionals. Whether you are cooking your Sunday brunch or dealing with an order from a customer, this is a go-to knife that can handle almost anything that you may be preparing.
This craftsmanship is exquisite, and the tapered stainless steel edge cut through the toughest of textures with complete ease. Whether mincing, chopping, or slicing, this all-purpose knife, and its laser-tested razor-sharp blade will undoubtedly have you covered.
Furthermore, this edge is ground to an exacting angle, maximizing the cutting efficiency and helping retain sharpness for longer. The structure and design are tailor-made for maintaining balance when working.
Its handle has an ergonomic model and features a thermoplastic elastomer. The grip it provides is not prone to slipping. Even when wet, your hand will not be sliding off this handle.
As for maintenance, it is relatively easy to clean, and you can safely use a dishwasher to get rid of the problematic stains without worrying about the blade getting damaged in any way.
And the customer service is also up to the standards. If you have any questions regarding the product, you can ring their customer service, and they will help you in any way they can.
Pros
- Versatile, all-purpose knife, suitable for professionals and home cooking
- Tapered stainless steel edge that can cut through most textures
- Edge has an exacting angle for better sharpness retention
- Ergonomic handle made of thermoplastic elastomer, no slipping if wet
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy use
5. Newild Kitchen Knife 8 Inch Chefs Knife
Kicking us off is our top pick, this beautiful steel knife from Newild. Made of high carbon German stainless steel, 7Cr17, it solves the first durability issue with its top-quality material. The entire thing is rustproof.
In terms of actual function, its crafted manual edge offers excellent sharpness and lets you get through most of your daily kitchen work with the utmost ease. The design also makes sure your cutting is adhesion-free and does not leave bits stringing along the blade’s edges.
The knives underwent precision forging, with extremely high temperature generating methods and cryogenics to create an extremely sturdy product. It also brings you a heat-treated cast for vastly enhanced performance when in use.
The ergonomic structure design looks after your hands as you work, ensuring they don’t get too sore.
Once done with your cutting, the knife is easy to clean. Something which becomes very important as a knife gets older and the more you use it. You may use a soap and a duster cloth afterward for drying. It also makes for good visual appeal with its wave-patterned blade.
Pros
- Made of German stainless steel for durability and robustness
- Wave patterned blade
- Precision-forged with high-temperature forge and cryogenics
- Ergonomic handle design for increased comfort of the user
- Easy to clean with soap and dry with a duster cloth
- Stiff blade offering good sharpness for cutting
Cons
- A bit heavy
Buying Guide: How To Pick The Best Knife Under 50
We talked about several criteria when we reviewed each of our products. Now, we go into more detail and consider what to look for when deciding on a knife.
Material
Arguably the most crucial aspect of a knife is the blade, and hence it is critical you pick one made of suitable quality metal. Carbon stainless steel alloys appear in most chef knives, and the best ones often have a carbon percentage of over 0.3.
A chef knife made of good steel will be more robust, resistant to damage, and ensure you won’t have to buy another one in a long time.
Blade
As the most critical component of a knife, it goes without saying you can’t buy one without paying extra attention to the blade. We talked about precision-forged blades. These are made for different hardness and retaining their sharp edges over extensive usage.
It is a helpful guide to look for these features to ensure that the product you buy is worth it. The Rockwell rating is another helpful metric. Generally speaking, 56-58 on this scale is an excellent standard.
Some blades have the option for re-sharpening; this could be another handy aspect to want in your knife.
Ease of Cleaning
After use, your knife will be dripping with juices, and various bits of meat and vegetables will be clinging to the blade. You would want to be able to clean all this up without much of a hassle.
Many knives these days are dishwasher-friendly, meaning you can automate the entire cleaning process and help save yourself a significant amount of extra effort.
Watch this video.