The 7 Best Chef Knife Under $200 – Updated for 2022!
There are so many choices you may find when you search for the best chef knife under $200, like Japanese Knives & knives for cutting raw meat, but we have made an extensive research for you and come up with the following choices where you may find the one just right for you.
List of 10 Best Chef Knife Under $200 for 2022!
| Size | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wusthof Classic- Best Chef Knife Under $200 | 8 Inches | $119.95 |
| 2. Shun Classic- Runner-up Best Chef Knife Under $200 | 10 Inches | $135.95 |
| 3. Zelite Infinity- Best Damascus Steel Chef Knife Under $200 | 6-10 Inches | $124.97 |
| 4. DALSTRONG Shogun Series- Best High-End | 6-12 Inches | $129.43 |
| 5. Global Model X- Best Versatile Chef Knife Under $200 | 8 Inches | $119.95 |
| 6. MAC Knife MTH-80- Best User Friendly | 8 Inches | $114.95 |
| 7. Zelite Infinity- Best Multi-Layered High Carbon Chef Knife | 8 Inches | $144.97 |
| 8. Messermeister Oliva Elite Chef’s Knife - Best 8-inch Chef Knife | 8 Inches | $189.99 |
| 9. Cangshan Z Series 62731 High Carbon Chef Knife | 8 Inches | $119.99 |
| 10. KAN Core Chef Knife - Best Hammered Chef Knife Under $200 | 8 Inches | $139.99 |
1. Wusthof Classic - Best Overall Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- 5 Inch Handle
- Full tang triple riveted handle
- Weight 8.5oz
- Full Bolster and Finger Guard
- 58 Rockwell Hardness
- PTech Technology for sharper blade
Wusthof Classic 8inch, the best chef knife under $200 is classically made German knife that’s extremely well balanced.
Wusthof Chefs knives comes from one piece of high-quality carbon steel, that’s pounded into shape and then hardened to 58 Rockwell.
Wusthof chefs knife is sharpened with Wusthof speed tech edge technology which is one of the reasons why Wusthof chefs knives can be super sharp and very strong at the same time.
The polyoxymethylene handle of Wusthof kitchen knives has a nice shape to it and it’s really comfortable to hold. Wusthof classic 8 inch chefs knife is definitely the best chef knife under $200.
Many professional chefs prefer Wusthof knives for being one of the most trusted butcher knives because of its durability and the 8 inch length is extremely versatile to tackle a variety of food preparation tasks in your kitchen. Read the complete Wusthof Knives Review here.
2. Shun Classic - Best Runner-up Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 10 Inch Blade
- VG Max Stainless Steel Blade
- 68 layers of Damascus cladding
- Weight 8.6oz
- Pakkawood Handle
Shun chef knife, the runner-up chef knife under $200, is made of VG-10 steel which is considered to be the gold standard of high-end kitchen knives.
Shun uses VG max in its kitchen knives which is the upgraded version of VG-10. It’s harder it’s more resilient and it holds an edge better and it has 61 Rockwell hardness which they then grind down to a 16-degree angle.
Shun has put 34 layers of stainless steel on this chef knife which does a couple of things, it gives you this gorgeous Damascus finish, and because it’s stainless steel it’s very resilient to rust.
With the forged blade like all high-end knives, it is full tang and it goes into the black Pakkawood handle which is a compressed wood which again makes it very resilient to things like staining to water damage, etc.
With the ergonomically designed handle and blade, its comfortable for both right and left-hand users.
Overall, the 10” length of this chef knife can be a little harder to handle but the best thing is that you can have this chef knife in 6”, 8” and in 10” size variants. You can have sharpeners as well with 6” and 10”.
3. Zelite Infinity - Best Damascus Steel Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- Well Rounded Ergonomically Designed Handles
- 67 layer high carbon Japanese AUS-10 stainless steel
- Full tang double bevel knife
- Hand Sharpened at 12degrees
Zelite Infinity chef knives has proved over the past few years that this is not less than any other high-end well-renowned chef knives that are preferred by most of the chefs around the world.
Zelite chefs knife comes in perfect 8-inch length, which is preferred over 10” length. This chef knife has an ergonomically designed rounded handle that is comfortable on the grip and ultimately a lot easier to use and maneuver.
The military-grade G10 handle and 67 layers of high carbon Japanese AUS-10 stainless steel are handcrafted by the finest of Japanese craftsmen.
Zelite kitchen chef knife features full tang triple-riveted handle that makes it long-lasting and very sturdy. ZeLite Infinity chef knife under $200 comes with a lifetime warranty.
4. DALSTRONG Shogun Series - Best High-End Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- Hand finished edge with 8-12degrees on each side
- Nitrogen cooled for enhanced harness
- Full tang triple riveted handle
- AUS-10V Vacuum Heat Treated Japanese super steel
- 62+ Rockwell hardness
- 67 layers of premium high-carbon stainless
- 55mm blade width
DALSTRONG Chef’s knife is a great looking excellent chef knife that you can buy under $200.
DALSTRONG, the best budget chef’s knife, is hand sharpened from 8-12degrees each side. It is then Nitrogen cooled for that extra bit of hardness, flexibility, and corrosion resistance.
The full tang with triple-riveted handle makes Dalstrong Shogun series chef knife extremely balanced, robust and it puts a lot less stress on your wrist.
DALSTRONG 8inch chef knife features an ultra-sharp AUS-10V vacuum heat-treated Japanese steel cutting core at 62+ Rockwell hardness for extraordinary performance and edge retention.
This chef knife features 66 layers of premium high-carbon stainless steel to ensure exceptional strength, durability, and stain resistance.
5. Global Model X - Best Versatile Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- Cromova 18 stainless steel
- Hollow handle is filled with sand
- Ice tempered and hardened to Rockwell 56-58 degrees
- Stainless steel hygienic handle with signature dimple pattern
- 2″ blade height
- 4mm spine thickness
We all know Global makes some finest quality chef knives that are affordable and are user friendly for both starters and seasoned chefs around the world.
We have selected Global Model X in the list of best Chefs knife under 200 that has excellent built quality and performance.
Global Model X chef knife features Cromova 18 stainless steel that is exclusively designed for Global.
The Global Model X features a hollow handle filled with sand to keep the weight at a reasonable level that is more user friendly and which doesn’t stress your wrist at all.
The ice-tempered blade is hardened to 56-58 Rockwell hardness which holds the razor-sharp edge for a longer period of time that is more than expectation.
If you are a pinch gripper, you will find this handle design perfect for you. The handle has the signature dimple pattern which is non-slip. For some users, this could be one of the Cons of this chef knife, because the wood handle gives a more comfortable and non-slip grip for easy workability.
With the 2inch blade height, this chef knife gives you perfect knuckle clearance for comfortable use.
If you have no issue with the non-wood stainless steel handle than the Global Model X Chef knife has our full recommendation for you.
6. MAC Knife MTH-80 - Best User Friendly Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- 2.5mm blade
- Professional hollow edge blade
- Knife Length- 12.63 inches
- Pakkawood handle
- Blade thickness – 2.5 mm
- Hand wash is recommended
The knife we are looking at is the MAC 8 inch Professional Hollow edge Series chef’s knife made in Japan.
This well-balanced knife has a lightweight of 6.5oz and is made with high-quality molybdenum steel which offers superior edge retention and makes maintaining that sharp edge quite an easy job.
It has a Pakkawood handle that that is shaped for comfort as well as dimples on the edge of the blade to keep food from sticking to it.
It is highly recommended to hand wash this best chef knife under $200 for best and long-lasting performance.
This razor-sharp knife is great for home and commercial use and the thin 2mm blade allows the knife to easily cut slice and dice through almost any food.
7. Zelite Infinity - Best High Carbon Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel
- 45-layer High Carbon Stainless Steel
- 56mm Deep Blade
- 61 Rockwell Hardness
- Stain and Rust Resistant
- Ultra-Premium Leather Sheath
- Hand Finished 12degree Blade Sharpness
With the brand new introduction of the Zelite Infinity Executive Plus Series, Zelite has taken the chef knives to the next level.
The blade features AUS-10 steel 45 layer high carbon steel for max strength and robustness. The 56mm deep blade is wide enough where you get max knuckle clearance for comfortable and effortless workability.
With the tapered bolster, full tang, hump-back handle, and perfectly balanced design makes this chef knife a perfect companion for your kitchen work.
The blade is hand finished with 3-Step Honbazuke Method makes the blade extra sharp with 12degree sharpness per side.
Zelite Infinity Executive Plus Series, the best chef knife under 200, comes with a lifetime warranty with a money-back guarantee.
8. Messermeister Oliva Elite Chef’s Knife - Best 8-inch Chef Knife
Best Features:
- 8 Inch Blade
- Wood handle
- High-carbon steel blade
- Durable material
When it comes to a chef’s knife, Messermeister is one of the most trusted names in the industry. Their knives are built to withstand the rigors of the kitchen, and they have an impressive track record of customer satisfaction.
These best design chef’s knives under $200 are made from high-quality German stainless steel that resists stains and corrosion, and their blades are hardened for extra strength on the edge. They feature bolster-less handles so you can use the entire blade from heel to tip, which makes cutting through tough ingredients easy.
The industrial strength POM handle is dishwasher safe because it doesn’t absorb moisture or water, offers maximum control while you chop, slice, dice, and mince, and its ergonomic design makes them comfortable to hold while working.
This chef’s knife under $200 is perfect for a variety of kitchen tasks like mincing, slicing, and chopping.
9. Cangshan Z Series 62731 High Carbon Chef Knife
Best Features:
- Alloy steel blade
- 8-inch
- Full tang
- Stain resistant
- NSF international certified
The Cangshan Z Series 62731 High Carbon X-7 Damascus Steel Forged Chef Knife is one of the most durable knives that we’ve ever seen.
This knife is built from top-grade materials, and it features a full tang which provides excellent strength and balance.
The blade has a high carbon content, which means it will last you for years – even decades. It’s extremely durable and will keep going strong for many years. The Damascus steel is known to be very tough and durable.
This chef knife under $200 is an excellent choice for anyone, especially beginners, who wants to master their cutting skills.
This chef knife is made of high-carbon steel which has high tensile strength. This makes it ideal for knife blades that need to hold up to heavy usage.
The higher the carbon content, the harder the steel, and the more durable it is. This knife can be used on both utility knives and kitchen knives.
The Cangshan Z Series 62731 High Carbon X-7 Damascus Steel Forged Chef Knife is also well balanced, which means that it’s easy to handle. It has a well-balanced full tang which means that it is very stable and easy to use.
10. KAN Core Chef Knife - Best Hammered Chef Knife Under $200
Best Features:
- Hand Hammered
- 8-inch length
- VG-10 Blade
- Ebony Wood Handle
- Alloy Steel Blade
The KAN Core Chef Knife is one of the best hammered chef knives that we’ve tested. It’s not only a great chef’s knife, but it’s also a good general-purpose knife. It’s made with Japanese VG-10 steel, which makes it stronger than traditional steel, and it has an incredibly sharp edge for its size.
The blade is 7.9 inches (200mm) long and weighs about 15.2 ounces. VG-10 steel is a high-end material for a chef’s knife, and it makes this one of the best hammered chef’s knives on the market.
It’s very strong, durable, and it retains an incredible edge for a long time. You can use this knife for all your cooking tasks.
The handle of the KAN Core Chef Knife is made from ebony wood. It’s comfortable to hold and it’s ergonomic too. The handle is comfortably heavy, so you won’t have to worry about it slipping in your hand when working.
The blade is well balanced, and it feels great in your hand. The balance point is at the pommel, which means that you can use a natural grip when you’re cutting.