Joybuy Insights

Buying Kitchen Knives: How to Choose the Right Chef’s, Meat and Steak Knives for the Job

Anyone looking to buy a kitchen knife will quickly find a wide range of blade shapes, materials and brands. For home cooks, barbecue enthusiasts, meat lovers, catering businesses and households, however, it is not just about a low price or eye-catching product description. What matters is whether the blade length, edge shape, handle and care requirements suit the intended use.

Common mistakes when buying knives

1. Blade length is confused with versatility

A 20 cm meat knife can be suitable for roasts, poultry and larger cuts. For smaller cutting tasks, however, a blade of this length may be less manoeuvrable. A 15 to 17 cm knife can be easier to control in many households. With a ham knife, on the other hand, a longer blade of 22 to 25 cm can be useful when you want to cut large, even slices.

2. “Extra sharp” says little about everyday usability

Marketing terms such as “professional sharpness” or “long-lasting sharpness” are no substitute for technical details. Look out for:

  • Blade material, such as stainless steel or high-carbon steel
  • Blade length and edge shape
  • Sharpening and care instructions
  • Construction of the handle and blade-to-handle transition

A forged kitchen knife may be stable by design. That does not automatically mean it is suitable for every task. A cleaver is designed for powerful, straight cutting movements, while a carving knife should glide through cooked meat to produce clean slices.

3. Dishwasher suitability is treated as optimum care

The statement “dishwasher-safe” is convenient, but it is not the gentlest solution for every knife. Heat, detergents and contact with other cutlery can put greater strain on the edge and handle. For this reason, hand washing is recommended for several products, even where dishwasher use is possible. Knives should be dried immediately after washing and stored safely in a knife block, on a magnetic strip or with a blade guard.

Check these parameters before buying

Blade shape suited to the task

  • Chef’s knife: For vegetables, herbs, meat and general food preparation. A straight or slightly curved edge supports different cutting techniques.
  • Meat knife: For raw meat, roasts and goulash. A longer, narrow blade can make it easier to achieve even cuts.
  • Carving knife and ham knife: Particularly suitable for roasts, ham and large cuts of meat. Lengths of around 20 to 25 cm are often practical.
  • Boning knife: A narrower blade helps separate meat along the bone.
  • Cleaver or chopping knife: For heavy-duty cutting tasks. The blade should be specifically designed for this purpose. Bones, frozen foods and hard objects should only be cut if the manufacturer permits it.
  • Steak knife set: For serving at the table. Straight edges cut differently from serrated edges and should match your preferred use.

Material and construction

Stainless steel is easy to care for in everyday kitchen use and resistant to corrosion. High-carbon steel can offer high hardness and good edge retention, but requires careful cleaning and drying. Hardness specifications, such as HRC, are only meaningful when considered alongside the overall construction.

A forged kitchen knife is often described as having a sturdy blade construction and a pronounced bolster. A full tang can affect the balance and stability. These features should be checked against the specific product details and are not, on their own, proof of suitability.

Handle, balance and cleaning

An ergonomic handle should sit securely in your hand and remain easy to control, even with wet hands. Plastic handles are often straightforward to clean. Wooden handles, on the other hand, require more care and should generally not be soaked or cleaned in the dishwasher.

Do not cut on glass, stone or ceramic boards, as these surfaces can blunt the blade more quickly. Wooden or suitable plastic boards are more practical for many kitchen tasks.

Our selection by user profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Victorinox Swiss Classic Series Chef's Knife Slicing Knife 19 cm Orange

Victorinox Swiss Classic Series Chef's Knife Slicing Knife – 19 cm – Orange

Why this product suits this profile: The 19 cm chef’s and slicing knife handles typical tasks involving meat, fruit and vegetables. Its plastic handle has an ergonomic design, and the product is described as dishwasher-safe.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The blade length and clearly described intended use help prevent buyers from choosing a heavy cleaver for everyday cutting tasks. Nevertheless, the supplier recommends hand washing to extend the product’s service life.

Main benefit & strengths

19 cm stainless steel blade, ergonomic plastic handle and made in Switzerland according to the product details.

Suitable for: Buyers seeking high quality
ZWILLING Professional S Meat Knife 20 cm

ZWILLING Professional S Meat Knife – 20 cm

Why this product suits this profile: This meat knife is aimed at users who want to prepare raw meat, roasts, poultry and goulash with a 20 cm blade.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product details explicitly specify hand washing and rule out use on bones, frozen foods and hard objects. This clearly defines the knife’s intended purpose.

Main benefit & strengths

Forged 20 cm stainless steel blade, FRIODUR ice hardening according to the manufacturer, plus finger protection and a three-rivet handle.

Suitable for: Special uses & frequent users
Wangmazi Household Kitchen Knife for Forging Bone and Pork Rib Chopping

Wangmazi Household Kitchen Knife for Forging, Bone, and Pork Rib Chopping

Why this product suits this profile: This cleaver is designed for heavy-duty cutting of meat and pork ribs, making it more suitable for barbecue enthusiasts, meat lovers or anyone processing larger cuts.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Its robust design makes the intended use clear. This type of cleaver is not the right choice for fine carving or decorative slices.

Main benefit & strengths

Forged construction, carbon steel and an ergonomic, non-slip handle according to the product description.

Suitable for: Hosts and barbecue gatherings
Victorinox Swiss Classic Steak Knife Set 6-piece

Victorinox Swiss Classic Steak Knife Set, 6-piece, 11 cm

Why this product suits this profile: The set of six steak knives is suitable for households, barbecues and smaller catering operations that require several table knives.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The straight edge is clearly stated. Buyers therefore receive six matching steak knives for the table, rather than an unsuitable carving knife.

Main benefit & strengths

Six stainless steel blades with straight edges, ergonomic PP handles and dishwasher suitability according to the product details.

Looking for more options?

We have put together a complete, regularly updated list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the safety regulations applicable in the EU.

Care and safe storage

Whether you are buying a Victorinox kitchen knife, a WMF KINEO knife or a ZWILLING kitchen knife, proper care affects its service life:

  1. Clean the blade as soon as possible after cutting.
  2. Use warm water, mild washing-up liquid and a soft sponge.
  3. Dry knives immediately and do not store them loose in the cutlery drawer.
  4. Use a suitable honing steel or whetstone in line with the blade manufacturer’s recommendations.
  5. Do not use knives on frozen foods, bones or hard objects unless they are expressly designed for this purpose.

FAQs about buying kitchen knives

Which kitchen knife is best as a first knife?

A chef’s knife with a blade length of around 17 to 20 cm is a practical starting point for many households. If you mainly cut meat, you could choose a meat knife or carving knife instead. Steak knives are a sensible separate purchase for serving.

How long does a kitchen knife stay sharp?

This depends on the steel, frequency of use, cutting surface, technique and care. Hard surfaces such as glass or ceramic, as well as contact with other pieces of cutlery, can affect the edge more quickly. Regular, correct sharpening helps maintain the knife’s usability.

Are kitchen knives dishwasher-safe?

Some models are described as dishwasher-safe. Nevertheless, hand washing is recommended for many knives, as heat, detergents and knocks can put strain on the blade or handle. The care instructions for the specific product should always be followed.