Testing and reviewing the best chef’s knives for home cooks
Consensus Summary
The Guardian’s two articles focus on testing and reviewing chef’s knives for home cooks, with Ben Lippett conducting rigorous evaluations of 14 knives over two weeks. Both articles agree that the Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife (20cm) is the best overall, while the Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife (20cm) stands out as the best budget option at £43. Key consensus includes avoiding dishwashers, using knives only for appropriate tasks, and prioritizing hand cleaning and proper storage. Helen Symonds’ advice on knife care—such as steering clear of stones, bones, and frozen food—is uniformly supported. Article 1 delves deeper into blade geometry, handle comfort, and specific recommendations for different chopping styles, while Article 2 highlights logistical challenges in sourcing and testing the knives. Both emphasize that a well-chosen knife can be a lifelong investment, but personal preference and ergonomics are critical factors. The articles also stress the importance of testing knives in person to ensure comfort and balance, as no single knife fits every user.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ben Lippett tested 14 knives over a fortnight for The Guardian, focusing on tasks like dicing shallots, slicing tomatoes, and chopping herbs.
- The Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife (20cm) was named the best chef’s knife overall by Ben Lippett in both articles.
- Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife (20cm) was selected as the best budget knife, priced at £43.
- Helen Symonds, a knife specialist, advised against using knives on stones, bones, frozen food, or hard surfaces like steel or glass.
- Ben Lippett recommended avoiding dishwashers for knives, emphasizing hand cleaning and proper storage on magnetic racks or in boxes.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife was priced at £137.11 at the time of writing (mentioned in Article 2 but attributed to Article 1’s context).
- The Sabatier Cook’s Knife (25cm) was named the best workhorse western-style knife, and the Allday Goods Maldon Santoku Knife (16cm) was the best Japanese-style knife.
- The Blenheim Forge Santoku Knife (17.5cm) was labeled the best investment knife, and the Opinel N°118 was recommended for beginners.
- The article emphasized blade length correlation with hand size, suggesting 20cm as optimal for most home cooks.
- Damascus forged knives were criticized for being style over substance, prone to chipping, and requiring meticulous care.
- The Asahi chopping boards were recommended as the best for knife longevity and structural durability.
- Helen Symonds advised oiling wooden handles with food-safe oil and avoiding knife blocks due to potential blade damage or grot buildup.
- Ben Lippett’s professional background includes writing a bestselling cookbook and developing recipes for a large social media audience (@dinnerbyben).
- The article detailed specific chopping techniques (e.g., western-style rocking vs. Japanese freeform) and recommended a minimalist knife collection for most home cooks.
- The Victorinox Fibrox was described as ‘razor sharp and well balanced’ by Ben Lippett, referencing his early cooking career experience.
- The Guardian Food Quarterly collaborated with Ben Lippett to test the knives, with Lily Smith handling sourcing and delivery logistics.
- Lily Smith encountered delivery challenges, including ID verification and missed attempts due to being away from her phone.
- The article mentioned the unboxing of knives in an office earned ‘funny looks’ from colleagues.
- The focus of testing was on fine work (e.g., slicing tomatoes) and brute force (e.g., chopping herbs), with edge retention observed through daily tasks.
- The article included tangential content about unrelated topics like spring cleaning, travel with young kids, and product recycling.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states the Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife costs £137.11, while Article 2 does not provide this specific price but attributes it to Article 1’s context (no direct contradiction but unclear pricing attribution).
- Article 1 explicitly mentions the price of the Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife as £137.11, but Article 2 does not repeat this figure, only referencing it indirectly.
- No direct contradictions in core knife recommendations or care advice between the two articles.
Source Articles
‘Buy this, and you’ll be set for life’: the best (and worst) chef’s knives – tested
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