Testing and reviewing chef’s knives for home cooks, focusing on performance, durability, and care
Consensus Summary
The Guardian’s two articles explore the selection and care of chef’s knives, with a focus on testing 14 knives by professional chef and food writer Ben Lippett. Both articles agree that the Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife (20cm) is the best overall choice, while the Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife (20cm) stands out as the best budget option at £43. Lippett’s testing involved practical tasks like dicing shallots and slicing tomatoes over a fortnight, emphasizing edge retention and comfort. Knife specialist Helen Symonds provided care advice, warning against cutting bones, frozen food, or using dishwashers, and recommending wooden or magnetic storage. Article 1 delves deeper into subjective factors like blade geometry, handle fit, and personal chopping preferences, while Article 2 focuses more on logistical challenges of sourcing and testing knives, including secure delivery processes. Both articles stress the importance of treating knives as precision tools rather than multipurpose tools, with Article 1 introducing concepts like the ‘beater knife’ for tougher tasks and detailed recommendations for various knife types. Contradictions arise in pricing specifics and personal anecdotes, but the core consensus remains on the top-performing knives and essential care practices.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
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 overall chef’s knife 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 cutting stones, bones, or frozen food to preserve knife edges
- No dishwasher use is recommended for knives, as it blunts the blade and damages handles (per Helen Symonds)
- Ben Lippett’s professional background includes writing a bestselling cookbook and working as a chef in the UK, Australia, and US
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 a different context; here, it’s framed as a general recommendation without a specific price)
- The Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife was described as ‘razor sharp and well balanced’ by Ben Lippett, referencing his early cooking career
- The Allday Goods Maldon Santoku Knife (16cm) was named the best Japanese-style knife, while the Blenheim Forge Santoku Knife (17.5cm) was the best investment knife
- The Sabatier Cook’s Knife (25cm) was labeled the best workhorse western-style knife, and the Robert Welch Signature Cook’s Knife (14cm) was the best small chef’s knife
- The Opinel N°118 Chief Multipurpose Knife was recommended as the best knife for beginners
- The article emphasized blade length correlation with hand size, suggesting 20cm as optimal for most users but noting larger hands may prefer north of 20cm
- Damascus forged knives were dismissed as ‘style over substance’ due to brittleness, chipping, and rusting tendencies
- The article detailed specific knife care practices, including oiling wooden handles, using a magnetic rack for storage, and avoiding steel sharpeners for Japanese knives
- The Asahi chopping boards were recommended as the best for longevity and kindness to knife edges
- The article included a personal anecdote about Ben Lippett’s 10,000 hours of knife testing and his decade-long professional cooking experience
- The ‘beater knife’ concept was introduced as a cheaper, tougher blade for tougher tasks to preserve premium knives
- The article advised against using knives on stainless steel or glass cutting boards due to blunting and noise
- The article mentioned that Ben Lippett’s audience includes millions across social media (@dinnerbyben) and is known for accessible home cooking techniques
- The Wüsthof Classic Chef Knife was priced at £137.11 at the time of writing (explicitly stated here)
- The article included logistical details about sourcing knives, such as some brands not selling online and requiring in-person visits to high-street shops
- The delivery process for testing knives involved ID verification and PIN codes for secure handling
- The article mentioned the unboxing of knives in an office setting earned ‘funny looks’ from colleagues
- The article briefly referenced unrelated topics like travel tips for parents, vacuum cleaners, and pressure washers, which were not present in Article 1
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states the Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife was the best budget knife without specifying a price, while Article 2 explicitly states its price as £43
- Article 1 mentions the Victorinox Fibrox Chef’s Knife was used by Ben Lippett at the start of his cooking career, but Article 2 does not include this personal anecdote
- Article 1 lists the Blenheim Forge Santoku Knife (17.5cm) as the best investment knife, while Article 2 does not mention this specific model or category
- Article 1 provides detailed recommendations for multiple knife categories (e.g., best small chef’s knife, best Japanese-style knife), while Article 2 focuses primarily on the Wüsthof and Victorinox picks without elaborating on other categories
- Article 1 includes a lengthy discussion on knife geometry, handle fit, and subjective preferences, while Article 2 does not delve into these details beyond the general testing process
Source Articles
‘Buy this, and you’ll be set for life’: the best (and worst) chef’s knives – tested
From budget to Japanese-style models, here are chef Ben Lippett’s sharpest picks for comfort, cut and cost after weeks of chopping. Plus, what to know before you buy • The kitchen gadgets top chefs ca...
Blades of glory (or not): what makes a chef’s knife truly great?
Our kitchen expert spent weeks chopping to find the blades that cut it. Plus, how to travel with kids, and the best tools for a home and garden spring reset • Don’t get the Filter delivered to your in...