Best Chef Knife Under 25 [Best 10 of 2023]

A knife is an essential kitchen tool you can’t do without. Being here means you need a chef knife and a perfect one. You don’t want to spend so much but want quality knives. Don’t worry; I have a list of the best chef knife under 25 that can give you a superb kitchen experience.

You want to look like a top chef in the kitchen, right? Well, this piece gives you a list of budget knives that can get you there. It also includes how you can know if that knife is right for you or not.

Things to Consider Before Buying Kitchen Knife Under 25 Dollars

Not all chef knives under the $25 price tag are good or recommendable. Regardless of what some manufacturers say, some are not up to standard. Some of those statements are just silly ways they use to promote the product and make more sales. Not all are good enough for use.

You might want to use the best budget chef knife, but there are some things you need to consider. These tips are essential and can help you out anytime you wish to make a decision on which knife you think is best.

1. Balance

The balance of every knife is too important. Working with a knife without the right balance won’t be easy. A well-balanced knife behaves like an extension of a chef’s hand. So, a chef executes a cut where he wants. He can focus on his performance, not on controlling the blade.

You can find some knives blade-heavy, some handle-heavy, and some with the balance point in the middle, near the bolster. You should wisely select the best one among all the variations.

Blade-heavy knives can generate more power during cutting; they are the best choice for heavy cutting. On the other hand, handle-heavy knives are not for heavy cutting. Generally, these blades are long and thin. They are dedicated to filleting and cutting through fish and meat, not to motion cutting.

Think you need a blade for chopping vegetables; go with too much push cut and rock and roll cutting. It would be best if you had the blade with the middle balance.

2. Strength

A strong chef knife gives you a good result when you use it. How much steel material was used in manufacturing that knife is essential. It helps you know just how strong the knife would be.

If the knife has a welded point, don’t pick that knife. It would do you no good.

3. Weight

Weight is another crucial aspect to check out when choosing a knife. If you are used to cutting more solid stuff, you should go for the weightier kitchen knives. On the other hand, if you want speed and precision, then you can select lightweight knives.

4. Material

Check out the material used in making the chef knife. It tells you a lot about how long such a knife would last and how strong it would be.

The handle is often made of either wood, plastic, or tough resin. You should select chef knives made from high-quality resins or hardwood. Do not select bone-made handles as they wear out quickly.

Blades made from ceramic and steel are very good as well. It can be easy also to sharpen these types. Ceramic-made blades can also hold the same level of sharpness for months without getting blunt or wearing off. Ceramic and high-carbon steel-made knives are the most recommendable on the market.

5. Durability

If you want a knife that can give you high-level durability, you might want to go for steel-made knives. They possess an excellent cutting edge. You might also have to purchase a sharpening stone alongside your chef knife.

6. Grinding Angle

It is most neglected but one of the essential features to consider.

Let’s consider some common questions:

How sharp is this knife?
How long will the sharpness retain?
Can I be able to cut hard ingredients with this knife?
Can I be able to fine-cut using this blade?

How a knife can cut, how long it can retain its sharpness, and which ingredients it can cut all these answers depend on how sharp the grinding angle is.

Most chef’s knives have an angle between 15 to 20 degrees, while some have less than 15. The fewer the angle, the sharper the blade is, and the more cutting ability.

Select the blade with a sharper grinding angle if you need more delicate and precise cuts. The edge may go dull quickly if you try a solid piece of stuff with this one.

The blades with larger angles don’t have the precise cutting ability as the previous ones have. But the edges are more stable and can retain their sharpness for a long. So you can cut solid stuff like whole chicken, hard root vegetables, etc.

Why did we choose these 10 chefs’ knives for under $25?

A knife must have minimum qualities to be considered a good chef knife. It needs to be sharp, durable, and well-balanced. It is a must; it should be comfortable to use. The handle should be designed ergonomically to reduce wrist fatigue.

Unfortunately, all the requirements in a single knife are not generally possible, especially for under 25 dollars. We did deep research and found the best ten blades under $25 for you. All the knives reviewed here come with excellent sharpness and durability and are balanced well and comfortable.

Though all knives are not perfect for everyone, after reading this article, you will be able to decide for yourself which one is the best fit for you.

List of 10 Best Chef Knives Under 25 Dollar

10 BEST CHEF KNIFE UNDER 25

Here is a list of the top 10 cheap chef knives under $25. Here we listed the knives that are balanced, easy to use, durable, and have long-lasting sharpness.

So let’s dive deep into it.

1. Utopia Kitchen Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife 8 Inch – Best overall

Utopia Kitchen 8 inches chef knife performs and feels like an expensive model, but inexpensive. This blade is made with a mix of stainless steel and carbon. That’s why it doesn’t gather patina over time. It is out-of-the-box sharp like you can shave hair with it. This knife retains its sharpness for a long time.

This stainless steel blade allows you to re-sharpen it easily. It comes with a thick spine that makes the blade stronger for complex tasking.

It comes with a full tang handle that ensures maximum strength when cutting heavy things. This triple-rivet black handle looks pretty nice. It has a bolster to ensure the safety of your finger and the balance issue as it is a long blade.

This blade is a super performer in a home kitchen or even in a restaurant. You can easily handle cutting from small fruits to large ones like watermelon, pineapple, and even harder ones like carrots.

Its ergonomic handle will give you extra comfort, and its thick spine will allow you to put extra pressure when cutting a big piece of meat.

Specifications

Blade Material	Stainless Steel, Carbon
Handle Material	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Blade Length	8 inches
Weight	0.63 pounds
Dimension	11.9 x 3.3 x 0.5 inches
Manufacturer	Utopia Kitchen
Uses	Almost all types of kitchen tasks

Recommendation

Utopia Kitchen 8 inches chef knife comes with a safety sheath for extra protection, and it has a full bolster for index finger protection. Undoubtedly these features are very newbie-friendly. It is going to be the best choice for the new chefs.

Find more about this piece here.

2. Babish High-Carbon 1.4116 German Steel 8″ Chef Knife – Best Value Knife

If you are a professional cook or not finding a good quality knife on a low budget for fine slicing, this piece is an excellent fit for you, even under $25. It’s a lighter and out-of-the-box sharp one.

As a result, you can cut through all the vegetables and meats without extra effort.

With this blade, you can gather a next-level experience of chopping onion feel like a hundred-dollar one. The blade of this knife is made with high-carbon steel, ensuring it will not get dull quickly over time.

As a result, it doesn’t lose its edge fast, even after regular use. Moreover, it is not tricky to resharpen it. The smooth surface is easy to clean after use.

This one is a full-tang blade that ensures balance and a long life of the blade. The Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) handle is long-lasting and resists all types of corrosion over time.

In addition, the handle has been designed ergonomically for working for a long time with ease and comfort.

Handle heavy knife, suitable for those who love pinch grip to control the blade. It is better for cutting through soft ingredients; even cutting for hours will not affect your wrist.

Specifications

Blade Material	High Carbon German Steel
Handle Material	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Blade Length	8 Inches
Weight	0.71 Pounds
Dimension (package)	15.55 x 3.54 x 1.38 inches
Manufacturer	Gibson Overseas, Inc
Uses	All Types of Culinary Uses

Recommendation

Babish High-Carbon 1.4116 German Steel 8″ Chef Knife will be an excellent option for those who need a blade for cutting through a large number of soft vegetables at a glance.

You can read more about this piece HERE.

3. JapanBargain S1550 – Best for Sushi and Sashimi

Popularly known as Masamato, Japan Bargain S1550 is a well-made Japanese Sushi Yanagiba Sashimi Knife. It is made out of carbon stainless steel with a wooden handle. It is one of the most quality blades for a price tag under $25.

The knife is multifunctional and can be used by both amateur and expert users.

JapanBargain S1550 is resistant to stains and gives the user total control.

Because of its neat cuts, it is mostly used for cutting fish and making sushi and seafood. It is also used for chopping and dicing vegetables and spices. Due to its thinness, it can cut pieces of meat into steaks.

JapanBargain can be maintained by handwashing. This one is a great choice because of its durability and less expensive rate.

It is a single-bevel knife and this model is designed for only right-handed persons. Those who cut with your left hand, please, don’t go with this one.

Specifications

Blade Material	Japanese High Carbon Stainless Steel
Handle Material	Wood
Blade Length	8.26 inches
Weight	0.1 pounds
Dimension	16x6x1 inches
Manufacturer	JapanBargain
Uses	Home and restaurants.

Recommendation

JapanBargain S1550 is reliable for cutting sushi. It cuts into thin and precise sizes due to its thin blades. Visit Amazon to purchase yours.

4. Sabatier Stainless Steel Hollow Handle 8-Inch Chef Knife with EdgeKeeper Self-Sharpening Sleeve – Best for the New Chefs

Unlike other models under 25, Sabatier Stainless Steel 8-Inch Chef Knife comes with a hollow stainless steel handle. Sabatier makes the handle hollow to reduce the weight and ensure balance.

It makes the knife more robust and more durable. Moreover, this ergonomic stainless steel handle increases the overall looking of the blade.

Another unique thing is the self-sharpening sheath of this knife. It will automatically sharpen the blade when you put it into and out of it. That means you resharpen your blade before and after uses.

All these make the blade outstanding from all other low-budget chef knives.

The high carbon stainless steel blade ensures the sharpness and durability of the knife. So that you can perform chopping, slicing, as well as all cutting with ease and comfort. This Sabatier 8-inches knife comes with a full bolster for the safety of your index finger, especially for new chefs. Also, it will ensure balance as well.

As it’s an 8-inches long blade, you can easily cut through significant cuts of beef.

Specifications

Blade Material	Stainless Steel
Handle Material	Stainless Steel
Blade Length	8-Inches
Weight	0.65 Pounds
Dimension	13.58 x 2.28 x 0.71 Inches
Manufacturer	SABATIER
Uses	All Types of Kitchen Cutting Task

Recommendation

Sabatier Stainless Steel 8-Inch Chef Knife is unique for its self-sharpening sheath and hollow handle. It is recommended for new chefs, especially for its resharpening sheath and full bolster.

Read more here.

5. EUNA 8-Inch Forged Chef Knife with Knife Bag & Gifted Box – Best Classic-looking Knife

Unlike other models, the EUNA 8-inch forged chef knife comes with a classic-looking forged textured blade for rust and corrosion-resistance experience. In addition, this non-sticky blade is very easy to clean.

Made with a fine-processed dark green color wooden handle, EUNA Chef Knife also has its blade Coates in a dark gray texture.

Unlike other budget knives, it is an all-purpose kitchen knife. The wooden handle is gorgeous looking and very good for balance. In addition, this ergonomic design handle will minimize wrist tension during heavy cutting.

The high-quality knife is a non-stick one for preventing rust and corrosion.

EUNA Chef Knife is made of high-carbon stainless steel. In addition, it comes with a Rockwell hardness score of 56+ HRC to ensure rust and corrosion resistance.

The exciting matter is it has a nice-looking box and a portable knife bag. You can gift it to someone who loves cooking. The bag ensures extra security and allows you to carry it safely for outdoor activities.

It is mainly used for cutting vegetables, fruits, etc. Both amateur and professional chefs can use it. The knife must be cleaned after use and placed in a dry location for better performance.

Specifications

Blade Material	High Carbon Stainless Steel
Handle Material	Fine processed wood
Blade Length	8 inches
Weight	‎13.1 ounces
Dimension (package)	15.63 x 8.35 x 1.34 inches
Manufacturer	EUNA
Uses	All Types of Culinary purposes

Recommendation

The EUNA Chef 8″ Knife is a high-quality knife that can be used by any chef, from entry-level to professional level. Visit Amazon through the link below to grab yours.

Here you can find more.

6. Victorinox Black Swiss Classic Chef’s 6″ Straight Blade – Best Lightweight Knife

Victorinox Black Swiss Classic Chef’s 6″ Straight Blade is a lightweight Swiss stainless-steel blade with a plastic handle. The handle is designed to maintain a firm grip even while wet. It is an essential knife that serves the user’s culinary purpose.

The Black Swiss is slightly different from the Fibrox Pro’s Chef knife because of its handles. This cheap knife has a super sharp edge that lasts for a long period. It is good for cutting, dicing, and chopping vegetables.

The Black Swiss gives the user value for their money.

Specifications

Blade Material	High carbon stainless steel
Handle Material	Plastic
Blade Length	6 inches
Weight	‎4.8 ounces
Dimension	39.8 x 9.5 x 1.9 centimeters
Manufacturer	Victorinox, formerly Forschner
Uses	Go to knife for almost all kitchen tasks

Recommendation

Victorinox Black Swiss Classic Chef’s 6″ Straight Blade is a multifunctional knife used as cutlery and for kitchen tasks. It is also very affordable.

Click here to read more.

7. Mercer Culinary Millennia Colors Chef’s Knife, 8 Inch – Best Performance Knife

It will surprise you how sharp and durable a blade can be at such a lower price as under 25 dollars. Although, yes, this Mercer Culinary 8-inch blade is very sharp, you may feel the blade is doing the cutting itself; you are the guide only.

The handle will fit nicely in your hand, even if you have a big or a small hand. This ergonomic handle allows you to cut for a long time but with no wrist tension. It has textured dots to ensure maximum grip when cutting.

Moreover, it will protect your finger from an accidental cut as it has a finger guard.

This knife is very easy to resharpen; even a beginner can do it quickly, and it never takes too much time to resharpen it.

You can use it for all sorts of cutting like slicing, dicing, and chopping for a long time as it is lightweight. The belly of this knife is not flat or not very curved. You can use it equally for push cutting and rock and roll cutting. It allows you to dice onions to cut through meat with ease.

Specifications

Blade Material	High-carbon Japanese steel
Handle Material	Santoprene
Blade Length	8 Inches
Weight	‎0.45 pounds
Dimension	17.5 x 1 x 4.13 inches
Manufacturer	Mercer Tool Corp.
Uses	All culinary uses

Recommendation

Mercer culinary millennia 8 inch is an excellent knife in this price range. It would be the best fit equally for a pro chef and an amateur chef.

Find more and get your piece here.

8. AIDEA 8-Inch Chef Knife – Japanese Steel, Military Grade, Ultra-sharp Knife – Best Design Knife

Made from Japanese Steel, AIDEA 8-inch Chef Knife has thin blades for cutting, dicing, mincing, chopping, etc. Its nicely curved blade allows you to perform rock and roll cuts smoothly. In addition, this one has an extremely sharp blade with 10-14 degrees of sharpening angle.

As a result, you can cut precise slicing, mincing, and even cut through a large piece of beef with a single push.
They have stainless steel handles with an excellent grip and are comfortable. This ergonomically designed handle is balanced and can reduce wrist fatigue.

It has a non-stick coating to prevent rust and corrosion. However, despite its high quality, AIDEA Chef Knife is not for cutting bones.

This blade can retain its edge for long and comes with an accessible resharpen technology. It is effortless to clean though a dishwasher is not recommended.

This one comes with a lovely box which can be used as a gift for your loving person.

Unlike other chef’s knives under $25, it comes with a lifetime warranty in case of any damage or break. So, this one would be a perfect one for hassle-free kitchen prep.

Specifications

Blade Material	Japanese stainless steel
Handle Material	Stainless Steel
Blade Length	8 Inches
Weight	1.6 pounds
Dimension	14.76 x 5.39 x 1.77 inches
Manufacturer	AIDEA
Uses	All types of detailed and precise cutting

Recommendation

AIDEA Chef Knife, High Carbon German Stainless Steel, is a professional, high-quality knife for multipurpose use.

Get it HERE.

9. Kiritsuke Chef Knives Carbon Steel Bunka Knife Forged – Most Versatile Knife

Kiritsuke Chef Knives are made from high-carbon Manganese steel and are created with extra hardness for edge retention. This material also prevents rustiness and corrosiveness.

Its textured bolster will significantly help when you need to pinch grip. This feature is also helpful for new chefs. Even a cook with a giant hand can use this 8-inch blade with ease.

If you are a big fan of a big knife but don’t have enough money to buy one, for now, you should go with this one.

Their handles are full tang for firm handling and balance. A full-tang handle ensures the intensity of the blade during the heavy cutting tasks. This knife is a bit weight but balanced enough to slice easily.

The knives are very sharp, strong, and durable. Though it is cheap, these qualities are comparable to pricy knives.
This one is unique among all the knives under 25 USD for its all-around performance.

You can use it to cut heavy things as it is weight enough. In addition, you can slice through using this one without any extra effort as it’s a “zero balance” chef knife.

Specifications

Blade Material	German high carbon stainless steel
Handle Material	Laminated wood
Blade Length	7 inches
Weight	15.5 ounces
Dimension (package)	12.05 x 4.76 x 1.54 inches
Manufacturer	DRAGON RIOT
Uses	Home and restaurant

Recommendation

Kiritsuke Chef Knives Carbon Steel Bunka Knife Forged is a well-balanced model that is efficient for butchering and other kitchen tasks.

Place your order HERE.

10. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife, 5-Inch – Best for Home Chef’s

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 5 Inches Chef’s Knife is a knife specially made for home chefs. However, it is also good for professional use.

An amazing fact about Victorinox Fibrox Knife is its diversity; it is usable for many household chores. Made of a stainless steel body with sharp edges that hardly go dull, Victorinox Fibrox is European-made stainless steel.

It also has a graspable handle that reduces wrist pains. Very suitable for cutting or dicing both soft and hard items. The 5-inch Victorinox Fibrox possesses an edge that allows constant resharpening.

The knife is affordable, durable, and available for purchase in both online and walk-in stores.

Specifications

Blade Material	Stainless steel
Handle Material	Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
Blade Length	5 inches
Weight	2.89 ounces
Dimension	10 x 1.25 x 0.75 inches
Manufacturer	Victorinox, formerly Forschner
Uses	Kitchen tasks

Recommendation

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is a handy kitchen tool with good value for its cost, like under 25 USD. It is very sharp and durable. You can use it for almost all vegetables without the large ones.

To purchase this knife, you can visit the Amazon page through the link HERE.

Conclusion

Getting the best chef knife for your kitchen can be hard, especially with a budget as low as $25. But regardless, you can always get something wonderful for that price.

Above is the best budget knife review; anyone can use them in home and restaurant kitchens. Each one has its properties, which vary according to the purchaser’s requirements. Also, all knives are maintained by cleaning or hand washing.

They are affordable at low prices on Amazon.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Chef’s knife?

The best chef knife can differ from user to user. A few customers can prefer their best chef knife to have wooden handles. A few others don’t mind the plastic.

Regardless, there are still some standout chef knives that can top and list. For example, try the Zwilling Professional 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, Mercer Culinary Millennia Black Handle 12-Inch Chef’s Knife, or the Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.

What is the best cook’s knife if money is no object?

If money is no object, I would prefer you go for the DALSTRONG Chef Knife 6-inch Shadow Black Series.

What is the best everyday carry fixed-blade knife for under $25?

You can find many fixed-blade knives at that price. However, I will advise you to buy the MoraknivCraftline Basic 546 Fixed-Blade Utility Knife at around $15.

What’s the best chef knife for under $25?

Utopia Kitchen 8 inches chef knife is a great chef knife that you can get for less than $25. So you get value for your money.

What is the best Chef’s knife for a serious but not professional cook?

The Victorinox Fibrox Pro. It has great quality, sharp edges, and good balance. Also, it is affordable.

As a professional chef, what should I have in my case apart from knives, as I have all of them?

There are many essential kitchen tools a chef must-have. They measure spoons and cups, wine openers, can openers, cutting boards, honing sets, peelers, etc. These tools come in handy throughout the process of cooking.

What is the difference between a cheap chef’s knife and an expensive one?

A cheap knife might lead to hand and wrist fatigue, while the expensive one is ergonomic and has a good balance. In addition, cheap knives require constant resharpening, unlike expensive ones that are very sharp.

Who makes the best chef knife for around $25?

Many manufacturers have high-quality chef knives that are cheap. These manufacturers are Victorinox, Babish, Mercer, Sabatier, etc.

What is the best brand of Chef’s knife?

Wusthof and Henckels are the best brands that produce long-lasting knives with great quality.

Which one is a good chef knife for $25 or under?

The Mercer Culinary Millennia Colors Chef’s Knife, 8 Inches is a great choice. It isn’t expensive but very durable.

Is it possible to buy a decent chef’s knife for $20-30?

Yes. There are many chef knives within that price range that are durable. However, proper care and maintenance determine how long a knife would last.