Looking for one reliable knife that can handle most of your everyday cooking? A good chef knife should be comfortable to control, sharp enough for clean cuts and versatile enough to move from vegetables and herbs to boneless meat, fish and larger ingredients without constantly changing blades.
In this guide, we compare five of our top rated cooking knives across different blade styles, steels and budgets. Whether you're looking for your first serious kitchen knife, a Japanese-inspired Kiritsuke or an everyday chef knife, these picks are designed to help you narrow down the right option for the way you actually cook.
Our best overall pick is the Sea Creature Series 21 cm Kiritsuke Chef Knife for cooks who want a versatile AUS-10 Damascus blade with a precise, Japanese-inspired profile. If you prefer the familiar curved shape of a classic chef knife, choose the Sea Creature 21 cm Chef Knife. For a more affordable everyday option, the Raven 20 cm Chef Knife uses durable German stainless steel at a lower price point.
Quick Comparison: Our Top Rated Cooking Knives
There isn't one chef knife that's automatically right for every cook. Blade shape, steel, weight and budget all affect how a knife feels in your hand. Here's the quick comparison before we break each option down.
| Knife | Our Pick | Blade | Steel | Best For | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Creature Kiritsuke | Best Overall | 21 cm | 45-Layer AUS-10 Damascus | Versatile prep & precise slicing | View → |
| Sea Creature Chef Knife | Best Classic Profile | 21 cm | 45-Layer AUS-10 Damascus | Everyday home cooking | View → |
| Bondi Beach Kiritsuke | Best VG-10 Pick | 20.5 cm | 67-Layer Damascus, VG-10 Core | Japanese-style cutting feel | View → |
| Dark Tessellation | Best Modern Design | 21 cm | 45-Layer AUS-10 Damascus | Performance with bold styling | View → |
| Raven Chef Knife | Best Budget Pick | 20 cm | 1.4116 German Stainless Steel | Everyday durability & value | View → |
Prices and availability may change. Check each product page for current pricing and stock.
The 5 Best Chef Knives in Our Range
1. Sea Creature Series 21 cm Kiritsuke Chef Knife
Best for: Cooks who want one versatile knife with a flatter, precise Japanese-inspired profile.
The Sea Creature Series 21 cm Kiritsuke Chef Knife is our top overall choice for cooks who want a distinctive all-purpose blade. Its Kiritsuke-style profile has a straighter cutting edge and more pointed tip than a conventional Western chef knife, making it particularly useful for controlled chopping, slicing and detailed prep.
The blade uses 45-layer AUS-10 Damascus construction and is paired with a full-tang resin handle. At 21 cm, it gives you enough blade length for larger ingredients while remaining practical for everyday kitchen preparation.
2. Sea Creature Series 21 cm Chef Knife
Best for: Home cooks who want a familiar all-purpose chef knife shape with premium Damascus construction.
If you want the materials and visual character of the Sea Creature Series but prefer a more traditional chef knife profile, this is the better choice.
Its 21 cm 45-layer AUS-10 Damascus blade works well across the jobs most home cooks perform every day: chopping vegetables, mincing herbs, slicing boneless meat and general meal preparation. The curved chef knife profile is also familiar to cooks who use a rocking motion on the cutting board.
The full-tang resin handle adds balance and control, while the 21 cm blade gives you a practical middle ground between smaller utility knives and longer specialist blades.
3. Bondi Beach Series 20.5 cm Kiritsuke Chef Knife
Best for: Cooks looking for VG-10 steel, Japanese-inspired geometry and a distinctive resin and wood burl handle.
The Bondi Beach Series Kiritsuke takes a different approach from the AUS-10 knives above. It uses a VG-10 core with 67-layer Damascus construction and a 20.5 cm blade.
Its relatively straight cutting edge and pointed tip suit controlled slicing and chopping, while the octagonal resin and wood burl handle gives the knife a noticeably different feel and appearance from a conventional Western chef knife.
This is not really the “budget” option the old version of this guide suggested. It sits close to the Sea Creature Series in price. Choose it because you prefer its VG-10 construction, handle shape and Bondi-inspired design, not because you're simply chasing the cheapest Damascus chef knife.
4. Dark Tessellation Series 21 cm Chef Knife
Best for: Cooks who want everyday chef knife versatility with darker, more modern styling.
The Dark Tessellation Series Chef Knife combines a traditional all-purpose chef knife shape with a striking dark blue honeycomb resin handle.
Its 21 cm blade uses 45-layer Damascus construction with an AUS-10 core and a full-tang design. That makes it suitable for the broad range of prep tasks you'd expect from a primary kitchen knife, including vegetables, herbs, fruit and boneless proteins.
Functionally, it competes closely with the Sea Creature Chef Knife. The deciding factor for many buyers will therefore be the handle, finish and overall visual style rather than a dramatic difference in intended use.
5. Raven 20 cm German Stainless Steel Chef Knife
Best for: Home cooks who want a straightforward, durable everyday chef knife at a lower price.
The Raven Chef Knife is the clearest value option in this comparison. Instead of Damascus construction, it uses a single-layer 1.4116 German stainless steel blade with a 55–57 HRC hardness rating.
Its 20 cm chef knife profile is suited to everyday chopping, slicing and general preparation, while the full-tang construction and black ebony handle give it a solid, traditional feel.
The German steel is softer than the AUS-10 and VG-10 options above, but that isn't automatically a disadvantage. For a home cook who values straightforward maintenance and durability over layered Damascus construction, Raven may make more sense than paying extra for the premium finishes.
How We Chose These Cooking Knives
This comparison focuses specifically on knives available from Chef Supply Co rather than pretending to be an independent ranking of every chef knife on the market. We compared the five knives based on the factors that matter most when choosing an everyday cooking knife.
Blade Steel
Steel affects edge retention, hardness, corrosion resistance, sharpening and how the knife behaves during regular use.
Blade Shape
Traditional chef knives suit rocking, chopping and general prep, while flatter Kiritsuke profiles favour controlled slicing and push cutting.
Versatility
We prioritised knives around 20–21 cm because this size provides enough blade length for most everyday kitchen tasks without becoming unnecessarily cumbersome.
Value
The most expensive knife isn't automatically the right knife. Materials, construction and intended use need to justify the difference in price.
Handle & Control
Handle material, shape and balance affect how confidently you can guide the knife through repeated preparation.
Everyday Practicality
A primary chef knife should work across vegetables, herbs, fruit and boneless proteins instead of being limited to one specialist task.
If you want a deeper explanation before choosing, read our guide to choosing a chef knife in Australia .
What Should You Look for in a Good Chef Knife?
1. Choose a Blade Size You Can Control
For many home cooks, a chef knife around 20–21 cm (approximately 8 inches) is a practical all-purpose size. It provides enough cutting length for larger vegetables and proteins without feeling as specialised as a long slicing knife.
Smaller hands do not automatically require a shorter knife, and bigger isn't automatically better. What matters is whether you can comfortably control the blade, particularly at the heel and tip.
For more detail, see our kitchen knife size guide .
2. Think About How You Cut
A traditional chef knife has more curve through the cutting edge, making it familiar for cooks who use a rocking motion to mince herbs and chop ingredients.
A Kiritsuke-style knife usually has a straighter edge and more pronounced tip. That profile can feel excellent for controlled slicing and push cutting, but someone accustomed to a heavily curved Western chef knife may need a little time to adjust.
3. Don't Choose Damascus for Appearance Alone
Damascus layering creates the distinctive patterned appearance seen across many Chef Supply Co knives, but the core steel is still an important part of the decision.
In this comparison, the Sea Creature and Dark Tessellation knives use AUS-10, the Bondi Beach Kiritsuke uses a VG-10 core, and the Raven uses 1.4116 German stainless steel.
4. Choose the Knife You'll Actually Maintain
Even a premium chef knife will lose performance if it's stored badly, washed in a dishwasher or used on hard surfaces such as glass and stone.
Hand wash and dry quality kitchen knives after use, store the blade so the edge is protected, and hone or sharpen it when needed. You can read our complete knife care and sharpening guide for more detail.
AUS-10 vs VG-10 vs German Stainless Steel
The steel name shouldn't be the only reason you buy a knife, but understanding the broad differences makes comparing these five models easier.
| Steel | Found In | General Character | Good Choice For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS-10 | Sea Creature, Dark Tessellation | Hard stainless steel used in performance-focused kitchen knives | Cooks prioritising edge retention and Damascus construction |
| VG-10 | Bondi Beach Kiritsuke | Hard stainless Japanese knife steel capable of taking a fine edge | Cooks wanting VG-10 with Japanese-inspired styling |
| 1.4116 German Steel | Raven | Softer stainless steel with straightforward durability and maintenance | Everyday home cooking and value-focused buyers |
So, Which Chef Knife Should You Buy?
If you want one versatile premium option, start with the Sea Creature Kiritsuke. It combines a practical 21 cm size with AUS-10 Damascus construction and a more precise Japanese-inspired shape.
If you prefer a conventional chef knife, choose the Sea Creature 21 cm Chef Knife. If VG-10 and an octagonal handle appeal to you more, choose the Bondi Beach Kiritsuke. Pick Dark Tessellation if you want similar premium performance with darker styling.
And if you simply want a good everyday knife without paying extra for Damascus construction, the Raven is the most logical place to start.
You can also compare more shapes, materials and designs in our complete chef knife collection or browse all Damascus chef knives .
Frequently Asked Questions About Chef Knives
What is the best cooking knife for everyday use?
For most everyday cooking, a chef knife around 20–21 cm is one of the most versatile choices. It can handle vegetables, herbs, fruit, boneless meat and general meal preparation. If you prefer a conventional curved blade, choose a traditional chef knife. If you prefer flatter cutting and precise slicing, consider a Kiritsuke-style chef knife.
What size chef knife is best for home cooks?
An 8-inch or approximately 20–21 cm chef knife is a practical starting point for many home cooks because it balances cutting length with control. The ideal size ultimately depends on your hand, cutting board, ingredients and preferred cutting technique.
Is a Damascus chef knife worth it?
A Damascus chef knife can be worth it if you value both performance-focused steel and the distinctive layered finish. However, Damascus construction isn't essential for everyone. A straightforward stainless steel chef knife such as the Raven can still be a strong everyday choice at a lower price.
Is AUS-10 or VG-10 better for a chef knife?
Both AUS-10 and VG-10 are stainless steels commonly used in higher-performance kitchen knives. Rather than choosing on steel name alone, compare the complete knife including blade geometry, hardness, handle, weight, construction and the type of cutting you prefer.
Should I choose a chef knife or a Kiritsuke?
Choose a traditional chef knife if you like a familiar curved blade that works naturally with rocking cuts. Choose a Kiritsuke-style chef knife if you prefer a flatter cutting edge, pointed tip and controlled slicing or push-cutting technique. Both can work as versatile everyday kitchen knives.
Can I put a quality chef knife in the dishwasher?
We recommend hand washing Chef Supply Co knives and drying them promptly after use. Dishwashers can expose the blade and handle to heat, harsh detergent and contact with other items that may reduce the life of the knife and its edge.
Why Choose Chef Supply Co?
Chef Supply Co is an Australian family-owned chef and kitchen store offering knives for home cooks, BBQ enthusiasts and professional kitchens. Our Chef Supply Co branded knives include a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and workmanship.
We offer a wide range of blade styles including chef knives, Kiritsuke knives, Damascus knives, Nakiri vegetable knives, boning and trimming knives, bread knives and long slicing knives.
Explore the Sea Creature Series , browse our full chef knife collection or shop all Damascus kitchen knives .
Find Your Everyday Chef Knife
From premium AUS-10 and VG-10 Damascus blades to straightforward German stainless steel, find the knife that fits the way you cook.
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