Sorting through a large number of knife options can be very overwhelming, especially as a beginner or when you are not an expert on knives. Maybe you want something cheap or the best Chinese chef knife in the market. We’ve done the hard work and gotten the best Chinese knives just for you to pick from.
Top 6 Best Chinese chef knives we’ve reviewed in 2023
KITORY Cleaver Chinese Chef’s Knives
This is a beautifully designed vegetable cleaver with a pear wood handle that is the perfect length for a comfortable grip. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious for your kitchen, this might be a perfect choice. The cleaver has a curved blade that is ideal for cutting larger pieces of food, and it’s also equipped with a stainless steel end cap that adds a smooth finish to the knife. It’s made from high-carbon German steel with an HRC of 56, which makes it very durable. However, you may need to sharpen it more frequently than other knives because it doesn’t retain its edge as well. Overall, this cleaver should last you a long time.
Pros
- The grip design on this knife is excellent, providing good control and balance.
- The knife is also very strong and resistant to corrosion.
Cons
- The blade may lose its sharpness over time and may even be shipped slightly dull.
TUO Vegetable Cleaver Chinese Chef’s Knife
This vegetable knife is for anyone fond of beautifully designed premium cutlery. It looks like it has been made with a high level of precision and care and made from high-quality steel and wood. The handle is made from African Pakkawood, and the blade is made from High Carbon German stainless steel, giving it a smooth, premium finish and bolstering the knife’s strength.
Pakkawood undergoes a treatment procedure that permanently seals the wood’s pores, making the handle more resistant to water and splitting, prolonging its life significantly. If you’re searching for something efficient for chopping and dicing, then this might be a perfect choice. It has a hardness rating of 56, meaning that it would retain its sharpness for an extended period while remaining durable and robust.
Pros
- The cleaver is heavy, making chopping a more effortless process.
- The blade seems to be properly resistant to corrosion.
- The knife is reasonably priced and affordable for most.
Cons
- The spine is not rounded off, and may cause discomfort after extended use.
- The blade may be little too thick for some, still incredibly sharp, but could cause inaccuracy when cutting thin slices.
DDF IohEF Chinese Chef’s Knives
If you’re looking for a high-quality Chinese chef knife that won’t break the bank, this one could be it. It offers great value for money without sacrificing quality, so you can get a great cleaver without having to spend a lot of money. The knife is a single unit with a hollow handle and a comfortable grip. The 15º double-sided blade edge is sharp and easy to use for both left and right-handed users, with a hardness rating of 56 to 58.
However, the lightweight design of this cleaver means that it may be less sturdy than other types of cleavers, so you’ll need to take extra care when using it. If you need a knife for cutting bones, this may not be the best choice, as it’s designed for cutting vegetables, and using it to chop through bones could damage the blade.
Pros
- Affordable and cost-effective.
- Includes a hard-cased safety box with an information booklet on how to take care of the knife.
- It has grooves for a comfortable grip.
Cons
- The cleaver’s balance might feel weird due to the slim handle and might even wobble when placed down on a counter or board.
- The blade could get damaged if used on anything too hard, like meat bones, or anything solid.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef Knife
The Henckels cleaver is a high-quality tool that can be valuable for chopping and slicing tasks in the kitchen. It is made in Germany from German stainless steel, which is known for its durability and sharpness. If you are looking for a reliable and sophisticated knife that can easily handle a variety of vegetables, this is a brand to consider.
Our research has shown that this might be one of the best Chinese chef knives available, despite its German origin. The knife has a hardness rating of 57, which allows it to retain its sharpness for a long time while maintaining its strength. The 15º edge angle ensures that the blade is razor-sharp, and it has been ice-hardened for added durability.
However, the high-quality manufacturing process used by Henckels comes with a higher price tag. If you are willing to invest in a premium knife, this could be a great option for you.
Pros
- The knife is lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to handle in the kitchen.
- Its triple-riveted handle adds durability.
- The knife has high corrosion resistance, making it resistant to rust and staining.
Cons
- The handle is made from plastic, which may crack or split under high tension. This can affect the overall durability of the knife, so it is important to handle it with care and avoid using it for heavy-duty tasks.
Mercer Cutlery Chinese Chef’s Knife
Japanese-style blades are typically very sharp, with hardness ratings above 60. However, the Mercer knife has a lower hardness rating of 51-54, which makes it more durable but less sharp. This trade-off between sharpness and durability may be a factor to consider when choosing this knife.
Pros
- If you want a knife that will last a long time, the cleaver is a great option.
- It has an antique look that can add a touch of charm to a modern kitchen.
Cons
- The handle may be a bit oversized, which could reduce your control while cutting.
- The blade may not stay sharp for very long due to its lower hardness rating.
SHI BA ZI ZUO Chinese Chef Knife
Preparing meals for family and friends can be a joy, but it can also be a lot of work for the person stuck in the kitchen. A good companion, like this cleaver, can make meal prep much easier and more efficient. The cleaver is sharp and has a hardness rating of 56-58, giving it a good balance of strength and effectiveness. It also has a beautiful rosewood handle for added stability. There are a few things to be aware of, however. The cleaver sometimes comes with stickers on the blade that can be difficult to remove and may leave a sticky residue. Additionally, the handle has a small folded piece of steel at the back and lacks an end cap, which may affect its appearance.
Pros
- This knife offers good value for money.
- It has a perfect weight, not too heavy or too light, which allows for good control.
- The blade has a non-stick coating that prevents vegetables from sticking to it, and also provides corrosion resistance.
Cons
- The finish of the knife is not great, with hard-to-remove stickers and no end cap.
- The handle is not full tang, which makes this knife weaker.
If you’re looking for a chef’s knife, there are a few important features to consider. While all knives may look similar, there are important differences that can make a big difference in terms of durability and performance. By taking the time to understand these differences, you can avoid buying a knife that doesn’t last, even if it looks good.