As a home cook, I spent most of my life using dull, cheap knives. It wasn’t until I started testing chef’s knives earlier this year that I realized how important it is to invest a little bit in the tool you’ll most likely be using every day for years (or even decades if you keep up with maintenance).
I didn’t realize that using a cheap, very dull knife as my daily driver was slowing down my cooking process, making less effective cuts, and even putting me at risk of injury, as the blade was dull and caused me to apply more pressure (which in turn made things more dangerous). I’m a believer in the importance of investing in A Good-Ass Knife.
Plus, they make seriously wonderful presents. Every kitchen (and home chef) needs a solid chef’s knife to slice, dice, and chop ingredients with speed and precision. Most people get knife sets (which I think are baloney, BTW) for wedding presents and then slack on proper maintenance, causing the knives to dull and degrade quickly.
Chances are, the person you’re shopping for this holiday season (even if it’s yourself!) needs a better go-to knife for their kitchen. I’m absolutely obsessed with these gorgeous, USA-made chef’s knives from New West KnifeWorks. Each is a practical, elegant gift that’s sophisticated but out of the usual norm, like a cashmere sweater or gift card. And they’re 20 percent off for Black Friday (through December 2).
Want a wider range of deals? Check out the Absolute Best Black Friday Deals roundup and our Black Friday liveblog to find more bargains this sale weekend.
Generally, a chef’s knife has a super-sharp end point and a curved, sloping edge designed to work with a natural rocking motion to make for quick chopping that also allows for finer cuts. I have a small hand, so I love this more petite chopper knife option for quick tasks that require more fine chopping, like a mirepoix or herbs.
The blade on this USA-made, 5-inch chopper is constructed from particle metallurgy steel, a popular choice for chefs because it stays sharp, keeps an edge well, is stain-resistant, and is generally super tough. The blade is seamlessly integrated into the handle for more balance, and the handle is made of a nearly indestructible aerospace-grade, fiberglass-epoxy composite material available in several stylish colorways (so you can personalize it for the person you’re gifting it to). Plus, it comes with a beautiful leather sheath for safer storage.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
New West Knifeworks
Joy Bauer 6-Inch Chef Knife
Similar to my pick above, this luxe New West KnifeWorks knife is absolutely gorgeous, with a bold red-and-white handle and an accompanying embossed leather sheath. (Again, who wouldn’t love this as a gift?!) It’s perfect for the amateur or home chef. Created in collaboration with nutritionist and TV personality Joy Bauer, this 6-inch Santoku knife has a downward blade and a sturdy top slope, and is made from American-made 440C stainless steel. Unlike the other pick above, which is a traditional German chef’s knife style, this has a straighter edge used for precision. With this Japanese Santoku-style knife, you’ll cut straight down to using the whole blade at once, or just the pointed tip for precise, thin cuts.
