This Is Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Chef’s Knife

Anthony Bourdain has a lot of very strong opinions. He hates Johnny Rockets, Unicorn Frappuccinos, the third slice of bread in the middle of a club sandwich, and people who put too much soy sauce on sushi. One thing he loves, though, is a really good chef’s knife, and it turns out he’s remained pretty loyal to one over the years.

Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Chef’s Knife: Global G-2 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $100

Bourdain still loves the knife he first recommended when his best-selling memoir Kitchen Confidential came out in 2000. Bourdain ranted passionately about how much he despised knife sets. He wanted home cooks to forget about all those big blocks full of expensive knives they’d never need and just get one really good chef’s knife: the Global G-2 Chef’s Knife.

According to The Daily Meal, Bourdain is still sticking with that recommendation. At the premiere of his new documentary, Wasted: The Story of Food Waste, Bourdain told the audience that 17 years and countless knives later, he still recommends the Global.

“As a starter chef’s knife, the Global is pretty good for a first timer,” he said.

At $100, it falls somewhere in the middle of the chef’s knife spectrum, and for that price point, it’s a great value: It’s lightweight, with a smooth grip a lot of people love, and it keeps its edge, which means easier prep work for you.

For what it’s worth, we also think Globals look really cool. Sure, practical concerns come first with knives, but when you’re cooking with something every day it’s pretty cool to cut with a knife that makes you feel like a badass.

Bottom line: The Global is a great knife, and one of the most popular options for people who think, “I just want to get one really good chef’s knife. What should it be?”

Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all chef’s knife. It’s a matter of size and shape, and whether or not the knife feels good in your hand and is comfortable to use. That’s why you should try to choose a knife in person if at all possible, so you can feel it in your hand and know for sure if you like it.

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What’s your go-to chef’s knife?