This Lesser-Known Brand’s Chef’s Knife Is My Go-To for Everyday Meal Prep — and I Wish I’d Discovered It Sooner

A reliable chef’s knife is an essential cornerstone of any home cook’s tool arsenal. Versatile, sturdy, and designed with an ergonomic handle to make those tedious slicing, dicing, and chopping tasks more manageable, a chef’s knife is what I reach for most frequently in my own kitchen for weeknight meal prep. So, when I heard about new, under-the-radar cutlery brand Kilne — a direct-to-consumer brand dedicated to providing chef-worthy knives at affordable prices — I knew I had to give their sleek, budget-friendly knives a stab. Had to!

My favorite knife so far from the lineup: Kilne’s 8-inch Chef’s Knife, which I’ve been using on the regular for the past month or so. At a very reasonable $50 price point, this knife has already blown me away with its sharpness, comfortable feel in-hand, and overall polished aesthetic. It’s become my go-to for weeknight dinner prep. More on that below.

This classic chef’s knife is a versatile do-it-all knife, since the tip of the blade is designed for finer cuts like julienning bell peppers and carrots, while the full blade can handle heavier lifts like chopping tough root vegetables or slicing through thick cuts of meat. Kilne’s Chef’s Knife features an 8-inch, German steel blade, a full bolster, and is fully forged. The strong, sharp blade is ideal for both cutting and chopping tasks, and I’ve found it to be especially handy (a beast, really) when chopping uniform chunks of harder root veggies like carrots, parsnips, and ginger. It’s also great for chopping crunchy, fibrous veggies like celery and leeks.

Over the years, I’ve tested out quite a few chef’s knives at various price points (full disclosure: Many have been well over the $100 price point and have not impressed me or lasted over time). This particular chef’s knife has given me confidence for tougher chopping tasks and is actually really fun to use for slicing into snappy, crunchy veggies or greens. The snap of this blade against my wood cutting board is actually strangely soothing, and the slightly heavier handle makes it feel grounded and centered in my hand as I cut.

If you’re on the hunt for a new direct-to-consumer cutlery brand or searching for the perfect holiday gift for your friend who loves to cook, I recommend this practical, everyday Chef’s Knife from Kilne. Check out their new space-saving Magnetic Knife Strip, handsome Steak Knife Set, and popular Essential Knife Set, too, while you’re at it.

Buy: Kilne Chef’s Knife, $50