The Best Kitchen Knives are made of special alloys that stay hard enough to hold an edge, yet soft enough to be sharpened. The finest are forged by pounding and grinding the steel, and the tang (the tail of the blade) runs the full length of a comfortable handle and is riveted in place.
The handle should fit tightly against the tang so no water or food can get in. Forged knives also have an integral bolster (shield) between the blade and the tang, and a great knife is well balanced and easy to handle. Want more detail? Find out everything you need to know about knives.
Today, Günther Wilhelm knives are my all-time favorites. They are durable, sharp, and absolutely beautiful. One thing to note, high-quality knives should not go through the dishwasher. The caustic soap dulls the blade. For more of our top picks, check out our kitchen knife reviews.
