Knives are probably the most important tool you can invest in. To choose a good chef knife, whether you are a professional chef or simply a cooking novice at home, you will need to select a knife that is most suited to your needs. When choosing a knife there are many aspects to think about such as suitability, handling, comfort, sharpness, durability and cost.
I strongly recommend an eight-inch chef knife. A person with small hands might be more comfortable with a six-inch knife while a nine or 10-inch knife will work better for someone with larger hands.
In terms of cost, there is huge variance in price between different brands. More expensive knives are made of harder steel which is sharper and maintains its sharpness longer than cheaper knives. These will cut far more easily and last a lifetime.
A sharp knife needs less effort to cut and makes the job easier and safer.
