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Chef David's Recommendations
Shop Chef David’s picks by category
The knives, cookware, sharpening supplies, and kitchen tools our chef recommends to customers. Choose a category, or scroll down to browse every pick.
Knives
Cookware
Sharpening
Kitchen Tools
Appliances-
Wüsthof Gourmet 6-Piece Steak Knife Set
For a table of six, the Wüsthof Gourmet 6-piece steak knife set gives every guest a 4.5-inch knife with a straight edge. Gourmet knives are laser cut from one piece of steel, the way Wüsthof makes its non-forged lines, and they carry black handles with three rivets.Customers ask us for non-serrated steak knives, and this is a set Wüsthof confirms has a straight edge. That edge leaves a neat face on a steak or a pork chop, and you can hone and sharpen it at home on the tools you use for your kitchen knives. Serrations keep cutting longer between sharpenings, a reason restaurants choose them. At home, a few strokes on a honing steel before dinner keeps a straight edge ready.If you prefer the heft of a forged knife with a bolster, compare the Classic 6-piece steak knife set. All six fit the 6-slot steak knife block on the counter or in a cabinet. The Gourmet 4-piece steak knife set suits a smaller table. Our kitchen knife shapes guide explains how steak knives differ from paring and utility knives. Learn More$204.95 -
Mercer Genesis 8 in. Chef Knife
Precision Control for Professional Prep The Mercer Genesis 8-inch Chef’s Knife (M21078) is built to endure the rigors of a commercial kitchen while providing the surgical precision required for fine brunoise work. Unlike traditional forged knives that feature a thick, heavy bolster extending to the edge, this Genesis model utilizes a 'Modified Bolster.' In a busy kitchen, this design is a functional necessity; it allows you to utilize the full length of the blade and, crucially, ensures that you can sharpen the knife all the way to the heel on a whetstone without the metal guard obstructing your stroke. Tactile Performance and Balance When you grip the Genesis, the first thing you notice is the Santoprene handle. Even when your hands are slick with oil or moisture from a high-speed vegetable station, the textured polymer provides a 'tacky' security that reduces hand fatigue and prevents dangerous slips. The weight is centered at the transition point, providing a balanced feel that favors a rhythmic rocking motion. The forged high-carbon, no-stain German steel (X50CrMoV15) holds a 15-degree edge that bites into tough proteins and delicate herbs with equal efficiency. This isn't just a starter knife; it is a high-utility workhorse designed for those who spend eight hours a day behind a cutting board. Learn More$56.70 -
F. Dick 1905 Series 7 in Carving / Boning Knife
The Friedrich Dick 1905 Boning Knife is an excellent multi-purpose blade that is fully forged, with a reduced bolster for comfort. This knife uses an excellent blend of high carbon steel with a mix of chromium and molybdenum for reduced wear and increased edge retention. I've never seen this shape before in German steel, but it is one of my favorites. Excellent for removing silver skin from tenderloins or veal legs. Great for trimming fat from the backside of ribs. Can be used as any other boning knife, but I also find this shape to be much easier to re-sharpen. Learn More$88.40 -
Mercer Genesis 3 1/2 in. Forged Paring Knife
Surgical Precision for the High-Volume Kitchen When handling intricate tasks like deveining shrimp, scoring citrus, or removing seeds from jalapeños, the weight and balance of your paring knife dictate your speed and safety. The Mercer Genesis 3.5" Forged Paring Knife (M20003) is engineered to bridge the gap between heavy-duty commercial durability and the delicate touch required for decorative garnishes. Unlike stamped alternatives, this knife features a fully forged bolster that provides a physical transition point for your fingers, offering a secure pinch grip even when working with wet produce. Crafted from X50CrMoV15 high-carbon German steel, the blade offers a predictable, rigid response during tip-work. The 50/50 bevel is hand-honed to a razor edge, allowing it to glide through tough skins on apples or tomatoes without compressing the flesh. In a professional setting, the Santoprene handle is the standout feature; it provides a soft, slip-resistant texture that reduces hand fatigue during three-hour prep shifts. This isn't just about marketing—it’s a tactile advantage that keeps the knife stable in your palm even when covered in oils or juices. The full-tang construction ensures that the blade's energy is transferred directly to your hand, providing the sensory feedback necessary for precision peeling and fine dicing. Learn More$26.55 -
Mac Professional 9.7 in. (245mm) Mighty Chef Knife
The Mac Professional 9.7 in. (245mm) Mighty Chef Knife is modeled after a traditional French chef's knife; the tip is vertically positioned at the center of the blade. This is a highly functional shape that creates a very smooth rocking motion while maximizing the amount of contact the knife makes with the cutting board. This blade shape helps the user work quickly, maximizing efficiency, something especially important for professional cooks or anyone processing large amounts of food. This is a workhorse that can be relied upon as your primary knife. This particular model is Meghan's favorite chef knife. The 240mm length is long enough to suitably cut even the largest produce without becoming unwieldy. Although honing is not necessary with this blade, MAC knives can be easily maintained with a steel honing rod which will significantly extend time between sharpenings. We highly recommend this knife and are very confident that you will find it to be a great addition to any collection. Learn More$234.95 -
Robert Welch Signature 9 in. Carving Knife
Master the Art of the Perfect Slice with Award-Winning Ergonomics The Robert Welch Signature 9-inch Carving Knife is more than a kitchen tool; it is a precision instrument designed to move through proteins with zero resistance. When you first grip the handle, the tactile feedback is immediate. Developed in consultation with professional chefs, the ergonomic handle features a unique bolster that provides a secure thumb rest and a comfortable finger guard, ensuring your hand doesn't fatigue during high-volume slicing tasks. The 9-inch blade is forged from high-quality X50CrMoV15 German stainless steel, hardened to 55-56 HRC. This specific hardness provides the ideal balance between extreme sharpness and the toughness needed to avoid chipping when navigating around poultry bones or dense holiday roasts. During testing, the long, thin profile of the blade allowed for long, sweeping strokes that produce uniform, restaurant-quality slices without the jagged 'sawing' effect common with shorter, duller blades. Whether you are carving a delicate smoked salmon fillet or a heavy prime rib, the weight distribution of this knife remains centered in the palm. The blade is ground at a precise 15° angle, offering a level of sharpness that rivals Japanese cutlery while maintaining the robustness of European steel. This is the definitive tool for the host who values presentation and the chef who demands technical reliability. Learn More$70.95 -
MAC 5-inch Pink Kid's Knife
The Mac 5 in. Kid's Knife is the perfect gift for a child that is interested in cooking. Have them learn to mince, dice, chop and slice with this handy little knife. After use, rinse the knife by hand with soapy and water, and make sure it's dry before putting it away. The Mac kid's knife was designed to provide children with a truly functional knife that has several safety features to maximize safety. The blade is constructed of Mac's molybdenum stainless steel and is quite sharp along the cutting edge. However the tip and heel of the knife have been rounded and dulled to prevent accidental nicks. The handle is oval and thin for small hands, and made of Lamar resin, which is both comfortable and slip-resistant. There is a hollow area designed for the index finger to make it easy for a child to apply the proper downward cutting pressure. Blade length is 5 inches, with a handle length of 4 inches. Of course, these should be used with adult supervision, but this is an excellent way to introduce children to the fine are of cooking in the safest possible manner. We highly recommend this product. Learn More$31.95 -
I.O. Shen 6.7 in (170mm) Boning Knife
This I.O. Shen is longer than most boning knives at 6.7 inches. It can be difficult to find Japanese steel in a Western boning knife shape. The U.S. market tends to use softer steel boning knives requiring regular honing. This is an excellent option for someone who wants better sharpness and edge retention. A unique modified VG10 steel that is tough. I am comfortable recommending this knife for breaking down fish, poultry and meats, removing silver skin, etc. If you are going to be scraping bones for "Frenching" chops and that type of task, go with a softer steel. Learn More$189.95 -
Victorinox Rosewood 10" Curved Breaking Knife
Engineered for the Deck and the Butcher Block The Victorinox 10-inch Curved Breaking Knife (SKU 5.7200.25) is a specialized tool designed for the high-intensity demands of professional meat and fish processing. Originally developed for 'breaking' primal cuts from hanging sides of beef, this knife has evolved into a legendary piece of equipment on the sport fishing boats of San Diego (our original hometown) and commercial fisheries across the West Coast. Its unique geometry allows for the smooth processing of large-game saltwater fish with a level of control that standard fillet knives simply cannot match. Constructed from high-carbon martensitic stainless steel, the 10-inch blade provides a superior balance between edge retention and ease of maintenance. In a high-volume environment where you are processing 40+ lbs of protein, the ability to quickly hone the edge back to a razor-sharp state is critical. The scimitar-style sweep of the blade is specifically designed for long, singular draw-cuts, reducing the need for 'sawing' and ensuring the integrity of the muscle fibers. The handle is crafted from modified maple wood—often referred to in the industry as the Rosewood line—providing a traditional, warm aesthetic without compromising on the rugged durability required for wet environments. The ergonomic shape ensures a secure grip even when processing slick, fatty cuts or working on a moving vessel. This isn't just a kitchen knife; it is a specialized industrial tool built to endure the rigors of commercial butchery and professional angling. Learn More$79.99 -
Wüsthof Gourmet 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
Straight edges and laser-cut blades make Wüsthof’s Gourmet 4-piece steak knife set a non-serrated choice for four. It is the smaller version of the Gourmet 6-piece set and uses the same knife design with a riveted black handle.If you are deciding whether non-serrated steak knives are right for you, consider what you serve. A straight edge glides through tender beef and roast pork and leaves neat slices, and it can be maintained in your own kitchen. A serrated knife suits a cook who never sharpens, since its teeth keep biting after the edge wears. With a hand-held sharpener or a steel in the drawer, a straight edge is the better match.Gourmet knives are made without forging, which keeps them light in the hand at the table. Chef David recommends this set to anyone looking for a cost-effective, functional set of steak knives. For forged steak knives, see the Classic 4-piece set, or the Classic Ikon 4-piece set with its curved handle. Six guests call for the Gourmet 6-piece steak knife set, which has two more of the same knife, and a 6-slot block stores either set. See our knife shapes page for more on blade styles. Learn More$134.95
