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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-
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 -
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 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 -
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
