F. Dick Premier Plus 6-inch Chef’s Knife

Cooks who value agility pick a 6-inch chef’s knife, and this Premier Plus model gives close control for mincing herbs, cutting julienne strips and dicing vegetables. The shorter blade is quick in the hand and easy to steer.

It suits a small kitchen or a small board, and cooks with smaller hands find it more comfortable than an 8-inch blade. The tip sits closer to the hand, which helps with fine work such as removing seeds from peppers or scoring meat. The edge holds well and hones back quickly.

A 6-inch blade also travels well in a knife roll and fits a small drawer. Cooks who prep in a tight space find it easier to move around a crowded counter. It is also a good first knife for a teenager learning to cook.

For larger produce and longer cuts, the Premier Plus 8-inch chef’s knife is the all-round size. The Premier Plus 5.5-inch granton edge santoku is an alternative for push cuts, and the 6-inch utility knife is narrower at the same length.