Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Chef’s Knife Is on Sale Now

In Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain wrote that one good chef’s knife is all a cook really needs. Known for being outspoken and opinionated, Bourdain was not wrong. He hated when chefs became gear-obsessed and often said you don’t need a $500 knife to cook well. 

The knife Bourdain suggested is known for being tough and razor-sharp right out of the box. A one-piece construction process makes the Japanese knife lighter than heavy German knives and easier to clean. Best of all, this knife that met Bourdain’s standards is affordable for cooks of all abilities, not just professionals.

• 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $100, originally $160
• 7-Inch Vegetable Knife, $200
• 10-Piece Takashi Knife Block Set, $600
• 6-Inch Meat Cleaver, $180
• 5-Inch Cheese Knife, $90
• Ukon 4-Piece Steak Knife Set, $200, originally $350
• Ukon 9-Inch Bread Knife, $150, originally $180
• 8-Inch Kitchen Shears, $100, originally $130
• 7-Inch Herb Chopper, $130
• Chef’s Knife & Paring Knife Set, $140
• 10-Inch Two-Sided Sashimi Slicer, $150
• 40th Anniversary 5-Piece Knife Block Set, $300
• 6-inch Straight Spatula, $60

8-Inch Chef’s Knife

Whether you’re prepared for a full day of restaurant prep or simply cooking dinner at home, this 8-inch chef’s knife will make you feel like you’ve won a James Beard award. Weighing in at under 8 ounces, this knife is well-balanced and made to be comfortable, so it won’t leave your hand fatigued. You’ll appreciate how comfortable the uniquely dimpled handle is when slicing and how simple it is to clean when the job is done.

7.5-Inch Vegetable Knife

Don’t let the squared shape and aggressive rocker on this vegetable knife trick you into thinking it’s a cleaver. This knife is a secret weapon when it comes to making precision herb cuts, such as a chiffonade of basil or perfectly back-slicing chives. It’s also great for cutting denser foods like root vegetables and cheeses.

10-Piece Takashi Knife Block Set

Complete your cutlery collection with the Takashi knife block set. Each of the seven knives, the kitchen shears, and the ceramic sharpener is well-balanced and comes with Global’s signature dimpled handles. The bamboo block is stylish, taking up little room on your counter, and does a good job of keeping the set organized. 

6-Inch Meat Cleaver

You don’t have to be a butcher to appreciate how versatile this 6-inch meat cleaver can be. Although primarily designed for butchering and cutting through bones, its wide surface area and heft are perfect for smashing garlic cloves and mincing shallots so finely that they melt in the pan. You’ll enjoy how this cleaver feels powerful enough to chop through bones, but delicate enough for finely slicing herbs. 

5-Inch Cheese Knife

Repetitively cutting hard cheeses can be rough on your hands, but this cheese knife will give you a mechanical advantage. The super-sharp blade boasts a serrated edge and an offset handle, requiring less effort to make even slices. The blade has holes that reduce surface area and minimize friction, making slicing much simpler.  

Ukon 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

If you’re serious enough about steaks to have a dedicated set of knives, you may as well go with the best. Each of the matching steak knives in this 4-piece set is designed specifically for use at the dinner table. Its serrated blade keeps the knife sharp longer than a straight edge when cutting meats and vegetables on a ceramic plate. 

Ukon 9-Inch Bread Knife

Breadbakers probably don’t need me to explain how this extra-long, serrated bread knife gets the job done better than any other. For those of us who seldom bake, it’s the versatility of this knife that sets it apart. Whether you’re slicing tomatoes, breaking down melons, or cutting into croissants, you’ll appreciate how this blade makes even cuts without tearing food. This means that all of the foods you cut will have clean edges, making for a wonderful presentation.

8-Inch Kitchen Shears

Unlike ordinary scissors, kitchen shears are designed to be heavy-duty and up for whatever food preparation task you can throw at them. Sturdy construction means they can cut through poultry bones, but are also great for cutting shrimp, lobster, and king crab shells. These shears make consistently precise cuts for herbs and may be the best tool for cutting a pizza straight from the oven.

7-Inch Herb Chopper

It’s hard to overlook the unique shape of this herb chopper. The curvature of its razor-sharp blade allows you to rock the blade back and forth to mince herbs with little effort, and you’ll be amazed at how finely it can cut foods. Although not intended for meat, it would do a fantastic job mincing shelled seafood like shrimp and scallops. 

Chef’s Knife & Paring Knife Set

This 2-piece knife set leaves you confident that you can cut just about any food that comes your way. The Global Chef’s Knife will handle any slicing and chopping, while this 3-inch paring knife is excellent for peeling and trimming items like kiwi or mango that may take a bit more finesse. 

10-Inch Two-Sided Sashimi Slicer

The blade on a sashimi knife is typically sharpened on one side so you can get clean and precise results when cutting raw fish. But the versatility of this two-sided sashimi slicer means it’s more forgiving and easier to sharpen, making it well worth looking at. It’s an ideal knife for making thin cuts of fruits and vegetables, too. 

40th Anniversary 5-Piece Knife Block Set

There’s no compromising what you can prepare with this 40th anniversary knife set. The contemporary styling of the knife block is easy on countertop space and is perfect for smaller kitchens. It comes complete with three of the most reached-for knives, plus kitchen shears and the block. You’ll be looking for excuses to use these tools for meal prep.

6-Inch Straight Spatula

When it comes to finesse work in the kitchen, this straight spatula is worth grabbing. Being flexible, it’s great for spreading fruit preserves and condiments, but it also excels at delicate tasks like flipping fish or serving cheesecake. Available in three sizes, the narrow design lets you get the last bits from the bottom of the mayonnaise jar quickly and efficiently.