Best chef's knives for home cooking

Top pick: Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife. It's the knife most cooking schools hand beginners, and for good reason: a thin, sharp 15° edge, a grippy non-slip handle that stays secure even with wet hands, and a light 5.9 oz build that won't tire you out. It's the least fussy way to get genuinely good cutting for years.

Who the others suit:

• Mercer Culinary Millennia 8" — the budget workhorse; nearly the same feel as the Fibrox, so it's the one to buy if you want a second knife or a gift.
• Wüsthof 8" Chef's Knife — for cooks who prefer a heavier, forged German blade with a classic bolster for rocking chops.
• Made In 8" Chef Knife — a modern all-rounder with a comfortable full-tang handle; great if you want one knife to do everything.
• Shun Classic 8" — for someone who wants a thin, hard Japanese edge and doesn't mind hand-washing and a little more care.
• Miyabi Kaizen II 8" — the step up for enthusiasts: beautiful layered steel and a very keen edge.
• Cuisinart Classic 8" with blade guard — a cheap, safe starter or a knife to keep in a drawer or camper.

Whatever you choose, an 8-inch chef's knife plus a honing rod covers most home cooking.