Most cheap knives are blunt within weeks and impossible to sharpen properly.
The Sharp Performers
Victorinox Fibrox Chef Knife 20cm (£35)
What professional kitchens actually use. High-carbon stainless steel holds edge for months.
Global GS-98 Santoku 18cm (£75)
Japanese precision with harder steel that stays sharp longer. Thinner blade cuts with less resistance.
IKEA 365+ Chef Knife (£15)
Surprisingly decent performance for the price. Good for learning knife skills.
What You Actually Need
Chef knife 20cm for 80% of tasks. Paring knife 8cm for small work. Bread knife for crusts.
Bottom Line
Best professional performance: Victorinox Fibrox. Best precision: Global GS-98. Best budget: IKEA 365+. Sharp knives make cooking safer and faster.