MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium 8-inch Stainless Steel Chef Knife

This knife has been my daily driver for almost 4 years now. I definitely feel like I got my money's worth. I am nowhere near a professional but definitely a higher-level home cook and I think a good chef knife in this size range is the #1 most important tool to have. If you are looking for something much better than you can get off the shelf at Walmart or Target, but can't or don't want to spend 5-10x as much on a high-end brand, I would definitely recommend this one. So...why a review after 4 years? Well to be honest, I'm retiring this guy and splurging on something new and fancier but I feel like he deserves recognition for serving me well for all this time. I would always reach for this one over another my husband gave me as a gift that was around $100. This is a Japanese-style knife which is thinner and lighter, and I've come to determine I prefer a heavier & beefier Western knife with a little more curve to the blade. Also, I've been bringing this one to a cutlery shop to have it professionally sharpened every 2-3 months which isn't a huge deal, but I'm just ready for a higher quality steel that will hopefully hold an edge a bit longer. In closing, if you are someone looking for an entry-level real knife, this may very well be the best bang for the buck out there.

I bought this 2 years ago when it was much less reviewed and carried a lower price tag. It's a good deal now but was a fantastic deal back then, I guess they wanted to hit the market strong by selling it below value at first. After 2 years of use its still going strong after multiple sharpenings. Its still my wife's favorite knife! We've mostly taken good care of it but it has been left in standing water a few times and shows no signs of decay.

As an owner of some expensive chef knives from Germany and Japan, the quality, balance, and craftsmanship stands out. Taking it out of the box, I didn't expect much, given the price. But once in a while you'll come across a product, like this one, that exceeds all expectations.

I LOVE this knife! It's the first knife I reach for when cooking. It's lasted me 4+ years and is only just showing it's age with a little cracking in the handle. This knife owes me nothing, though. I cook in a seasonal kitchen and will bring it with me instead of using what knives are available. Holds an edge very well. I've had it professionally sharpened only once, otherwise just small upkeep with a handheld sharpener. Absolutely highly recommended!

It's a good knife to cut meat, chicken and other hard items. I also found it easy to cut vegetables--carrots, cucumbers, potatoes. It's not ideal for cutting delicate food like sashimi or tomatoes. In general, cost/benefit is great.