Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the objective: two chefs will test Amazon's top five rated chef's knives, ranging in price from £12 to £200. The knives include the Zyliss Comfort, Mercer Culinary Millennia, Wusthof Classic, Shun Cutlery Classic, and Powdin Chef's Knife. The prices will be revealed only at the end to ensure unbiased evaluation based on feel, precision, and sharpness straight out of the box.
Before testing, common chef knife buzzwords are explained. German steel knives are durable workhorses, made of softer steel (55-58 HRC) which makes them tougher but requires more frequent honing. Japanese knives are harder (60-63 HRC) with finer edge angles (10-15 degrees), offering laser sharpness that lasts longer but are prone to chipping. Damascus refers to the layered steel pattern, mostly for aesthetics but can improve durability and flexibility.
The chefs perform a tomato slicing test to assess out-of-the-box sharpness. Knife 1 (Zyliss) is lightweight and struggles to glide smoothly. Knife 2 (Mercer) is heavier and chunkier, better for slicing but not for wafer-thin cuts. Knife 3 (Wusthof) feels balanced and slices through the tomato like butter. Knife 4 (Shun) offers some resistance, described as 'firmer butter'. Knife 5 (Powdin) is comfortable and slices smoothly, though the cut is audible. The chefs agree that the Wusthof and Powdin are the sharpest.
Jamie ranks the knives for sharpness: 5th Mercer, 4th Zyliss, 3rd Shun, 2nd Paudin, and 1st Wusthof. Ebbers completely agrees with Jamie's rankings, reiterating that the Wusthof provided the best glide and cut, considering only the tomato test.
The video briefly explains knife anatomy: blade, edge, tip, spine, heel, bolster, tang, and butt. The second test focuses on comfort and ease of use, involving julienning carrots, dicing shallots, and mincing garlic. The Zyliss proves difficult to get a rhythm with, feeling stuck on the board. The Mercer, though sharp with a good rock, is chunky and its rubber handle feels sticky. The Wusthof is praised for its balance, smooth bolster, and fine slicing ability. The Shun is comfortable with a rounded handle and feels light and easy for repetitive work. The Powdin has a slightly harsher bolster but is well-balanced and super sharp with good tip accuracy.
Jamie's rankings for comfort and ease of use: 5th Zyliss, 4th Mercer, 3rd Paudin, 2nd Shun, 1st Wusthof. Ebbers concurs, advising against being misled by marketing gimmicks like dimples that suggest incorrect knife holding techniques. He highlights the importance of bolster shape for comfort and control, noting that the less favoured knives have bolsters angled towards the blade, while the most comfortable designs curve the other way.
The final test evaluates versatility by thinly slicing rump steak into stir-fry pieces, assessing how the knives handle meat and fat. The Zyliss gets stuck on the board despite cutting meat fine. The Mercer is much easier than the Zyliss, feeling more like a meat knife due to its weight. The Wusthof is a 'dream', cutting through meat and fat with ease. The Shun provides a very smooth cut, comparable to the Wusthof. The Powdin is buttery smooth and has a good angle, making it an excellent all-rounder, though not as comfortable as some.
Jamie ranks for versatility: 5th Zyliss, 4th Mercer, 3rd Paudin, 2nd Shun, 1st Wusthof, stating that comfort impacts versatility. Ebbers’ bottom three are the same, but he considers the Shun and Wusthof joint first due to their all-rounder capabilities, with the Shun being better for finer details and the Wusthof for heavier tasks like butchery. He also notes the Wusthof's solid heel for durability.
The prices of the knives are revealed: Zyliss (£11.50), Mercer (£27.22), Wusthof (£112), Shun (£199.99), and Powdin (£21). Considering price, Jamie's final ranking is: 5th Zyliss, 4th Mercer, 3rd Shun (due to high cost), 2nd Paudin (great value for money), and 1st Wusthof (durable all-rounder). Ebbers agrees, expressing concern about the Powdin's low price given its quality, hinting at potential manufacturing concerns, but both ultimately choose Wusthof as the top choice for its longevity and quality.
The video concludes by revealing Amazon's ratings: 5th Shun (4.6 stars), 4th Zyliss (4.6 stars), 3rd Paudin (4.7 stars), 2nd Mercer (4.7 stars), and 1st Wusthof (4.8 stars). The chefs' top choice, Wusthof, aligns with Amazon's top rating. The main takeaway is to physically try knives to find what's comfortable and suitable for personal use, rather than relying solely on online reviews. The chefs debate the 'you get what you pay for' adage, noting that some expensive knives don't offer proportional improvements and that some cheaper knives raise questions about their manufacturing.