10 Best American Made Chef Knives in 2023

by Bryan McFarland

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Let’s keep this brief. You’re looking for the best American made chef knives you can find. You want them to be sharp, solid, and durable. And if that works out, you’re planning on using your chef’s knife every day, right?

I hear ya, if you’re interested in cooking and you’re a proud American, then having a good quality American chef knife will be a top priority for you.

So, if you’re wondering: “what types of chef knives do you recommend, specifically?” I got good news for you. I’ve built the following article to answer that exact question.


10 Best American Made Chef Knives

Owning one durable American made chef knife is a must for anyone that loves cooking. Here’s the list of the best ones I found after extensive research:

  1. Lamson 8″ Vintage American Made Chef Knife
  2. DALSTRONG Kiritsuke American Made Chef Knife
  3. Model 1725 CUTCO 9-1/4″ American Made Chef Knife
  4. DALSTRONG American Made Chef Knife
  5. Lamson Fire Forged 10-inch American Made Chef Knife
  6. Buck Knives 931 American Made Chef’s Knife
  7. CUTCO Model 1766 Santoku American Made Chef Knife
  8. Virginia Boys 8 inch American Made Chef Knife
  9. Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch American Made Chef Knife
  10. Cutco 1728 7-5/8″ American Made Petite Chef Knife

1. Lamson 8″ Vintage American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8 inch
  • Material: High-carbon USA Made stainless steel (Grade 420HC-LAM)
  • Handle: Hand-finished stabilized walnut handle
Lamson 8" Vintage Chef Knife

Lamson is a brand that I usually suggest because it has been manufacturing knives in the United States for decades.

One brand I always recommend is Lamson, as it has been making American made knives for decades.

This Lamson 8 inch chef knife is especially great as it has been made in the USA with stainless steel grade 420HC-LAM. Meaning it’s more solid than other comparable high-quality knives, and it stays sharp for longer, even when used on a cutting board repeatedly every day.

Furthermore, its blade has a cutting-edge technology as it is laser cut and tempered to a Rockwell hardness of 58, ensuring consistent and reliable sharpness.

The handle is made of hand-finished walnut and has a vintage look. It is also quite ergonomic to hold.

And, even though it isn’t dishwasher safe, it is corrosion resistant and highly flexible, making it ideal for everyday use.

Pros

  • Meticulously crafted in the USA, forged from proprietary high-carbon USA Made stainless steel (Grade 420HC-LAM)
  • The blade is precision laser cut and tempered to a hardness of 58 on the Rockwell scale for maximum reliability
  • The blade is both highly corrosion-resistant and elastic
  • Hand-finished stabilized walnut handle that has a traditional, timeless look and feel
  • Sleek integrated bolster allows for a traditional or pinch-grip and improved control
  • Ideal balance and weight

Cons

  • Not dishwasher safe

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2. DALSTRONG Kiritsuke American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8.5 inch
  • Material: American forged BD1N-VX hyper steel
  • Handle: G10 woven fiberglass ergonomic handle
Dalstrong Kiritsuke Chef Knife - 8.5 inch - Omega Series - American BD1N-VX Hyper Steel - Razor Sharp Kitchen Knife - Acacia Wood Display Stand, Cooking Knife, Collection Set - Leather Sheath

Are you looking for a reliable kitchen knife manufactured in the United States? Then checking out this DALSTRONG’s Kiritsuke chef knife would be a smart option.

For starters, it’s manufactured of American forged BD1N-VX hyper steel, ensuring that the user will be investing their hard-earned money on a reliable knife that won’t lose its sharpness after a few weeks of light use.

Furthermore, the “LiquidMetal” pattern (as they name it) is responsible for minimizing cutting drag, resulting in faster and more efficient cutting.

Although some people complain that the knife is a bit big, I believe that features like the fiberglass handle with an ergonomic design that is resistant to cold, heat, and moisture, as well as the tapered bolster that provides excellent balance, make up for it.

Oh, and the blade is rust and corrosion resistant. What more could you ask?

Pros

  • “LiquidMetal” pattern on the blade reduces drag and increases efficiency
  • Made with reliable American forged BD1N-VX hyper steel
  • The addition of Nitrogen increases hardness, flexibility, and toughness
  • G10 woven fiberglass ergonomic handle is near impervious to heat, cold, and moisture
  • Black PU leather sheath with a button clip is included for protection
  • The tapered bolster provides a perfect zero-balance construction and gently encourages a natural and comfortable pinch grip
  • Edge retention at 63+ HRC
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant

Cons

  • Handle feels a bit big

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3. Model 1725 CUTCO 9-1/4″ American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 9-1/4″
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Handle: Thermo-resin ergonomic handles
Model 1725 CUTCO 9-1/4" French Chef Knife with High Carbon Stainless blade

This CUTCO model 1725 chef knife has a traditional and simple design that includes all of the features you’d expect from a good quality knife in this category.

For starters, it’s built in the United States, which ensures trustworthiness and durability.

The stainless steel blade lets the user effortlessly chop any type of vegetable with minimal effort thanks to its razor sharp edge (making it the perfect slicer knife).

Even though it isn’t cheap, it has several attributes that make it valuable, like a nice thermo-resin handle and a full tang construction that gives the balance we all seek in a chef knife.

Pros

  • Manufactured in the USA by American craftworkers
  • Highly engineered, thermo-resin ergonomic handles
  • Full tang allows for great balance and leverage capabilities
  • Triple rivet construction provides reliability
  • Nickel-Silver alloy rivets that look great

Cons

  • Not cheap

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4. DALSTRONG American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8.5 inch
  • Material: BD1N-VX hyper-steel and added vacuum heat-treatment boast 63 HRC
  • Handle: Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber hybrid handle
Dalstrong Chef Knife - 8.5 inch - Quantum 1 Series - Ultra-Sharp - American Forged BD1N-VX Hyper Steel - Carbon Fibre G10 Hybrid Handle - Premium Kitchen Knife - Leather Sheath

With this chef knife, DALSTRONG’s knife designers have nailed it.

For starters, it’s built of BD1N-VX hyper-steel with vacuum heat-treatment, which ensures solidity and long-term sharpness, making it one of the best options for kitchen knives.

This American-made chef knife also features a nitrogen treatment, which increases its hardness even further, making it well worth the money.

Last but not least, its Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber hybrid handle is not only comfortable to hold but also resistant to heat, cold, and wetness, which is a desirable quality in kitchen knives of this sort.

Pros

  • American made BD1N-VX hyper-steel and added vacuum heat-treatment boast 63 HRC
  • Nitrogen treatment further increases the hardness, flexibility, and toughness of the blade
  • Laminated and hot forged with the head-turning “Nova Prime” pattern, which reduces drag
  • Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber hybrid handle is impervious to heat, cold, and moisture
  • Black PU leather sheath protects the blade
  • Sharpness at a staggering 8-12°degree angle per side
  • The tapered bolster ensures a perfectly balanced construction

Cons

  • The cleaning process is a bit tricky due to the blade pattern

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5. Lamson Fire Forged 10-inch American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 10-inch
  • Material: Stainless steel from Solingen, Germany
  • Handle: Ergonomic and water-resistant triple-riveted handle
Lamson Fire Forged 10-inch Chef Knife

We can’t talk about the Lamson 10 chef’s knife enough when it comes to American-made chef’s kitchen knives.

It has a broad blade made of German stainless steel that is not only very durable but also precision forged using the hot-dop method, which ensures hardness and long-term sharpness.

Furthermore, it has a full tang construction, which means it has the sought-after balance that we all look for in a chef’s knife.

Although it is a little slippery when washing, its ergonomic triple-riveted handle compensates for it.

Pros

  • Broad blade made with stainless steel from Solingen, Germany, and manufactured in America
  • Full tang provides for great balance
  • Ergonomic and water-resistant triple-riveted handle made with durable acrylic
  • blades are precision forged using the traditional hot-drop method, tempered to a perfect hardness of 58 on the Rockwell scale

Cons

  • Slippery when washing it

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6. Buck Knives 931 American Made Chef’s Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8-Inch
  • Material: 420HC stainless steel blade
  • Handle: DymaLux rosewood handle allows for an ergonomic grip
Buck Knives 931 Chef's Knife, 8-Inch 420HC Stainless Steel Blade, DymaLux Rosewood Handle, Kitchen Cutlery

This 931 model is one of Buck’s most popular chef’s kitchen knives.

It is made of 420HC stainless steel, which is corrosive-resistant and very dependable when it comes to sharpness retention.

Furthermore, it is made with the Paul Boss heat treatment, which improves its sharpness even more.

Even though you can only wash this knife with your hands, it does come with a DymaLux rosewood handle that is very ergonomic, which is important for cooks who chop vegetables for long periods of time.

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • 420HC stainless steel blade that is corrosion resistant and has excellent sharp retention
  • Made with Paul Boss heat treatment that guarantees the knife is going to be sharp out of the box and stay sharper for longer
  • DymaLux rosewood handle allows for an ergonomic grip
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Hand-wash only

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7. CUTCO Model 1766 Santoku American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 7-inch
  • Material: Blade is made of 440A high-carbon stainless steel
  • Handle: Ergonomic design handle
Cutco Cutlery Model 1766 Santoku Knife. 7.0" High Carbon Stainless Straight Edge Blade.5.6" Classic Brown Handle (sometimes Called "black") In Factory-sealed Plastic Bag.

This 931 model is one of Buck’s most popular chef’s kitchen knives.

It is made of 420HC stainless steel, which is corrosive resistant and very dependable when it comes to sharpness retention, a feature that is difficult to find in other kitchen knives.

Furthermore, it is made with the Paul Boss heat treatment, which improves its sharpness even more.

Even though you can only wash this knife with your hands, it does come with a DymaLux rosewood handle that is very ergonomic, which is important for cooks who chop vegetables for long periods of time.

Pros

  • Fully made in the USA
  • Blade is made of 440A high-carbon stainless steel
  • Full tang and triple river construction provides better balance when using the knife
  • Ergonomic design handle
  • Forever guarantee by CUTCO

Cons

  • Amazing, but pricey

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8. Virginia Boys 8 Inch American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8-inch
  • Material: 420HC high-carbon stainless steel
  • Handle: Ergonomic handle made from treated walnut wood and brass rivets
8 Inch Chef Knife - Made in USA - 420 High Carbon German Steel - Professional Sharp Knife made with American Black Walnut Wood Handle

We love the knives made by Virginia Boys, but this 8-inch model is above and beyond what they have to offer regarding the best chef’s knife.

It is made of 420HC high carbon stainless steel that has been heat treated to achieve maximum hardness and sharpness.

A feature that separates it from other kitchen knives is the forged blade is laser-cut achieving milimeter-level precision.

Even though it is slightly prone to coloring, it has many beneficial properties, such as an ergonomic handle made of treated walnut and the fact that it is dishwasher safe.

Pros

  • 100% made in the USA
  • 420HC high-carbon stainless steel that’s been heat treated and tempered to a 58 Rockwell hardness
  • Laser cut with to-the-millimeter precision
  • Forged and ground to a tapered edge from the spine to the blade
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Ergonomic handle made from treated walnut wood and brass rivets
  • 100% money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Slightly prone to coloring

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9. Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch American Made Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 8-inch
  • Material: high-carbon stainless steel from Solingen, Germany
  • Handle: Durable acrylic handles
Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch Chef Knife

With a simple design, this Lamson Fire 8 inch chef knife is no laughing matter when compared to similarly priced kitchen knives.

I mean, it’s precision forged from German high carbon stainless steel, meaning it will stay extremely sharp for longer.

It also has a full tang construction and triple riveted handles for excellent balance.

Last but not least, it has a water-resistant and ergonomic acrylic handle, which is an important feature for everyday use.

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • Precision-forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel from Solingen, Germany
  • Full tang and triple riveted handle provides excellent balance
  • Durable acrylic handle is water resistant

Cons

  • Can be sticky

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10. Cutco 1728 7-5/8″ American Made Petite Chef Knife

Features

  • Blade length: 7-5/8″
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Handle: Ergonomic triple riveted handle
Cutco 1728 7-5/8" Petite Chef Knife

The model 1728 is a must-have for CUTCO fans looking to improve their kitchen cutlery as it is one of the company’s most well-known chef’s kitchen knives.

For once, it’s entirely made in America from high-quality stainless steel that’s both hard and sharp.

Its full tang construction provides extra strength and balance for everyday use.

And although it may be expensive for some, it has an ergonomic triple rivet handle that looks great, as well as the CUTCO’s “Forever” warranty.

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • Ultra sharp straight edge
  • Easy to maintain and sharpen
  • Ergonomic triple riveted handle
  • Full tang blade extends full length of the handle for extra strength and balance
  • Forever CUTCO’s warranty

Cons

  • Expensive but good quality

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What Is The Best American Made Knife Overall?

CUTCO Model 1766 Santoku American Made Chef Knife

I selected this CUTCO 1766 American made chef knife as the best one of them all due to the following features:

  • It’s made in the USA, which is a seal of good quality and durability
  • Its blade is manufactured of 440A high-carbon stainless steel, which allows for better durability in its sharpness
  • Full tang and triple rivet construction that not only looks great but also provides a solid balance which is key when using a chef’s knife

If you’d like to read the full review, you can do so by clicking the button down below.

Review


Quick Comparison Table

NameBlade lengthMaterial Handle
1. Lamson 8″ Vintage American Made Chef Knife
Review
8 inchHigh-carbon USA Made stainless steel (Grade 420HC-LAM)Hand-finished stabilized walnut handle
2. DALSTRONG Kiritsuke American Made Chef Knife
Review
8.5 inchAmerican forged BD1N-VX hyper steelG10 woven fibreglass ergonomic handle
3. Model 1725 CUTCO 9-1/4″ American Made Chef Knife
Review
9-1/4″Stainless steelThermo-resin ergonomic handles
4. DALSTRONG American Made Chef Knife
Review
8.5 inchBD1N-VX hyper-steel and added vacuum heat-treatment boast 63 HRC
Dragon Skin G10-carbon fiber hybrid handle
5. Lamson Fire Forged 10-inch American Made Chef Knife
Review
10-inchStainless steel from Solingen, GermanyErgonomic and water resistant triple riveted handle
6. Buck Knives 931 American Made Chef’s Knife
Review
8-Inch420HC stainless steel bladeDymaLux rosewood handle allows for ergonomic grip
7. CUTCO Model 1766 Santoku American Made Chef Knife
Review
7-inchBlade is made of 440A high-carbon stainless steelErgonomic design handle
8. Virginia Boys 8 Inch American Made Chef Knife
Review
8-inch420HC high-carbon stainless steelErgonomic handle made from treated walnut wood and brass rivets
9. Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch American Made Chef Knife
Review
8-inchhigh-carbon stainless steel from Solingen, GermanyDurable acrylic handles
10. Cutco 1728 7-5/8″ American Made Petite Chef Knife
Review
7-5/8″Stainless steelErgonomic triple riveted handle

Must Have Features of The Best American Made Chef Knives

Here’s a list of the features I believe all American-made kitchen knives must have to be considered “the best”.

Solid Manufacturing = American Made

What better way to ensure that your new chef’s knife will last for years with perfect sharpness than to buy one made entirely in America?

That is how I ensure that all of my kitchen knives are manufactured with superior techniques and the best quality controls available.

Sure, you could get a cheap knockoff from overseas, but you’ll be sorry after a few months when the knife loses its sharpness.

Reliable Steel

The quality of the stainless steel used to make your next chef’s knife will determine whether you made the right or wrong purchase.

Let me give you a quick rundown of two factors to consider when choosing the type of stainless steel for your next chef’s knife.

The first concern is hardness. Hard stainless steel will keep its sharpness for a longer time, but it will be much more difficult to sharpen and chip easily. Meanwhile, “softer” stainless will not chip away (due to its flexibility) but will lose sharpness faster.

Personally, I prefer hard stainless steel as it’s more reliable and if you take care of it, you should be fine.

Then there’s the issue of design. With its traditional silver color, plain steel is by far the most popular option. However, there are “newer” styles that completely alter the way the kitchen knives cut. Consider the “Damascus” chef’s knives, both dependable and razor sharp.

Ergonomic Handle

You could be thinking, “So, how vital should handles be? I’d only use my chef knife a couple of times per day “…

If you believe that, you are entirely incorrect.

Having a chef’s knife with an ergonomic handle is VERY important because it will determine whether or not you enjoy your cooking time.

Getting a chef knife and not looking at its handle design could make you regret the whole purchase!

The Blade

There are a few things you want to look at when analyzing the blade of your next American made chef knife:

  • Stainless steel: To ensure a longer lifespan, look for a knife made of high-quality stainless steel that has been treated with a dependable heat method.
  • Full tang construction: This gives the user the “balance” that we all seek in our chef knives.
  • Sharp right out of the box: Read reviews to ensure that your next chef knife is very sharp; otherwise, you’ll be frustrated from the moment you buy it.

Sturdy Hilt

This is an essential feature most people oversight which can make or break the purchase of a chef knife, at least in my view.

The hilt is located where the handle meets the blade, making it a structural part of the knife. If you get a chef knife with a weak hilt, you’ll be buying a future headache as the knife will break after only a few months of heavy use.

Thus, getting a chef’s knife with a sturdy hilt should be on the list of your top priorities.

Here’s a video that answers “what makes a good chef’s knife” made by a kitchen knife designer. You might find it helpful since it gives a whole different perspective on the topic:


Frequently Asked Questions

There are always specific questions regarding chef’s knives made in the USA, and this is my attempt to answer most of them.

What are American Made Chef Knives Good For?

Well, I’d say that American-made chef knives are in high demand because of the following characteristics:

  • Reliability: Because these kitchen knives are forged in America with American materials, they will not chip away after a few months of light use.
  • Sharpness: American-made kitchen knives are known for retaining their sharpness because they are made with reliable stainless steel that has been treated with high-temperature methods.
  • Durability: I’ve met professional chefs and cooks who swear by American-made chef’s knives because they last them for at least a decade 

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Hi. I’m Bryan McFarland a construction worker and father of three from Ohio.I’ve been proud to be an American during all my life. After months of thinking about it, I’ve decided to make this website to share my knowledge about why American Made stuff is the best around the world!