For most, searching for that perfect kitchen knife involves seeking out quality whilst trying to stick to some sort of a budget. However, for those few who money is no object, a world of spectacular, hand-forged blades becomes available to them.
Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive kitchen knives that money can buy:
Saji Craft Santoku 180mm
Price: £499
A more affordable option than the rest of our selection, but nonetheless worthy of a mention. This well-balanced knife is practical, as well as aesthetically pleasing.
‘Santoku’ translates as ‘three benefits’, referring to its ability to be equally effective at slicing, dicing and mincing.
Available from the Japanese Knife Company.
Tsukasa 270mm White Steel Enryu Kurouchi Damascus Wa-Gyuto
Price: $2,500 (£1,460)
Japan is famed for its fine quality blades made by master craftsmen and this is the second of our selection from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Made in Sanjo by Tsukasa Hinoura, this white steel knife is hand-forged and then twisted, resulting in a stunning Damascus pattern on all three dimensions.
Yoshihiro Mizuyaki Honyaki Mirror-Finished line designs Mt.Fuji with Full Moon Yanagi Kiritsuke 13″
Price: $5,000 (£2,920)
Produced in Sakai, this beautifully decorated Yanagi-style knife is not only immensely sharp, but also stunning to look at.
The pattern of the blade is designed to depict the iconic image of a full moon over Mt. Fuji, whilst the phoenix on the ornate cover was painted with the traditional Fuki Urushi lacquering method.
Nenohi Honyaki Dentokougeishi Sakimaru Takobiki with Corian Handle 15.4”
Price: $6,980 (£4,080)
Master blacksmith Yoshikazu Ikeda has been forging honyaki knives for decades and one of his finest is this Sakimaru Takobiki-style blade.
It comes with a beautifully hand-painted cover, decorated using the ancient Wajima Lacquer method.
Nesmuk Jahrhundertmesser
Price: €80,000 (£63,280)
German knife-makers Nesmuk have created what is claimed to be the most expensive chef knife in the world.
Forged by Lars Scheidler, this incredible knife is made from high quality carbon steel, has a handle finished in 5,000 year-old bog oak and a platinum collar set with 25 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Also in their range is an 8-diamond variety designed by South African-born Quinton Nel, better known for his high-end jewellery. It will set you back just £24,500 – pocket money!
The Gem of The Orient
Price: $2.1 million (£1.23 million)
Ok, so perhaps it is not suitable for kitchen use, but this ornate knife is just too spectacular not to include in our list!
Crafted by the legendary American knife-maker Buster Warenski, ‘The Gem of The Orient’ is made of gold and contains 153 emeralds and nine diamonds.
The knife was sold for $2.1 million, making it the most expensive knife in the world. It may not be ideal for cooking but we’re sure it would look lovely on the mantelpiece!
Readily Available Expensive Kitchen Knives
As stunning as the blades we’ve showcased are, many of them are not readily available in the UK, so here’s a selection of higher end kitchen knives that can be bought on our shores.
Kai Shun Shi Hou 2 Santoku
This hand-made Japanese knife is constructed from 64 layers of damask steel and is one of just 200 made in the world.
Pros
- Handmade
- Limited edition
- High quality and extremely sharp
Cons
- Perhaps a little too expensive to to be used practically
Masahiro MV Salmon firing 270mm 14888
Another Japanese knife, this time one specifically designed for dealing with salmon. The sharp vanadium steel makes it ideal for preparing Japanese cuisine.
Pros
- Good corrosion resistance
- Added anti-bacterial protection
- Great for Japanese-style cooking
Cons
- Designed for preparing salmon, so is not multi-purpose
Güde Damascus Santoku Knife
German manufacturer Güde have been making knives for over a century. This Santoku knife is their most expensive, encompassing the Damascus forging design popular in Japan.
Pros
- High quality German production
- Unique Damascus steel pattern
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe, like some cheaper knives
Masamoto Shiro-ko Kasumi Yanagi
Yanagi knives are also used to slice boneless fish fillets into sashimi and toppings for sushi. This blade is manufactured by Masamoto, a specialist in this particular type of knife.
Pros
- Designed to apply minimal pressure on the flesh of the fish to avoid stress and cell breakage
Cons
- Only suitable for sushi preparation
- Requires good technique to use properly
Laguiole Boxwood ebony Damascus collector’s knife
French knife-makers Laguiole make a wide range of blades, from pocket knives to razors. This kitchen knife is not only of high quality but also can be folded away.
Pros
- High quality Swedish twisted stainless Damascus steel
- Fitted with a spring and blade-stop for easy storage
Cons
- Folding style perhaps not as elegant as other kitchen knives