The best home cook is only as efficient as their staple kitchen knife. Whether it's a do-it-all chef's knife, a stunning santoku blade, or a reliable serrated bread knife, these essential pieces serve as cornerstones in any kitchen—and we've tested and reviewed the very best.

A person sharpens a knife with the ZWILLING J.A. Henckels 4-Stage Pull Through Knife Sharpener
Our Favorite Manual Knife Sharpener Effortlessly Produces Ultra-Sharp Edges, and It’s 43% Off
One-Off Do This Not That Onion tears
This Is the Real Reason Onions Make You Cry, and a Surprising Way to Avoid It
Made In, Mercer, Miyabi, and Zwilling santokus on a cutting board
The 4 Best Santoku Knives, According to My Tests