Tyler Florence, Mark Bittman, and 3 Other Chefs Share the Affordable Knives They Love — Sharpen Up

To most chefs, a good knife is the essential kitchen tool. So it's no wonder why Top Chef's famous send off is "Chef, please pack your knives and leave." Those contestants may be willing to be parted from their friends, family, and restaurants for weeks, but nothing comes between them and their knives.

Surprisingly, though, chefs don't get all snobby when asked to recommend knives on the less pricey end of the scale. Just as bargain hunters can often discover a perfectly respectable bottle of wine in the $10-and-under bin, the chefs I spoke to agree: Home cooks (like you!) have plenty of good choices if they want to spend less than $100 — or even a lot less. The trick is knowing what to look for.

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