This is one pricey knife, but when you use it you’ll see why. The 1893 series from German knife maker F. Dick features Damascus steel, hot-forged and patterned with a grain that lends the 33-layered stainless steel a depth of beauty. We liked the heft and balance of the 8-inch chef’s knife, which made easy work of chopping onions, mincing herbs, and cutting root vegetables. The layered plastic handle looks like leather but is waterproof and nicely nonslip. The chef’s knife is $340 atGreatknives.com.