A quality chef knife that you love to use will transform your cooking from a chore into a joy. You will look forward to food prep as an opportunity to “play” with your favorite tool. With New West KnifeWorks, this is a long term investment, because our knives are made to last a lifetime. As knifemakers, of course we want everybody to have all of our knives. BUT, the reality is you just need ONE REALLY GOOD KNIFE to be your go to Chef Knife, this knife will be the one you use for 90% of your tasks. We have a lot of options, different shapes and lengths, to become your best friend in the kitchen.We have put together this buying guide to help you figure out which one is for you.
Chris Kidder 12" Chef Knife
This knife was designed by NWKW’s knife-maker in chief, Corey Milligan. Corey’s brother-in-law, Chris Kidder is a professional, “uber-chef” in Southern California. The knife is almost 12” in length. But don’t be scared by that-- the learning curve adjusting to a longer knife is actually very quick. Once you get the hang of the extra leverage, you’ll never want to be without it. The “French-style” shape lends itself to a slicing motion. Once you get the hang of it, this knife will do all the work for you
Yellowstone BBQ Knife
Made with Yellowstone TV chef and pitmaster Gator Guilbeau, this knife is built to work as hard as he does—whether it’s mountain-top craft services or a backyard brisket. Forged from CPM S35VN super-steel with a desert ironwood handle, it’s sharp, tough, and built for smoke and fire. Born in the Tetons, made for cattle country—this blade is Western BBQ at its finest.
The 9
Hunter Lewis, the editor in chief of Food & Wine Magazine, described this knife as his “Best Friend in the Kitchen.” While The 9 is a longer knife, many customers have noted that it has the best balance of any knife they’ve ever held. The generous curve of the belly allows for both straight, smooth slicing or rocking motion. The blade is wider than the Kidder and ample enough for scooping ingredients from the cutting board.
The Steph Knife
Created with Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, The 8" Steph Knife blends pro-chef insight with cutting-edge MagnaCut steel. The result? A razor-thin edge that bites clean and glides effortlessly—plus exceptional stain resistance and durability. Its sculpted handle fits like a glove in hammer or pinch grip, and the hybrid blade shape balances Santoku scooping with classic chef control. Built for serious cooks, refined by a serious chef.
Western Chef Knife
James Beard meets Jim Bowie in this bold, heavyweight blade. The Western Chef pays homage to our Jackson Hole roots with a wide, clip-point design built for serious chopping, dicing, and hacking. More cleaver than katana, it’s made for cooks who like a little heft in hand and grit in their grit. If your kitchen feels like a frontier, this is your trusty sidearm.
The 8
The 8 is the all-purpose chef knife that hits the sweet spot—long enough for serious slicing, short enough for everyday agility. Perfectly balanced with a classic French profile, it handles everything from herbs to proteins with ease. A favorite among both professionals and home cooks, this is the essential kitchen workhorse. If you’re gifting just one knife, The 8 might be the one to wrap.
Teton Edge Santoku
Our signature Santoku features a one-of-a-kind laser-etched pattern of the Teton Range—designed to reduce drag and food stick, while turning the blade into a piece of functional art. The shorter, wider shape offers exceptional control for slicing veggies, fish, or meats with grace and speed. A stunning blend of performance and place, it’s the ideal gift for anyone who appreciates beauty in everyday tools.
Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife
Designed with a Navy SEAL, this blade is the ultimate jack-of-all-trades for backcountry cooking and camp life. Made from CPM S35VN steel, it chops, slices, trims, and even tackles tough tasks like cutting rope or kindling. The clip-point tip and handle-end striker offer added utility—and peace of mind. Whether you're grilling at basecamp or fending off trouble in the wilds, this is your trusty sidearm.
Joy Bauer Chef Knife
Created with celebrity nutritionist Joy Bauer, this knife is approachable, beautifully balanced, and made to inspire healthier home cooking. Its slightly shorter blade offers confident control, even for beginners. As one of the most affordable ways to join the New West family, it’s a perfect entry point into our pro-grade lineup—and an ideal gift for anyone ready to elevate their everyday prep with style.
The Chopper
At 5” the Chopper is definitely shorter than a traditional chef knife. But for people who find a large knife intimidating or prefer the compact size and shape, this knife will perform all the tasks you need from a full size chef knife. This is our famous “Salsa” knife-- it works great on all those veggies AND has a generously wide blade for scooping the ingredients into a pan or bowl.
Need a Hand Choosing?
Our knife experts are here to help you find your perfect match. Contact any of our store locations and our retail pro's can walk you through our selection and help choose the best fitting knife for your situation.
An Expert’s Take on Every Knife We Make
Chef Justin Khanna—Culinary Institute of America graduate with Michelin-starred restaurant experience—takes you through our entire G-Fusion kitchen knife lineup.
From versatile workhorses to specialty blades, he explains what each knife is designed for and how it shines in real-world cooking. His insights make it easy to choose the perfect blade—whether you’re upgrading your own kitchen or picking out a gift for someone special.
Compare Chef Knives at a Glance
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Joy Bauer 6" Chef
Regular price $225.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price $225.00 -
7" Teton Edge Santoku
Regular price From $410.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price From $410.00Color: Cadet
Color: Cadet
Color: Cadet
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Elk Antler Teton Edge Santoku
Regular price $560.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price $560.00 -
The Yellowstone BBQ
Regular price $650.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price $650.00 -
8" Western Chef
Regular price From $440.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price From $440.00Color: Lichen
Color: Lichen
Color: Lichen
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Chris Kidder Special 12" Chef
Regular price From $510.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price From $510.00Color: Sunburst
Color: Sunburst
Color: Sunburst
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The Tactical Outdoor Chef
Regular price $460.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price $460.00Style: The TOC
Style: The TOC
Style: The TOC
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5" Chopper
Regular price From $275.00Regular priceUnit price per$0.00 USDSale price From $275.00Color: Shoshone
Color: Shoshone
Color: Shoshone
