Babish High-Carbon 1.4116 German Steel Cutlery, 7.5" Clef (Cleaver + Chef) Kitchen Knife, Good Housekeeping Standout Knife of 2022

Excellent banger knives that I can throw in my dishwasher, we have gifted these to a few people. Not scared to bang these up at the price point compared to a $500 set that we have. Good knives to have in your drawer. This is how mine looks after about two/three years of dishwasher washing. looks a little banged up, but trust me holding up really well and still very very sharp.

The Babish 7.5” Clef Knife is an excellent blend of a cleaver and chef’s knife, making it one of the most versatile tools in my kitchen. The high-carbon German steel feels solid and well-balanced, with a sharp edge that handles everything from chopping vegetables to breaking down meat. The wide blade gives great control and makes transferring ingredients from board to pan quick and easy. It has the heft of a cleaver but the precision of a chef’s knife, and it truly feels like a standout piece. A reliable, all-around knife that earns its Good Housekeeping recognition.

This is the second knife of Babish's I've purchased (also have the Santoku) and they are both amazing. To start, a knife needs to be functional and balanced, and this knife nails it. I've used it for a wide variety of items so far and it simply feels great in the hand while slicing, dicing, chopping, cutting, etc. It cuts through everything with ease and sophistication. The taller blade works great to scoop up what I'm cutting and easily add to whatever I'm making. Doesn't matter if it's herbs, vegetables, meat, etc., everything has been handled with ease. I can't stress enough the balance and feel of this knife (along with the Santoku knife). They have good weight to them but in all the right places. Extremely impressed and will continue to build out my Babish kitchenary gadgetry :-) So far have this knife, the Santoku, and tiny wisks - all of which are exceptionally useful and perform amazing. I do a ton of cooking and got to really put these through their paces making multiple elaborate meals of the holidays. Felt like all I did was cook but these really stepped up and did their part. They are also an exceptional value. I have other knives which were significantly more expensive and I prefer these due to their performance and feel. Can't go wrong with these knives.

A couple of things to get out of the way first. I am not a trained chef. I am not a professional cook. I am not a cutlery or forging expert. I'm not going to bore anyone at parties with my knowledge of metallurgy or knife-making. My primitive intellect doesn't understand alloys and compositions and things with... molecular structures. Any knowledge I really have comes from watching YouTube videos, experimenting with recipes, and failing or succeeding over several decades in the kitchen. I did discover somewhat early on that unlike golf where I can buy the most expensive clubs sold, I will still be a pretty bad golfer, in the kitchen, good tools can help even a bad cook be a better cook. I also have a brother in law who is a trained and (formerly) professional chef, who has complimented me on numerous occasions for having good quality cook and prep-ware. That out of the way, I am rating this knife entirely on its own merits, price point, etc. My five-star rating is for a $18 knife (which it was when I bought it, though I've noticed the price fluctuates a little bit). Certainly anything I say about it might vary if it were a $150 knife. It is not. So take that into account. I have been a fan of Andrew Rea's cooking videos for quite a long time, and when he started selling products, I wanted to support him. I have a few things from the Babish line, including the tiny whisks (HIGHLY recommended, you'll be surprised by how much you use them), the small prep bowl (again, extremely useful), and the iron trivet, which I bought because it sort of looks like me and that's fun. But one thing I really love is knives. Knives make me sort of starry-eyed, and I love having a new one. In fact, I have many more than I really need. Especially if you ask my wife. I bought this sort of as a low-risk bet, more than a real need for it. I was curious. I wanted to know how a $18 knife would hold up. Worst case, I figured, is I would hate it and donate it to a nephew or something. I didn't. Most of my knives are forged and made in Germany. They are typically Messermeister, Wustoff, or Zwilling. Not the most expensive knives you can buy for sure, but definitely above average. Before I got married, I had a block of Chicago Cutlery knives, which got the job done, but they were kind of cheap stamped-steel rigs. Decent for college knives, but not awesome. I only say this to give you an idea of what I'm comparing this to. I do not have wildly expensive professional cutlery, but I do have nice stuff. I honestly expected this to be a pretty below average knife, but perhaps probably okay for the price. Like a Target special. When it arrived, I was more impressed with it than I expected to be. It's well packaged, a nice weight, pretty well balanced, and sharp. The handle is comfortable and it looks nice. Nothing about it screams loudly that it doesn't belong with its much more expensive German counterparts. The shape is unique, and pretty cool. Especially if you're only looking to have a couple, two or three, knives in your collection. It's become one of my go-to knives for vegetables, chopping, etc. I used it tonight on a tri-tip and it slices meat competently as well. I always hand-wash my knives, so I can't say whether it holds up to machine washing, or how well. Don't put your knives in the dishwasher. Come on. I do not know the metal composition, nor do I care all that much. For the price, I'm guessing it's probably a lower-grade steel, but that's fine. I also don't know how long it will hold an edge over the long-term, but two months later, a couple of passes on a ceramic steel and it's still going strong. I assume it's full tang. It feels like it is, but if it's not, again, I'm not sure I care. The construction is all at least average. Even my chef brother-in-law was reasonably impressed with it, and his knives, I'm pretty certain, were forged in the fires of Mount Doom by ancient trolls, or something. I would possibly buy more Babish knives, but then I'd probably have to get a divorce. Because I don't know where I'd store them, along with the scores of other knives I have that I don't display or use. But if these were the only knives I had, I think they'd be fine. I'd be perfectly okay gifting these to someone just starting to build their culinary skills and collection. Again, if this was $150, I may feel differently about it, but it's not, and I do not. For the price, this checks all the boxes for me.

I’ve been a fan of the channel for years so I was excited and curious to see what Andrew’s products were like. I work in a professional kitchen and tried it out on the line for about a week. It is very sharp out of the box, however it is not the strongest steel. After the first day I had a small rolled edge right in the middle of the first quarter. Very small though and was able to be honed out for the most part. These knives are VERY heavy. Which feels great in your hand, and I’m sure some people would really appreciate the heft. In a commercial setting the weight definitely tires your arm and hand out faster than a lighter knife. Obviously don’t expect to do much delicate work with this knife, it is huge, heavy, and the tip is not particularly sharp/pointed. Ultimately, for the price especially, these knives are pretty good in my opinion! At work I still prefer my lighter Japanese knives but I use this and another babish knife regularly at home and have had no real issues at all!

This knife competes with knives 10 times the price. It holds a edge well. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Ive gifted it to friends moving into their first homes or in need of a new chefs knife. I have them all. Definitely worth it at the price point

The Babish High-Carbon 1.4116 German Steel 7.5" Clef is a versatile and well-crafted kitchen tool that combines functionality with style, making it a must-have for any home chef or cooking enthusiast. Designed with high-quality 1.4116 German steel, this clef (a hybrid between a cleaver and a chef's knife) offers exceptional durability, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. The blade's 7.5-inch length is ideal for tackling a wide range of tasks, from precision slicing and dicing to chopping through tougher cuts of meat and vegetables. Its sharp, tapered edge allows for clean, effortless cuts, while the slightly curved profile accommodates rocking motions for fine mincing. The balance between the blade and handle makes it easy to handle, even during extended prep sessions. The ergonomic handle is not only comfortable to grip but also designed for stability and control, minimizing hand fatigue. The sleek, minimalist design reflects Babish's signature aesthetic, ensuring this knife is as visually appealing as it is functional. What sets this knife apart is its versatility. It bridges the gap between a traditional chef's knife and a cleaver, making it a space-saving and multi-functional addition to any kitchen. Whether you're prepping intricate garnishes or breaking down larger ingredients, the Babish Clef delivers exceptional performance. Overall, the Babish 7.5" Clef is an excellent tool for anyone looking to elevate their kitchen arsenal. With its durable construction, sharp edge, and thoughtful design, it’s a reliable and stylish option for both beginners and seasoned cooks. Authors ramblings: If I could order one of these with a blade a yard long - it would be the ultimate zombie survival weapon with how well it holds its edge.

I bought this knife because I’ve been considering getting a bunka and figured this was a cheap way to play with a tall bunka. I was sold the first time I picked the knife up and A/B tested it against my 8” gyuto. To my surprise I preferred everything about the “clef” minus the weight. It’s not a heavy knife , just notably heavier than my gyuto. I find it to have a better grind and it cuts rather well. Out of box sharpness was ever so slightly better than my gyuto was. I plan on sharpening both to 15 degrees on my sharpal diamond stone and doing this test again soon. For $30 you’re getting a knife that’s easily as good or better than any of the usual victorinox or Mercer blades anywhere near its price point. Fit and finish is great for the price. With how expensive kiwi knives have gotten the last couple of years I think Babish is the defacto “good” entry level knife.

Its not hard to see why this humble little Babish knife rates a 4.7 here and has won awards for their design and functionality, especially at a $30 price point. With decent quality stainless steel (forged, not stamped) and thoughtful design, $30 bucks is hardly a risk, and a damn good one! The design is Japanese but with some traditional features too such as the type of steel and handle. Its a nice fusion, especially if you want to explore the world of non-western design. I am definitely biased toward the traditional designs of Wusthof and Zwilling, and own a few of them but figured this inexpensive bunka knife was worth a shot. Still getting used to it, but am impressed with the initial sharpness, the steel quality, and the more traditional handle, as I am no fan of Japanese round or octagonal handles. The grip is comfortable enough for casual use and more, and the knife feels relatively light in the hand. The knife is a YouTube branded knife, but unlike some YT merch, it punches well above its price point. Even comes in a fitted foam box nice for gifting, and has the brand is modestly etched into the knife, and the bolster at the back has an etched image of the designer. Where some might suggest that is tacky, its actually smart marketing, as is the thoughtful packaging, as most sub-$50 knives just get that hard plastic packaging that often is so frustrating to cut away to open the package. While some seem upset there is no sheath with it, think price: this is a a basic knife, albeit a good one. Why have to up the price by 5-10 bucks for a sheath, when most do or will have a block, a rack, etc. If you really need a sheath, just shell out extra for one. You'll still be way ahead. Nice job, Babish, in providing a decent kitchen tool at a price that won't require selling your soul. Is it a premium Wusthof? Does it have to be at $30? And how *much* better IS the WUSTHOF that costs over $200? I am more than happy to have it sharing the same space on my rack as my Wusthof. So, I think a fully justified 5 stars is fair, given the price to quality comparison. Hard to beat it. WIN.

Muy buen filo y se siente de calidad

This has easily become my go-to knife in the kitchen, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! First off, let me tell you about the build quality. The high-carbon German steel is incredibly durable, yet flexible enough for precise cuts. I've used it to slice through the toughest of ingredients, and the blade has remained sharp and efficient. The weight is perfectly balanced, giving me confidence and control during my culinary adventures. The genius of the Clef design is that it combines the best features of a cleaver and a chef's knife. The wide blade is ideal for crushing garlic or transferring chopped ingredients, while the precision of the chef's knife allows for intricate cuts and dicing. This knife is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for everyday cooking. Another thing I love about this knife is its comfortable grip. The ergonomically designed handle fits perfectly in my hand (as a left-hander the struggle is real), preventing fatigue even during long sessions of meal prep. It truly is a joy to use! In conclusion, the Babish Clef Knife has completely transformed my cooking experience. Its versatility, durability, and comfort make it an essential tool in my kitchen. I can't imagine going back to using any other knife (for its purpose, of course)!

A good a around knife, it has now become my go to knife for everything.

Chegou super afiada. É muito bem embalada, a caixa é de qualidade, realmente capricharam na apresentação e na primeira vista da faca. O peso da faca é muito bem distribuído, apesar de ser relativamente grande, é super confortável e até leve na mão. A empunhadura é excelente, o cabo não é completamente redondo, ele tem uma angulação pra melhorar a pegada. Nota 10, os produtos dessa linha são todos muito bons.