The Ultimate List of Cool Knives for Kitchen Enthusiasts

Annihilator Meat Cleaver with Stand 14"The Gladiator Series | Cleaver NSF Certified | Dalstrong

The Ultimate List of Cool Knives for Kitchen Enthusiasts

1. Meat Cleaver 9" with Stand | Obliterator | Gladiator Series R | NSF Certified | Dalstrong
2. BBQ Pitmaster Knife 9" | Shadow Black Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong
3. Chef Knife & Sujihiki Hybrid 12" | Kitchen Gladius | Gladiator Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong
4. Professional Oyster & Clam Shucking Knife 3.5" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong
5. Meat Chopper 8" with Acacia Wood Stand | 'The Punisher' | Gladiator Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong
6. Tuna Knife 17" | Ronin Series | Dalstrong
7. Rocker Knife 7" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong
8. Annihilator Meat Cleaver with Stand 14" | The Gladiator Series | Cleaver NSF Certified | Dalstrong
9. Butcher & Breaking Knife 10" | Phantom Series | Dalstrong
10. Ulu Knife 6.5" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong

Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there’s something universally appealing about owning a knife that is unique, creative, and, yes, “cool.” You might think of tac force tactical knives, cool pocket knives, spring assisted folding knives, survival knives, butterfly knives, novelty knives, or hunting knives as cool. But what is a cool gadget or cool knife, anyway? And where can you find the coolest knives to buy? Let’s dive into it.

1. The Enduring Appeal of Cool Knives

What do you think of when you think of “cool”?

I know, it seems like a silly question. To most people, “cool” is a pretty obvious thing. You know it when you see it. But it’s also somewhat… hard to describe. Difficult to pin down, put into words, or quantify. And yet when you see something cool, you can identify it right away.

When you see something that’s bold, that breaks from convention, that is unafraid to take a big leap without caring what anyone else thinks… that’s cool. And in the world of knives, that means stepping away from the tried-and-true designs that everybody knows and is extremely bored of. Creating something that’s unabashedly unique and that calls attention to itself.

For some, it might be silly to think of cutlery in those terms. Not for the knife enthusiast, though. Knives and any knife accessories are cool gifts for all knife lovers. 

When shopping for high-quality knives whether for yourself or to someone close to you, the question is never just “is this going to work well in the kitchen?”; it’s also “is this an object I am proud of owning?”. You don’t get that from cheap knives. Everybody wants to be able to convey something about themselves and their own personalities in the objects they purchase. It’s no different with knives than with any piece of home decor. 

So let’s talk about what makes a knife “cool.”

Ulu Knife 6.5"Shogun Series | Dalstrong

2. Characteristics of a Cool Knife

For the list of cool knives we've assembled below, we’ve taken the following criteria under consideration.

• Design: A cool knife needs to look the part. Yes, there’s something classy, timeless, and beautiful about the classic designs, but for the purposes of this list, we want knives that break away from convention. In order for a knife to be cool, it has to look cool.
  
• Performance: What is it about its performance that sets it apart from other knives? Looks are great, but a really cool knife also needs to have the quality to back it up. Knives that serve as multi tools are huge plus. The best materials, the best engineering, and the best performance in the kitchen.
  
• Uniqueness: What is this knife used for (a tac force tactical pocket knife, bowie knife, survival knife, neck knife, butterfly knife, chef knife or a folding knife)? How does it work? What is it about it that sets it apart from other cutlery? What task is it helping you accomplish that no other knife can? Maybe it brings together features from several different knives to create something utterly unique.
  
• The “it” factor: This one’s harder to describe, but again, you know it when you see it. A really “cool” knife isn’t just a gimmick knife. It exists for a reason, and it has a certain indescribable “star quality” that cheap knives don’t have. The knives below definitely have it.

3. Top 10 Cool Knives to Buy

1. Meat Cleaver 9" with Stand | Obliterator | Gladiator Series R | NSF Certified | Dalstrong ©

With a name like “the Obliterator,” you better believe this piece of cutlery is cool. Just look at this thing – an impressive 9” meat cleaver that somehow manages to look like something out of a medieval fantasy film as well as a futuristic sci-fi piece. 

This impressive piece of kitchen engineering is designed to serve a single ferocious purpose. Can you guess what it is from the name? That’s right: to obliterate just about any culinary challenge unlucky enough to find itself in its path. That’s because it’s not just about looks; as we’ve discussed, true coolness comes down to form and function, and this incredible knife is made of the absolute best materials to ensure great performance and durability.

With the Obliterator, you’ll be able to sail through beef, poultry, pork, tough-skinned produce, just about anything. It’s hefty, it’s powerful, it’s everything you want in a meat cleaver and more.

PROS:

• Only the best material for this absolute powerhouse: the blade is made of ultra-sharp, high-carbon 7cr17mov steel, heat-treated to 60HRC.
• It’s hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side.
• Features a military-grade G10 handle, which is durable, easy to use, and most importantly – comfortable.
• Very easy to clean and maintain, with added chromium for stain and corrosion resistance.
• Comes with a gorgeous acacia wood stand.

CONS:

• This knife is a hefty one. If you’ve never used a large meat cleaver before, or you’re used to cheap knives, you might be a little taken aback by it. 
• It’s pretty large, too, and with its wood stand it’s going to take up a considerable amount of counter space. Keep that in mind when shopping for any type of large knife.

2. BBQ Pitmaster Knife 9" | Shadow Black Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong ©

There are a number of reasons why this incredible 9” BBQ pitmaster knife is cool. Let’s start off with the obvious one: as part of Dalstrong’s Shadow Black series, this knife looks incredible. It features a pitch-black titanium nitride coating and a unique design, with an awesome knife geometry inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter. This is a knife that is sure to be met with stunned looks from anyone around you.

Another reason? It’s a pretty unique knife on its own, specifically designed to be used by the BBQ pit, built to satisfy any need that comes up while you’re manning the grill. This is one of the multi tools any BBQ lover should own on their Grill Masters collection. An added bonus, enjoying a cold one while grilling has never been more convenient, with the added bottle opener on the spine of the blade. Everything from its double pointed tip to its curved edge, it’s especially built from the point of view of the discerning pitmaster, ready to take on any challenge that may arise.

So this BBQ pitmaster knife fits the ultimate criteria for coolness. Does it look cool? Check. Does it have cool features? Check. And is it unique? Absolutely. 

PROS:

• The blade is made of precision forged, ultra sharp high carbon steel 7cr17mov-x vacuum treated steel.
• Features a black, non-reflective titanium nitride coating.
• The perfect balance between blade sharpness and sturdiness, hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side.
• Uniquely designed fiber-resin military grade G10 black handle, nearly impervious to heat, cold, or moisture.

CONS:

• This knife has a pretty distinctive look, and while it’s extremely cool, some folks might find that it clashes with their kitchen decor. If that matters to you, maybe find another option.
• Its titanium nitride coating might make sharpening the knife a bit daunting at first, but there’s nothing to be scared of; you’ll get the hang of it!
• If you prefer knives with leather sheath, this one might not be for you.

3. Chef Knife & Sujihiki Hybrid 12" | Kitchen Gladius | Gladiator Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong ©

Merging different types of knives to create a whole new tool is also very cool. This knife from Dalstrong’s Gladiator series is a great example of that. The “Kitchen Gladius,” an utterly unique knife that brings together the all-purpose awesomeness of the chef knife and the slicing power of the sujihiki. This 12” piece of cutlery has everything you need for buttery smooth, paper-thin slices of roasts, fish, BBQ, cured meats, vegetables, and much more.

The sujihiki knife is a fantastic choice for carving and cutting thin, straight slices of meat and fish. The fact is that this awesome knife brings together the best qualities of both the chef’s knife and the sujihiki, essentially serving as a thinner, double-bevel yanagiba knife. It features a slightly taller than normal blade profile, which allows for improved control. It also features a pointed tip for easy piercing. 

This 12” chef’s knife / sujihiki hybrid is a highly versatile slicer that makes a great addition to any BBQ enthusiast’s knife set or knife roll. 

PROS:

• Precision forged, ultra sharp, wear resistant high carbon German ThyssenKrupp steel.
• Absolutely gorgeous design, with a perfectly engineered balance and satisfying heft.
• Low maintenance knife, very easy to clean and look after.
• Polished spine and premium ABS polymer handle.

CONS:

• Not everyone is a fan of the ABS polymer handle material, preferring pakkawood or G10 garolite.
• This is a great in-between a slicer and a chef’s knife, but if what you’re looking for is one or the other, there are great options to pick from in this list (a Tanto knife would also be a great alternative).

4. Professional Oyster & Clam Shucking Knife 3.5" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong ©

One of the coolest things about wading into the world of specialty knives is that you find out there’s a knife for literally anything. Sure, you can accomplish many of these highly-specialized kitchen tasks with other all-purpose knives, but isn’t it cool that if you want to do things the best possible way, you can find a tool that’s uniquely designed for that specific purpose?

Such is the case with this nifty little knife. A 3.5” oyster and clam shucking knife, guaranteed to save you time if you’re in a hurry or if you’re part of a professional kitchen where you need to quickly shuck a large amount of oysters in a short amount of time. Who knew there was such a thing?

Not only is this tool designed to help you easily pry open the toughest of oysters confidently and safely, it’s also able to help you prepare shellfish and perform a number of precise, seafood-related tasks. This makes it a fantastic choice for cooks in professional seafood restaurants as well as a great gift for the seafood enthusiast in your family.

PROS:

• This knife with sheath features a wide, reinforced thick super Stainless steel blade (made of high-carbon steel Japanese AUS-10V).
• Triple riveted with an engraved center.
• Thick ultra-premium G10 garolite handle for an easy grip and a hand guard for safety.
• Hand-finished in the Honbazuke 3-step method for a beautiful mirror polish.

CONS:

• Suffice to say if you’re not someone who shucks a lot of oysters this knife won’t be of much interest to you.

5. Meat Chopper 8" with Acacia Wood Stand | 'The Punisher' | Gladiator Series | NSF Certified | Dalstrong ©

Sometimes, a traditional knife just won’t quite cut it. Sometimes you need a tool that packs a bigger wallop. Sometimes, you need “The Punisher.”

Yes, this BBQ “battle chopper” looks more like an ax than any type of knife you’ve ever seen, but that’s sort of the point. Not only does this battle-ready mega-tool project devastating power, it’s also manufactured with the right materials to ensure it’s more than just looks. If you’re taking on large cuts of meat and bone and find that traditional knives aren’t doing the job, this might just be what you’re looking for.

Weighing in at a massive 2.3 lbs, this uniquely shaped 8” kitchen tool comes with its own acacia wood stand so you can proudly display it as a statement piece. With this knife you’re telling the world “I take my meat seriously.” And the world will respond “that’s pretty cool.”

PROS:

• Our meat choppers are proudly made of single-piece, high-carbon 7cr17mov stainless steel blades at 56+ Rockwell hardness.
• The edge is hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees per side, screamingly sharp.
• A powerful kitchen tool unlike any other you’ve ever owned. This knife is utterly unique, and will serve as a conversation-starter.
• A sturdy and comfortable G10 garolite handle with strong impact resistance.

CONS:

• Not everyone is a fan of the “ax” blade look.
• This thing sure packs a wallop. At 2.3 lbs, this unique blade might be a little heavy for some home cooks.

6. Tuna Knife 17" | Ronin Series | Dalstrong ©

You know what’s cool? A Samurai Sword.

That’s right, this absolutely gargantuan 17” tuna knife (others call this a Samurai sword or movie swords) could be best described as a “tuna sword”. It’s an absolutely gorgeous, elegant show-stopper. A jaw-dropping piece of culinary art, inspired by the famed maguro kiri bōchō and bringing the history of Japanese culinary tradition to the 21st century.

The Ronin series 17” tuna knife features a jaw-dropping length and narrow profile, which makes it an ideal tool for slicing up large pieces of fish such as tuna, swordfish, and more. If you’re a home cook with a passion for seafood or you work in a professional environment where you’re handling big fish often, this is the knife for you. Make sure to have the coolest sword accessories to complete the look.

Not only is it great from a practical standpoint, this knife is a piece of art as well. Definitely something you can add to your list of cool gifts to give on the Holidays (aside from knife accessories). Absolutely beautiful ultra-premium Japanese high-carbon AUS-10V steel single-bevel blade knife featuring the gorgeous Liquid-Kusari pattern which not only looks amazing but also maximizes slicing efficiency.

PROS:

• This thing is huge! This makes it extremely useful when working with big fish such as swordfish and tuna.
• Made of premium materials: Japanese high-carbon AUS-10V stainless steel.
• Hand-finished in the traditional Honbazuke 3-step method, for a gorgeous polished edge at 15 degrees.
• A traditional Japanese octagon handle made of military-grade G10 garolite and red rosewood for a comfortable two-handed hold.

CONS:

• This thing is huge! At 17”, this is the largest knife listed here. If you’re not someone who works with large fish, this might not be the knife for you.

7. Rocker Knife 7" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong ©

This one’s called the “Rocker” knife, but it’s probably not the type of rocker you’re thinking about. This is a pretty unique 7” knife with a pronounced belly and a curved blade designed with the specific purpose of making it easy to mince, dice, and chop herbs, garlic, vegetables, nuts, and much more. 

As you might imagine, the name refers to the back-and-forth rocking motion along the cutting surface, and the knife’s unique geometry is engineered specifically to facilitate this movement. This makes it easier for those of us who have grown accustomed to that motion when doing meal prep; with some knives (particularly the cheaper variety) it often results in some fatigue. Not so much with this 7” rocker.

Aside from that, this is a powerful knife in its own right, allowing you a great degree of control and earning its rightful place in any high-volume kitchen arsenal. The fact that it’s part of Dalstrong’s acclaimed Shogun series means it’s also made of the very best materials, ensuring durability and excellence.

PROS:

• An extremely sharp knife, at a 8-12 degree angle per side.
• Features a tapered bolster for a great “zero-balance” grip.
• The blade knife is made of AUS-10V Japanese super steel, with 67-layer Damascus cladding.
• An absolutely gorgeous knife, showing off the Shogun series Tsunami Rose blade knife pattern.

CONS:

• The design of this knife is gorgeous, but very “showy” and might not be everyone’s idea of “cool”.
• If you’re not someone who does a lot of prep work or uses the rocking back-and-forth motion to chop your herbs and vegetables, maybe look into getting a chef knife instead.

8. Annihilator Meat Cleaver with Stand 14" | The Gladiator Series | Cleaver NSF Certified | Dalstrong

Ah yes, the annihilator, the next step in meat cleaver evolution. This absolutely monstrous 14” meat cleaver is an absolute beast, created with the sole purpose of breaking down and carving meat. And yes, this gargantuan piece of kitchen weaponry lives up to the “Gladiator” designation, as its design calls to mind the weapons of the Roman empire.

This knife is over the top. Not only is its design immediately impressive (this is the type of knife you want to leave conspicuously out during cookouts, inspiring awed comments from onlookers) but it’s also made of the right stuff to ensure an absolutely brutal kitchen performance. Its massive 14” blade is crafted from premium high-carbon steel (7cr17mov stainless steel, heat-treated to 60HRC).

So whether you’re breaking down a whole hog, gliding through bone and sinew, or chopping up a large assortment of tough-skinned produce, you know this knife’s razor-sharp edge will stack up to any challenge you throw its way.

PROS:

• An extremely sharp knife, with an edge that’s painstakingly hand-sharpened to the perfect balance between sharpness and resilience.
• Tempered to ensure maximum durability.
• Ergonomic, military-grade G10 handle.
• Features a stainless steel second bolster (end cap) for counter balance and looks.
• Comes with a beautiful stand.

CONS:

• This thing is massive. 14” of pure slicing power. Some home cooks might not need a knife this large.
• This is also towards the upper end of the price range represented here, but come on. Just take a look at it. Is it any wonder?

9. Butcher & Breaking Knife 10" | Phantom Series | Dalstrong ©

We could call this a “butcher & breaking knife” and be done with it, but as we’ve learned in this article, names have a lot to do with coolness. So for the purposes of this piece, let’s refer to this awesome blade by its other name: the scimitar knife.

Have you ever heard of a scimitar knife? Also known as cimeter, this is a type of knife that’s designed to emulate ancient swords from the Middle East. Their length and curved edge make them perfect knives for breaking down large pieces of meat into smaller, retail-ready cuts. If you’re a hunting aficionado, for instance, a scimitar knife would come in especially handy.

Scimitar knives are great for portioning large cuts of beef, pork, or poultry with a single, easy slice. You’ll be able to very easily move the blade through meat like butter, allowing you more freedom to portion it however you like. You can also break down large game such as moose, deer, elk, or more without getting lost in the meat. And they’re also great as skinning knife, as their long curved blade makes it easy to remove the skin in one swift motion.

No meat lover’s kitchen arsenal is complete without a scimitar.

PROS:

• 10” precision forged blade with premium Japanese AUS-8 steel, with high levels of chromium for added stain resistance.
• Full tang provides robustness and balance.
• Extremely sharp edge, hand polished within an incredible 13-15 degrees. Careful with this one!
• Features a premium quality laminated pakkawood handle imported from Spain.

CONS:

• Not everyone needs a breaking knife, so if you’re not someone who handles large cuts of meat on the regular, think about whether you need one.
• The laminated pakkawood handles are comfortable and stylish, but some folks might prefer the G10 garolite or ABS polymer handles on some of these other knives.

10. Ulu Knife 6.5" | Shogun Series | Dalstrong ©

As far as uniqueness of design is concerned, this absolutely ingenious knife from Dalstrong’s Shogun series is one of the coolest knives you can find anywhere. Thanks to its unique blade shape, holding this Ulu knife in your hand and applying it to a cut of food – it’s meant for skinning, trimming, and cutting large cuts of meat as well as chopping vegetables – feels like you’re somehow getting away with something. Like you’re in on some sort of secret, a member of the club. Like you’ve been clued in on an awesome shortcut that few people know about. That’s cool.

What is an Ulu knife, anyway? Well, Dalstrong’s Shogun Ulu knife is inspired by an Alaskan blade of the same name. Ulu knives are all-purpose knives traditionally used by Inuit, Yupik, and Aleut women. They are extremely versatile and can be just as easily used for breaking down cuts of meat as for chopping vegetables. An absolute must-have blade for life in the arctic.

And, as part of Dalstrong’s Shogun series, this fascinating blade is made with ultra-premium Japanese high-carbon AUS-10V steel, with cryogenic tempering with liquid nitrogen, enhancing the blade’s strength, flexibility, and hardness. So not only are you getting an utterly unique knife, but the ultimate performance as well.

PROS:

• Features a handle made of G-10 Garolite, a fiberglass-like material that is comfortable to hold and, most importantly, durable.
• Blade made of 6.5” precision-forged, ultra-premium Japanese AUS-10V super steel.
• Hand-finished with the Honbazuke 3-step method for an incredible mirror-polished edge.
• 62+ Rockwell hardness, which guarantees incredible edge retention.

CONS:

• The knife’s unique shape might be a little tricky to master at first, but keep at it; very soon you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
• Sharpening this knife might also be a bit tricky at first!

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