8 Inch vs 9 Inch Chef Knife [Which One to Choose?]

Knives are a staple kitchen utensil that is a part of every household. It is vital to ensure you’re comfortable handling your knife. After all, it is used in most cooking activities! 

There are a variety of knife sizes to pick from in the market. Knives come in different blade sizes, but how do you know which one suits you the best? Don’t worry because we are here to answer your question!

8 Inch vs 9 Inch Chef Knife

The blade size is primarily responsible for the difference between the two knives. People that easily handles 8-inch and 9-inch knives that are 5’8″ or taller. You’d be a whiz at handling a 9-inch chef’s knife if you’re taller! It also helps to keep in mind that 9-inch chef knives require larger cutting boards. So, if you have a space limitation, you can go for 8-inch chef’s knives.

If you’re here, you most definitely want to make a well-informed decision before purchasing the perfect knife!

You need to know more before making the best decision for your kitchen. To make this ride smoother, we have made a brief and detailed comparison between 8-inch and 9-inch chef’s knives. Read further to learn more!

8 Inch vs 9 Inch Chef Knife: A Quick Look!

Several professionals primarily use one of these 4 types of chef knives: 8-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. They differ in the size of their blades. Each of these knives serves specific purposes and particular heights.

Of the 4 types of knives we mentioned above, the 8-inch and 9-inch chef’s knives are more widely used than the other two. Today, these are the two types of knives we are going to discuss.

While we have worked on giving you a detailed comparison between both, a sharp contrast helps too. So, before diving into the details, let’s compare the features of 8-inch and 9-inch articles:

Factors	8 Inch Chef Knife	9 Inch Chef Knife
Knife Length	8 Inch	9 Inch
Weight	Lighter	Slightly Heavier
Ease of Use	Easier for users whose height is 5′ 8″ and above	Easier for the user who is taller than 5′ 9′”.
User Forearm Length	8 Inch or Bigger	9 Inch or Bigger
Slicing	Easy	Easier
Required Space	Less	More
Required Board Size	210 mm	240 mm
Price	Check Price	Check Price

8 Inch v/s 9 Inch Chef Knife: A Closer Look of the Features

There is more than one way 8-inch knives can be superior to 9-inch knives. However, 9-inch knives have their share of benefits to offer. Continue reading to understand better! 

We have provided a detailed look on the various features so that you can make an informed decision when selecting the chef knife for all your kitchen needs.

1. Length of Knife

The knife’s length makes all the difference among the 2 knives. 8-inch knives have 8-inch blades, while 9-inch knives have 9-inch blades.

Even in the case of chef knives and santoku knives, they differ because of their lengths. Santoku knives are perfect for slicing and dicing, while chef’s knives are great for cutting meat. However, modern kitchens have been using chef’s knives for most purposes.

2. Weight of Knife

If the weight of your knife doesn’t suit you, it can affect your efficiency. It is essential to be comfortable with the weight of your knife. 

9-inch chef knives are bigger, so obviously, heavier. The blade itself is heavier, and the handle only adds more.

Not everyone finds it easy to work with heavier knives. Ideally, 9-inch knives are well-handled by taller people. While they are heavier, the weight can aid in cutting meat. 

8-inch knives are lighter and have shorter blades. These features make 8-inch chef’s knives more competent to slice and dice.

Therefore, if the added weight that comes with 9-inch knives doesn’t hinder your cooking process, we recommend going with those. But if you find them heavy and uncomfortable to handle, 8-inch knives will be easier to work with.

It is essential to maintain your knife to preserve its functionality and appearance. For this, your knife needs the best knife sheath!

A knife sheath protects your knife and ensures it looks in excellent condition. 

We have mentioned our top recommendations for knife sheaths to give you some direction!

• The Mercer Culinary Knife Guard: Provides some of the best protection among all knife sheaths!
• Mercer Culinary Natural Ash Wood Saya Cover Blade Protector; An excellent option for those looking for wooden knife sheaths.

3. Space

For some people, space can be a limiting factor. Not all kitchens can accommodate bigger kitchen tools. The bigger the knife, the bigger the board size. So, you can pick the knife that is suitable for your space.

Naturally, 9-inch knives require a bigger board size and, of course, need more space for efficient use.

On the other hand, 8-inch knives being smaller, need a smaller board size and require less space. So, if space concerns you, 8-inch knives are the way to go! Talking about chopping boards, here is an article on whether it is better to juice groove cutting board or not.

Board sizes of 210 mm are ideal for 8-inch knives. 9-inch knives required a 240 mm board size and a bigger workspace.

Using 9-inch knives with smaller board sizes or with less space reduces its efficiency and your work quality.

A good knife gets better over time as it gets sharper. There are many easy ways to keep your knives sharp; check them out!

4. Slicing

Motions like slicing is easier with a shorter blade. 8-inch knives do a better job slicing than 9-inch knives as they have shorter blades.

However, if you are a taller person or can handle a 9-inch knife, slicing can be done with those as well.

Are 8inch and 9 inch chef knives equally good?

We’ve seen aspects where 8-inch chef knives are slightly better than 9-inch knives. Let’s look at how 9-inch knives can be equally good as well!

The user’s height is essential while picking between 8- and 9-inch knives. Bigger knives can be challenging to work with for some users. Both these knives do a great job, but one may suit you better than the other.

For users under 5’4″, 6-inch knives function the best as they have relatively small hands. So, it is best to stay clear of 8-inch and 9-inch knives. 

Those with an average height of 5’7″, and 8-inch knives will do an excellent job. A height shorter than one could have a tough time handling 8-inch chef knives. However, it’s not impossible. Shorter chefs can always adjust to 8-inch knives as well. They can also try using santoku knives.

For people with a height of 5’8″ and above, 9-inch knives are a great choice. They will be good at handling heavier knives. So, pick a knife size that is best suitable for your height. 

So, Which one’s the winner?

If you’re still feeling indecisive about 8-inch v/s 9-inch knives, it’s okay. We understand the pressure of wanting to make the right decision. Don’t worry; we are here to give you a final push!

Whether to use an 8-inch or 9-inch knife is subjective. It depends on your comfort as well as your height. 

An average height of 5’7″ or 5’8″ is ideal for handling an 8-inch knife. If you’re taller than this, we recommend going for the 9-inch, as you’d easily be able to perform with heavier knives. We suggest looking for shorter blade sizes if you’re less than these heights.

You can also consider the factor of space. If you have limited space in your kitchen, you’d probably have a tough time storing and efficiently using 9-inch knives. So, 8-inch knives can be more practical to purchase in these situations. 

To quickly wrap it up, we’ve summarized 8-inch and 9-inch knives in a table below! We hope this helps you make a well-informed decision.

Product	Features	Where To Get
8-inch Chef Knife	It doesn’t require as much spaceBest suitable for people that are 5’8″ or shorter	Get Now!
9-inch Chef Knife	Have a bigger bladeEasy handling for taller users	Get Now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ideal weight of a chef’s knife?

The weight of a chef’s knife can affect your work while cooking. Heavier knives can bother you and interfere with the cooking process. On the other hand, heavier knives can also offer excellent slicing power. 5oz is the perfect weight for a chef’s knife to be. You can go for a heavier knife if the extra weight doesn’t bring down your cooking game! 

What is the best thickness of a chef knife handle?

The best thickness for a chef’s knife handle is a quarter of an inch to one inch for relatively short people. Taller people can go for 5/4″ to 3/2″ handle thickness. 

Interestingly, a chef’s knife handle’s thickness can impact the cooking process. It is essential to select a handle thickness that is comfortable to work with and your height. 

 What is the most versatile size of a chef knife?

Chef knives between 6 and 8 inches are the most versatile. You can chop, slice, dice, mince, and whatnot! 6-to-8-inch knives are also suitable for cutting meat. The height of the chef can be a factor to consider too. On an overage, chefs’ heights range from 5’4″ to 5’8′. So, 6-to-8-inch knives are perfect to work with for such height. 

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of this post! We hope our comparison between 8-inch and 9-inch chef knives gives you clarity on which one to choose. 

Many professionals love using 8-inch chef’s knives. It’s light enough to slice and dice with, plus it doesn’t require as big of board size. This, of course, also depends on the chef’s physical build. If you’re a taller person that can handle a heavier knife, 9-inch knives are an excellent option. 

We recommend trying both knives once before making a final decision.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more posts!