Originating in Serbia, France, and Germany, Serbian chef knives can be used to chop through anything. I’ve used many different knives over the years, but I always find myself reaching out for a Serbian knife daily.

Without a doubt, the Authentic XYJ 6.7-Inch Serbian Chef Knife is my go-to option because it’s comfortable on the hand, has a sharp edge, and it’s budget-friendly. Still, I always have more to say when it comes to knife reviews.

So, if you’re on the lookout for an inclusive Serbian chef knife review, continue reading to check my top 10 picks and why I chose them!

Here Are the Best Serbian Chef Knives – Tried & Tested

Here’s a thorough review of my top 10 Serbian chef knives, including their pros, cons, and everything you might need to know, so let’s delve in!

1. Check Today's Price on Amazon

When looking for an excellent Serbian knife, you must be seeking sharpness, high-quality construction, and balance. Luckily, the Authentic XYJ 6.7-Inch Serbian Chef Knife offers all!

Because this knife is handmade using high-carbon steel, you can rest assured that it’s made to last and that the blade will stay sharp for a good while.

When combining the knife’s sharp edge with its weight of 1.33 lbs, you’ll find yourself cutting through anything effortlessly and without having to apply any extra pressure. Besides, the full tang and the comfortable handle make this knife easy to hold and use.

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2. KOPALA Kitchen Knife Cleaver

If you’re seeking a Serbian chef knife that’ll stay sharp and in shape for a while, you won’t find any better than the KOPALA Kitchen Knife Cleaver.

This knife’s construction is incredible, thanks to its three-layer blade that remains razor-sharp as long as you take good care of the knife, almost like self-sharpening knives. Moreover, this carbon steel knife is handmade and forged from scratch with a three-step heat treatment process, ensuring unmatched craftsmanship.

When using the knife, you’ll find that it’s well-balanced in hand, thanks to the full tang construction.

Even though this is a pricey knife, it’s worth the investment.

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3. Imarku 7-Inch Serbian Chef Knife

Another excellent Serbian chef knife that I would recommend to anyone is the Imarku 7-Inch knife. This knife is one of the sharpest and strongest ones I’ve ever come across; it can cut through anything, even bones!

This knife’s blade is harder than regular steel because it’s made from German high-carbon steel and high-manganese steel. In fact, on the Rockwell hardness scale, the Imarku 7-Inch knife reaches up to 56 – 60 HRC, which is pretty high if you ask me.

Moreover, it comes with a black titanium-nitride coating with a unique pattern that makes the knife non-stick, so you can easily chop and slice anything with ease.

The Imarku knife is weighty enough to help you cut through vegetables effortlessly, and its full tang makes it incredibly well-balanced as well.

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4. LICAIDAO Handmade Forging Kitchen Chef Knife

When looking for a truly handmade knife, the LICAIDAO Handmade Forging Kitchen Chef Knife is one you need to check out. Using high-quality carbon steel, these knives are handmade to ensure both sharpness and hardness.

Even the handle is handmade from wood for rivet reinforcement, making the handle easy and comfortable to hold.

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5. WARIKF Hunters Serbian Chef Knife

If you’re searching for a budget-friendly Serbian knife that’s handmade and forged, the Hunters Serbian Chef Knife has got your back! 

This knife’s 6.7-inch blade is made from high-carbon clad steel that provides the knife with strength, durability, and sharpness. As for the full tang handle, it makes the knife incredibly well-balanced and easy to hold. Besides, the wooden handle material is comfortable on the hand.

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6. VK Damascus Handmade Serbian Cleaver

Now, let’s move on to another high-quality Serbian chef knife, which is the VK Damascus Handmade Serbian Cleaver. As its name implies, this knife is handmade from 1095 carbon steel, so it’s durable, long-lasting, and strong.

In fact, this VK Damascus knife is rated 55-57 HRC on the Rockwell hardness scale, so you know it can cut through anything effortlessly.

One of my favorite things about this knife is the genuine leather sheath it comes with, the sheath is of excellent quality, and it’s protective enough to keep the knife in great condition.

The handle is made from Pakka wood, and it’s full tang, making this knife well-balanced in hand. As a result, you can get precise cuts and slices—almost like Shun knives!

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7. LY1122 Hunters Serbian Chef KnifeCheck Today's Price on Amazon

The LY1122 is a Serbian chef knife that you can’t go wrong with if you want a knife that’s easy to use, durable, sharp, and will last a long time, thanks to its high-carbon clad steel construction.

Furthermore, the knife’s wooden handle is very comfortable to hold because the three brass rivets ensure that the handle stays firm and balanced. As for the knife’s hardness, it’s 57 HRC on the Rockwell scale, so you know you’re in for a treat.

If you like the rusty-looking knives in general, this LY1122 Hunters knife should fit right into your kit. However, if you’re a home cook and you like to have your knives on display, this might not be the perfect knife for you.

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8. XYJ Ancient Handmade Forged Butcher Knife

The XYJ Ancient Handmade Forged Butcher Knife is the way you go if you want an affordable, sharp knife that’s up for any task. 

When first holding this knife, you’ll notice how comfortable the grip is, thanks to the non-slip wooden handle design. Besides, the full tang handle makes the knife well-balanced in hand for precise slicing.

If you like camping or hunting and want a knife with you at all times, you’ll love XYJ’s plastic sheath because it’s durable enough to keep your knife protective and to ensure safety. You can even attach it to your belt for accessibility outdoors.

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9. Promithi Professional Kitchen Chef Knife

Out of the box, the Promithi Professional Kitchen Chef Knife left me impressed with its build quality and its overall looks.

Because this knife is made from stainless steel, it’s not as hard as other options, but it’s still hard enough to cut through meat, fish, vegetables, and even bones. Additionally, the stainless steel construction protects the knife from corrosion and rust, as long as you take good care of it.

I found the handle to be very ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The shape of the knife as a whole is easy to work with; you’ll find yourself slicing through anything with this knife.

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10. Cinlinso Professional Butcher Knife

And now, with the last Serbian chef knife on this list, it’s the Cinlinso Professional Butcher Knife. Besides selling at a budget-friendly price, this knife is incredibly well-made, and it’ll last for years without suffering a scratch.

When you first hold this knife, you’ll immediately notice that it’s a bit heavy. But there’s a learning curve to using this Cinlinso knife if you’re not used to heavier knives. However, if you can appreciate a heavy knife, this one will cut through anything without any effort from you.

The knife is made from high-carbon clad steel that resists stains in the long run. Besides, this knife is well-balanced enough to prevent fatigue, even if you’ll be cutting and slicing food for a long period.

Sharpness-wise, this knife is sharpened using five different angles, so you can rest assured knowing its blade is as sharp as can be.

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Buying Guide: What to Look for When Buying The Best Serbian Chef Knife?

Now that you’ve met our top 10 knives, it’s time for the buyer’s guide to help you through the process of choosing the perfect Serbian knife for your needs.

Check the Weight of the Knife

When shopping for a Serbian knife, the first thing you need to check is its weight. Knives that are too heavy will tire out your hands, but they make cutting through food much easier. On the flip side, light knives are easier to use, especially for a home cook, but they might not cut through as effortlessly as you’d want.

To get the best of both worlds, try to find a knife that’s neither too heavy nor too light; somewhere around 1 lb should be the sweet spot for most chefs.

Balance the Knife in Your Hand

Besides weight, the knife must be well-balanced. Hold the knife and see if its weight distribution is uniform across the whole thing. Avoid knives where one end is noticeably heavier than the other.

Check the Knife Size

Try to opt for a knife that’s around 7 inches in blade length and 4 inches in blade width. Those are the measurements that most Serbian knives meet, and that size makes a knife versatile enough to be used for different tasks.

Check Knife Handle

It goes without saying that you need a knife that’s comfortable to hold. Most Serbian knives come with a wooden handle. Try to look for a knife that’s full tang to ensure even weight distribution.

Besides, knives with sharp edges around the handle are a huge no-no because they’ll be too uncomfortable on your hand.

Look Into the Knife Bolster

The bolster of a knife provides it with durability and evens out its balance. Most full tang knives have a bolster, further proving that you should be seeking a full tang Serbian knife.

Check the Knife Edge

What good is a knife if it doesn’t have a sharp edge? Look for a Serbian chef knife that has a razor-sharp edge. You can test how sharp an edge is by cutting through a piece of paper with the knife.

What Material Is Used in Serbian Chef Knives

Most Serbian knives are made with carbon steel, and here’s why this material is so popular in the knife-making industry.

The high-carbon content provides the blade with hardness, sharpness, and wear resistance. Also, carbon steel is easy to sharpen, so you can easily restore a dull edge. However, carbon steel doesn’t resist corrosion, and you might end up with some rust on your knife.

Moreover, some manufacturers use stainless steel for its corrosion-resisting properties. So, if you’ll be using your knife for fishing, you should opt for a stainless steel knife; otherwise, a carbon steel knife should do you well.

How to Sharpen the Serbian Chef Knife

If your Serbian knife starts to go dull after heavy usage, it’s time to resharpen the tool. Keep on reading to learn how.

Choose the Whetstone 

Whetstones are the stones used for sharpening cutting tools. They’re made of different materials, such as aluminum oxide, ceramics, or diamond. 

Diamond stones offer fast sharpening, so they’re great for those on the go. However, they can be quite costly; they’re an investment that not everybody needs to make. 

So if you’re on a budget, you can opt for other types of whetstones.

Figure the Angle

Now, it’s time to place your knife on the whetstone to figure out the correct angle. Place the knife at a 15 to 20-degree angle, and make sure to keep that angle constant while you’re sharpening the knife.

Lubricate the Stone

As you’re sharpening, you’ll notice that the whetstone keeps going dry due to the friction. Just make sure you keep the stone lubricated with water as you’re going.

Angle Guide

If you’re having trouble holding the knife at a constant angle, you can get an angle guide clip. That clip keeps the knife at the perfect angle and makes sure it stays there as you’re sharpening.

Grinding and Sharpening

As you’re moving your knife on the whetstone, the grinding motion sharpens the knife’s edge by grinding off the dullness. So, keep grinding and sharpening until the knife is sharp enough to cut through a sheet of paper; that’s how you know you’re done.

Serbian Knife vs. Butcher Knife

As you’d expect, butcher knives are used for cutting and slicing meats. They usually have a curved edge to cut through meat effortlessly.

On the other hand, a Serbian knife is an all-purpose knife that can be used for meats, vegetables, and sometimes bones. As a result, it’s one of the most versatile knives in a kitchen, unlike butcher knives that are mostly used for cutting meat.

Final Words

Now that you know what to look for in a Serbian chef knife, you’re ready to take over the market, and I guarantee that you’ll find the perfect knife for your needs. For a quick memory refresh, here’s my recommended Serbian knife that you can’t go wrong with.

The Authentic XYJ 6.7-Inch Serbian Chef Knife is durable, sharp, and hard enough to cut through anything. On top of that, it’s comfortable to hold, thanks to its wooden handle. Not to mention, its affordable price is a huge bonus!

Make sure to check our other reviews and buying guides: 

• Best OTF Knife
• Pink Pocket Knife
• Best Utility Knife
• Balisong Knives
• Best Throwing Knives

and more!