Best Knife Set
Knife sets can be a great value for money. In most cases, for the price of one professional grade kitchen knife, you can have a set of multiple-use knives, including a sharpening rod and scissors. Best of all, these comprehensive sets often come in a neat block stand that sits on the countertop.
Which set is the right set, though, for your cooking needs? Are they really the value they purport to be? We decided to look at the best knife collections to see if they are worth the money, so read on to discover our findings.
- Hand-wash only for the best results
- High-carbon stainless steel blades are robust and retain sharpness
- Comfort-grip poly handles for less hand strain
- The blades are rust, stain, and pitting resistant
- Comes with a lifetime warranty for ultimate peace of mind
- Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 15.4
- Weight: 7.7 lbs
- Santoprene handles for comfort and grip
- High-carbon German stainless steel blades
- Rust and stain resistant for a longer lifespan
- Full tang for balance and control
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 15
- Weight: 8.1 lbs
- Highly colored for a fun and modern appearance
- Comes with magnetized blades to wall mount if desired
- Ergonomic non-slip handles for comfort and grip
- Food-grade non-stick coating to the blades
- Rust proof, odor proof, and dull proof
- Dimensions: 14.4 x 10.3 x 1.5
- Weight: 1.16 lbs
- Built-in ceramic knife sharpener for consistent cutting edge
- High-carbon stainless steel blades
- Triple-riveted handles give durability and comfort
- Full tang for strength and balance
- Lifetime warranty means peace of mind when purchasing
- Dimensions: 6 x 12 x 5
- Weight: 4.7 lbs
- It comes as a versatile 18-piece set
- High-quality stainless steel blades
- Balanced and weighted for greater comfort and less hand strain
- Ergonomic triple-riveted handles
- Comes with a wooden block for countertop storage
- Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 14
- Weight: 4.58 lbs
- Magnetic blades attach to the display stand
- German high-quality stainless steel blades
- The blades are taper-ground for greater sharpness and durability
- The acacia wood stand holds 7 knives
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 4
- 17.3 lbs
- High-carbon stainless steel blades are robust and stay sharp
- Dishwasher safe (although hand-washing gets better results)
- Ergonomic engineering ensures comfort and less hand strain
- Full tang for balance and control
- 16-Piece set includes a set of kitchen scissors
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 14.8
- Weight: 10.65 lbs
- High quality stainless steel
- No rusting, staining or pitting
- High quality pakkawood handles
- Ergonomic handles for comfort and grip
- Full tang
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 9.8 x 5
- Weight: 8.7 lbs
- Dishwasher safe for an easy clean up
- Full tang and lightweight for maneuverability
- High quality stainless steel blades
- Satin finish
- Comes as a 15-piece set
- Dimensions: 15.2 x 8.8 x 5.2
- Weight: 8.4 lbs
- High quality stainless steel blades and handles
- Comfort grip with a satin finish
- Hand-wash only for the best results
- Includes kitchen scissors and a sharpening rod
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.6 x 13.6
- Weight: 5.8 lbs
This 12-piece set from Chicago Cutlery is so popular that it sells in the thousands. It’s constructed from high-carbon stainless steel blades for a robust cutting edge, and the comfort-grip handles mean that using the knife decreases the chances of hand strain.
Pros
- 12-piece set
- Rust, pitting, and stain resistant
- Lifetime warranty
- Comfort -grip handles
Cons
- The blades aren’t as sharp as other in its class
- Steak knives aren’t serrated for a more comfortable cutting action
This Mercer 6-piece set comes with a modern stand that will look good in any kitchen. The blades are made from high-carbon German stainless steel so should be able to handle most cutting tasks without dulling. The knife blades are resistant to rust, stain, and pitting too.
Pros
- Stain, rust, and pitting resistant
- High-carbon German steel blades
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Santoprene handles for comfort
Cons
- The blades dull quickly
- Some rust appears at the base of the handle
If you are looking for something fun to give as a gift, then these colorful magnetic knives by Vremi are sure to brighten up even the dullest kitchen. They have ergonomic handles so hand strain won’t be a problem, and the coated blades make slicing and dicing safe too.
Pros
- Bright colors that are fun
- Magnetic blades for wall mounting
- Comes as a 10-piece set including the sheaths
- Ergonomically designed handles
Cons
- Beware the coating flaking off
- They blunt too easily
This Calphalon set has a built-in ceramic sharpener that always keeps the high-carbon stainless steel blades in tip-top condition. These knives have a full tang for balance, and the triple riveted handles are comfortable to grip.
Pros
- Built-in ceramic sharpener
- High-carbon stainless steel blades
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Full tang
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a bread knife
- Uncomfortable compared to others in its class
For an 18-piece set, these AmazonBasics knives are great value for money. That’s why we chose them as our budget pick. They’re constructed from high quality stainless steel, and the handles are ergonomically designed for maximum comfort. It makes the overall feel of the knives balanced and weighted.
Pros
- Great price makes them our budget pick
- Balanced and weighted
- 18-piece set
- Stainless steel blades
Cons
- Blades dull very quickly
- Feel bulky and awkward
These Mercer knives are incredibly stylish, especially when you see them mounted on the Acacia wood magnetic stand. They are made from German stainless steel and come with a limited lifetime warranty for peace of mind.
Pros
- Magnetic blades that mount on the display board
- German stainless steel blades
- Taper-ground for additional sharpness
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Prone to spots of rust
- Dull very quickly
- Display block not as good quality as it looks in the picture
This KitchenAid knife set is fashioned from high-carbon German steel for strength and prolonged sharpness. It is dishwasher safe, has ergonomic engineering, and comes with a lifetime warranty for peace of mind when purchasing.
Pros
- High-carbon German steel
- Ergonomic design
- Full tang
- Includes kitchen scissors
Cons
- Prone to rusting easily
- Build quality issues with the stand
This Emojoy set is constructed from high-carbon stainless steel and is rust, stain, and pitting proof. The pakkawood handle gives the collection a classic look, and overall it has the styling of a much more expensive set.
Pros
- High-carbon stainless steel
- Pakkawood handles
- Ergonomic design
- Full tang
Cons
- The wooden handles get damaged in the dishwasher
- The steak knives are flimsy
These J.A Henckels knives are made from high quality stainless steel and finished with a satin gloss. They have a full tang and are lightweight and balanced for comfort and grip. Best of all, they’re dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Full tang and lightweight
- Satin finished blade
- Stainless steel
Cons
- The slots in the block don’t fit all the knives
These Farberware knives are for hand-washing only. The abrasive action of the dishwasher dulls the blades and wears the materials. The set has a lifetime warranty and includes kitchen scissors and a sharpening rod to keep the blades in great condition.
Pros
- High-carbon stainless steel blades
- Comfort grips
- Hand-wash only
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- They start to rust quite quickly
- The blade dulls quickly
Knife Set Buyer’s Guide
Selecting the right knife set comes down to budget. You could spend big and get a single pro chef’s knife, but for the same cost a knife set might be a better value – and might offer more versatility – for your money. One expensive chef’s knife can’t do all the things a 15-piece knife set can do.
Beyond budget and versatility, you should also consider:
Functions
The purpose of a set of knives is to give you the full range of tools to cover most jobs. Sure, a high quality pro series knife will be better quality, but it’s a trade-off for versatility. Look for a carving knife, a paring knife, and a good size multi-knife.
Power
Most of the power in a knife comes from the materials used. High-carbon stainless steel should make the blade robust enough to handle most jobs, and the ergonomic handle increases the impact of the way you use the knife.
Styling
Some of these knife sets are pretty stylish. With pakkawood handles and acacia wood mounting blocks, most of the collections featured would look great in any kitchen. You could also go for a vibrant color, like the Vremi 10-piece set.
Clever Technology
The technology in modern knife sets is in the blade manufacturing process. Stainless steel is mixed with carbon to create a high-carbon stainless steel blade that doesn’t dull and retains that sharp edge. That should keep your knife set working well for years to come.
Product Warranty
These knife sets come with generous lifetime warranties that ensure you won’t have to worry should something go wrong. This doesn’t mean that you can mistreat the knife; rather, you’ll need to use the knife in accordance with the user manual for the warranty to be upheld.
Brand Loyalty
There are some fantastic brands in this list, including Chicago Cutlery, Farberware, and KitchenAid. These brands have spent years building their presence in the sector so that you can easily choose a brand you know and trust. Regardless of maker, though, you should check out which sets sell well on Amazon and what the reviews are like.
FAQ
Why do most knife manufacturers recommend hand-washing the knives rather than putting them in the dishwasher?
Dishwashers tend to be abrasive in the way they clean, especially with the jets of hot water and the detergent. In addition, the knife will knock against other cutlery, which could deteriorate the quality of the blade. Hand-washing is gentle and won’t mark the knife.
What’s the difference between high-carbon stainless steel and ordinary stainless steel?
High-carbon stainless steel has been mixed with carbon to give it greater strength and robustness. Most blades are high-carbon stainless steel because of the nature of of their use.
Can you buy replacement knives rather than replacing the entire block set?
Most of the knives can be replaced on an individual basis. If you are looking for specific replacement knives then the best place to start would be the manufacturer. If you have no luck there, then we suggest trying Amazon.
Final Thoughts
A knife set can big a boon in your kitchen as it affords you a full suite of knives for various uses often for the cost of one top-of-the-line chef’s knife. Purchasing the right set, though, means understanding how you plan to use your knives and what caliber of slicing and dicing you hope to attain.
All of these sets we’ve incorporated here are fantastic, but our top pick is the Chicago Cutlery Fusion Set. It has strong sales numbers on Amazon, it looks great in that classic sense, and the knives are good value for money.
