Whether you’re a seasoned chef who just loves to dream of delicious dishes or a hesitant kitchen newbie who is still struggling to master the basics, gathering the right tools to help you on your culinary journey is crucial.
In addition to items like wok and silverware sets, you’ll need a great kitchen knife set that will take care of many of your daily needs. To help you find the best kitchen knife set for your needs, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite kitchen knives on the market that come in a variety of sizes, price points, and uses.
Wüsthof Gourmet 16-Piece Acacia Knife Block Set
For a sturdy and durable kitchen knife set that you can use for years on end, the Wüsthof Gourmet 16-Piece Acacia Knife Set is our selection of the best kitchen knife sets.
It’s a little more expensive than regular knives, but the tempering and hardening steel processes are designed to last for decades, if not generations. The set includes all the knives you need to cut and dice your delicacies. and 9-inch honing steel rods for easy sharpening as needed.
The knives are made in Solingen, Germany, the world’s knife production capital, using the stamped steel method instead of forged steel. This makes the set cheaper than the forged one, but just as durable.
The key, of course, is to take good care of your knives – always hand wash them, not throw them in the dishwasher. The blades are hand-polished and polished with a 14-degree cutting angle for added convenience and versatility.
We love that this set comes with a secure acacia wood knife block to protect your family members and ensure they stay sharp for longer. There are no additives that dull the tool, such as plastic inserts or chamfers. So you can rest assured that your knives are in good storage.
Henckels Statement Knife Block Set
Looking to buy a kitchen on a tight budget? Consider this affordable product from Henckels that comes with 15 useful parts: a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a hollow santoku knife, a chef’s knife, a bread knife, six steak knives, honed steel, scissors, and a hardwood knife holder for storage.
In addition to their low price, all knives in this set come with precise fine-edged blades, and all knives are made of top-grade, stain-resistant, rust-resistant stainless steel. They are lightweight and easy to hold and operate, while the curved handle gives you a firm grip during use.
In addition, all knives and scissors are dishwasher safe, so cleaning up after cooking preparation will be a breeze. The downside is that the handle is a bit blocky, so it doesn’t fit perfectly in everyone’s hand. But if reducing costs is your priority, make sure you don’t miss out on this set, despite these minor flaws.
Shun Hikari Knife Block Set
For shoppers who can afford and are willing to spend a little extra on kitchen accessories, look out for this gorgeous and high-quality knife set from Williams Sonoma. The five handcrafted knives (a paring knife, a utility knife, two chef’s knives, and a bread knife) are made of durable stainless steel and come with birch handles.
Sharp and effective, these knives have micro-serrations that are designed to reduce friction and help the knives last for many years. They all have a comfortable grip thanks to the polishing pads, and the moisture-resistant and antibacterial handle can be used by both left- and right-handed cooks.
The storage block is also made of birch and has eight slots for a variety of knives as well as the included honed steel. Sharpen your knives once a week and sharpen them annually with a whetstone or sharpener.
To prevent rust, be sure to hand wash these knives and avoid using bleach or citrus extracts. Still, this is an excellent set of knives for those who aren’t on a tight budget and want a top-of-the-line collection of kitchen tools.
Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set
If you don’t have enough space for a traditional turret or don’t like the look of a traditional turret, a magnetic turret can be a great space-saving option. If you’re going down that path, the Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Plate Set is the best kitchen knife set.
The set comes with a 9-inch wavy-edge offset bread knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 7-inch Japanese santoku knife, and a 3-inch ultra-thin paring knife, all of which are made from high-carbon Japanese steel and are engineered to last for years even with frequent use.
We love this space-saving set that allows you to take multiple knives as easily as you would with a bulky knife holder. Keep in mind, though, that the set doesn’t include safety features like a plastic cover, and the sharp edges of the knives are fully exposed.
You need to make sure you keep it out of reach to keep your kitchen safe, especially if you have kids or dodgy pets running around.
Zwilling Pro Knife Block Set
Having a sturdy knife holder is the key to keeping your kitchen knives organized and easy to access, and we love this knife from Zwilling people.
In addition to six stainless steel tools (a bread knife, a chef’s knife, a thin-edged prep knife, a paring knife, scissors, and honed steel), it comes with a two-stage sharpener and a 16-groove block made of stainless steel. Stylish and sturdy acacia wood.
The wood block securely stores your knives when not in use, while adding a sophisticated touch to your kitchen with its excellent, elegant design. As for the knives themselves, they are sharp, durable, and corrosion-resistant, and you can use a sharpener to keep their edges as needed.
Each knife has a comfortable grip and an ergonomic curved pad appearance so you can hold them easily. It’s important to note that if you want to avoid empty slots, you’ll need to fill the toolholder with extra knives, which will add to the cost and cause some trouble if you don’t anticipate it.
