The Best Kitchen Knife Set Ultimate Guide – No Kitchen Without Knife

When it comes to home cooking, you can’t get very far without a good set of knives. Whether you’re chopping vegetables, carving meat, or slicing bread, you need the right knife for the job. Ideally, the knives will stand up over time and give you years of culinary enjoyment.

Though you can buy knives individually, it often makes sense to get a set. Knives are specialized, and in order to prepare food properly you need at least a few different knives to get started. By buying a set, you get a variety of knives for a lower price. Knife sets often include a knife block as well, so you have a safe place to store your knives and keep them sharp.

Model	Price	Value	Pieces
MESSERMEISTER SAN MORITZ ELITÉ 23-PIECE KNIFE BLOCK SET	Check Today's Price	$$$	23
MERCER CULINARY GENESIS 6-PIECE FORGED KNIFE BLOCK SET, TEMPERED GLASS BLOCK	Check Today's Price	$	6
VICTORINOX 8-PIECE KNIFE BLOCK SET	Check Today's Price	$$	8
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS FOUR STAR 3PC KNIFE SET	Check Today's Price	$$$$	3
WUSTHOF CLASSIC 7-PIECE SLIM KNIFE BLOCK SET (CHERRY)	Check Today's Price	$$	7
CHICAGO CUTLERY INSIGNIA2 18-PIECE KNIFE BLOCK SET WITH IN-BLOCK KNIFE SHARPENER	Check Today's Price	$$$$	18

What Knives Do I Need?

One of the reasons to purchase a knife set is for the variety. There are some essential pieces to look for in any knife set, along with specialized knives that fit your cooking needs.

At a minimum, your knife set should include:

• A chef’s knife. A chef’s knife is the workhorse of any kitchen and can be used for a wide variety of tasks, including chopping, slicing, and dicing. You can also use the wide blade for crushing items like garlic. A chef’s knife is usually about eight inches long and 1.5 inches wide.
• A paring knife. A paring knife is smaller and thinner than a chef’s knife and is typically used for fine chopping and other precise tasks. Their blades are typically three to four inches long.
• A serrated knife. A serrated knife has small teeth and works well for slicing bread and other softer items like tomatoes. Unfortunately, serrated knives can’t be sharpened and will need to be replaced if they get dull.

Other knives to consider, depending on your cooking needs, include:

• A carving knife. Carving knives have long, thin blades and are ideal for carving meat. The blades run anywhere from eight to 16 inches long.
• A meat cleaver. Meat cleavers have large, rectangular blades and are perfect for chopping up meat.
• A vegetable cleaver. Similar in shape to a meat cleaver, vegetable cleavers have a straight edge that stays in contact with your vegetables while you chop.
• A boning knife. A boning knife has a long, thin blade and is able to cut through bone. Blades are typically four to six inches long and are a bit more flexible than other knife blades.
• A fileting knife. Fileting knives have long, flexible blades and are perfect for fileting fish. Blades range in size from four to 10 inches.
• A Kiritsuke knife. This Japanese knife is a multi-purpose tool with a straight edge and long blade.
• A Santoku knife. This is another Japanese knife that rivals a chef’s knife for versatility. Its straight edge makes it perfect for slicing, dicing, and mincing.
• Kitchen shears. Though not technically a knife, kitchen shears come in handy for a variety of tasks, from opening packaging to chopping herbs.

What Should I Look for in a Knife?

Set of professional knives: paring, Yanagiba, pizza knife, Santoku, carving knife, universal or chef’s knife

Buying a knife set is an investment. Your knives should fit your style of cooking as well as your overall budget. As you consider different knife sets, there are a few elements to keep in mind.

Cost

Some knives, and knife sets, can be quite expensive. Depending on the brand, they may be worth the investment. When it comes to knife sets, though, be sure to read the reviews carefully; some manufacturers include second- or third-tier quality knives in knife sets.

There are high-quality knife sets out there though. Investing in a set, rather than individual pieces, can give you more value for your money. You also don’t have to spend as much time researching each individual piece.

Decide what knives are essential for you and your cooking style. With that in mind, look for a knife set that has those pieces but also fits your budget.

Construction

Knives are constructed in two different ways: forged and stamped.

Forged knives are made from a solid piece of steel. The steel is heated and then cut and beaten into the needed shape. Forged knives are less likely to bend with repeated use and are quite sturdy. They also have a higher price point.

Stamped knives are cut by a machine. They have the same thickness through the blade. They tend to be less expensive than forged knives and many perform quite well. They are also lighter weight, so if you have smaller hands or just prefer lighter weight knives, look for ones that are stamped.

Tang

Knife tang is how far the blade extends into the knife handle. A longer tang provides stability and balance. A short tang could come apart from the handle, creating a safety hazard. Most quality knives have either a full tang, meaning the blade extends the full length of the handle, or a ¾ tang, meaning they extend three-quarters of the way into the handle.

Comfort

The knife you choose should feel comfortable in your hand. Handles come in a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, and metal. Plastic composite and metal handles last the longest. Wood can become soft and rot, so it’s best to go with a plastic or metal handle. Regardless of the material, though, the knife should have an ergonomic handle with a textured or non-slip grip to prevent accidents.

Weight

Knife weight is subjective. Some prefer heavy knives, while others prefer lighter knives. If you’re uncertain which type of knife you prefer, stop by a store to pick up a few and compare them, or see if you have a friend that will let you “test drive” their knives. With the different metals available today, a lightweight blade can be as durable as a heavier one, so go with what feels right for you.

Balance

A good knife should be balanced. It shouldn’t have any lean to one side or another, and the blade and handle should balance as well. If the knife is balanced, it will be easier to use safely and precisely.

Materials

The knife blade is essential to the performance of your knife. Blades can be made from a variety of materials, including:

• Carbon steel. Carbon steel is very sturdy and strong but less durable than other materials. You also have to stay on top of cleaning and drying a carbon steel blade, otherwise you may end up with rust or stains. Carbon steel knives also sharpen easily.
• Stainless steel. Stainless steel is also sturdy along with being durable and more resistant to rust. Stainless steel blades are a more of a challenge to sharpen.
• High-carbon stainless steel. High-carbon stainless steel is more durable than carbon steel and stronger than stainless steel. It’s also relatively easy to sharpen.
• Ceramic knives are light and sharp, and stay that way for a long time. If they do need sharpening, though, you need to take them to a professional.

Sharpness

Chef cutting roasted chicken steak on wooden board

Dull knives are dangerous. They’re harder to work with and you’re more likely to slip and have an accident with a dull knife. Obviously, your knife should be sharp and stay sharp for a relatively long period of time. All knives will dull over time, though, so be sure to purchase a knife set that includes a knife sharpener, purchase a separate sharpener, or take them to a professional for a tune-up from time to time.

Care and Maintenance

Some knives may say they’re dishwasher safe, and that may be true. Dishwashers can cause damage and dings to knives, though. To get the most out of your knives, though, they should be hand washed. As soon as you’re finished using the knife, hand wash it and then dry it immediately to prevent rust and water spots. Sharpen your knives when you notice them becoming dull. Avoid using an electric sharpener, though, as they can take too much metal off of the knife blade. Utilizing a wooden cutting board will also help maintain your knife’s edge.

Storage

In order to last, knives need to be properly stored, and this doesn’t mean throwing them into a drawer. Many knife sets come with a storage block made of wood or stainless steel so you can safely store your knives. You can also utilize a cloth knife roll. Simply place your knives inside and roll it up when you’re not using them.

Recommended Knife Sets

Here are some high-quality knife sets. Whether you’re just starting out in the kitchen or you’re an experienced home chef looking to upgrade, there’s a set that will work for your needs (and your budget).

Messermeister San Moritz Elité 23-Piece Knife Block Set

The Messermeister San Moritz Elité 23-piece knife block set has every kitchen knife you might need, along with a sleek knife block for storage. The set includes:

• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• A 7-inch kullenschliff santoku knife
• A 9-inch bread knife
• An 8-inch carving knife
• A 7-inch fork
• A 6-inch scalloped offset knife
• A 6-inch utility knife
• A 5-inch scalloped utility knife
• A 5-inch boning knife
• A 4-1/2-inch paring knife
• A 3-1/2-inch paring knife
• A 3-1/2-inch boning and paring knife
• 8 4-1/2-inch steak knives
• A 10-inch steel knife
• 8-1/2-inch scissors
• A 22-slot knife block

Messermeister is a German knife brand known for its high-quality knives. Each knife in the San Moritz Elité line is forged individually from a single piece of steel that’s heated, molded, and then struck several times by a pneumatic hammer. The blades are made from high-carbon German steel that’s tough, durable, and easily sharpened. 3rd and 4th generation cutlery artisans in Solingen, Germany assemble each knife by hand.

Each knife has a ¾ tang, which means the blade extends ¾ of the way into the handle. This gives the knife balance and strength. The handles are ergonomic are made from molded POM, which is a durable thermoplastic. Each blade is hand polished to a 15° edge. The chef’s knife has a wider blade than most, giving you more leverage as you’re cutting in the kitchen.

Messermeister was the first knife manufacturer to create knives with a bolsterless heel. This means that you can sharpen the entire blade easily.

Benefits

With this knife set, you’ll be prepared for any cutting situation you’ll come across in your kitchen. It’s not just a variety of knives; it’s a variety of high-quality knives that are designed to last a lifetime. The blades come quite sharp and can be easily sharpened over time, and the handles are comfortable in the hand to prevent strain and fatigue.

PROS

CONS

Messermeister knives come with a “knife for life” guarantee. If there are any material or manufacturing defects, you can return the knives for replacement. The ergonomic handles make them easy to use repeatedly without fatigue. The curved blade on the chef’s knife makes it easy to use for just about any cutting task. There is even a nameplate at the bottom of each knife that you can get personalized with your initials. Thermo-spot heat indicator lets you know when the pan is pre-heated.

It’s a bit of a challenge to find a downside to these knives. They are a bit on the heavy side, so if you prefer lightweight cutlery, this may not be the brand for you. The bolsterless heel means there’s a little bit less protection for your fingers as you’re using the knife.

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set, Tempered Glass Block

This Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-piece forged knife block set not only provides essential knives for any home chef—it’s a striking showpiece as well, enhancing any kitchen. The set includes:

• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• An 8-inch bread knife
• A 6-inch boning knife
• A 5-inch utility knife
• A 3.5-inch paring knife
• A tempered glass knife holder

The Mercer Genesis knives are forged, meaning they’re made from a single sheet of high-carbon German steel. They’re designed to be durable and resistant to rust and discoloration with proper care. They have a full tang, which means the knife runs through the entire handle, giving the knives balance and weight. They have a bolster to help protect your fingers as you use the knife. Each knife is hand-sharpened to give you a sharp, precise blade.

The ergonomic handles are made from Santoprene, a durable thermoplastic. They have a non-slip grip, making your knife easy to use even if it’s wet or if you’re handling greasy, slippery foods.

Mercer knives are also NSF certified. The NSF is an independent product testing organization that tests products for quality. They do regular, rigorous testing, and the Mercer Genesis knives have met their standards for quality and safety.

The tempered glass knife block makes it easy to find the right knife when you need it. The knives and the block have a contemporary look and feel.

Benefits

The grippy handles make the knives a breeze to use for any cutting task in your kitchen. The knife set looks striking in your kitchen, but more importantly, they work beautifully. The knives are balanced and have a good weight to them. The set comes with everything you need for most everyday kitchen tasks.

Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block Set

The Victorinox 8-piece knife block setprovides you with the essentials you need, plus a little more (in a good way). The traditional, wooden knife block is sturdy and includes two extra slots so you can safely store knives you already have. The set includes:

• A 4-inch paring knife
• A 6-inch boning knife
• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• An 8-inch bread knife
• A 10-inch slicing knife
• A 10-inch sharpening steel
• Kitchen shears
• A slant hardwood block

Victorinox is a Swiss manufacturer known for creating the Original Swiss Army Knife. They started as cutlery manufacturers, though, and continue to produce high-quality knives that are also affordable. The knives are stamped, which means they’re cut from cold pieces of steel and do not have a bolster. This makes the knives lighter with a narrower blade.

The knife blades are made of high-carbon stainless steel. They have a full tang for balance. Each knife is hand-finished and specially tempered so it can be sharpened easily and repeatedly. The handles are made from fibrox and are designed to be ergonomic and non-slip, even when the handle gets wet.

Benefits

This Victorinox knife set provides high-quality, balanced knives at a great value. The lightweight blades and handles prevent wrist strain. The set includes a sharpener, so you can keep the knives sharp and ready. These reliable knives are perfect for beginning home cooks or more advanced cooks looking to upgrade and enhance their current knife selection.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 3pc Knife Set

The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 3-piece knife set provides you with the essential pieces of the Four Star series. The Four Star series was first introduced in 1976 and developed in cooperation with professional chefs. The set includes:

• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• A 5-inch serrated knife
• A 4-inch paring knife

The knives are individually forged from high-carbon stainless steel using their Sigmaforge process. This gives them precision and durability, as well as a cutting blade with lasting sharpness. They also utilize their proprietary Friodur ice-hardening process to build up blade strength and minimize staining and corrosion.

The handles are made from bonded polypropylene and are molded for a comfortable grip. They are designed with a full bolster for safety and balance. The blades have a full tang for security and balance.

Benefits

Zwilling J.A. Henckels has been making knives for over 280 years, and they know what they’re doing. These three pieces will handle your day-to-day cooking tasks with ease. They’re designed to stay sharp, but they can also be sharpened easily when needed. They’re sturdy, balanced, and have just the right amount of flexibility.

Wusthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set (Cherry)

The Wusthof Classic 7-piece slim knife block set elegantly displays your knives in a sleek block that won’t take over your kitchen counter. The set includes:

• A 3.5-inch paring knife
• A 5-inch serrated utility knife
• A 6-inch Kiritsuke prep knife
• An 8-inch bread knife
• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• Come-apart kitchen shears
• A 6-slot slim design wooden knife block

Wusthof has been making knives since 1814 and are still family owned today. The knives are forged from high-carbon stainless steel, giving them strength and durability. Each knife has a full tang to ensure proper weight and balance. Wusthof utilizes Precision Edge Technology to create a blade 20% sharper than average that lasts twice as long. Their 14° edge is designed to make cutting simple and easy. Each knife blade is polished by hand to ensure quality.

The handles are triple-riveted for safety and are made from polyoxymethylene, a synthetic material that’s designed to be colorfast and stain-resistant.

Benefits

Everything you need to get started as a home cook is included in this set. The sturdy shears can be used for a variety of prep needs and can even help to open jars. The bread knife cuts through bread easily, and the chef’s knife is perfect for a variety of cutting needs.

Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set with In-Block Knife Sharpener

The Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-piece knife block set is a fantastic value. The set includes:

• A 3-inch paring knife
• A 3-1/2-inch paring knife
• A 5-inch boning knife
• A 5-1/2-inch utility knife
• A 7-inch serrated bread knife
• A 7-inch Santoku knife
• An 8-inch chef’s knife
• An 8-inch slicer
• Eight 4-1/2-inch steak knives
• Shears
• A wooden knife block with sharpener

The forged knife blades are made from high-carbon stainless steel for durability. The knives have a bolster for durability, and the blades are full tang, providing balance and weight. The handles are ergonomic and made from durable polymer.

Benefits

With this knife set, you have a tool for every kind of cutting you might need to do. The Santoku knife is particularly handy for slicing, dicing, and mincing (some find they like it even better than a chef’s knife). With its affordable pricing, this set is perfect if you’re just starting to furnish your kitchen, but the quality makes it perfect for experienced home cooks as well.

Conclusion

Here you are some ideas and best practices to choose the right knife set for your needs. Whether you already own one and are looking for a new, or you are in hunt of the best kitchen knife set, this guide shuold definitely help you in the process.

If you have some recommendations or suggestions, please let us know in the comments below – your thoughts are always appreciated!