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It is easy to imagine how a knife could be the most essential and used tool you have in your house. Whether you are slicing tomatoes, peeling an orange, dicing onions, or deboning an entire chicken, the first tool you would think of to accomplish this task is a knife. The only questions we have to ask are; which knife are we supposed to use? What type of blade do I need? What size knife should I get, and which manufacturer is most trustworthy?
Great News, we have done all that research for you; and we have compiled a list of knives that have proven worthy to be in your kitchen.
We know it is hard to look at 90+ different knife sets and choose one, so we have taken the liberty to select the best knife set in various categories and write the pros and cons of each set for you.
After personally testing nine of the knife sets listed in our in-house kitchen, we realized some pros and cons that we would not have otherwise discovered before buying the set. We have also documented this experience for you to have a clearer understanding of the feel of the knife before making your decision.
Stick around, and you will not only find fantastic knife sets, some sets you didn’t even know exist, and tools that will have you looking like a professional in no time.
To prepare for this article, we have done extensive research and testing to ensure that we bring the absolute best knives to your attention. We have examined these products to identify the following features:
Strength of the blades, the durability of the knife. Whether or not this knife has been designed for comfort, how attractive is the knives’ price given the value and material used to make the set?
We have considered manufacturing information, personal experiences, and customers who shared their purchase experience through reviews on the Amazon platform.
Oh yes, did I mention that all these Knife sets that we will be discussing are available for purchase on amazon.com? Yes, your one-stop shop for all the best manufacturers in the business, including Mercer, Wusthof, Shun, Cangshan, Cuisinart, Oxo, Global, and much more. Now that you are all excited. Let’s get started!
Quick List of The Best Knife Sets for 2022 and beyond.
As mentioned before, we have tested 9 of the 21 knife sets on this list in our in-home kitchen. We did this to have a better understanding and feel of the blades we are referring to you.
The knife sets we tested include (Click on the arrow ⇩ if you would like to jump to section) :
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Overall Knife set: Calphalon Contemporary SharpIN Nonstick 13 Piece Cutlery Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Steak Knife Set: Messermeister Avanta Fine Edge Steak Knife Set, 4-Piece
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Block & Appearance Knife Set: TUO Kitchen Knife Set with Wooden Block
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Priced Knife Set: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Knife Set for student chef: Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-Piece Stainless
- ( ⇩ ) – Best knife set with Wood Handle: Emojoy 15-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Block
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Paring knife Set: Oxo Good Grip Pro
- ( ⇩ ) – Best handles Knife set: Alltripad Premium 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
- ( ⇩ ) –Best forged-blade Knife Set: Chicago Cutlery Stainless Steel Fusion
The knife sets for which we have relied on consumers experience and feedback:
- ( ⇩ ) – Best lightweight kitchen-knife set: HENCKELS Dynamic 15-pc Knife Set with Block
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Stainless Steel Knife Set: Global 7-piece Ikasu Knife Block Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Ultra slim knife Set: Wusthof Classic Slim Knife Block Set (Acacia)
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Budget Knife Set: Vremi 10 Piece Colorful Knife Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Knife Set under 100: Cuisinart C55-01-12 PCKS Knife Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Chef Knife Set:Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-piece Block-Knive-set, Hollow Handle
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Self-sharpening Knife Set: Calphalon (1932932) Classic Self-Sharpening 15-Pc.
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Knife Set for Personal Use: Shun Classic 6-piece Slim Knife Block Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Knife Set for professional use: ZWILLING J.A. Henckels 20-pc J.A. Henckels International
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Variety in Knives Set: Cangshan N1 Series Forged Knife Block Set
- ( ⇩ ) – Best Knife Set for fish: KastKing Fillet Knife, 9-inch Strong Fillet Knife
- ( ⇩ ) – Best non-stainless steel knife set: Emeril Lagasse Stamped 15-Piece Knife Block Set
21 BEST Kitchen and Chef’s knife Set Reviews for 2022
While many persons may have their definition of what the best knife set for their kitchen will look like. One thing remains true, and that is that all knives are not equal, and just like with other areas of our lives, we want the best knife set for a kitchen.
We are confident that after seeing the options presented to you below, you will be able to make your mind up in no time about what knife set or combination of knives you want for your kitchen.
There are a few options that we have selected for you based on our customer review, Amazon choice, and our research and testing.
Below you will find the pros, cons, and product specifications of some of the best knives you will find anywhere you may seek.
Our testing experience:
This set is easy to store, thanks to the knife block included, and it does not take up a lot of space on the counter. Handles are firm and comfortable to hold. We do not recommend operating these knives with wet hands unless necessary; due to the material used to make the handles. Overall the feel, price, and operation of this set made it a favorite.
Our testing experience:
This set won the category of best knife set with wooden handles, but how exactly is the feel of this knife. After our testing, we realized that some knives are sharper than others. While this is not a deal-breaker, we do not want to have to be sharpening knives every minute.
This set is also well presented with a wooden block for presentation and storage. After testing this set, we realized that the steak knives would do better as a straight edge rather than a ridge edge that tends to tear the meat rather than cut it.
Our Take:
- The most important feature to note about this knife set is that it is incredibly lightweight. This means no pain in the wrist, and you will not be fighting with the blade every time you make a chop.
- All of the knives you would need in your kitchen are in this set, including a bread knife.
- This knife set cost is very affordable, given the quality of the product you would receive.
- It would make a great gift.
Our testing experience:
I ensured to use this knife set for all my cooking tasks for four full weeks to ensure quality in my assessment and that the right information is passed on to you.
While these knives fit great in my hand, I wish they were made to suit all hand sizes. You will find that these handles are thick and robust, which requires a firm grip and hold. Gentler hands, for example, a lady may not have the same experience and may have their wrist getting tired too quickly. This is why I gave this set an 8.5 rating. The Cutting performance, however, is top-notch, as this knife cuts like butter. No wonder it is recommended by schools to culinary students. You will find that they do not take up much space and can be stored anywhere that is cool and dry. After weeks of testing, the Mercer Culinary Genesis set is one of my favorites.
Price:
- For the price tag, this knife set is not bad at all compared to the value and presentation of these tools. When we chose this knife for the best-priced category, we took into consideration that a manufacturer made this knife set, had the essential knives one would look for, and also all the features we would use to categorize this knife as a great choice. This knife set could have easily gotten the overall best knife win.
Our Take:
- A wide range of knives is included in this set, all of 23 knives, so there are more options available. The amount in this set is also the reason why this knife set won the category of the best variety of knives.
- The make and look of the blades seem impressive; the presentation is merely spectacular.
- Lifetime warranty (manufacturing defect)
- Winner of 2018 German Design Award
- Forged from Swedish Sandvik 14C28N Steel
Our testing experience:
After testing this set, I realized just how heavy it is. On average, this set is 2lbs heavier than other knife sets with blocks that were tested. Most professional chefs like heavier knives, but this will depend on your size and how much your wrist can take. Personally, I would rather this set not as bulky, but the look and style of this set make up for it.
This set has many great qualities other than the weight, which made it a top contender for the overall best collection. I must say, this set would make a fantastic gift, due to how high-end and elegant they look in the kitchen.
Our Take:
- Ultra-slim knife block design, counter space saver (small 9.5 x 3.5-inch footprint)
- Easy to handle, especially for smaller hands. Sometimes with knives, you will find ladies, in particular, finding it more difficult to get a good grip depending on the handle’s size. The Wusthof Classic Slim Knife Block Set seems to solve this problem with its neatly designed handles.
- Beautiful Forged Blades – Knives are forged from a single piece of Tempered High Carbon Stainless Steel to resist stains.
Why you’ll love it :
- The knife block is a comfortable size and seems to be made from good material. Knives feature layered Damascus steel with a striking, hand-hammered finish.
- Shun offers free knife sharpening from the company. You just have to send them back, and they will sharpen them and return them to you.
- A nice lifetime warranty is available for all Shun Classic knives.
- Block set has 3 extra slots for you to add any of the following to complete your collection. You can add a 9-inch bread knife, 6-inch Gokujo fillet knife, or a 6-inch utility knife. This would really make the set your own.
Why you’ll love it :
- Made from the best stainless steel material recommended to make knife blades, Cromova 18 Stainless Steel.
- Made in Japan and a Lifetime warranty is given from the manufacturer when you purchase this set.
- Used by home and professional chefs like Ludo Lefebvre and many others.
- Made light in an effort to reduce hand fatigue.
- Resistant to staining and chipping
Why you’ll love it :
- The knives may be used for home and professional needs
- This knife set was labeled as Amazon’s choice
- Over 480 Customers absolutely loves this set
- Even though this set is only 4 pieces, they are beautifully designed and includes all the pieces you would need to feel like a professional.
Why you’ll love it :
- Knives are colorful; this allows coding during food prep to avoid cross-contamination. Especially good in the teaching process or if someone is just starting out in the kitchen.
- This set a very cost-effective; this is one reason it won in the category it did. Being the best set under $100 on amazon.com
- It comes with matching blade guards and ergonomic handles, which both offer safety and comfort.
- Non-stick color coating for easy slicing and dicing.
Our testing experience:
This was one set we had to test for ourselves, due to the great reviews and how other customers have raved about it. And I must say that this set looks and feels great. It is well presented and required just the amount of space any knife set would. When you hold this knife set, you will see that the price range is justified as it is a bit on the higher end.
They look like an average set, but they feel and cut like real professional-grade knives. This set would have you feeling like a chef even if you purchased it for home use. These blades can cut through anything, and we have tested that theory. We tried it on vegetables, delicate tomatoes, meat, and even bones. You should try this knife out for yourself.
Why you’ll love it :
- No need to send your knives away for a lengthy period to get resharpened because this knife set comes with a self-sharpening block.
- For a set with so many impressive features, the price is really good; this set seems to offer value for money.
- 15 pieces give a lot of options and allows you to do more with your knives; This set is perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
Our testing experience:
Hmmm, so of all the knives we tested, this 15 piece Cuisinart set me in the most contemplation. I like this set, but I don’t love it. The handles feel great and sturdy for smaller hands and chefs who are just starting. As a professional chef and persons who have experienced several knives would want something a little more.
The handles do not look or feel like something that will break off or even rust. But they could fit the hand a little better to avoid the possibility of the wrist hurting.
The blades are sharp, and they get the job done, and the price of these knives is always worth it for the quality you will receive.
Tomatoes and vegetables they will cut through easily. Flesh and rough meat will be great with a little more effort, based on my experience.
Our testing experience:
As the name suggested, this knife set does have a good grip. It does not slide out of your hand or move even when your hands are wet. We tried it on a magnetic strip also, and it did not stick, which means it is not magnetic, and the only storage options are the block set, which could be a little smaller, or in your drawers.
One thing though, this knife cuts through meat and vegetables effortlessly. So be careful with the blades. When it all comes down to the value, comfort, and how easily accessible these knives are, it is hard not to love them.
Our testing experience:
Wow, we just love how comfortable and balanced these knives are. Not many persons will notice this, but not all steak knives are made equal. Some steak knives tend to tear the meat and leave an ugly look on your plate. We tested this set and loved its look, comfortable feel, and how it cuts through the meat’s flesh.
Even if you have a chef set, we recommend you get this set also. You will not be disappointed with the value or the performance of this set.
Why you’ll love it :
- This set is very much inexpensive; if you are on a budget and need something of good quality to work with, this set should do just fine.
- Colorful set, which makes it easier to avoid cross-contamination.
- Customers love this set; the reviews speak for themselves. Check out the reviews on this set.
Our testing experience:
The main reason for testing this set was that the brand is not very popular, and I wanted to see how well it performed. And I must say I am impressed. They cut very well. The only problem is they do not come with a knife block, which means that you would need a drawer or a magnetic strip for storage.
This is a lot of knives, especially since there are five paring and five shear knives. This is great for presentation, and they feel great in hand and have firm, sturdy handles. Value for every dollar spent.
Why you’ll love it :
- This knife has a durable, firm, and comfortable handles that are needed when dealing with slippery meat should as a fish.
- The blade on this knife is very sharp, a quality that anyone purchasing a knife should look at.
- This knife is great and often used to cut through food horizontally instead of vertically.
- Popularly used for fish but may be used for our products as well, such as other meat and even vegetables.
Why you’ll love it :
- Self-sharpening slots that sharpen each time a knife is removed or replaced.
- No need to send it to professionals or companies to be sharpened; this set comes with its sharpener included.
- These are lightweight and give an incredibly smooth slice.
- The slight curve on these knives’ handle provides the handle with a more natural feel when in hand—making it ideal for both small and larger hands.
- Good set for bother professionals and amateurs alike.
- This set will blend right in with any kitchen design or decor.
What To Look For When Buying A Knife Set
A knife is a go-to tool that everyone reaches when preparing a meal. At some time or another, when in a kitchen, you will need a knife to accomplish your set task.
While knives can come in different designs, whether Western or Japanese, different colors and be made from various materials, you will find, however, that when one is looking to buy a knife, he looks for the style, weighting, size, steel, and handle. All these elements placed together correctly will give you the perfect knife for whatever purpose it may be used. It can be tedious.
In this buying guide, we’ll help to simplify this process by giving you a better idea of what you need to be looking for in a knife set.
Before deciding to purchase a new knife set, one must first evaluate the areas in their kitchen they would need the knives the most. Do I use mostly bread knives? Do I use mostly peering or steak knives?
While knives come in various features and most made from different materials, there are several factors one could look at to identify or have an idea of the type or quality of knife that is right for them.
Size and weight of the knives: When we speak of the knife’s weight, we speak of how heavy or light the knife is when you hold it. Is it comfortable? Does it make your wrist hurt after using it for an extended period? How comfortable a knife is when you hold it will determine how often you use it.
You will also find that a heavier blade may chop better than one that is too light. But the knife still needs to be lite enough that it does not cause discomfort and fatigue. This means your ideal knife must not be too heavy or too light, just comfortable.
The variety of knives included in the set: When we speak of range, we talk about the number and type of knives included in the set. If you are looking to purchase a knife set instead of building one from different makes and manufacturers, you must ensure that all the knives you would need most are already included with that set.
Also, you can expect that the more quality knives you have in a set, the most expensive that set will be. Therefore it is recommended to not only look at quantity but the quality of the knives and ensuring that the blades you need were included.
Consider the brand or manufacturer: When purchasing a knife set, choosing a reputable company or manufacturer can save us a lot of time and money—selecting companies that their names speak for them and that have some experience behind their names.
Companies such as Mercer, Wusthof, and Messermeister are among those companies known for delivering quality and keeping their customers satisfied.
Material Used to make the knife: The quality of the material used to make the blade of a knife will determine how long your set lasts, how easy it is to sharpen, how long the edges will last before getting bent, and even how you wash your knife.
While many high-end knife buyers swear by a steel blade, others really would preferably use something different. Whether German steel, Japanese steel, or a simple stainless steel blade on your knife, it all comes back to preferences and your personal experiences with a blade.
Cheaper blades, of course, would be more prone to faster deterioration, bend, and rust.
Materials that are most recommended by higher-end buyers include a ceramic material, which would still need re-sharpening over some use; high carbon steel, any number above 0.6% would be great.
The Handles on the knife: Whether you have big strong man hands or small lady hands, you want to ensure that the handles on your knife fit comfortably and are easy to manage. Because of the handles being too thick or slippery or not firm enough; We do not want to have any problems or injuries in the kitchen.
You will find that most persons would seek after an ergonomic handle. This is due to the fact that ergonomic handles give the person holding the knife better control, which makes the knife more comfortable and easier to use. Other factors to look for are ensuring the handles are easy to clean, have a beautiful look, and are made from good material.
Price: As you will soon notice, the cost of a knife or knife set can get expensive, really fast.
Have a budget in mind that you would want to pay for the ‘right knife set.’ When you have a budget in mind, then if you see a set outside of your budget, you will be able to quickly decide if that set is worth sending the extra cost on. If you do think this knife is worth it, then you have found your set; if not, then it would be easier to stay within your budgeted price for your new utensils.
Balance: We separate the topic of the size and weight from the balance to identify that they are not the same. Size and weight will look at how comfortable you are with the knife, while balance considers the overall feel when the knives are being used in the food preparation process and how the knife supports your chopping technique.
We do not want to put too much effort into chopping, dicing, or mincing just because we have a knife that is not balanced or suited for the technique being used. The tip, the edge, the butt, and handle of the knife must be balanced to achieve this flow.
How The Knife Comes Together
Image Source: Amazon.com Wusthof Classic Knife
Consider if you would like a Forged or Stamped Blade: Some persons may see the terms regularly forged blade or stamped blade, but it is not as complicated as it may sound.
A forged blade, which is considered a better edge, is usually made from a single piece of steel, While the stamped blade is cut from a sheet of metal like a cookie-cutter, for example. Then the usual processes are done; the blade is tempered, hardened, and finished.
A forged knife is considered better as they tend to be harder, thus holding their edges much longer than a stamped knife.
Types of Knife Typically Included In a Knife Set
There are three core knives that anyone operating in a kitchen would need to have on hand; these include a serrated bread knife, a paring knife, and a chef or santoku knife. Other types of knives include a Boning knife, Cheese knife, Tomato knife, Cleaver, Mincing knife, Steak knife, salmon knife, and filleting knife, but do not get overwhelmed.
Below we break down our popular knives and the purposes they serve, which will help you know exactly what you are looking for in a knife set. It is also essential to understand that all of these knives may be purchased separately in case something is below that you would want to add to a set you have purchased.
A well-prepared knife kit would more than likely have the following pieces included:
- A utility knife (all-purpose) size 13cm / 5 inches – Used for various food preparation needs.A more popular knife as it can serve many purposes.
- A chef’s knife usually sizes 20-23cm / 7.8–9 inches – Used for chopping, cutting, mincing, and dicing. It should be very comfortable as a chef would use this often.
- A paring knife, also referred to as a vegetable knife, size is usually 8cm / 3″ – This knife is used for cutting, peeling, and trimming small handheld products; These products would include potatoes, lemons, tomatoes.
- A bread knife preferably serrated – used in the handling of bread, cake, puddings, fruit, and vegetables. Always very good to have around.
- A cleaver typically used in the preparation of meat, and in some cases, used to chop herbs and herb-like vegetables and spices. A cleaver is most suitable for cutting bulky and larger pieces of meat. Typically preferred to be a little heavier than other knives.
- A Tomato knife usually is tiny and cute, with the ability to cut through a tomato as quickly as possible.
- A peeling knife is ideal for peeling skin and craving edges into fruits and vegetables easily.
- A filleting knife – used to fillet fish. If you do not fillet fish regularly, this knife may not be necessary. For persons who handle fish periodically or wish to cut horizontally instead of vertically, go for it.
- A carving knife – You can see this knife quite often on thanksgiving as this is the knife used for cutting thin and even slices of meat from roasts and full roasted poultry.
- A Boning Knife should be narrow, sharp, and flat with the ability to separate the bone from the flesh easily.
- Sharpening steel, knife-honing stone, or electric honer are the last piece one would wish for in their collection.
Kitchen Knife Set Care, Sharpening, And Storage Instructions & recommendation
Care of a knife
The longevity and how much you get out of your knife or knife set will 100% depend on the care the knife receives. Some knives are okay to be washed in a dishwasher. While others need to be hand-washed immediately after use, some steel like carbon steel blades may rust when exposed to acidic foods and when left wet like forgotten in a sink of water overnight. These are some of the reasons why choosing the correct material on your blade is so important, why it is essential to read the manufacturing instructions and why sometimes it is better to pay a little more dollars to get you a quality blade that will last. Other materials like stainless steel will not rust and are a preferred material by many for knife blades.
A part of caring for the knife is ensuring that the surface that the knife is used on is one that will not destroy the blade. One of the easiest ways to do this is using a cutting board; cutting boards are typically made from one of two materials: wood or plastic. We would recommend a wooden cutting board as it is softer than the plastic; therefore, more gentle on the blade than the plastic cutting board would be.
Knife Storage
While it would be easier to store your knife in your utensil drawer with the other utensil, we are afraid that this is not the best or recommended way to store your knife. Knives are recommended to be stored away from other appliances as contact with some material may cause the blade to be duller than it actually is. Three recommended ways to store your knife is on a magnetic strip in an area visible to the eyes, stored in a blade guard sheath or plastic sleeves, or a knife block. A knife block is a wooden, plastic, or glass holder designed for keeping knives. You will find that some knife blocks also contain a built-in knife sharpener that automatically sharpens the blade after every use, for example, the Calphalon Contemporary self-sharpening 20 Piece knife set. It is also essential to know that not all knives will stick to a magnetic strip, so choosing the correct blade to work with is so important.
Correctly storing your knife will help prevent rusting, assist the blade not to bend, and keep the knife sharper longer. It will also help to avoid unnecessary cuts and injuries.
Sharpening of the knife.
No matter how sharp a knife is when you purchase it, at some point in time, a resharpening is required. While some companies offer the option for you to send the blades in, and they sharpen it for you (Mostly professional and the more expensive sets). Some people would instead sharpen their knives themselves, which is also excellent, but what is essential is making sure that the sharpening is being done correctly.
In sharpening knives, there are several ways you can get this done:
- Electronic sharpeners
- honing steel or whetstone
- high-power electric diamond knife sharpeners
Steel knives may require more sharpening than other knives to ensure it stays sharp and cut as you would prefer. The fun fact is, you are more likely to be cut by a dull knife that needs sharpening than a blade that is razor-sharp and ready to work.
Recommendation
We have discussed a lot, and it is vital to ensure at the end of this article that you get what you were looking for, so here are some pointers you can consider if, at this point, you are still not sure.
- Build your own knife set: When you are looking to purchase a knife, you will sometimes find that you like the chef’s knife from one set but the paring knife from another. Or you may like carving a knife from one set and the utility knife from another. So build your own set by selecting all of your favorites. Most of these knives in these sets are also sold separately at amazon.com, and you would find when you do it this way, it is sometimes less expensive than purchasing a knife set.
- Do knock it before you try it: Sometimes, we look at the costly knife set and think, well, this must be good since it is so expensive. This is not always the case; sometimes, the cheaper set will surprise you and have you more in love than a more expensive knife.
- Check your blades: There are a few things to check on your knife, like ensuring that the edges on your bread knife are serrated; not all of them are.
- Do not assume: If you want a knife block, for example, check to ensure that the knife set you are purchasing comes with a knife block. Not all knife sets come with a block, and you can see some that do and some that don’t in the reviews above.
- Hold each knife in your hand individually to make sure they are all comfortable and not just some.
- Do not stick with a miserable knife: When you purchase your knife, test your knife, check for the weight, balance, and overall feel of the knife. Do not get stuck with a knife you hate. If you don’t like it, send it back and choose a blade that suits your personality.
- The fact is that no matter the set you decide to take home, there will be pros and cons for each. Choose the knife set you think will work best for your needs, take care of it, and encourage others to do the same when you take it home. Cheers.
Conclusion
Whether on the job, in your small restaurant, in a large business establishment, or at home. We all look for one thing in a kitchen, and that is comfort. One thing that will make us most comfortable is ensuring the tools and equipment we use are on par. A knife is one of the most used in a kitchen, and having the right blade will make the difference in how much you enjoy preparing your meals.
Here, we have chosen the best knives in each category and even went as far as selecting the best overall knife set for all your kitchen needs. The Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening 20-Piece Knife Block is an excellent choice that offers variety, a reasonable price, a good structure and makeup, a forged blade instead of a stamped blade, and so much more attractive features.
The block set that comes with this knife is beautiful and does not take up too much counter space. Both amateurs and professionals can use it.
Now that you have found this fantastic knife set on amazon.com, we discussed how to care for, store, clean, and sharpen our knives. And how to make sure that each knife in our collection; is precisely what we are looking for in a set.
We hope you enjoyed this review. We sure did enjoy making it for you and wish you and your new knife set all the best.
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