You must have good and sharp knives in your kitchen, no matter how good your cooking skills are. It is not necessary to keep cabinets full of Instagram cookware if you do not intend to cook with it. The best knives are sharp, and knife sets can ease the selection process if you wish to eliminate the guesswork.
If you are looking for a good knife set, there are a few things to consider (namely, which knives are included), but there are also many other factors to take into account, such as the style of knives, whether you would like a block and the amount of money you wish to spend.
The following chefs share their opinions on which knife sets they prefer and use, in order to help you narrow down your options. Check out 16 of the best knife sets for your kitchen, so you’ll be ready to tackle pumpkin recipes all season long.
To help you sharpen up your options, we talked to a number of chefs to find out what you should look for in a knife set and which ones they prefer or use themselves. You can get started on all your pumpkin recipes for the season with these 16 of the best knife sets.
Best kitchen knife sets
Our Top Pick
ZWILLING Professional S 7-Piece Razor-Sharp German Block Knife Set
In this Henckels seven-piece set, you will find a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches, a paring knife measuring 4 inches, a serrated utility knife measuring 5 inches, a slicing knife measuring 6 inches, kitchen shears, a honing steel, and a wooden block to hold everything together.
“This is a beautiful and basic design. I appreciate how simple it is. The set will last for many years to come, according to Contreras. Adds Zoë François, pastry chef and host of Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network, “Henkel was my very first set of knives and they still hold up more than 30 years later.”
Pros
Blades that are both hard and flexible
Comfortable contoured grip
It comes with a honing steel and a storage block
There’s a lot of tang in the handles
Cons
There are extra knife slots on the storage block, but you may not need them
Precision-forged stainless steel blades and synthetic handles make these Wusthof knives stand out.There’s also a 13-slot storage block so you can store some extra knives you pick up later, and it comes with an 8-inch cook’s knife, 3 1/2-inch paring knife, 6-inch utility knife, and 8-inch bread knife.
“I used these knives through culinary school and they got me through. Knives from Wusthof last a lifetime.
The grip and handles of the chef’s knife are smooth and comfortable, but some may find the knife heavy. Devan Cameron, chef and owner of Braised & Deglazed, described the knife as smooth, comfortable and durable.
Pros
One piece of steel is used to make each knife
An accessory storage block and a honing steel are included
There is a great deal of tang on the handles
Fingers are protected by full bolsters
Cons
It may not be necessary to use all of the knife slots on the storage block
There is no doubt that Wusthof knives are excellent workhorse knives. A chef and restaurateur who hosts the Magnolia Network series From the Source on Magnolia Network explains, “These knives are affordable, have heavy blades, and last forever.”
Best knife sets with Block
3rd Pick
Calphalon Classic Kitchen Knife Set with Self-Sharpening Block
You can remove or re-sharpen your knives every time you remove or re-insert the block, since it contains built-in ceramic sharpeners.
Depending on what knives you need, you can choose between six, twelve, and fifteen pieces. It includes a chef’s knife with an 8-inch blade, a serrated utility knife with a 6-inch blade, a paring knife with a 4.5-inch blade, a Santoku knife with a 5-inch blade, six steak knives, and kitchen shears. In addition, many knives have labeled handles so it will be easier to grab the right one at the right time.
Wusthof’s 12-piece cutlery set includes six 6′′ knives, eight 8′′ knives, three 3-1/2′′ knives, six 6′′ utility knives, and eight 8′′ bread knives, as well as shears, a steel, and four steak knives to encourage proper eating at home. This set is recommended for at-home use by Allegretti. The knives are sharp, durable, and affordable, so anyone can use them in their kitchen.”
Pros
Steel is used in the manufacture of each knife
Included in the box is a honing steel and a storage block
A walnut or beech stand is included along with an 8-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch serrated knife, and almost 4-inch paring knife from Material.
A magnetized stand makes it easy to store the knives, which have three layers of Japanese stainless steel and carbon. In 2021, Oprah selected the knives + stand for her Favorite Things list.
Pros
Contains only three knives you need
High-carbon stainless steel and Japanese stainless steel
The stand is slim, magnetic, and made of wood
Cons
The package does not include a sharpener or steel
Best knife sets for chefs
6th Pick
Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-Piece Forged Knife Roll Set
There’s no block included in this set, but there is a knife roll that will make you think you’re a contestant on Top Chef.
The roll has a non-slip grip, can withstand hot and cold temperatures, and has seven pockets to hold the knives included in this set: A paring knife, utility knife, flexible boning knife, bread knife, chef’s knife, and sharpening steel.
Says Contreras, “This is a culinary school kit by Mercer. These are incredible knives and some of my favorites! They are affordable and last for ages.”
Pros
Made from high carbon German steel
Ergonomic handles
Storage roll is portable and wipes clean
Includes steel
Cons
Storage roll fabric is thin so need to be careful of weight and sharp knives
Wolf is synonymous with professional-level kitchen appliances, and this applies to their knives, too.
This set comes with four knives—bread, paring, chef’s, and Santoku—with high carbon stainless steel blades and moisture-resistant wood handles. You also get honing steel, kitchen shears, and a wood block that has a tablet/book rest on the back if you need to refer to some new or old recipes.
This set was made with industry professionals in mind, says Aceq chef and owner Elijah Safford. “While comfortable and easy to use, the knives are designed to last since it was made in line with Japanese precision and German durability. At home, I use each instrument for prepping big meals or making a quick meal after a long night,” he says.
Pros
Each knife is made from one piece of stainless steel
Shun knives are handcrafted in Japan with hand-hammered blades and wooden knives, making them lightweight, effective, and attractive on your counter. The slim bamboo block holds an 8″ chef’s knife, 4″ paring knife, 6 1/2″ utility knife, and a combination honing steel.
“Shun makes great knives both for the professional and the home chef. A great blade that will retain its edge with good care, ” saying of Khoran Horn, a Philadelphia-based chef, and restaurateur.
Pros
Each blade has microthin layers of stainless steel
Handcrafted in Japan, Global knives have been made using the same tradition for decades and have super sharp edges that have been ground into a point. No matter what you’re slicing or chopping, the knives in this set—8″ chef’s, 3″ peeling, 4 1/4″ utility, 5 1/2″ vegetables, and 9″ bread— will make meal prep a breeze. When it’s time to resharpen those blades, you can use the included ceramic honing rod.
“This is an Eastern style designed knife set that can be sharpened like Western knives, which makes them a lot easier to care for. The design is simple and beautiful,” says Contreras.
If you’re looking for some bang for your buck, this 18-piece Amazon Basics set is it. It includes a chef’s Santoku, slicing, bread, utility, boning, and paring knife, as well as shears, a sharpener, a knife block, and eight steak knives.
All the knives have stainless steel blades and ergonomic handles. The extremely affordable set also has over 13,000 five-star reviews, with one reviewer saying, “There is nothing flimsy about the blades…thick, sturdy and they seem to hold an edge. The full tang adds strength and balance, a bonus not usually found when purchasing inexpensive knives.”
The stainless steel knives in this set have precision-tapered ground blades and hollow handles, making them sharp and lightweight enough to handle even the biggest jobs in the kitchen.
The set includes 15 pieces, including a chef’s knife, a Santoku knife, a paring knife, six steak knives, shears, and more. The set is highly rated on Amazon, with reviews like this one: “First things first; they are SHARP.
I can only cut with one hand and these bad boys slice through tomatoes like nobody’s business. One-handed cutters dream!! Second, they are GORGEOUS. I am beyond proud of displaying them. Third, they have a wonderful balance to them.”
Pros
Made from high carbon stainless steel
Includes honing steel and storage block
Lightweight
Affordable
Cons
Stainless steel handles may be harder to grip
The storage block has extra knife slots, which may not be needed
Ginsu knives are forged from Japanese stainless steel and have traditional rounded handles that are heat resistant. The set includes five different knives, a honing rod, kitchen shears, and a bamboo storage block.
One reviewer said, “These knives are sharp! They are balanced well and the round grip works fine. I like the variety of knives in the set—I have used the chef’s knife for chopping, the Santoku for slicing, and the paring knife for peeling and hand-cutting things like broccoli. The scissors are super sharp and cut through anything, even splitting a chicken.”
Pros
Each knife is made from one piece of Japanese stainless steel
For minimalists, this Misen set includes just the essentials: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. Top Chef season 18 contestant Sara Hauman calls it “the best knife set for home use and is reasonably priced and made from steel that will stay sharp and can take a beating from everyday use. The set includes three knives that are really all you need to tackle any kitchen task.” There’s also a five-piece set that has the essentials, plus a Santoku knife and utility knife.
Pros
Made with AICHI steel
Just the three essential knives
Unique bolster
Cons
Doesn’t include a honing steel
14th Pick
Victorinox Forschner 7 Pc Fibrox Deluxe Culinary Knife Roll Set
This knife roll set can be used by amateur or pro chefs and includes five different knives, including an offset wavy bread knife, sharpening steel, and a handy polyester bag to store it all away without taking up too much room.
“Victorinox makes great but affordable knives. It’s worth noting that these knives won’t keep their edge as long as Wusthof or Henckel knives but they’re still easily sharpened. I highly recommend Victorinox knives for their very reasonable price and comfortable grips,” says Cameron.
Pros
Made with high carbon stainless steel
Roll bag is lightweight and portable
Bolsterless edges so you can use the entire blade
Slip-resistant handles
Cons
Reviewers say they’re hard to keep sharp
Best high-end knife sets
15th Pick
Coltellerie Berti 5 Piece Insieme Kitchen Knife Set
Handmade in Italy since 1895, Berti knives are almost works of art. Each knife is made by one craftsman from start to finish, and their initials are engraved on the blade.
This set of knives has lucite carbon handles and stainless steel blades and includes a chef’s, utility, paring, and bread knife. Each knife has its own wood block (with a picture of the knife and its Italian name on the front), and the blocks can be magnetized together or kept separate. Oh, and the brand is also a favorite of Giada De Laurentiis‘.
“Berti makes a pretty and pretty good knife set that can be bought individually or separately, the ‘block’ actually snaps together,” says Ashton Keefe, a chef, and food stylist.
Pros
Made from stainless steel
Each knife is handmade by a single craftsman
Storage block pieces can snap together or be separated
A: First and foremost, when shopping for a knife set, make sure it has all the essential knives you need. You also need to decide if you prefer Eastern or Western style knives if you want to add on additional knives beyond the essentials and consider what materials the knives are made of.
Additionally, you may want to consider the storage of a knife set. A block can help organize all your knives in one place and protect the blades, but it can also take up counter space. If your set doesn’t include a block, you can also store them using in-drawer inserts or a magnetic strip.
Q2: What are the 3 most important knives in a kitchen?
A: Regardless of how many pieces are in a knife set, most chefs agree that there are three essential knives to have: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. You don’t need many knives for day-to-day cooking, says Button, who says she only uses those three knives and either a boning knife or petty (also known as utility knife).
Horn also considers a 5-6” petty knife an essential knife as well, as “it’s a great workhorse when you don’t want to unveil your chef’s knife,” and can be used on things like mushrooms, herbs, or even a quick breakdown of fruits.
Q3: What knives do you actually need?
A: Keefe says the foundation of your knife set will be an 8” or 9” chef’s knife, which is the knife you’ll likely reach for most often. You want something that almost feels like an extension of your hand: it should fit in your hand and not overwhelm it in length or weight. “It doesn’t matter how good the set is if you don’t love the chef’s knife,” she says.
Once you’ve got your three knives nailed down, look for a pair of kitchen shears, steel, and a knife sharpener,” adds Carla Contreras, a chef, food stylist, photographer, and health coach.
Q4: Eastern or Western Style?
A: There are traditionally two styles of knives: Eastern (i.e., Japanese) and Western. The difference between the two, explains Keefe, comes down to the blade and the shape of the blade. Western-style knives have two blades (it comes to a point) and generally have more of a curve, whereas Japanese knives have one blade (it looks slightly slanted) and tend to be straighter.
“A sharp knife is the best knife, so it’s all about sharpening, and many believe that a Japanese knife is sharper because of the type of blade,” says Keefe. But at the end of the day, it’s about knowing the difference between sharpening each type and what you’re likely to do.
Traditionally, Eastern knives are sharpened on a whetstone and take more care, adds Contreras, while Western knives usually require less maintenance. There are also hybrid designs, and both can be easily maintained with steel.
You still need to sharpen the blade with home use at least once a month for heavy use and every few months for lighter use, she says, but you can also take your knives to a professional to get them sharpened if you don’t want to do it yourself.
“If you aren’t a blacksmith, now is not the time to start,” says Horn. “Honing your blade with a steel (preferably ceramic) is great for keeping your knife’s edge even and in the middle.”
Q5: What do you need to know before you purchase a knife set?
A: Chef Alain Allegretti of Fig & Olive Restaurant Group says to keep in mind a few things before making your purchase decision.
For example, material (steel, carbon, or ceramic), weight, comfort, and balance, left-handed or right-handed, and more importantly the type of knife you are looking for and what task you are looking to accomplish, are all important to consider. “Knives can be investments and having good knives in the kitchen can make all the difference in cooking and enjoying your time in the kitchen,” he says.
What makes a high-quality knife?
For high-quality knives, it’s all about the blade.
Knife Materials
Most high-quality knives are made out of high carbon stainless steel, which is low maintenance and rust-resistant, says Contreras, who teaches basic knife skills, sharpening, and care in her online cooking school, Cook+Chop.
“I also love ceramic knives for food styling. They are incredibly sharp but very delicate,” she says. It’s also important that the knives can achieve and maintain sharp edges because sharp knives are the goal (and are safer to have in the kitchen).
Full Tang
“You want to make sure that you can see the metal part from the tip all the way to the edge of the handle,” says Meg Walker, Executive Chef & CEO of Made by Meg Catering.
This is called “full tang,” which shows you that the metal runs through the whole length of the knife and won’t break in the middle of chopping or cooking. “The metal part of many lower quality knives is simply fused into the plastic handle rather than running all the way through, making it easy for it to snap off,” says Walker.
Should I buy a knife set or separate knives for separate tasks?
While it’s hard to argue with the ease and convenience of a knife set, many chefs recommend building your own. “Trust me, each knife has a purpose and it’s not a one-size-fits-all. You also need way less than you think you do,” says Keefe.
We tend to use only one or two knives in a home kitchen, says Michelle Hernandez, pastry chef, and owner of Le Dix-Sept Patisserie in San Francisco.
And it’s easier to care for a couple of knives and keep them sharp than a larger set at home. She recommends buying three high-quality knives at a specialty knives store—if it’s a quality knife, it will last a lifetime, she says.
In what order should I buy my kitchen knives?
Start with an 8” chef’s knife, a 4” paring knife, and a serrated bread knife, and you can add on from there. You’ll also need a sharpening blade, which you should use every time before using your knife. The key is quality over quantity.
“One of my chefs that I worked for in France told me you only need one good knife to do everything in the kitchen,” Hernandez says. Some of her favorite knives include a Wusthof 8” chef’s knife, which is a great sturdy, starter knife; Material’s almost 4” knife or Victorinox Utility Knife, and a Wusthof “double serrated” bread knife to slice through crusty loaves.
If you’re looking for domestic craft knives, Button recommends South Carolina-based Middleton Made Knives, which makes comfortable, well-made knives for everyday use, and Vermont-based Chelsea Miller Knives, one of the few female knife makers in the country.
“Choosing a domestic craft knife allows you to get to know your knife maker, talk to them about what you want and how you’re going to use it,” she adds.
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Hey there, I’m a knife review expert with a passion for adventure, hunting, and cooking. As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve spent countless hours in the field and have come to appreciate the importance of a reliable and versatile knife. As a chef, I know the value of a well-crafted blade in the kitchen, and I love to put new knives set to the test with my culinary creations. Whether I’m preparing a meal or heading out on a new adventure, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect knife – and I’m excited to share my knowledge and expertise with you!
