9 Best Knife Sets for All Your Cuts
Every well-equipped kitchen should have the right knife for the job.
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No well-equipped kitchen is complete without a full set of knives. While a great chef’s knife can be your all-purpose tool for chopping and cutting, there are some tasks, like butchering, peeling, and carving meat that require something more specialized. If you need to round out your knife collection with a great set of steak knives, a serrated bread knife, or a sharp pair of kitchen shears, a knife set is a fantastic one-and-done purchase. To help you decide which knife set is best for your needs, space, and budget, we’ve done the research for you. Here’s what you should know before making a purchase, followed by our recommendations for the best knife sets.
What to Consider
Before you go out and buy the biggest knife set you can find, ask yourself if you need every tool it includes. If you already have a few good knives, such as your favorite carving knife, you may be able to get away with purchasing a more minimalist set. Smaller options typically contain five to six of the most commonly used knives, such as a chef's knife, serrated knife, and paring knife. On the other hand, if you want to invest in a single knife collection that will have you covered for every cutting, slicing, and chopping job that comes your way, a larger 14- to 17-piece set is a great solution.
Next, make sure you take a look at which kinds of knives you already own. If you have a great bread knife at home, you may want to look for a set that includes steak knives and kitchen shears instead of a serrated knife. Remember, you can always add to your collection over time.
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Also consider how you’ll store or display your knives. If you’re planning to keep your knives in a block on the counter, make sure it aesthetically works with the style of your kitchen and fits comfortably in your space. Check the dimensions of the block relative to your counter space to make sure you don’t end up with something too big. Some knife sets don’t come in a block at all, which is good if your kitchen is equipped with a magnetic strip or other storage option. And, finally, some knife sets come in a carrying case, which is handy for travel.
How We Evaluated
As a trained chef, recipe developer, and food writer for Munchery and Simply Recipes, I rely on a full arsenal of knives for every kitchen task. From a delicate paring knife to a weighty santoku, task-specific knives make prep and finishing work easier and more efficient. To help you find the best cutting, chopping, and slicing tools for your needs, I’ve researched the most popular knife sets available, taking into consideration product tests and consumer reviews, as well as price and availability. Whether you need a minimalist set to complement what you already have or a complete set to outfit a new kitchen, there are options here for every kind of cook and kitchen.
Henckels Henckels Modernist 14-Piece Block Set
Henckels Henckels Modernist 14-Piece Block Set
Pros
- Self-sharpening
Cons
- Takes up more counter space than other options
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 15 x 5 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: Ash wood
- Number of Knives/Tools: 13
Henckels is known for making quality blades that last a lifetime, and this complete knife set may just be the only knife purchase you’ll ever make. The wooden block is smartly designed to sharpen each knife blade every time it’s put away or taken out, so your knives will stay in tip-top shape without any extra hands-on maintenance.
Oster Oster Baldwyn 14-Piece Knife Block Set
Oster Oster Baldwyn 14-Piece Knife Block Set
Pros
- Includes shears and honing steel
Cons
- No chef’s knife
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 12 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: Plastic
- Number of Knives/Tools: 13
Oster makes a reliable and affordable knife set that takes up minimal counter space. The knives are made from stamped full-tang stainless steel that will hold up well over years of use. The set includes a paring knife, six steak knives, a carving knife, bread knife, santoku, and a utility knife.
Henckels Henckels Modernist 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
Henckels Henckels Modernist 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
Pros
- Lightweight for comfortable use at the dinner table
Cons
- No knife storage included
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 4.5 in. (blade length)
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: N/A
- Number of Knives: 4
A great set of steak knives is a must for meat-eating households. And this sleek set of four lightweight stainless steel knives is the perfect solution to easily slice through tough hunks of beef. The knives have a sandblasted handle for a no-slip grip and a serrated forward section that makes it easier to start your cuts.
Ozeri Ozeri OZK5 Knife Block Set
Ozeri Ozeri OZK5 Knife Block Set
Pros
- Knife handles have a non-slip grip
Cons
- Limited variety of knives
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 8.58 x 6.61 x 7.67 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: Wood
- Number of Knives: 5
Home cooks who love to try new recipes and follow them to a T will love that this smooth wooden knife block has a convenient place to rest a tablet or cookbook. The block even swivels so your recipe is always easy to read from anywhere in the kitchen. This minimalist knife set includes the five basics: chef’s, bread, slicing, paring, and utility knives.
Misen Misen Essentials Knife Set
Pros
- Uniquely designed with a sloped bolster for comfort
Cons
- No blade sheath or carrying case
Key Specs
- Dimensions: N/A
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: N/A
- Number of Knives: 5
This set of five knives includes everything a new kitchen needs: a serrated bread knife, chef’s knife, santoku knife, utility knife, and a paring knife. The beautiful set is made from Japanese steel that maintains its edge well and is easy to clean and sharpen. It’s also available in three handle colors: blue, black, and gray.
Cangshan Cangshan Z1 Series Knife Block Set
Cangshan Cangshan Z1 Series Knife Block Set
Pros
- Award-winning knife design
Cons
- Pricier than other options
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.5 x 16.5 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: Walnut
- Number of Knives/Tools: 17
This professional-grade knife set is fully outfitted with nearly every kind of cutting tool a home cook could need, including six five-inch serrated steak knives, a honing steel, kitchen shears, and even a serrated tomato knife. The knives are organized in a heavy-duty walnut block that looks great in any kitchen.
Kyoku Kyoku 5-Knife Set
Pros
- Cryogenically treated blades retain their edge very well
Cons
- Thick knife handle may be too large for small hands
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 12.2 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Block Material: Wood
- Number of Knives: 5
This narrow knife block is ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. The well-designed wooden block holds the sharp stainless steel firmly in place and on display for an attractive showpiece. The set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, carving knife, utility knife, and paring knife.
Ross Henery Professional Ross Henery Portable Knife Set
Ross Henery Professional Ross Henery Portable Knife Set
Pros
- Rust-resistant high-carbon stainless steel blades
Cons
- No knife block for home storage
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 17.05 x 4.92 x 4.53 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Case Material: Canvas
- Number of Knives/Tools: 9
If you plan to take your knives on the go for travel or camping, this high-quality set comes with a neat canvas case that wraps into a tight, portable roll. The set comes with nine pieces, including a honing steel, meat cleaver, filleting knife, carving fork, and more.
Trends Trends 6-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Set
Trends Trends 6-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Set
Pros
- Comfortable ergonomic handles
Cons
- No santoku knife
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 14.44 x 5.51 x 4.13 in.
- Knife Material: Stainless steel
- Case Material: Wood
- Number of knives: 5
This neat and compact wooden knife block is perfect if you have limited counter space or already have a great set of steak knives. The block holds five practical cutting tools, including a serrated knife and a paring knife.
Lizzy Briskin, a food writer and product reviewer who runs Earthen Food Co, is a trained chef and avid home cook who loves to put new gadgets to the test to help people make informed buying decisions; she contributes food, cooking, and lifestyle content to publications including the Chicago Tribune, Simply Recipes, Munchery, Insider, and others. She also tests and develops recipes for national food brands. When she’s not cooking, eating, or writing, she can be found hiking, cycling, and training for marathons.
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