Best Kitchen Knives Set To Achieve Excellent Cuts

Are you a cooking enthusiast? Or are you in search of the best knives set to display on your countertop proudly? If so, you are on the right page because we have taken our time to research the best knives set that will furnish your kitchen counter and give you clean, excellent cuts while cooking. But, before we get to discuss the best knives on the market, do you know what a knife set is? If not, we shall give you a brief description below as we proceed to get a clear understanding.

What Is A Knife Set?

A knife set is a compilation of knives you will need to slice bread, cut meat, and finely chop your fruits or vegetables. These knife sets may come in attractive features that will make your kitchen counter look more attractive.

Every kitchen needs professional knife sets to help in slicing, dicing, carving and even paring. In addition, having knife sets gives you confidence in your cuts and adds to your kitchen aesthetics. This article discusses some of the kitchen knife sets in the market that are a must in every kitchen. Below are the selected knives we will look into.

What is the best kitchen knives set?

1. Best Japanese Steel Set: Shun Classic 5-Piece Knife Block Set

Shun Cutlery Classic Blonde 5-Piece Starter Block Set, Kitchen Knife...
  • START YOUR COLLECTION: The Shun Classic Blonde 5-Piece Starter Block Set helps you start your cooking knife set with the essentials all in...
  • SET INCLUDES: This knife and block set includes the Classic Blonde 8" Chef's Knife, 6" Utility Knife, 3.5" Paring Knife, Combination Honing...
  • CLASSIC BLONDE KNIFE SERIES is constructed with a VG-MAX cutting core with 58 layers of Damascus cladding for a strong, razor-sharp blade....
  • BAMBOO KNIFE BLOCK: The Slimline Knife Block is made of durable, renewable bamboo that's easy to care for. It holds everything in this set...
  • TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce...

If you cook a lot, you are missing out on this piece. American chefs love these Japanese chef's knife sets because of their lightweight, sharp blades and aesthetically appealing designs. If you are looking for the best Japanese blades, your first option should be Shun. These knives are handcrafted in Seki, Japan, from Shun's own VG-MAX steel core clad on both cutting edges of the blade. The blades are also layered with 34 stainless Damascus. These make the knives not only durable but also corrosion-free and razor-sharp. Apart from that, they have handles made from pakkawood, a moisture-resistant material that gives you a comfortable fit in hand.

The set comes in 3 pieces: shun's famous 8-inch chef's knife, 6-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, and sharpening steel to sharpen the blades.

Pros

  • Has three essential knives, a chef knife, a utility knife that can work in place of a bread knife, paring knife
  • Comes in beautifully handcrafted pakkawood handles that are moisture resistant
  • Made with razor-sharp Japanese steel.

Cons

  • Some users complained of the honing steel being slightly off from the set

2. Chicago Cutlery Fusion Knife Block Set (12-Piece)

Sale
Chicago Cutlery Fusion 12 Piece Forged Premium Knife Block Set with...
  • ALL IN ONE: 12 piece set includes a 3. 25" Parer, 5" Utility, 7. 75" Bread, 7. 75" Chef, 8" Slicer, 6 - 4. 50" Steak knives, honey...
  • MADE TO LAST: Long-lasting sharpness perfect for frequent cooking and peace of mind.
  • SAFE HANDLING: Asian-influenced, cushion-grip handles provide a sturdy, non-slip grip.
  • HIGH CARBON STAINLESS STEEL: High-carbon stainless steel creates stronger, harder blades to resist stains, rust and pitting.
  • LONG-LASTING SHARPNESS: Signature 26-Degree taper grind edge for optimum sharpness, precise cutting and easy sharpening.

The Chicago Cutlery Fusion Knife block set is made by an established company that a variety of price ranges for different types of knives set they manufacture. The knife block set comes in a stylish block with sideways slots to fit the kitchen knives and steak knives that match the design of the whole set. The steak knives have a straight edge that makes them sharpen easily.

The set also includes:

  • A serrated knife with an average length that you can use to cut bread.
  • A paring knife that calls for many uses.
  • A utility knife that can work well in place of a boning knife.

The handle has a tapering grip and a rubberized texture with a small hand.

Pros

  • Stays sharp for an extended period
  • Has Asian-influenced cushion grip handles that provide a sturdy grip
  • Made with high carbon stainless steel that creates stronger hard blades
  • It's rust-resistant
  • Has a precision forged design that increases weight and balance.

Cons

  • Users complain of the knife block not being appropriately gripped

3. Dalstrong Gladiator Series ( 18-Piece Knife Set)

Dalstrong Knife Set Block - 18-Pc Colossal Knife Set - Gladiator...
  • Outstanding craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, stunning design elements, and premium materials. Peak performance has never looked so...
  • Incredibly razor sharp, full-tang, imported high-carbon German steel with a hand polished edge at 16-18 degrees per side. Precisely tempered...
  • Famed design, with satisfying heft, premium materials and quality feel. Luxury ABS Polymer handles are triple-riveted with a grip that...
  • Engineered to perfection at 56+ Rockwell hardness and hand polished to a satin finish. Carefully tapered for improved hardness, flexibility,...
  • Dalstrong Trust: Rocksolid 100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, try it risk free. LIFETIME WARRANTY against defect. Renowned Dalstrong...

The Dalstrong Gladiator Series knives are known for their weight and balance. The balance point is associated with the bolster, which works well with the overall weight of heavy blades.

Since the knives have a solid bolster, spine and end cap, some people might find them too heavy to handle. However, their blades are well-honed to give them a sharp edge, full tang and made from imported carbon steel to cut through anything. You can also use them in dicing onions and chopping vegetables neatly.

The set is a good selection if you are in for style since it has a pretty-looking wood block. The blades are crafted using the Asian design, making them cool to use. The nakiri knife offers a mid-weight cleaver in conjunction with the kiritsuke knife, and you are spoilt for choice.

The set comes with a 9" bread knife and a long slicer to give you thin slices. This set is a must-have in your kitchen.

Pros

  • Made with high carbon super steel that allows super performance and edge retention
  • Highly durable
  • Comfortable to touch
  • It's a solid set with a sophisticated, stylish design.

Cons

  • Not dishwasher safe
  • Some users complained of heavy handles.

4. Mercer Culinary Genesis ( 6-Piece Set)

Sale
Mercer Culinary M20000 Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set,...
  • QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Knives are precision-forged with high-carbon German steel for better durability, and taper-ground edge allows for...
  • SUPERIOR DESIGN: The finest handles in forged cutlery; built to last ergonomic handle offers comfort and a non-slip grip, even with wet...
  • KITCHEN KNIFE SET INCLUDES: All the Kitchen essentials - 3 1/2" Paring Knife, 5" Utility Knife, 6" Stiff Boning Knife, 8" Wavy Edge Bread...
  • EASY CARE: To maximize the performance and longevity of your Mercer knives, carefully wash cutlery by hand after each use with warm water...
  • MERCER CULINARY GENESIS SERIES: Never stop experimenting in the kitchen; this Genesis knife set offers the essential knives needed in every...

These knives are a basic necessity in every kitchen. They are durable and can survive being thrown in the dishwasher. Most home cooks prefer this set because they deliver value and longevity through their endurance while in use. The Mercer knives are a bit costly compared to other base models but look even more excellent for their price. All the knives are precision-forged and have comfortable handles with a soft grip style that works well even in wet conditions. Speaking of aesthetics, the glass block gives it a nice look on your countertop.

Pros

  • Stainless steel blades that give you excellent cuts
  • Durable blades with a heavy spine and a precision forged bolster.

Cons

  • They lose their edge after some time.

5. Calphalon Contemporary Knife Block Set( 20-Piece)

Calphalon Contemporary Self-Sharpening 20-Piece Knife Block Set with...
  • Set Includes: 4.5-inch Paring Knife, 5-inch Boning Knife, 5-inch Santoku, 5.5-inch Tomatoor Bagel Knife, 6-inch Fork, 6-inch Utility Knife,...
  • Built-in ceramic sharpeners automatically sharpen knives with every use
  • Fully forged, high-carbon, no-stain German steel (steak knives made from stamped Asian steel)
  • Labeled handles for easy identification in the block
  • Full tang design for strength and balance with contoured ergonomic handles for a secure grip

The Calphalon knife set is outstanding through its self-sharpening block made from ceramic ware, typically a honing step in most sharpeners. If you want excellent cuts every single time you draw out the knife, try one of these pieces. These high-quality knives give you a nice touch, balance and style every time you use them since they are extremely sharp. They also have a grip shape that offers a nice bulge to hold on to. It comes with a nice set of three knives: a steak knife, kitchen shears, two santoku knives that would give you longer slices.

Pros

  • Has built-in ceramic sharpeners that automatically sharpen your knives after every use
  • Has labeled handles for easy identification in the block
  • Has a full tang design for strength and balance
  • Has ergonomically designed handles for a secure grip.

Cons

  • Removes little noise when sharpening the knives

Types Of Knives To Consider On Your Knife Set

1. Chef's Knife

The chef's knife is a standard tool that takes care of most big cutting jobs in the kitchen. It is lightweight enough, making it easier to chop a lot of ingredients at once.

You can use the chef's knife to chop meat, onions, carrots, and herbs. Its general feel is also a win as it has an attractive design, comfortable grip, lightweight that enable you to enjoy your cuts while using it.

Its blade also draws quickly through different food items, and surprisingly, the chef's knife can glide through paper or be snagged.

2. Utility knife

A utility knife is designed to take care of random jobs if other knives fail. For example, if the chef's knife is too big, or the paring knife is too small, the utility knife comes in to help cut things like tomatoes, cheese, carrots, oranges.

3. Paring knife

A paring knife is generally elegant, precise and feels comfortable in hand. It's perfect for cutting small fruits and vegetables such as apples, tomatoes, potatoes and even garlic.

4. Serrated utility knife

A serrated utility knife is made to cut through things that are hard to press down on easily. For example, you can use a serrated bread knife to cut through crusty bread. Likewise, you can use it to slice through bread as it gives thin, perfect cuts. Apart from that, a serrated knife can also cut through easily soft fruits such as tomatoes.

Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Kitchen Knives Set

1. Knives In The Set

Are you looking for good knives for your kitchen, but you lack the correct information on which to choose? What knives set are you looking for specifically? Is it a boning knife, chef's knife, slicing knife, bread knife, paring knife, carving knife or a more specific one such as a santoku knife? The knives could be from a quality brand, but how often will you use the knives from the set? Go through the list of knives in the set and select the knives you use most from those you don't even pick from the block. From there, you will know how to choose the best set that will suit you. The more knives you select out of the block for not being used often, the less valuable the block is.

2. Knife Block

When selecting the best knife set block, always consider its fit on top of your kitchen counter. Different blocks sit at different angles, making pulling out a knife more straightforward or challenging. For example, some blocks sit at a 45 angle, making it convenient to pull out a knife under wall cabinets. Others are space-saving since they are constructed vertically. However, the vertical blocks may need some extra space to enable you to pull out a 13-inch knife and its handle.

Even if you are not a chef, having a knife block encourages you to expand your knife collection. It might look empty with your two or three essential knives, but it will give room for growth with time.

3. Blade Quality

The quality of the blade is another essential factor to consider when choosing a knife set. Naturally, you want to go for a sharp, sturdy blade that is long-lasting. Most stainless steel knives often are sturdy and give out excellent cuts. Unfortunately, most quality blades in the market are quite costly as the quality goes hand in hand with the price. So be ready to dig into your pockets for something quality and worth it.

4. Variety

Some people might be interested in the aesthetic display a set of knives creates on their countertops. If you are such a kind, look for a kitchen knife block set with a variety of knives in it that will give you an excellent presentation as you proudly display your set in the kitchen. Even in choosing the knife block sets, you can get various designs as some feature only one type of knife.

5. General Looks

It is essential to go for aesthetics, considering that knives are utensils that sit on your countertop 24/7. You don't want to invest in a beautiful knife set only to shove them inside a utensil drawer. Therefore, you might have a taste in choosing the best designs of knives to look attractive and appealing to the eye.

6. Feel

A knife is a tool you interact with mostly while cooking; you don't want a heavy or uncomfortable piece in your hands. Put more attention on the heaviness of the blades and the comfortability of the handles. Consider maneuverability, weight distribution and how easily they slide in and out of their blocks while you are using them.

7. Knuckle Clearance

Since knives come in different dimensions, make sure you measure whether your knuckles or fingers hit the chopping board while cutting. Go for a knife set that will give you an easy time while cutting and not hurt your knuckles or fingers.

Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Knives Set

1. How Do You Prevent Stainless Steel Blades From Rusting?

Make sure you handwash your blades using dishwashing liquid and warm water, and rinse thoroughly. Then, go ahead and dry it using a cotton towel. Drying it very well will ensure excess water is drained, thus reducing the chances of corrosion, leaving the blade intact. Also, before you purchase a steel blade, confirm that it is rust-resistant stainless steel or made from high-quality German stainless steel.

2. What Should I Look For In A Kitchen Knife?

Knowing what you need in a knife grants success in using the knife in the kitchen. There are a lot of factors to consider when getting a knife set, some of them we have discussed earlier. But, first, it is advisable to look at the knife's functionality; is it multipurpose? Professional chefs can go for a whole knife set because they use the knives frequently, but home cooks have to choose specific knives.

Look into style; is it beautiful. What about the blade material? Should you go with steel or ceramic. Although it is pretty easy since ceramic blades are brittle and hard to sharpen, choose steel because of durability and longevity.

Leave a Comment