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Be a whiz in the kitchen with the best knife set

A good set of knives can be a game changer to your overall food prep, so get yourself one that suits your cooking style most.

Published Jan 31, 2024
6 min. reading time
Image of different types on knives and cutting board

Whether you're a culinary expert or a cooking enthusiast, having the right kitchen tools is crucial. This guide is here to help you find the best knife set for your kitchen. From a basic set to one suited for a professional chef, we’ve listed down our top knife sets that will make food prepping a breeze. 

If you’re ready to whip up a tasty homemade meal, start with these knife sets on our list! 

Read more: Get the best slow-cooker for convenient cooking

Santoku Knife Set in black casing
For multipurpose use
Santoku Knife Set
$39.95 at GSI Outdoors
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Piece Knife Roll Set
Most portable
Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Piece Knife Roll Set
$146.25 at Walmart
Colorful Knife Set With Blade Guards
A colorful option
Cuisinart Advantage 12pc Ceramic-Coated Color Knife Set With Blade Guards
$29.99 at Target
Henckels Definition 20-piece Self-Sharpening Block Set
A self-sharpening option
Henckels Definition 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Block Set
$192 at Amazon

For multipurpose use

Specifications:

Material: Stainless steel, nylon, polyethylene

Includes: 4-inch paring knife with sheath, 6-inch Santoku chef's knife with sheath, 6-inch serrated bread knife with sheath, folding cutting board, soap bottle, dish cloth, ballistic nylon case

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with carrying case

  • Lightweight for easy transportation

  • Affordable price

  • Only basic knives available

The Santoku Knife Set is the best knife set for those who love to cook at home or outdoors.  Because it comes with a carrying case and a soap bottle, you can pretty much carry this knife set wherever you go, even on a  camping trip or in your backyard.

This set is made of stainless steel, nylon, and polyethylene, ensuring durability and longevity. It weighs 25.6 oz and measures 11.6  x 7.5 x 2 inches, making it the perfect size to carry around.

Your kitchen cutlery set will never be the same again with the addition of The Santoku Knife Set.

Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel

Includes: 3 ½ inch slim paring knife, 6-inch boning knife, 7-inch Santoku, 9-inch wavy edge offset bread knife, 10-inch wavy edge wide bread knife, 10-inch traditional steel, 8-inch chef's knife, 7-pocket knife roll

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with casing

  • Ergonomic handle

  • Easy to care

  • High price point

The Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Piece Knife Roll Set is a great option for those who love experimenting in the kitchen.

This set is made from high-quality, durable stainless steel for longevity and its ergonomic handle makes chopping and slicing a breeze.

The set also comes with a convenient knife roll, which secures each knife in its own slot, keeping it safe and organized And unlike traditional best knife blocks, this roll is portable, making it ideal for those who love to cook on the go.

So if you're after the best kitchen knives, look no further. The Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Piece Knife Roll Set has everything you need.

Specifications:

Material: Ceramic-coated stainless steel

Includes: 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch slicing knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 6.5-inch utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife

Pros & Cons
  • Colorful knives

  • Each knife comes with blade cover

  • Lifetime warranty

  • Hand-wash only

  • Doesn’t come with casing

The Cuisinart Advantage 12pc Ceramic-Coated Color Knife Set is one of the most fun and innovative products out there. Don't underestimate the power of this kitchen cutlery set — its high-quality stainless steel blades and ceramic coating make for easy slicing. 

Particular attention has been given to detail with the color coding on the blades, which is an ingenious way of reducing the risk of cross-contamination during food preparation. As if those features were not enough, you get a lifetime warranty.

With this colorful knife set from Cuisinart, you’ll definitely have a lot of fun cooking at home.

A self-sharpening option

Specifications:

Material: Ash Wood, Stainless Steel

Includes: 3-inch paring knife, 7-inch Santoku, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch chef knife, six 4.5-inch steak knives, scissors, kitchen shears and a self-sharpening knife block

Pros & Cons
  • Self-sharpening

  • Dishwasher safe

  • Requires more space for storage

The Henckels Definition 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Block Set is undeniably a tool every home chef needs. The set includes nine different types of knives, ensuring you have the right tool for every task in the kitchen.

It has unique self-sharpening slots featured in the built-in ceramic honing wheels that automatically sharpen the knives when they are stored or removed. With this feature, you’ll know you’re getting precision cutting each time you use it.

In addition to its functionality, this knife set also adds aesthetic appeal to your countertop with its handsome stained ash wood base and stainless steel cap. The knives' fully forged construction provides balance, while their traditional triple-rivet handle encourages tireless cutting.

If you’re in search of the best knife brands, Henckels is a name you can trust.

Best knife block set

Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel

Includes: 8-inch chef knife, 5-inch Santoku knife, 4.5-inch serrated utility knife, 3.5-inch purer, 6 4.5-inch steak knives, pair of 8-inch shears, 8-inch sharpener, black block for storage

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with knife block

  • Affordable

  • Only available in one color

The Cuisinart Graphix 13 Piece Knife Block Set makes a perfect helper for your time in the kitchen.

Ergonomically designed and textured for comfortable control, these knives are easy to use even for amateur cooks. It’s a great investment for those who are looking for quality and performance. Plus, it comes with a knife block for easy storage.

Top hand-forged option

Display of Setsuko Supreme Handmade Set of knives
Photo: Wasabi Knives

Setsuko Supreme Handmade Set

You save $940 (59.91%)
$629$1,569

Specifications:

Material: Wood and Damascus steel

Includes: Asuka multipurpose chef’s knife, Tsumiwakashi versatile precision knife, Harumi slicing knife, Tatara original, Kiyoshi cleaver, Naruto Gyuto, Naruto Nakiri

Pros & Cons
  • Lasts a lifetime

  • Corrosion resistance

  • High price point

A chef's dream comes true, the Setsuko Supreme Handmade Set is truly the best kitchen knife set for those looking to up their culinary game. Its meticulous crafting process pays homage to ancient quenching technology, creating a knife set that not only boasts extreme sharpness but also optimizes edge retention and corrosion resistance.

One of the standout features of this knife set is its multifunctional application, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen. From slicing and dicing to chopping and mincing, these fine tools can tackle it all with precision and ease.

In addition to being functionally superior, the Setsuko Supreme Handmade Set also elevates the aesthetic of any space it inhabits, speaking to attention to detail that is reflective of its quality.

And finally, when it comes to durability, Wasabi Knives promises that with correct care, these items will last you a lifetime. Robust yet elegant, the Setsuko Supreme Handmade Set is truly heralded as the best chef knife set amongst culinary experts, solidifying Wasabi Knives' position among the best knife block set providers.

For outdoor cooking

RAKAU Knife Set
Photo: GSI Outdoors

Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel

Includes: 3.5-inch paring knife with sheath, 6-inch Santoku chef's knife with sheath, 6-inch serrated bread knife with sheath, bamboo cutting board, dish cloth, knife sharpener, recycled PET Cloth Case

Pros & Cons
  • Eco-friendly storage solution

  • Comes with knife sharpener

  • Not many  knife options compared to other sets

The RAKAU Knife Set is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor cooking

This set includes three superior knives. The chef knife features a Santoku blade with Granton scallops that ensures thin, precise slicing. Accompanying the chef knife is a serrated bread knife and a paring knife, designed to tackle anything from the hardest baguette crusts to the most delicate vegetable peeling.

The RAKAU Knife Set also comes with a bamboo cutting board with a juice gutter, a knife sharpener and a contemporary and eco-friendly storage solution a recycled PET cloth case with integrated sheaths for safe blade management.

For those searching for a high-quality kitchen cutlery set, and a sustainable product in one, this RAKAU Knife Set is an excellent choice.

What should I look for in a knife set?

When shopping for the best knife set, consider the types of knives included, the materials they're made from and the quality of the knife block or storage solution. A good knife set should include at least a chef's knife, a bread knife and a paring knife. High-quality materials like stainless steel ensure durability and longevity.

Are expensive knife sets worth it?

While the price can be a good indicator of quality, it's not the only factor to consider when purchasing the best knife set. Expensive knife sets often offer superior materials, craftsmanship and additional features such as self-sharpening slots or lifetime warranties. However, there are also affordable options that deliver great performance and durability so it's about finding the right balance for you.

Which knife sets have our stamp of approval?

After extensive research and comparison, two knife sets stand out for us: The Santoku Knife Set and the Mercer Culinary Millennia 8-Piece Knife Roll Set. 

The Santoku Knife Set is perfect for those who love to cook in various settings, thanks to its lightweight and portable design. On the other hand, the Mercer Culinary Millennia set offers high-quality stainless steel knives in a convenient roll bag, making it ideal for both home and professional use.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, there's a knife set out there for you. Explore your options with our list and find the perfect kitchen companion today!


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Prices updated on 01/31/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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Written by
Afina Najib

A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.

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