Best knife sets

Looking for the best knife set? In this post we’ll break down the top knife sets available whilst comparing them for price versus performance. Before we get started with detailing about the best knife sets on the market, we have included links for each product mentioned, so make sure you check those out to see which one is in your budget range.

Starting off with the best overall knife set we have the Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set. The 16 knives that come with the Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set are eight 4.5-inch forged steak (non-serrated), 8-inch slicer, 8-inch chef’s, 7-inch Santoku, 7-inch serrated bread, 5.5-inch utility, 5-inch de boning, and 3.5-inch and 3-inch paring knives. The set also comes with shears, and the 18th piece, the knife block, features a knife sharpener. The blades are made of high-carbon stainless steel. They are full tang, which means the blade extends the full length of the handle.

The handles are triple-riveted with stainless steel for added stability. As with any knives, this set should be washed by hand. Chicago Cutlery stands behind the quality of this set with a lifetime limited warranty. Cooking Detective appreciated several features of the Chicago Cutlery knife set, including the heavy forged blades and triple rivet design. PickMyKnife included this set in its review of the top options from Chicago Cutlery. The reviewers liked that the block made it easy to sharpen the knives and that the knives were clearly built to last. However, they would have liked a serrated steak knife in the mix. Knife Sharpener Guy rated this set highly because of the durable design of the knives and the in-block sharpener, but he found the price was a bit much for what you get. Around 75% of the buyers who reviewed the Insignia2 knife set on Amazon gave it a five-star rating. Buyers are impressed with how easily the knives cut through food. There were some concerns that the knives are made in China, but that does not appear to equate to poor quality. One verified purchaser mentioned that they did not receive all of the knives with their order, but Chicago Cutlery was quick to remedy the problem.

Next up we have the best glass block knife set which goes to the Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set. The Mercer Culinary Genesis Knife Block Set comes with 3.5-inch paring, 5-inch utility, 6-inch boning, 8-inch bread, and 8-inch chef knives. You can choose between a tempered glass block and wood block with tempered glass. Both blocks allow you to readily see where each knife is located. The blades are made of high-carbon, no-stain X50 Cr Mo V15 German cutlery steel, which is resistant to discoloration, corrosion, and rust.

The full-tang blade extends into the Santoprene handle that has a non-slip grip and excellent comfort. Additionally, each knife has a bolster which offers extra balance and strength. Mercer Culinary backs this set with a lifetime limited warranty. Knife Planet called the Mercer Culinary Genesis a “great knife block set” because the reviewer has used it for years now in the kitchen and found that the quality has not flagged.

The Kitchen Guy likes that the knives are precision-forged for durability and strength. However, the reviewer found that the glass block needs to be cleaned regularly or any grime will become readily apparent. The Mercer Culinary Genesis knife set has received five-star ratings from 85% of the people who reviewed it on Amazon. Buyers report that these knives are incredibly durable. Some commented that they have had this set for years, and the knives have maintained their sharpness. Though knives should always be hand washed, there are users who have put their knives in the dishwasher with no noticeable negative effects. The biggest complaint is how the knives are positioned on the block. Since the block is not angled, it is hard to pull the knives out of the block when it is situated under a cupboard. Up next we have the best knife set without a block which goes to the Victorinox 4-Piece Knife Set with Fibrox Handles. The four pieces in the Victorinox knife set are a 4-inch paring, 6-inch utility/chef, 10.25-inch bread, and an 8-inch chef’s knife.

Each knife is made of high-carbon, stainless steel and hand finished in Switzerland at Victorinox’s headquarters. The company uses a special ice-tempering process that aims to keep the knife’s original sharpness after each sharpening throughout its lifetime. The handles are made of a slip-resistant textured polymer material known as “Fibrox.” Wirecutter named this Victorinox set as its top budget pick. The testers found that it was ideal for beginner cooks who want sharp knives but don’t want to spend a lot.

They also recommend it for chefs in high-traffic kitchens. Mariano’s Kitchen reviewed all of the sets available from Victorinox and the 4-Piece Knife Set with Fibrox Handles was its top choice. Around 95% of the reviewers on Amazon gave this Victorinox knife set four- or five-star ratings. Several buyers commented that they chose this set after reading Cook’s Illustrated’s review of the Victorinox chef’s knife. Even in smaller hands, users remark that the knives feel sturdy, balanced, and have a nice grip on them. Buyers note that the knives keep their sharpness and approach the level of quality found in more expensive models.

Next we have the best high-end knife set which goes to the Wüsthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set. The Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set comes with shears and five knives: an 8-inch chef’s, 8-inch bread, 6-inch Kiritsuke prep, 5-inch serrated utility, and a 3.5-inch paring knife. There are six different block styles to pick from, including Acacia, Walnut, Black, and Bamboo. Each blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel with a 14-degree cutting edge on each side and completely buffed and polished by hand. The more-tapered cutting edge is designed to reduce drag when cutting through food and decrease the effort you must exert. Wüsthof uses “Precision Edge Technology,” which the company claims enhances the sharpness of the blade by 20% and ensures it will last twice as long.

Wüsthof backs its craftsmanship with a lifetime warranty. In its deep-dive look at the best kitchen knife sets, Foodal included this Wusthof set among its eight recommendations. The testers liked that the knives were clearly durable and well-made and found that they were good for daily use. Plus, the block doesn’t take up much counter space. Sharpen-Up appreciated that the knives were German-manufactured and well-balanced. And, Steak Knives Review also liked that the knives were made in Germany as well as the customer support Wüsthof provides. However, the reviewer found the price to be a bit steep and thought the knives were too heavy. The Wusthof Classic Knife Block Set has positive reviews from 94% of the Amazon users who rated it. Buyers comment that these knives make it feel like everything you cut through is like butter. They also appreciated that the knife block has a small footprint. Less-experienced home chefs found that these knives made them feel more comfortable around the kitchen. The only consistent complaint we found was an aesthetic one. The red Wusthof logo is applied to the handle of each knife with a sticker that falls off easily.

And for our last pick we have the best knife set on a budget which goes to the Vremi 10 Piece Colorful Knife Set. Vremi is playing a little fast-and-loose when they call this a “10-Piece Knife Set.” The truth is half of the “pieces” are sheaths for the five knives: a 3.5-inch orange paring, 5-inch yellow utility, 8-inch purple carving, 8-inch blue serrated bread, and 8-inch red chef’s knife. The blades are precision forged from stainless steel. They are a partial tang, and there are no visible rivets in the plastic BPA-free handle. The sheaths are similarly BPA-free and match the color of the corresponding knife. This is a useful set if you want to save on counter space by storing your knives in a drawer while safely avoiding cuts when retrieving them. The Spruce included this Vremi collection in its look at the best knife sets of 2024. The writer notes that it makes a good second set of knives for your vacation home.

Plus, the sheaths make them easy to transport. The Vremi 10-Piece Colorful Knife Set has more than 1,100 five-star ratings on Amazon. The most common comments about these knives are that the colors are beautiful and that they remain sharp. Another benefit is that they are easy to clean with warm water and a mild detergent. Many buyers liked them so much that they bought extra sets to give as gifts. The main complaint we found revolved around customers thinking these knives are ceramic because of the coloration. They are actually painted stainless steel. So that sums up our top knife sets of 2024.