According to experts, dull knives are more dangerous compared to sharp kitchen knives, which also makes our culinary tasks a lot easier. While the ordinary home chef will do just fine using the basic chef’s, serrated, and utility knives, investing in a high-quality knife set housed in a beautiful wooden block offers better performance in versatility to everyday cooking. In this article, we’ve made a curated list of the best kitchen knife sets that will fit right in your home kitchen, but can also be used in professional kitchens.
Table of Contents
Best Forged Kitchen Knife Sets
When you’re looking for the best knife sets, you can’t go wrong with brands that are dedicated solely to creating quality knives that provide good value for money.
1. Cangshan Thomas Keller Signature Collection 7-Piece Magnetic Knife Set
Highlights:
- Designed by Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller and features his initials
- A 7-piece set that includes all the essential knives for cooking and a magnetic knife bar
- Made using Swedish Damasteel and full-tang blade construction
- With a Rockwell hardness rating of 61 for a remarkably sharp edge
If you’re looking for a high quality set that features all the knives you need for everyday tasks in the kitchen, look no further than this 7-Piece Magnetic Knife Set by Cangshan. Part of their Thomas Keller Signature Collection which has been designed by the Michelin-starred chef himself, each hand-forged knife offers a 16-degree Asian-style cutting edge, that’s been hand polished and hand-sharpened by expert blade-smiths. Made using fine-grained, high-alloy steel, they are strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion.
Offering full-tang blades, every knife offers efficiency and balance, while their bolster-free design allows for a firm grip and allows you to sharpen them easily. This gorgeous 7-piece set comes with a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 7-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 10-inch chef’s knife, a 10-inch bread knife, a 10.5-inch carving knife, and an 18-inch magnetic knife bar in walnut. This set comes packaged in an attractive storage box and provides with a lifetime warranty to cover for manufacturer defects.
2. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro 7-Piece Knife Block Set
Highlights:
- Features Sigmaforge knives made from just a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel
- With a resilient, ice-hardened Friodur blade that stays sharper for longer
- Perfectly balanced knife with a sloped bolster for less fatigue and safe cutting
- A 7-piece set that’s a standout even among professional chefs
These German steel blades were designed in Italy by Matteo Thun and made by Zwilling J.A. Henckels, a company founded in 1731 that has since set the standards for top cutlery. With over 290 years of experience in knife-making, they have developed a set that can be used for various chopping and cutting tasks. It comes with a 4-inch paring knife, a 5.5-inch prep knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, Twin shears, Twin sharpening steel, and a 16-slot hardwood block.
The chef’s knife features a curved blade with a sharp edge that excels at mincing all kinds of vegetables, providing a clean cut without the need to lift it away from the cutting board. The utility knife can easily slice salami and cheese, while the serrated knife can smoothly slice through cake and French bread. Thanks to its impressive design and sturdy construction, these great knives aren’t just ergonomic but are also durable enough to last a lifetime.
3. Wüsthof Classic Ikon 6–Piece Starter Knife Block Set
Highlights:
- A forged knife made from a single block of high-carbon stainless steel with a hardness of 58 HRC
- Uses Precision Edge Technology which results in knife blades that are 20% sharper compared to older models
- Features sleek and elegant black handles with a double bolster for balance and comfort
- Made in Germany; it comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty
If you’re a home chef looking to achieve professional results in the kitchen, the Wüsthof Classic Ikon 6-Piece Starter Knife Block Set can help you. This great buy comes with a half bolster and double bolster to give you perfectly balanced knife handles that will feel right at home in your hand. This handcrafted set includes all the basic knives that every cook needs, including a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, and an 8-inch bread knife.
To complete the set, it also has a pair of kitchen shears, a 9-inch honing steel, and an 11-slot storage block where you can add more of your favorite knives. The cook’s knife is heavy yet well-balanced, which has been perfected through centuries of tradition after the company was founded over 200 years ago in Germany. Each blade carries the Solingen name, a title that’s reserved for products that meet the strictest quality standards and will be with you for years to come — should you have any problems, you can always use the lifetime warranty it comes with.
4. Shun Classic 6-piece Slim Knife Block Set
Highlights:
- Made using a VG-MAX cutting core with 68 layers and stainless Damascus cladding
- Features a 60 to 61 rating on the Rockwell hardness scale with a blade angle of 16°
- With D-shaped Pakkawood handles that are durable, sturdy, and moisture-resistant
- Gorgeous Japanese knives handcrafted in Seki, Japan
Manufactured by one of Japan’s best knife-makers, Shun delivers a set with the sharpest knives through centuries-old traditions, helping you perform delicate tasks with ease while providing a superior knife feel. These Damascus stainless steel knives aren’t just stunning but are also sharp enough to make precise cuts — this set also contains all the basic knives you’ll need at home. This 6-piece set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 7-inch serrated utility knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, kitchen sheers, a 6-slot storage block and an included honing steel.
These Japanese-style knives also possess heavy Pakkawood handles but are balanced through an even weight distribution, while offering an exceeding sharp blade that will last long. These thinner blades are NSF-certified and are of the best quality, meeting the high safety standards needed for professional kitchens. They have been handcrafted in Seki, Japan, and will only need to be hand-washed using gentle dish soap and should be dried immediately.
5. Global Takashi 7-Piece Knife Block Set
Highlights:
- Stainless steel knives made from a single piece of metal that makes them highly durable
- Made with a hollow handle filled with sand to achieve the desired weight
- Provides better balance to give you complete control
- Ergonomically designed handles with a dimple pattern that offers a slip-resistant grip
Global knives are the ideal choice for professional chefs because they’re made from just one piece of metal, so they’re very easy to use and highly durable. Every knife features a lighter weight on the handle, which makes it perfectly level and balanced with the blade. This means that you can work efficiently and quickly without putting a strain on your wrists for a long time.
This 7-piece set includes a 3-inch peeler, a 4.5-inch utility knife, a 5.5-inch vegetable knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8.5-inch bread knife, an 8.5-inch ceramic sharpening rod, and a wooden knife block. It features ergonomic handles that have a signature dimple pattern that offers a comfortable grip — with proper care, they should last for years to come. When you’re done creating decadent meals for your family, simply handwash these knives and put them back into the knife block for compact storage.
6. Miyabi Mizu SG2 Knife Set, 7 Piece with Bamboo Block
Highlights:
- Made from Micro Carbide Powder steel with SG2 construction with a Damascus textured finish
- Has a rating of 63 on the Rockwell hardness scale and is made using a special Criodur ice-hardening process
- With a Micarta D-shaped handle with a beautiful mosaic accent complimented by a metal end cap with their logo
- Handcrafted in Seki, Japan, the country’s destination for excellent craftsmanship
If you’re looking to own a sharp knife, you can take home four with the Miyabi Mizu SG2 Knife Set, 7 Piece with Bamboo Block, which lets you make slices that are paper-thin. These are hand-hammered knives that feature the traditional Tsuchime pattern, a Japanese artisanal finish that’s achieved by hammering metal sheets one pattern after another. Made from a combination of SG2 and Micro Carbide Powder, this unique Japanese steel provides superior durability and hardness with a sharp edge while retaining its shape.
It also features thin blades that follow traditional Japanese knife designs which provide a lightweight feel that’s gentle on the wrists and delivers quick movements in the kitchen. The D-shaped Pakkawood handles have been specifically designed to fit both small and large hands, giving a slip-free experience. This 7-piece set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 5.5-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 9.5-inch bread knife, a 9-inch sharpening steel, a 10-slot bamboo knife block, and kitchen sheers.
7. MAC Professional Series 3-Piece Knife Set
Highlights:
- With bolstered handles that add weight without changing its balance point
- Features sub-zero tempered alloy that holds a sharper edge for 10% to 15% longer compared to molybdenum steel
- When properly cleaned and dried, resists rusting, staining, and corrosion
- Made with ergonomic Pakkawood handles that provide comfort for both left and right-handed users
These Japanese knives come with blades and handles much like Western-style knives but with extremely thin and sharp edges, allowing them to virtually glide through any food item. Because they’re so sharp, they don’t require pressure to cut cleanly, so you can work precisely and quickly whenever you cut your onions and tomatoes. This basic set comes with a 5-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, which has dimples to prevent friction and to stop food from sticking to it, and a 10.5-inch bread knife.
The utility knife is perfect for slicing salami or cheese, while the curved and long bread knife is designed to saw through food rather than slice, gliding through anything you wish to cut. MAC Professional Series Knives are some of the best in the market and are used by many professional chefs in various kitchens, even in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the world. Each piece has been handcrafted by skilled knifemakers in the legendary city of Seki in Japan and offers a 25-year warranty against any manufacturing defects.
8. Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set
Highlights:
- Offers long-lasting sharpness for your daily cooking needs
- Made from high-carbon steel that resists pitting, rust, and stains
- With a forged design that offers better weight and balance for flexibility
- Includes a chopping assistance tool that gives guidance and stability when chopping
When you’re looking for a quality option that provides value for money at a good price, then the Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set is the best option. This 17-piece set includes a 7 ¾-inch chef’s knife, a 7 ¾-inch serrated bread knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 5-inch santoku knife, a 5-inch utility knife, a 3 ¼-inch paring knife, and eight 4 ½-inch steak knives, plus a chestnut wood block, sharpening steel and a chop assist tool. Each blade has been forged from high-carbon stainless steel that’s resistant to stain, rust, and pitting, all of which can easily slice through various food items.
Using their signature 26-degree edge to ensure optimum sharpness, these knives allow for easy sharpening and precise cutting, which can be seen through their steak knives which can effortlessly cut through filet mignon. It also comes with padded polyethylene handles for comfort, even as you cut into broccoli and beef for a hearty stir-fry. While you may be tempted to throw them into your dishwasher after use, it’s best to hand wash them to keep their edges sharp.
Things to Consider Before Picking Your Knife Set
Because there are so many great options in the market for you to choose from, as well as different price points, finding the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. It’s a good thing we’ve also prepared a list of things for you to consider before committing to purchasing to help you choose an overall winner.
What Kind of Set Do You Need?
Every set will consist of a combination of knives as little as 3 pieces to as many as 20 pieces which include an assortment of steak knives, chef’s knives, paring knives, santoku knives, shears, a sharpener, and a storage block. Keep in mind that the more pieces included, the more room it will take up in your kitchen counter, so be sure to consider which tools you need, and which you don’t. While Santoku knives are great for all-purpose needs and excel at slicing all kinds of food, you might never need to use a boning knife, so consider leaving it out of your set.
Construction
Knife blades can either be stamped or forged from steel; stamped knives are punched out of a big sheet of metal, while forged knives are hammered using molten metal. Generally, forged knives are more durable, easier to handle, and will hold their edge for longer; they have a bolster between the blade and handle, which helps to balance the knife. Forged knives will also have a full-tang construction, which indicates that the blade runs through its handle — however, they are also heavier, more expensive, and less flexible compared to stamped knives.
Style
Compared to Japanese-style knives, Western-style knives are heavier and thicker, often featuring a curved blade that makes it easier to cut and mince food. Japanese blades are designed to make precision cuts as well as cut into fish, which is why they’re thinner and lighter with blades of a smaller angle. While they can be more comfortable to work with in the kitchen, they’re much more delicate and will need to be handled with care.
Material
While most of the knife sets discussed above are made from steel, there are also other options such as ceramic, although these are more prone to chipping and breaking, so we can’t really recommend them. Most high-quality Western brands will offer stainless steel or high-carbon options, while Japanese brands will offer Damascus steel, an alloy made from different kinds of metals. But no matter your personal preference, be sure to pick an option that offers good toughness, edge retention, and is easy to maintain.
Feel
Because you’ll be the one using these knives, you need to make sure that you feel comfortable using them, especially if you slice and chop regularly and in large quantities. Consider the size of your hand, the type of grip you have, and the kinds of food you make daily. When you use a knife, it needs to sit comfortably within your palm; the knife should be balanced, which means that neither the blade or handle is heavier than the other.
Sharpening
As time passes, you might notice that your knives have become dull — when they can’t easily puncture the skin of vegetables, you’ll need to resharpen them. Depending on how much you use them, they may need sharpening every few months or once a year. Be sure to invest in a set that has a built-in knife sharpener or an electric sharpener that can save you a lot of time and effort.
Storage
Storage blocks allow for the safe and neat storage of your knives so that they don’t become dull inside a drawer. These will also protect you from accidental nicks and cuts when you’re reaching for them. However, not all will be aesthetically pleasing, so you may want to consider slim wooden blocks that can be placed in inconspicuous places around your counter.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best forged kitchen knife sets available to you, and you’re aware of the specific points to consider before making a purchase, you should be able to choose the right set for you. From chef’s knives, utility knives, and even bread knives, we’ve provided all the options worth looking into when you want a brand new set of knives to take home with you. Whether you’re looking to add it to your kitchen or looking for a wonderful wedding gift, any of the choices will certainly be appreciated by whoever is looking to create magic in their meals.
Sources
- Kitchen Accessory Buying Guides
- Kitchen Appliance Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookbook Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookware Buying Guides
- Kitchen Pantry Food Buying Guides
- Does Food Go Bad Articles
- Food Comparison Articles
- Foods That Start With Letter Articles
- How Long Can Food Sit Out Articles
- How To Defrost Food Articles
- How To Reheat Food Articles
- How To Soak Food Articles
- Popular Foods Articles
- What Does It Taste Like Articles
