What to Buy Knives The 7 Best Knife Sets for 2023, According to Our Tests Our top picks feature sharp blades with secure, comfortable handles that perform well under pressure. By Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a freelance Commerce Writer at Food & Wine, specializing in product reviews and roundups. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Bon Appétit, Entrepreneur and Realtor.com, among other print and digital titles. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 12, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite The Tests Factors We Consider FAQ Other Knife Sets We Tested Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Will Dickey If you're in the market for a new knife set, you're looking for an option that covers all the basics — and then some. From the chef's knife, which we like to call the superstar of every set, to supporting knives like the bread, paring, and utility blades, you expect your set to do it all. The blades should perform exceptionally well under pressure, and the handles should offer a comfortable, secure grip. Don't forget about a sleek, compact knife block or storage solution, whether a magnetized bar or an Acacia wood block with a self-sharpener. That's why our team set out to find the best knife sets for your kitchen needs. From beginner cooks to seasoned pros, we tried, tested, and ranked popular knife sets to find the best ones. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Wusthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Block Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Block Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Cangshan Thomas Keller Signature Collection 7-Piece Magnetic Knife Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Modern: Global Classic 7-Piece Takashi Knife Wood Block Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Compact: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Japanese-Style: Ginsu Gourmet Chikara Series 8 Piece Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Self-Sharpening: Henckels Classic 15 Piece Self Sharpening Block Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Wusthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Block Set Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Design 5/5 Size 3/5 Performance 4.5/5 Pros This set is great for someone who is low on countertop space and wants sleek, reliable, high-quality knives for everyday cooking. Cons It doesn't include steak knives or a sharpener. For an all-around high-quality knife set, we ranked the Wüsthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Block Set highest. Equipped with every basic knife needed for daily cooking (chef's, Santoku, bread, paring, and serrated utility), plus come-apart shears, this set is an excellent choice for apartment dwellers or anyone with a small kitchen. Nestled in a compact Acacia block, which can seamlessly fit on the smallest countertops, we found that each knife can easily slice, providing smooth cuts of meat, cheese, produce, and bread. These German-made knives feature a Rockwell hardness of 58, a 14-degree blade angle for superior sharpness, and contoured triple-riveted handles for comfort and control. Our testing confirmed this: We found the chef's knife to be particularly sharp, which we always appreciate, and we found the grip comfortable and safe when using all knives in the set. The only noted downside is it doesn't include steak knives or a sharpener, so you're paying nearly $700 for a few really good knives. Overall, we were thrilled with Wüsthof's design and performance, which is why we would not only purchase this set for ourselves but would also recommend it to friends and family. Price at time of publish: $695 Number of knives included: 6 (including shears)Wood/block type: AcaciaKnife materials: High-carbon stainless steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Value Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Block Set Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Design 4/5 Size 5/5 Performance 4/5 Pros This set features every knife you'll ever need, including sharpened chef's-style and steak knives, plus a sharpening steel. Cons The traditional-style block is bulky, so you may struggle to find a spot for it in your kitchen. Perfect for someone new to cooking or in the market for a "starter" set, the Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Knife Block Set features every knife you will ever need in the kitchen, plus eight steak knives, a sharpening steel, and a chop assist (it's also available in a 17-piece version). Given the price point, we found that these knives performed incredibly well. And as a set, the value here cannot be overstated. All of the knives were relatively easy to use, and we felt little to no resistance during each of the tests. Overall, using them was a smooth, fluid, and effortless experience. The weight of the handles did sometimes feel unsteady during testing, but not enough to deter us from purchasing this complete block set. Because the block is among the largest and bulkiest, some of us said we would avoid displaying it on our countertops. Price at time of publish: $129 Number of knives included: 17Wood/block type: WoodKnife materials: High-carbon stainless steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Splurge Cangshan Thomas Keller Signature Collection 7-Piece Magnetic Knife Set Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Design 4/5 Size 4/5 Performance 5/5 Pros This set is perfect for a professional chef or a seasoned home cook, featuring six powerful, durable knives. Cons The knife bar limits where one can reasonably place this set in a kitchen. Resulting from a partnership between Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller and cutlery maker Cangshan, this 7-piece set is ideal for seasoned cooks ready to take their home chef game to the next level. This dream set of knives is easy to use, has a great blade-to-handle ratio, and the overall size and feel are unmatched among the sets we've tried. Right off the bat, the chef's knife produced a perfect slice when cutting through printer paper. These knives performed exceptionally well, scored high in all attribute ratings, and effortlessly glided through the tomato, onion, and baguette. The execution was perfect across the board, with the knives requiring little to no effort to achieve smooth, fast cuts. Regarding specs, the knives hold a Rockwell hardness rating of 61, which allows the blades to have an extremely sharp point. Each one is hand-polished and hand-sharpened with a 16-degree, single-beveled edge. The biggest drawback is the magnetic strip knife bar. If you have a tile backsplash, it might not be ideal. And though it looks stylish, it becomes heavy when all knives hang from the bar. We'd recommend acquiring a separate knife block, Price at time of publish: $796 Number of knives included: 6Wood/block type: WoodKnife materials: Swedish Damasteel RWL34 powdered steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Modern Global Classic 7-Piece Takashi Knife Wood Block Set Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Design 4/5 Size 3.5/5 Performance 5/5 Pros This set includes the sharpest chef's knife we tried. Cons The knives' handles in this set are better suited for small hands. The Global Classic 7-Piece Takashi Knife Wood Block Set is a great choice for advanced chefs who want a modern, visually appealing knife set with a not-so-traditional look. Overall, the knives are light, well-balanced, and have a low-profile heel, extending the knife's life when sharpened over time. The blades, ice tempered with a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 degrees, are super sharp and should stay that way after years of use. In fact, this set's chef's knife was noted as the sharpest among every knife we tested. When slicing the tomato, there was no tearing, and we didn't even need to hold onto it to cut through it. And when it came time to slice a baguette, no "sawing" back and forth was required. Every knife performed exceptionally well, with clean, quick slices requiring hardly any effort. The biggest drawback we found was centered on the knife handles — their thin profile makes them somewhat difficult to grip compared to other knives, though they may be better suited for smaller hands. The block itself is ordinary, with no exceptional design features. The plus side is room for three more tools, including kitchen shears. Price at time of publish: $394 Number of knives included: 7Wood/block type: WoodKnife materials: Stainless steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Compact Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Our Ratings Design 3.5/5 Size 4/5 Performance 4.5/5 Pros This stylish knife block set offers strong value with top-quality performance. Cons The tempered glass block may get dirty and leaves no room for additional knives. Not only is this set compact, but it's also one of the more unique blocks we tested. With a tempered glass exterior, the Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Set looks significantly more expensive than it actually is. The knives also performed better than some of the more costly alternatives tested by our team. Overall, each one sliced smoothly with no resistance with every test we put them through. With a variety of essential knives (paring, utility, boning, chef's, and bread), this set should cover most kitchen needs, especially for a beginner. The only problem is the lack of space to add additional knives later on. But if you're not looking to grow a knife collection, this pick is an all-around favorite for our editors. Price at time of publish: $159 Number of knives included: 5Wood/block type: Tempered glassKnife materials: Alloy steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Related: The 6 Best Cutting Boards for Every Kitchen Task Best Japanese-Style Ginsu Gourmet Chikara Series 8 Piece Set Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Design 4/5 Size 3.5/5 Performance 4/5 Pros This set is super sharp right out of the box and outperforms other knives on slicing tasks. Cons We didn't love the plastic handles, and no bread knife is included in the set (only a small serrated knife). The Ginsu set had sharp edges sharp right out of the box, which is impressive for the affordable price. Each knife is lightweight and sliced through paper, tomato, and diced onions easily. The paring knife we found to be well-balanced and sharp and a small serrated knife is included for harder slicing tasks, as well as a honing rod and kitchen shears. Though it doesn't include a bread knife, we found the small serrated knife to be able to slice through a baguette, and the paring knife easily hulled and cored the strawberries. It's fairly priced for the performance, and we'd absolutely recommend it for a starter Japanese knife set. Advanced cooks and chefs might look for a higher-end option, but for most home cooks, this is a serviceable and smart buy. Price at time of publish: $114 Number of knives included: 5Wood/block type: BambooKnife materials: Plastic and stainless steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Self-Sharpening Henckels Classic 15 Piece Self Sharpening Block Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Wayfair Our Ratings Design 3/5 Size 3/5 Performance 4/5 Pros The included steak knives are handy for the kitchen, the sharpener will keep the blades in good shape, and it's a great price for a full knife set. Cons Not as attractive as some higher-end options, and the paring knife didn't perform as strongly as the chef's knife in our tests. This set from J.A. Henckels includes several essential knives, shears, and eight serrated steak knives, all labeled on the block, so there's no guesswork while grabbing the handles during meal prep. The chef's knife performed excellently in our tests, and though there isn't an included bread knife, the serrated utility knife, and paring knife do the trick for most kitchen tasks. The fully-forged construction makes a seamless connection from bolster to tip, and most home cooks will appreciate the usefulness and appearance of this set. The smartest feature of this set is the self-sharpening block, as the slots cradle each blade between sharpening stone edges, which hone the knife every time you pull it from the block. It's a great no-fuss set for any kitchen. Price at time of publish: $300 Number of knives included: 13Wood/block type: Ash woodKnife materials: Stainless Steel Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Our Favorite The German-made Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Block Set came out on top, impressing us with its design, performance, and variety. Of the 21 sets we tested, it's the only one our team unanimously agreed they would not only purchase for themselves but also recommend to friends and family. The Tests When our team set out to find the best knife sets, we were on the hunt for knives that are exceptionally designed, aesthetically pleasing, and practical for everyday cooking. Overall, we tested 21 sets. When narrowing down our search, we prioritized blades that were extraordinarily sharp and could easily slice through all sorts of ingredients. First, we performed a printer paper test, cutting through the paper starting at the knife's heel and moving toward the tip in a controlled motion. We looked at how cleanly the knife sliced through the paper, noting how much effort was required to puncture the paper. We then used the chef's knife to thinly slice a ripe tomato and dice an onion. Next, we used the serrated knife to slice two equal pieces off a loaf of crusty bread, such as sourdough. Finally, we used the paring knife to hull three large strawberries. We assessed the knife's performance with each test, noting traits like comfortability, balance, design, and size. We asked ourselves if the knives felt particularly heavy or light, if the edge and face of the knife had any impact on functionality, and if the handles aided in the knives' performance. We found that price did not necessarily indicate quality, as many less-expensive sets outperformed expensive ones. Ultimately, we assigned ratings for design, the quantity and completeness of knives included, performance, and value to determine which knives performed the best in a range of categories. Factors We Consider Number and Type of Knives Any pro chef will tell you that you only really need a large chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife to do just about anything you want. When buying sets that can feel more cost-effective, be sure that the knives included are ones you actually need and will use. One of the biggest decisions will be whether the set comes with or without steak knives. Most sets that include them will have between six and eight, which is not helpful if most of your dinner parties are for ten or more people. It can sometimes be more budget-friendly to buy a smaller set of three to four knives and expand as needed. FOOD & WINE / WILL DICKEY / JESSICA CHRISTOPHER Storage If you invest in a knife set, you want to be sure you can store your knives safely. Store your knives where their sharp edges will not accidentally cut you, damage your drawers, or dull by knocking into other cutlery. Some sets come with blocks, which can be useful, but only if you do not intend to expand your knife collection or if you don't have existing knives that would have to fit in the slots. It can often be easier to buy the knife set without a block and buy a universal block or in-drawer storage system. If both counter space and drawer space are at a premium, you may consider a magnetic strip system that mounts to the wall. Materials Some knives are stainless steel, some are carbon steel, and others are even ceramic. Handles can be metal, plastic, or wood. Finding a material that makes sense for how you cook should be a part of your decision-making. You want a blade material that is resistant to dulling and easy to sharpen and a comfortable handle material that provides a non-slip gripping surface for safe use. Care Most manufacturers will tell you that you should not put knives in the dishwasher where the high heat can damage blades, and they can become dull from knocking into other cutlery. But many of us occasionally ignore that advice. The one knife you can never put in the dishwasher is one with a wooden handle, so if you know that you are likely to ignore the dishwashing recommendations, be sure to buy knives with a metal or plastic handle. Carbon steel blades can rust easily, so they need to be dried thoroughly after washing, whereas stainless blades can be left to air dry. Ceramic blades can chip and damage in ways that are not reparable, whereas stainless and carbon blades can be sharpened even if they chip. Frequently Asked Questions How long do knife sets last? "A quality knife set that is properly maintained and used should last a lifetime," says Karen Schmidt, Head of Marketing at Schmidt Brothers Cutlery. "You should never have to buy the same exact type of knife twice unless you need or want to own multiples." How much should a good knife set cost? Prices really can vary wildly, says Schmidt. "Depending on the number of pieces in the set, you can purchase a small quality set for $150-$300 or a large quality set for $250-$600. There are a number of considerations that go into the engineering and construction of a knife and, therefore, the price of the set."According to Schmidt, shoppers should look at what type of steel is being used, the construction of the knife (forged vs. stamped), and the material of the handles. Additionally, shoppers should consider the block that they're getting as part of the set, as well as whether the cost is going into offering a consumer all of the right knives they need. What knife sets do chefs use? "Believe it or not, there are a lot of professional chefs out there!" admits Schmidt. "So, the most used knives are actually commercial grade knives supplied by restaurant supply outfitters. These knives tend to be on the less expensive side. However, when it has quality steel, and the chef knows how to maintain their tools, these knives perform very well since they're constantly being honed." Other Knife Sets We Tested Strong Contenders Coltellerie Berti 5 Piece Insieme Kitchen Knife Set ($2,128 at Amazon)While the chef's knife worked well for everything except the onion, and the paring and serrated knives cut easily, we felt the high price tag might not work for many home cooks but fits better in our list of high-end knife sets. Kramer by Zwilling Stainless Damascus 7 Piece Magnetic Set ($1,800 at Cutlery & More) We felt these knives were beautiful, and the stand was certainly impressive; however, we'd opt for a less expensive set with better sharpness. In addition, it lacks a serrated knife. Amazon Basics 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set ($74 at Amazon) The knives in this set are very sharp, but ergonomic features could be improved to make the knives more comfortable to hold and use. This set is a good basic or starter set, but we think there are still better options on the market. Farberware Edgekeeper 21-Piece Forged Triple Riveted Block Set($70 at Amazon) All knives were sharp straight out of the box, but not as sharp as they could be. Though this set performed fine, we feel there are better picks even at this price point. Aiko Damascus Steel Knife Set ($368 at Santoku Knives) We would recommend this to a friend who wanted a stunning-looking knife set, though the performance falls a bit short. Using the paring knife was awkward, and the chef's knife was not as sharp as we wanted. We also missed not having a stand. What Didn't Make the List In order to find our favorite knife sets, we tested the top names on the market, including Cuisinart, Zwilling, Material, Made In, Our Place, Wolf, and Calphalon. While some knife sets impressed us with their sharp edges, smart storage solutions, and balanced designs, others didn't perform as well and ultimately fell short for duller blades, incomplete sets, or non-ergonomic, imbalanced hand feels. Our Expertise Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She has written for Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, and more. For this piece, we tested 21 different knife sets to find the best ones. Using our culinary and product testing expertise, we assessed different sets in terms of performance, value, and design over several weeks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit