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We Tested Over 20 Knife Sets—Here are the 9 Winners

These versatile collections are a cut above the rest

Several knife sets and blocks displayed on a marbled surface

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

A great set of knives is essential for any kitchen, whether you're regularly mincing up ingredients for a shepherd's pie or simply carving a grocery store rotisserie chicken. Sharp, easy-to-hold knives make chopping and slicing easier and safer—and can also allow for greater control when dealing with more intricate cuts.

Building your own collection of knives based on individual preferences and needs is great, but sometimes investing in a complete set is the easier (and more economical) option. With all the variables—stainless steel to ceramic blades, plastic to hardwood handles, Granton or flat edges—choosing the right knife set can be a daunting task.

To help find the best knife sets for your kitchen, we tested more than 20 of them, observing key factors like design, size, value, and performance. Here's what you should keep in mind while shopping for your next set of knives.

Hand sharpening a knife from the Cuisinart 15 piece stainless steel hollow handle block set, next to a cutting board with sliced citrus

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

What to Look for When Buying a Knife Set

Number and Types of Knives

Knife sets will vary in how many knives and what type of knives are included. Know that more isn’t necessarily better if you won’t use all of the knives. If you already have a set of steak knives, you probably don’t need another half-dozen. However, if you don’t have any decent knives at all, it might be your best option to buy a complete set so you get everything you need at the best price.

Style of Storage

Some knife sets will come with storage included, which can be either a vertical or horizontal knife block or a roll-up sheath with individual slots. Consider where you are going to keep the knives and how much space you have. Knife blocks are a convenient way to store your knives on your counter, but if you’re short on counter space, it’s a good idea to make sure that the knives and block will fit into a convenient cabinet for easy retrieval. If you’re really short on space, you might prefer the sheath storage so you can place the knives in a drawer.

Sharpening Options

No matter which knives you choose, they will need maintenance and eventually need to be sharpened. Some knife sets include steels, so you can hone the knives to maintain them regularly, and some knife sets have self-sharpening knife slots. Base your decision on whether you need these options or not.

Best Overall

Chicago Cutlery Fusion Knife Set

Amazon Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Performance
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
What We Like
  • Sleek design

  • Great selection of knives  

  • Super-sharp edges

  • Includes sharpening steel

  • Great value

What We Don't Like
  • Block is bulky

It’s hard to find fault with the Chicago Cutlery Fusion set, which includes every knife you’ll need along with a sharpening steel, and extensive testing cemented this comprehensive collection as our top pick. We tested an 18-piece set, which is no longer available and included a peeler; However, this similar 17-piece set has everything you might need for chopping, slicing, and dicing.

The blades are made from high-carbon stainless steel and have rubber and metal handles that are designed for style and, as our tests revealed, feature a very comfortable grip. The knife edges are not only super-sharp but they're designed to be easy to re-sharpen when necessary (so you never need to worry about a dull blade).

This set includes a 7.75-inch chef knife, 7.75-inch serrated bread knife, 7- and 5-inch santoku knives, 5-inch utility knife, 3.25-inch paring knife, eight 4.5-inch steak knives, sharpening steel, chop assist, and knife block to hold all of the components. We tried out each knife to slice and chop everything from baby back ribs to baguettes to veggies. The verdict? Impressive performance and superb versatility.

During our tests, the steak knives cut smoothly and without tearing. It's likely that they will need to be resharpened at some point if used often, and they should be hand-washed to retain their edge. While we were impressed with the quality of the knives themselves, we felt the block itself left something to be desired—still not a deal-breaker for this all-around winner. Given its extensive array of super-sharp knives, the set is definitely worth the cost. Even after six months of use, these blades were still easy to handle and sharp as ever.

Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Number of Knives: 14 | Sharpening: Sharpening steel | Storage: Acacia wood block

Best Budget

Cuisinart Advantage Printed Color Knife Set

Cuisinart Advantage 12-Piece Color-Coded Knife Set

 Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    4/5
  • Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Size
    4/5
What We Like
  • Fun, colorful design

  • Includes knife guards

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn’t include a sharpener

Nonstick blades are easy to clean and help keep food from sticking. This colorful, budget-conscious set from Cuisinart includes six knives and six matching sheaths, so you can tuck the knives into a drawer without worrying about damaging the blades or accidentally cutting yourself. After chopping, slicing, and dicing, we found this set offered plenty of utility and sharp cutting ability without breaking the bank. Each piece is lightweight, comfortable, and safe to grip, thanks to the thoughtfully designed contouring on the handle. You just have to memorize which color knife is which since it's hard to tell while the sheaths are on.

Since these ceramic knives are more affordable than similar sets, they’re also great for taking along to picnics or potlucks, for a college kid’s apartment, or for the vacation cabin or RV. The set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 6.5-inch utility knife, a 7-inch santoku, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, and an 8-inch chef’s knife. The manufacturer suggests hand washing, but several users said they’ve been washing them in the dishwasher with no apparent harm. Still, we'd recommend hand washing for the best care for your knives.

Blade Material: Ceramic | Number of Knives: 6 | Sharpening: None | Storage: Individual plastic sheaths

Hands slicing orange on a wood cutting board with a knife from the Cuisinart Advantage 12-Piece Color-Coded Knife Set

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Best for Barbeque

Schmidt Brothers 6-Piece BBQ Knife Set

Schmidt Brothers 6-Piece BBQ Knife Set

Crate & Barrel

Our Ratings
  • Design
    4/5
  • Performance
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Size
    5/5
What We Like
  • Beautiful knives

  • Very sharp

  • Includes individual sheaths and waxed canvas knife roll

  • Mix of Granton and flat edges

  • Uses wood from FSC-Certified Sustainable sources

What We Don't Like
  • Rough spots on the handles

This attractive knife set from Schmidt Brothers is a dream for any grill master or BBQ lover. It includes an 11-inch slicing knife, a 10-inch butcher knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, a 6-inch boning knife, and a 6-inch carving fork. Each knife comes with its own thick plastic sheath (which we think is very well-designed with microfiber lining and a safety edge on top), as well as a waxed canvas knife roll to take everything on the go. They also feature zebra wood handles sourced from FSC-Certified Sustainable forests.

After extensive testing with everything from bone-in BBQ chicken to grilled steak and vegetables, we were impressed with the performance of these blades. The knives themselves are beautiful, well-balanced, and the sharp edges and flexibility are ideal for barbeque. We particularly loved the 8-inch chef's knife, with its ergonomic bolster and Granton edge. The sturdy canvas roll was also thoughtfully designed with designated areas for each piece and elastic to hold them in place.

While we did notice that the wood handles felt slightly rough in hand, this was improved by rubbing them with some food-grade mineral oil. Because of the wood handles, they are hand-wash only and will require regular maintenance with mineral oil to keep them in the best shape.

Blade Material: High carbon 100% German stainless steel | Number of Knives: 6 | Sharpening: None | Storage: Protective knife guards and waxed canvas knife roll

Best Splurge

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Block Set

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7 Piece Block Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    5/5
  • Performance
    4.5/5
  • Value
    3/5
  • Size
    3/5
What We Like
  • Knives are fully forged and full tang

  • Block is sleek and compact

  • Comfortable grip

  • Lifetime warranty

What We Don't Like
  • Requires thorough drying to avoid rust

The well-known Wüsthof kitchen brand certainly lives up to its reputation with this stunning 7-piece knife block set. It comes with a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5-inch hollow edge santoku knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, kitchen shears, and a 6-slot Acacia wood knife block. We love how the slim block design (9.5 x 3.5 inches) helps maximize counter space while maintaining a stylish, sleek design–perfect for apartment living.

While testing these knives long-term, we found ourselves reaching for the chef's knife at practically every opportunity. At the same time, the santoku knife also got a lot of use thanks to its ideal length and weight. These knives are sharp, sturdy, and easy to handle—plus, the Acacia wood is a really nice touch and feels elegant and modern. As with most knife sets, hand wash and immediately dry them off for best results, as some reviewers mentioned the scissors could rust with prolonged exposure to water. This is a universal knife set with blades built for hard-working use that will surely live up to its investment with the proper care.

Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Number of Knives: 6 + scissors  | Sharpening: None | Storage: Acacia wood block

Best Lightweight

Cuisinart Stainless Steel 15-Piece Cutlery Block Set

Cuisinart Stainless Steel Hollow Handle 15-Piece Block Set

 Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    4/5
  • Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Size
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Great variety within the set

  • Good value

  • Sharpening steel included

  • Lightweight

What We Don't Like
  • Crowded knife block orientation

While most knives have handles made from wood, rubber, or plastic, these knives are all metal for a sleek, modern appearance and easy care. They’re made from high-carbon stainless steel and have a taper-ground blade for a maintained edge and easy sharpening.

The set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 3.5-inch bird’s beak paring knife, a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, six steak knives, a pair of shears, and an 8-inch sharpening steel.

We particularly loved the paring knife, which quickly became a favorite for small jobs like slicing nectarines, plums, and berries. However, we found the high-carbon stainless steel material on all the blades to be ideal for cutting. The included black knife block holds all the components and adds to the modern look of the set, though it does feel a bit crowded. While they may look hefty, the knives are surprisingly lightweight due to the hollow handles. These should be hand washed and dried.

Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel | Number of Knives: 12 + scissors | Sharpening: Sharpening steel | Storage: Black hardwood block 

Best Self-Sharpening

Henckels Classic 15 Piece Self Sharpening Block Set

Henckels Classic 15 Piece Self Sharpening Block Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    3/5
  • Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    4/5
  • Size
    3/5
What We Like
  • Labeled slots

  • Ash wood base is accented with stainless steel

  • Knives produce clean cuts

  • Knives are fully forged with triple rivet handles

What We Don't Like
  • Paring knife is on the smaller side

This set includes a 4-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5.5-inch prep knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, and eight 4.5-inch steak knives. The block uses a combination of dark-stained ash wood and brushed stainless steel, but what really sets it apart is the self-sharpening feature. There are dedicated sharpening slots that sharpen each time a knife is removed and returned to the block. It also has a labeled slot guide to keep every knife organized in its proper place.

In our tests, the chef's knife in this collection sliced perfectly through paper to test sharpness and cut tomatoes cleanly. The paring knife was able to hull strawberries without any effort as well, though we noted the handle might be too small and thin for those with larger hands.

The set gains extra points for the quality of the knives themselves—they're fully forged, and feature triple-rivet handles to provide additional balance and comfort. The size of each knife is just right, and the chef's knife, in particular, felt very sturdy. The block is attractive, compact, lightweight, and topped with a stainless-steel cap that contrasts the wood nicely for a modern, industrial look.

Blade Material: German stainless steel | Number of Knives: 14 + scissors  | Sharpening: Built-in | Storage: Ash wood and stainless steel block

Best Japanese

Ginsu Chikara 8-Piece Bamboo Block Knife Set

Ginsu Gourmet Chikara Series Forged 8-Piece Japanese Steel Knife Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    4/5
  • Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Size
    3.5/5
What We Like
  • Lightweight handles

  • Super sharp

  • Great value

  • Versatile for multiple kitchen tasks

What We Don't Like
  • Thin handles may be uncomfortable for larger hands

  • Block is bulky and difficult to store

This set of Japanese-style knives includes an 8-inch chef's knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5-inch non-serrated utility knife, a pair of kitchen shears, and a honing rod. The tiered knife block, although it takes up a good amount of space on the counter, makes it easy to see exactly where each knife is stored. It's also lightweight and made using bamboo, a sustainable and renewable material.

We were big fans of the santoku knife in this set. The handle felt extremely balanced, and the heel design features a thick, heavy bolster. All of the knives, however, were super sharp right out of the box. The chef's knife was able to slice completely through a sheet of paper without catching and cut through a tomato with little to no effort. The paring knife also performed well–easily hulling strawberries thanks to the sharp point of the blade. The handles are on the thinner side, so those with larger hands might find them slightly uncomfortable.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Number of Knives: 5 + scissors  | Sharpening: Honing steel | Storage: Bamboo block

Best Classic

Farberware Edgekeeper Block Set

Farberware Edgekeeper 21-Piece Forged Triple Riveted Block Set

 Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    3/5
  • Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Size
    4/5
What We Like
  • Great value

  • Nice weight for balanced cutting

  • Wood block has built-in sharpener

  • Knives are fully forged, full tang, with triple rivet handles

What We Don't Like
  • Bread knife was a little dull

This set saves you money in two ways. First, it’s less expensive than similar sets to purchase, and second, you won’t need to buy a knife sharpener to maintain the knives. The knife block has Edgekeeper sharpeners in each slot, so your knives will get a sharpening swipe every time you insert and remove them. The blades are fully forged from high-carbon stainless steel, and the triple-riveted handles are comfortable to hold—impressive features considering the price

This set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 6-inch boning knife, a 6-inch cleaver, a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, a carving fork, eight steak knives, and a pair of kitchen shears. The included knife block keeps all of them secure and accessible on your counter. These knives should be hand washed and dried immediately.

We love the classic design of these knives and their aesthetically pleasing wooden block. The chef's knife sliced cleanly through both the tomato and the onion, though the bread knife was a bit lacking in terms of sharpness. The paring knife also impressed us with its lightweight, well-balanced feel and sharp tip for coring.

Blade Material: High carbon stainless steel | Number of Knives: 18 + scissors  | Sharpening: Built-in | Storage: Cherry stained wood block 

Best Design

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Set

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Design
    3.5/5
  • Performance
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Size
    4/5
What We Like
  • Super sharp

  • Commercial-grade, high-quality materials

  • Resists rust

  • Magnetic stand

What We Don't Like
  • Glass may smudge easily

  • No room to expand knife collection in the block

This set of five knives (3.5-inch paring knife, 5-inch utility knife, 6-inch boning knife, 8-inch bread knife, and 8-inch chef's knife) comes with a beautiful knife block made of wood and tempered glass. The handles are Santoprene, which can stand up to rough kitchen use, extreme temperatures, and kitchen oils while still offering a sure, comfortable grip, even with wet or greasy hands. The blades are made from high-carbon German steel that resists stains and rust, and the taper-ground edge stays sharp and is easy to re-sharpen when necessary.

These knives worked like a dream, producing thin tomato slices and finely diced onions with practically zero resistance. In fact, they were some of the smoothest and most balanced cutting knives of all the sets we tested. We loved how easy it was to work for long periods of time, thanks to the comfortably curved rubber handles and bolster. The set has every knife that your average home cook would need without too many extraneous and unnecessary knives, and the modern glass knife block is a nice alternative to your standard wooden block. Our only qualm was that the glass knife block could be hard to keep clean among kitchen splatters and grease.

After testing them long-term for six months, we maintained that these knives were a great value for the price. The grippy handle still looked new after repeated washing, and the blades remained quite sharp.

Blade Material: High-carbon German steel | Number of Knives: 5 | Sharpening: None | Storage: Magnetic wood and tempered glass stand

Final Verdict

The Chicago Cutlery Fusion 18-Piece Block Set is our top choice because it has a great selection of sharp knives and includes a sharpening steel. If you want all the essentials at a more affordable price, we recommend the Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Set.

How We Tested

We tested 21 knife sets in our dedicated testing lab and in our own kitchens, using each knife from each set. After the testing period, we assigned ratings for each attribute based on our observations and added insights based on our own expertise and kitchen knowledge.

We Observed

  • Price was not necessarily indicative of quality: Many less-expensive sets outperformed pricier ones during our tests. Unless you're looking for a "statement piece" or simply want to bring your collection up to the next level, you don't need to spend a ton of money to get a great quality knife block set.
  • Low-performing sets lacked variety: A majority of the knife block sets that we left off the roundup were missing serrated bread knives, for example, which are arguably one of the more important knives to have in your kitchen. Since knife blocks make great starter sets for a wide range of users, they should include at least a chef’s knife, a slicing knife, and a utility or paring knife.
  • Bulky blocks are not ideal: Our best-performing sets had the same design features in common: blocks that were compact, attractive, and lightweight. Along with the knives themselves, ask yourself if you would be willing to continuously display the block on your counter before buying.

We Rated

  • Design: We offered initial design observations right out of the box and highlighted ergonomically friendly shapes. Although they can make the knives more comfortable to use, some testers did not like the modern design or minimal grip offered by the handles.
  • Size: We took the time to hold each knife in hand to assess their comfort, whether they felt balanced, sturdy, or flimsy, how heavy they felt, and whether the edge, face, or handles of the knives impacted the functionality.
  • Performance: After slicing through a sheet of paper to assess sharpness straight out of the box, each set was put through a series of tests–including thinly slicing ripe tomatoes, dicing onions, cutting bread, and hulling strawberries.
  • Value: This is important to consider since a knife block set can be a hefty investment. Although we found that more expensive doesn't always mean better quality, it's important to consider each piece included in the set so you don't end up paying for something you won't use.
Person typing on laptop with nearby knife from Farberware Edgekeeper 21-Piece Forged Triple Riveted Block Set

The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey

About Our Testers

Our Lab team consists of testers with decades of experience in both professional and home kitchens. In addition to their testing, these sets were sent out to our food and commerce experts who cook and meal prep consistently.

  • Donna Currie, a freelance food writer and cookbook author, has tested well over 100 products for The Spruce Eats. She tested the Sabatier 21-Piece EdgeKeeper Pro Forged Cutlery Set in her own kitchen.
  • Sharon Lehman, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and freelance writer specializing in food, health, and wellness topics, tested Cuisinart's Stainless Steel Cutlery Block Set.
  • Sage McHugh, who tested the Chicago Cutlery Fusion Block Set, previously worked as a content editor for the Kitchen section at ConsumerSearch.com and has been writing about kitchen appliances since 2008.
  • Katherine Gallagher, an associate commerce editor at The Spruce Eats, tested the Schmidt Brothers BBQ Knife Set at home. She still reaches for the 8-inch chef's knife from this set whenever the grill comes out.

Other Options We Tested

  • Zwilling Professional "S" 7-Piece Knife Block Set: Although the paring knife in this set was comfortable to hold with a good weight, the chef's knife was dull and took a large amount of effort to cut through tomatoes and onions. Considering the high price of this set and the low performance of the chef's knife (which is typically the star of the show), we couldn't justify adding it to our list.

FAQs

What makes a good knife set?

With so many options to consider, it might be hard to distinguish a good knife set from a poor set. What makes a good knife set is almost entirely up to you. The three major factors you should consider are what you need to prepare and cook regularly, what’s the highest quality of those tools you can afford, and how much effort you want to make to maintain the set. Everything else is really preference and bonus. If you make steaks and roasts regularly, consider getting a set with steak knives. If you’re interested in some butchery work, find a set with a boning knife and cleaver. If you stick to mostly fruits, veggies, bread, and pre-butchered meats, a simpler set will serve you just fine. 

Once you’ve established what you need, look for a set that offers those tools made with the best materials you can afford. High-carbon stainless steel is the standard for most knives and can be found at reasonable prices. Explore handle finishes for both comfort and aesthetics. 

Finally, a good knife set is one you can maintain easily. While we recommend you wash all of your knives by hand to preserve the sharpness and integrity of the blade, you might want to look for a dishwasher-safe set if that realistically suits you better. If you’re not interested in sharpening your knives, get a set that comes super-sharp right out of the box. Ultimately, the most expensive set doesn’t mean it’s the best set for you if you’re never going to use all of it. 

Are self-sharpening knife sets good quality? Or should you opt for a separate knife sharpener?

If this is your first set of knives, chances are this is also your first experience with sharpening knives. In that case, having a knife set with an option for simple knife sharpening is a wonderful advantage. Built-in sharpeners are easy to use with quick results. Sets that include a steel to help hone your blade are also great, with a very small learning curve. 

On the other hand, if you’re more experienced with sharpening knives and this set is a step up for your collection, consider investing in a separate knife sharpener for more refined knife edges.

Are knife sets worth it? Or should you build a collection by buying each knife separately?

There are seven main types of kitchen knives: chef's (or French), santoku, serrated, paring, boning, utility, and cleaver. Not all knife sets include every single one of those—although some do and more—so make sure to evaluate your personal needs before making a purchase.

For most people, a reliable high-quality knife set is worth it. As we mentioned above, it’s all about what you plan on using it for. Even a smaller set with three knives will give you a much wider range when preparing food. If you’re enthusiastic about cooking but aren’t in a position to buy a dozen styles and sizes of high-end knives, a quality larger set will have you cooking up a broader range of culinary delights. Once you’ve become acquainted with the sizes and styles of knives that you use most often, you can start taking a look at individual knives that suit your tastes and customize your collection further.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a cookbook author, food writer, and product tester. She loves kitchen gadgets and has personally tested all types of kitchen knives and knife sets for The Spruce Eats, including the Sabatier 21-Piece EdgeKeeper Pro Forged Cutlery Set featured in this roundup. Her kitchen is currently filled with a mix of brands—ranging from expensive to affordable—but believes the knives that every kitchen should have are a chef's knife (or santoku), a paring knife, and a serrated knife.

Additional reporting by
Katherine Gallagher
Katherine Gallagher
Katherine Gallagher is an Associate Commerce Editor at The Spruce Eats and has over a decade’s worth of hospitality experience in the food and beverage industry. 
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