10 Knife Sets That Are a Cut Above the Rest

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 14.57x10.31x6.1 inches, 7-piece set
• Material: High-carbon stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

This seven-piece set is handcrafted from carbon stainless steel and includes a 3-inch paring knife, 4.5-inch utility knife, 5-inch chef’s prep knife, 5.5-inch Nakiri vegetable knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8.5-inch bread knife, and a six-slot, black-and-clear acrylic block.

The stainless steel blade edges are ground on each side to create a perfectly straight and sharp edge, and the molded dimpled hand provides a safe, sturdy grip, even if your hands are wet. The Japanese set comes with a lifetime warranty.

Reviewers say this “really pretty” set has “super sharp knives,” with a “nice quality heft,” preferred over other “premium brands.”

More: The Best Electric Knife Sharpeners

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 14.88x11.13x6.5 inches, 15-piece set
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

This Cuisinart knife set gets rave reviews on Amazon, with 82% of its more than 17,163 reviewers giving it 5 stars. The ergonomically designed stainless steel handle is comfortable to hold, and the precision-tapered ground blades are honed to a sharp edge.

The set includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch slicing knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 3.5-inch bird’s beak paring knife, 8-inch sharpening steel, all-purpose household shears, and six 4.5-inch steak knives.

Reviewers “highly recommend” these knives, saying they “have required no sharpening since I got them,” and “if stored and taken care of properly, these knives will never need to be replaced.”

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 17x4x3.5 inches, 7-piece set
• Material: High-carbon steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

Wüsthof is one of the most trusted brands in cutlery for top-notch blades that stand the test of time. These hand-crafted German knives are precision-tapered to maintain their shape and edge. The set includes a 2.25-inch peeling knife, 3-inch spear paring knife, 4.5-inch utility knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch bread knife, and 8-inch chef’s knife.

The countered, triple-riveted, black synthetic handles provide top control, which is key when you’re slicing and dicing everything from onions to steak. Reviewers love these “super sharp” knives, and say the in-drawer storage option is perfect for serious home cooks with very little counter space.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: From 4 to 10.25 inches, 4-piece set
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

The set of four knives includes a 4-inch paring knife, 6-inch utility knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, and 10.25-inch bread knife. This set is beloved by culinary heroes like Ina Garten and David Chang, as well as by reviewers on Amazon.

One reviewer writes that these are the “highest quality” for the “price” on the market. Others say they hold up “great. I haven’t sharpened them at all.”

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15x11.25x8 inches, 20-piece set
• Material: Tang style
• Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

The Graphite 20-piece knife set has earned an average of 4.8 stars from more than 4,205 reviewers for its practicality and ease of use. The self-sharpening slots feature built-in ceramic honing wheels that do the work of sharpening every single time a knife is put in or taken out of the slot.

The set includes a 3-inch paring knife, 4-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 5.5-inch boning knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch carving knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, kitchen shears, and eight 4.5-inch steak knives.

This set also earns brownie points because it’s dishwasher-safe and comes with labels, so putting the knives back doesn’t turn into a chore. Reviewers love the “amazing quality,” but say the sizable block isn’t for those with small kitchens.

Key Specs

• Size: From 3.5 to 7 inches, 5-piece set
• Material: Titanium plating
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

This colorful, wallet-friendly set of knives will brighten your day, and we love that it comes with titanium-plated sharp blades and a bonus set of matching sheaths. This set is also great for cooks on the go or people without a lot of storage space.

The set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, 5-inch utility knife, and 7-inch Santoku knife. Reviewers say they are “obsessed” with these “beautiful” knives, and say that “every time I use them it’s a joy.” Others rave about the quality for the price, dubbing them the “best knives I have ever used.”

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 17x10x8 inches, 5-piece set
• Material: Tang style
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

These handcrafted Japanese knives are ground and honed to a razor-sharp edge and equipped with a modern, D-shaped, textured blonde PakkaWood handle for balance and ease of use. The set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, and honing steel.

These knives are equally beloved for being sharp, lightweight, and easy to use for left- and right-handed chefs alike. Reviewers say these knives are “fantastic” and “the sharpest I have ever owned.” Others say the edge is “durable,” and only “periodically” requires sharpening on the honing steel included in the set.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 16.75x16x7 inches, 19-piece set
• Material: High-carbon stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

For those set against hand-washing, this 19-piece knife block set offers everything you could want in a knife set. This whopper of a block includes a 2.75-inch bird’s peak peeling knife, a 4-inch paring knife, 4.5-inch utility knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch utility knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, kitchen shears, 9-inch sharpening steel, and eight 4.5-inch steak knives.

Reviewers love the convenience of putting knives in the dishwasher, writing they are “the best” and “not forged but heavy.” Another happy user writes that they were “nervous about having steak knives that aren’t serrated, but now I don’t think I’d go back.”

Key Specs

• Dimensions: From 4 to 8 inches, 3-piece set
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

For culinary minimalists, this trio of Henckels knives is exactly what they need for slicing and dicing in one neat package. The quality set is made from German stainless steel, with fully forged construction that offers seamless transition from blade to handle, as well as the brand's trademark incredible durability. The satin finish also ensures precision cutting.

This set offers a 4-inch paring knife, 6-inch serrated utility knife, and 8-inch chef’s knife. Reviewers say these knives are comparable to Henckels’ “professional” line of knives at about half the price. “I’m very happy with the value and quality,” writes one reviewer, while others praise their incredible sharpness.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 9.5x3.5-inches, 7-piece set
• Material: High-carbon stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

If you’re going to spend big on a built-to-last knife set, this Wüsthof should be considered. The fully forged, full-tang, stain-resistant steel set features a contoured triple-riveted handle made from Grenadill wood and designed with comfort and control in mind.

The set includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, 5-inch Santoku knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch utility knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, and kitchen shears. The German-made knives come with a lifetime warranty.

Reviewers hail these “fine knives,” adding that the “block is very nice.” Others say the “knives keep their edge” and make a wonderful and quite memorable gift.