Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
With knives made of high-carbon stainless steel and a beautiful walnut storage block, this is a complete, high-quality set that won't break the bank. Read More
We can see why Mercer is a common supplier of culinary school knife kits. Because of its performance and low price, it's easy to choose as our Best Value pick. Read More
If price isn’t an issue, these ultra-sharp, super-light knives are a perfect choice. Read More
A complete knife set with a stand-out chef's knife and helpful extras in a sturdy wood block made this set a top performer in our testing. Read More
Overall, they were light and well-made, albeit expensive for a smaller set. Read More
The best kitchen knife sets include all the basics, while also saving you time and money because you don’t have to build your own collection.
To find the best knife sets you can buy, we looked at performance, value, and ease of storage. We also considered blade sharpness, handle comfort, and the weight and length of each knife to determine if the set was worth its price tag.
Whether you’re setting up your first kitchen, buying a wedding gift, or looking to upgrade your knives, we’ve included knife sets at different price points, so you can find one that’s perfect for you.
Our favorite overall knife set is the Misen 7-piece Essentials Knife Set (available at Misen) , which topped our testing with all the core knives you'll need plus useful extras, comfortable handling, and a price that still won’t break the bank. The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-piece Forged Knife Block Set with Tempered Glass Block (available at Amazon) is our budget-friendly pick that still packs all the quality we expect for a set that’s worthy of a spot in your kitchen.
If you're looking for an even more economical set, we’ve also compiled a list of our favorite knife sets under $100.
The Misen 7-piece set took top honors in our most recent testing with its comfort and ease of use.
This knife set has everything you need, is comfortable to use, and won’t break the bank. The Misen Essentials 7-piece Knife Set topped our recent testing and impressed us with how pleasant it was to use each piece of the set.
In addition to the basics—the chef’s knife, paring knife and bread knife—this 7-piece set includes a santoku knife that’s perfect for chopping vegetables and a utility knife that’s perfect for cheese, apples, and smaller vegetables like shallots, plus kitchen sheers and a beautiful walnut storage block.
Each knife has a sloped bolster, which means it’s easier to learn how to properly grip the knife on the blade instead of by the handle. We love that Misen provides instructions with every knife for how to properly hold, use, and care for it. We also love the Japanese-style, 15-degree edge on these knives. Combine that with the blades’ thinness, and you get a sharp knife that doesn’t snag when it cuts through food.
We love the clear, detailed use and care instructions that come with each knife.
The serrated bread knife is sharp enough to cut through crusty baguettes without having to apply firm pressure, and it won't snag on harder parts of sandwiches—like bacon in a BLT.
We love that the paring knife is comfortable to use both on the cutting board and when hovering above to core tomatoes or strawberries, too. The kitchen shears are comfortable to hold and have a sharp point that’s perfect for snipping twine, or my favorite use, slicing pizza.
This set fits into any kitchen. It’s great for beginners, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also a good fit for more experienced cooks. The knives are sharp enough to tackle heavy-duty tasks, and the high-carbon stainless steel is lightweight enough to use for extended periods.
The double-riveted handles (available in four colors) are a little on the heavy side, but they work with the lightweight blades to create a nice balance while you use the knife and contribute to an overall sturdiness that we love.
Misen also offers 3-piece and 5-piece Essentials sets, so if you already have storage, or are looking for fewer pieces, you can still take advantage of the savings a set affords.
High-carbon stainless steel blades
Comfortable to hold
Sturdy and durable
Complete set with storage block
Chef's knife is a little heavy
The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set is not only our best value pick, but it's a favorite among culinary students.
Sharpest knives we tested
Super light weight
Good for wedding registries
Expensive
Doesn't include honing steel or shears
Comfortable and durable chef's knife
Helpful extras like boning and slicing knives
Paring knife is bulky
Japanese-style knives
Elegant
Razor sharp
Includes a Santoku knife
Kitchen shears are heavy
Expensive
Comfortable grip
Very sharp
Expensive
Heavy
Not well-balanced
A knife set should include the three core kitchen knives: a chef’s or santoku knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife. A honing steel and a pair of kitchen shears are also helpful additions for a basic set.
No matter what knives your set includes, it’s important that they’re comfortable for you to hold. Holding knives properly is important, not only for comfort but for safety, so learn the correct hold for each knife and be sure to read up on any recommendations from the manufacturer.
A utility knife can be a helpful addition for slicing cheese, apples, or small vegetables. Boning knives, carving or slicing knives, smaller serrated knives, tourne knives (often called peelers), or steak knives are bonus items, as you don’t need them for everyday cooking, but they are handy.
These extras can drive up the price of a high-quality set, so if you want a quality core set it’s often best to purchase steak knives and occasional knives separately.
The most common blade materials for kitchen knives are stainless steel, carbon steel, and high-carbon stainless steel. Each of these has its pros and cons.
Stainless steel is generally less expensive, but also heavier and won’t hold as sharp an edge for as long as other materials.
Carbon steel is lighter and can hold a sharp edge for longer than stainless, but may be more susceptible to staining and corrosion. Both are susceptible to rust and corrosion if not dried thoroughly immediately after use. (Pro tip: this is why knives never belong in the prolonged wetness of the dishwasher.)
High-carbon steel steel is the latest entrant into the knife materials club and was clearly developed for a reason—it combines the best features of the other materials. It’s lightweight and can hold a sharp edge for a long time, while also resisting rust and corrosion (although we still don’t recommend putting it in the dishwasher).
As mentioned above, due to the material they’re made from, knives should not go in the dishwasher. Instead, you should hand wash them and dry them immediately. This will help to keep them sharp, and prolong their lifespan.
Knives work best when they are sharp, so it’s important to sharpen them. What many people think of as sharpening a knife is actually called honing. This is the process of running a knife blade along a long metal rod, called a honing steel (sold with some knife sets), which realigns any microscopic knicks in the blade that may have dulled it.
This isn’t officially sharpening the knife, but it will usually restore the knife to a very sharp edge for a period of time.
When honing no longer brings the knife back to full sharpness, it’s time to give the knife a new edge with real sharpening. Some knife sets include a built-in knife sharpener, and you should read the instructions thoroughly before using it. If a set doesn’t, you may want to consider purchasing a knife sharpener or finding a business online that will do it for you—because a dull knife is a dangerous one.
Proper knife storage is important for safety as well as the longevity of the knives. Most sets come with a storage block, but that may not be important to you if your kitchen is short on counter space. If that’s the case, you may want to consider a magnetic knife strip or a drawer insert.
Please, whatever you do, don't just throw your knives in a drawer unless they have a plastic sleeve over the blade. Unprotected knives could bang against each other and chip, or worse, you might hurt yourself when reaching for one.
Larger sets are perfect for people building a starter kitchen, or for anyone who knows they want every type of knife in the set, since sets are usually cheaper than buying individual knives.
For a serious home cook, a five-knife set will typically have useful extras without being overwhelming.
If you don’t cook a lot, or your meal prep isn’t very complicated, you can absolutely get away with a three-piece set.
Lindsay is a professional chef, recipe developer, writer, and developmental editor. After years of working in restaurant kitchens, she turned to writing to share her passion for local, organic, and seasonal ingredients with home cooks and food enthusiasts.
Managing Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
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