The knife is arguably the most important cooking tool. This is essential in cutting, slicing and paring ingredients so you can achieve uniform sizes that make way for easier cooking. This is why it’s important to go the extra mile when it comes to acquiring knives. Whether you are a professional or a home cook, you will find a good knife set indispensable.
When I invested in the best knife set that is within my budget range, cooking got a lot easier. I said goodbye to dull knives that just made chopping vegetables so frustrating and tedious. I was also able to save myself from pain and injuries because the knives do their work efficiently.
Dull, poorly maintained knives need extra effort, so they can cut through the ingredients, which can inadvertently cause cuts and injuries. You can also do the same to save yourself time, trouble and injuries. I made sure to find the best recommendations for different budget ranges and different needs.
Quick Comparison: Top Knife Sets For the Money 2022
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
The Knives You Will Hopefully Find in a Moderately Priced Set
There are nine knives I would prefer to have in a complete set. Anyone spending less than $200 probably will not be able to get all of them. That is okay. There are some you absolutely should get, and any knives missing from this list can be bought separately.
The Chef's knife
This is the main knife. Also touted as the “king” of knives, you will use this knife more than any other knives you have in your kitchen. If the set you are buying doesn’t include this, look for another one instead. They come in different sizes. I have seen some as small as four inches and as large as a foot long.
Eight inches is the most common size, and it is the easiest to control and cut with in my opinion. It can be used to slice vegetables, chop them, crack bones in meat and to cut the knuckles in half on chicken bones. It is a must-have for all types of cooks out there.
Santoku
This is the Japanese version of a chef's knife, and it is very useful. It translates into "three benefits". The blade design is great for vegetable work, specifically slicing, mincing and dicing. The design helps prevent the vegetables from sticking to the knife.
Its shape also allows it the ability to do some minor cleaver work. Hopefully you can find a set with this knife in it too.
Two Fillet Knives
You need two types of filleting knives. One is for cutting tougher meat like beef and pork and one is for filleting fish. The former should be able to cut through tougher meat as well as trim excess fat while the latter should have the bendability and flexibility needed to work your way around the bones of a fish.
Bread Knife
Using a serrated bread knife to slice bread is much better for appearance than using your chef's knife. The serrated long knife keeps the bread from looking mangled because you are sawing through it.
Boning Knife
A boning knife goes well with the firmer fillet knife. It is especially useful when cutting through joints and tendons. A cook can save a lot of money by purchasing whole chickens or larger cuts of meat, fabricating them with a boning or utility knife and trimming them with a fillet knife.
Paring Knife
These knives are a must-have for any knife set. They are made to trim and work on fruits and vegetables. You might even get some more use out of them if you do amateur vegetable carvings. They are also great for creating pretty garnishes for your food.
Serrated Slicer
Serrated slicers work well for certain types of meat, and believe it or not, soft fruits and vegetables. They slice right through thick cuts of meat evenly, and they are helpful in producing even slices of soft fruits and vegetables like tomatoes.
Offset Knife
This is another serrated knife. It can be used to cut through breads and can also be used for any other purpose serrated knives are used for. However, it is more useful for smaller purposes like making sandwiches. One of the most useful aspects of the offset knife is its added safety because of the knuckle clearance it offers.
Via: Amazon.com
Honing Steel
Most knife sets will include this one. Honing steels are often mistaken with knife sharpeners. It is not a knife but a tool you can use to keep your knives in great shape. You should hone your knives before every use and after you clean them. It keeps the edges even and also ensures the sharpness of the knives. It is absolutely necessary to have this in a set for knife maintenance.
Five Best Knife Sets for the Money
When it comes to buying knife sets, you get what you pay for. If you skimp on money, you won’t get all the things you need. You might even get a sub-par set of knives. Save yourself the frustration and allot a reasonable budget for a good set of quality knives.
I checked out what the market has to offer when it comes to the best knife sets and looked for the ones with the most complete knives and the most durable and reliable functions. Here are my recommendations:
This is a 14-piece knife set that boasts of German craftsmanship. The stain steel, high-grade and high carbon material that these knives are made of giving them the sharpness and longevity that professional and home cooks will love.
It also comes with an integrated sharpener so you shouldn’t have any issues keeping your knives in great shape. In fact, sharpening is not rocket-science, thanks to its fool-proof mechanisms.
Pros
- This comes with everything you might need for cooking
- The quality of the knives is unparalleled. They truly last for a long time
- The integrated sharpener just simplifies your maintenance work
- It comes with a lifetime limited warranty
- It’s also inexpensive for a knife set of its caliber
Cons
- Some users though it came with a cleaver but it did not
- If you want a non-serrated steak knife, you are probably better off with something else
This is a pricey knife set that you won’t regret adding to your home cooking repertoire. The steak knives are stamped steel, but the cutlery is forged. The knives are quality stainless steel and high-carbon. It also comes with a ceramic sharpener to keep your knives in great condition. You are literally sharpening your knives after you clean them and put them back in the block.
Aside from the steak knives and poultry shears, the set includes an eight-inch chef and bread knife, seven-inch santoku, three and a half-inch paring knife and a six-inch utility knife.
Pros
- Contains almost all essential knives listed above
- Handles are triple riveted for strength
- Handles are designed for maximum grip
- Set comes with a full lifetime warranty
Cons
- No boning knife, which can be disappointing for those who need it in the set
If you are serious about your steaks, this is the best knife set for you. It’s basically a steak lover’s dream knife set due to the many different steak knives included in it.
Aside from the steak knives, the set includes the all-important chef's knife, serrated utility knife, hollow edge santoku, a paring knife and a sharpening steel. The handles are triple-riveted and contoured for a strong grip.
Pros
- It cuts through meat effectively without squishing the meat and causing all the juices to run off
- The manufacturer stands by the knives and offers a lifetime warranty
- Set includes poultry shears, which is an added bonus when getting a knife set
Cons
- No standard fillet knife for meat
- No flexible fish fillet knife
Look and feel like a chef while using these knives. With their stellar craftsmanship and advanced design, you will be hard-pressed not to choose this one. You won’t be disappointed with the many knives included in this set although it’s at the higher end of the market. Many chefs love this knife set so average home cooks will find them ideal to use as well.
Pros
- The wood block is made from acacia, one of the most durable hardwoods out there
- The wood block is also laminated, which is great for sanitation
- You get a lot of different knives in this set, great for professional and home cooks alike
- The knives are well-crafted and are built to last
- You don’t need to put in too much pressure when using this one as the knives glide through meats, fruits and vegetables with ease
- You get a money back guarantee. If you don’t like it, the manufacturer will give you your money back
- It is low-maintenance
Cons
- Some users said it is not sharp out of the box. You might still need to sharpen it before you can use it
Wüsthof is a name that professional chefs associate with greatness. Many people dream of owning this professional set. It just makes even a regular home cook feel like a pro.
It is manufactured in Germany, and they were able to make the knives extremely light and sharp. They are so light that some people even find it to be a downside. The blades are tempered and are made with riveted synthetic polypropylene for long-lasting use.
It is a 12-piece set with only four steak knives and poultry shears. The rest are from the essential list I described above. This your chance to bring Wüsthof into your kitchen without spending too much money.
Pros
- Sharp blades for precise and even cutting
- Very lightweight, great for people who have poor knife skills
- The handles last forever providing a strong knife with light and sharp blades to prevent accidents. If you drop it, you probably won’t damage your flooring because of how light it is
- The price is also reasonable
Cons
- Unlike professional Wüsthof blades, the blades do not extend through the bottom of the handle
The Verdict
Now, which of these knife sets should you ultimately get? I know you would want to get something that will last you for many years. They should all be good, but you also need to find the set that truly matches your needs and expectations.
There is no doubt that a knife is an important tool in the kitchen. That is why it is rewarding to get the best knife set such as Calphalon's Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set for all your cooking needs.
KitchenAid’s KKFSS14BO 14 Piece Classic Forged Series Brushed Stainless Steel Cutlery Set is a great starter kitchen knife set. It has everything you need, even a sharpener, so you don’t need to spend money on the maintenance of your knives.
The Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set is for those who are looking for a more mid-range knife set that fit their higher skill level more. It also has the basic things you need in a knife set.
The J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 13-Piece Block Cutlery Set is a little lacking in types of knives but if you are looking for a good meat or steak knife set, this should be a sterling option for you.
Get the Dalstrong Knife Set Block if budget is not an issue. It’s a little bit more expensive but you will look like a pro when you have this set.
The Wüsthof Twelve Piece Block Set is perfect for those having difficulty holding heavier knives. These knives are beautiful and lightweight.
If you are currently looking for a new cutlery knife set, I highly suggest also checking out the Sabatier knives reviews here.
Assess your needs and decide which of these knife sets are a perfect match for you. If you are looking for more knives or other kitchen and cooking equipment to buy, do check out my homepage. You can find more reviews and product recommendations, so you can get the best cooking equipment in the market today.
