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As an aspiring chef, you might already know that a quality knife in your hand can make all the difference between nice and uniform cubed carrots and a mangled mess on your cutting board. But the truth is, it’s not enough to just have one or two decent knives in your kitchen.
You need a variety of knives to help you conquer any dish, any time. That’s why you should invest in one of the highest-rated knife sets of 2022. Being extremely versatile, these knife sets include a variety of knives for helping you craft a perfect recipe. They can help you cut your onions as thinly as possible so they caramelize just right. Some even come with serrated edges for helping you cut through the crustiest loaves of bread like a champ. From cutting and chopping to slicing and dicing, the knives can do it all! That said, we’ve curated a list of some of our favorite knife sets available on the market that’ll take your cooking game to the next level.
Top Picks
Best overall: McCook knife set
The McCook Knife Set features everything you need for preparing food like a professional chef or culinary artist. This set comes with 15 different knives, and each knife features an incredibly sharp blade for helping you with different cooking tasks, from cutting through the meat to slicing vegetables. The handles are also ergonomically designed for comfort and efficiency, making prep work faster and more enjoyable. Featuring rust and tarnish-resistant coating, they’re easy to clean, so you can enjoy cooking for family and friends without worrying about long cleanup sessions. Plus, this option comes with a wooden block that securely holds your knives, protecting them from unwanted scratches and grooves. The block also has a built-in knife sharpener, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on professional sharpening services! The exceptional build material, razor-sharp blade, and chic wooden box are what make this set stand out among the rest of the products we examined and help certify it as the best overall on this list.
Key Features:
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Extra sharp tapered blade
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Rust and tarnish-resistant construction
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Easy to clean and maintain
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Comes in a set of 15 knives
Most color variety: Amazon Basics knife set
This set of kitchen knives from Amazon Basics is designed to meet all your basic kitchen needs but with a touch of class. It contains six knives, each with a unique color-coded system that allows you to identify and grab the exact knife you need within seconds. And, each knife has a nonstick coating that not only reduces the risk of food contamination during meal prep but also helps food release more easily, so less force is required when cutting. Each knife is exceptionally sturdy and provides a lot of comfort, reducing wrist tension. They’re lightweight but still give you precise control while slicing and dicing. For maximum safety, each knife comes with a blade guard that helps keep your knives organized and protected when not in use. With this set by your side, you can spend less time prepping and more time enjoying the fruits of your culinary labor!
Key Features:
Most versatile: Macro Almond knife set
Whether you’re looking for an elegant way to show off your skills, or just want to have a complete kitchen arsenal at your disposal, this knife set from Macro Almond fits the bill. Available in a set of 14 pieces, each knife is expertly crafted with premium-grade material and coated with a durable coating, protecting them from rust. With an innovative design and razor-sharp blade, these knives give you an edge on almost everything, from meat to hard-to-cut cheese. Each knife features an ergonomically designed handle that fits comfortably in your hand and provides an easy grip while mincing those little pieces of garlic that keep sliding right off the cutting board. The knives come in an extremely elegant block that will stand out in any kitchen. Greatest of all, they are also dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to apply extra elbow grease to get rid of sticky vegetables or clumps of sauce.
Key Features
Most durable: Henckels statement kitchen knife set
The Henckels Statement kitchen knife set is the definition of exquisite craftsmanship. Coming in a set of 15 pieces, each knife has a precision-forged, fine-edged blade fabricated from high-quality stainless steel, offering insane sharpness. The variety of knives included allows you to cut, slice, chop, mince, and more like a pro! With a full-tang design, these knives are lightweight and easy to handle, allowing you to efficiently carve a Sunday roast or prepare your favorite garnish for seafood. Its handle provides exceptional grip and optimum balance, so you won’t have to worry about it slipping during use – even if you’re wearing gloves or have wet hands. This knife set comes in an elegant wooden block that not only stacks your knives but also adds a rustic flair to your kitchen countertop.
Key Features:
Most value: Home Hero knife set
Home Hero knife set is a versatile kitchen essential offering quality, value, and performance to ambitious cooks and aspiring chefs. With a full set of kitchen knives, plus a peeler and kitchen scissors, you’ll be equipped with all the tools you need for tackling any culinary challenge. The knives are made of stainless steel and superior blades coated with non-stick paint for great rust resistance. They also provide exceptional control, keeping your hands comfortable while chopping up your favorite foods. As an added bonus, they come with a two-step knife sharpener that hones the edges of the blades, sharpening them to razor-sharp perfection. Another plus? This option comes with a modern stand, keeping your knives in an upright position and blending well with your kitchen’s aesthetics. This set is perfect for anyone who wants to upgrade their kitchen tools without sacrificing style!
Key Features:
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Ergonomically-designed handle
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Come with a two-step knife sharpener
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13 professional-quality knives
How to find the sharpest knife sets: A buyer’s guide
When it comes to choosing a knife set, there are so many brands and models out there that it can be overwhelming for even the most experienced chef. But don’t worry, we’ve done all the work for you by preparing this handy guide with all the information related to knife sets that you’ll need. So, whether you’re buying your first set of knives or upgrading to a high-end version, our guide will help you narrow down your choices so you can choose a premium example to use on your next cookout.
Forged vs. stamped knives – which one should you buy?
A novice chef might be confused by the difference between forged and stamped knives. Let’s make it easier for you. Forged knives are made from hot metal that’s been pounded into shape. These knives provide superior control, are more resistant to chipping and cracking, and can be sharpened more easily than stamped knives.
Stamped versions, on the other hand, are made using dies and stamping machines – they’re essentially just cut from sheets of metal. These knives typically have handles that are riveted or welded to the blade. They are also lightweight, so you can use them for longer without fatigue or hand cramps. However, they don’t last as long and might be harder to sharpen.
Most forged blades are more expensive than their counterparts. If you aren’t willing to pay the extra cost for a forged knife, or if you don’t like the heftier feel of these blades, then you can still choose a stamped knife without sacrificing dramatically on quality.
Choosing the perfect knife set for your kitchen
Blade material
A knife’s blade determines its sharpness and sturdiness. Stainless steel blades generally aren’t very sharp, but they are very durable and corrosion-resistant, meaning they won’t rust easily even when exposed to acidic foods like tomatoes and lemons. Carbon-steel blades are sharper than stainless steel and have exceptional temperature resistance, but they’re also more brittle and prone to corrosion if not properly cared for.
High-carbon stainless steel combines both qualities of each type of metal – they’re sharp and durable at the same time! They’re also stain-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about radishes or beef ruining your knife’s blade.
Handle material
Knife handles are made of different materials including wood, plastic, and composite versions. Wooden handles offer more grip than plastic, but they also require more maintenance as they tend to absorb water. Plastic handles are more sanitary but they might slip out of your hand when wet. Composite handles are the most durable and offer a great balance between comfort and sanitary concerns.
If you opt for a wooden handle, choose one with a protective layer that prevents water from seeping into it. Also, make sure that it is ergonomically designed and has a contoured shape so you don’t get hand cramps while using it for extended sessions.
Tang construction
The blade of any decent knife is attached to its handle by a tang extending into the handle’s material. Some knives feature partial-tang construction, while others come with a full-tang build. Generally, full-tang knives provide better balance and durability because they’re less likely to snap off or bend. This type of construction is common in professional kitchen knives as well as hunting knives.
Number of knives in a set
The number of knives included varies from brand to brand. On average, knife sets come with four to 14 pieces of cutlery. The number of knives you look for in a set should be based on your needs. If you’re an avid cook and love making meals from scratch, you’ll want a knife set that’s versatile enough to handle all of your culinary needs. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a few basic knives that can help with simple tasks like chopping vegetables and slicing meat, then a knife set with 4-6 basic knives might be better for you.
Other accessories
Knife sets generally contain a few tools that don’t fit into common knife categories, like shears, honing steels, and sharpening stones. Some even come with a wooden block or other storage boxes, great for keeping your knives in one place. If you want to get the best value for money, invest in a set that comes with all these additional accessories.
What kind of knives should be in the set?
Chef’s knife
A chef’s knife has a curved blade and is used for slicing, chopping, and dicing. It can be used for anything from slicing meat and chopping fruits and vegetables to mincing herbs and cracking garlic pods (if it has a wide blade). Now that’s what we call versatility!
Utility knife
One of the most versatile knives, a utility knife is a go-to tool for cutting almost anything. While there are many types of utility knives, we recommend a 5-inch blade with a fine edge as a good starting point.
Paring knives
A paring knife is a small but adaptable tool that can be used for intricate tasks like peeling fruits and vegetables, especially ones with hard skins like potatoes and apples. The blade is designed so that it curves away from your hand when slicing through food, helping protect your fingers from getting cut.
Serrated knife
Another must-have is a serrated knife – the one with all those teeth. Serrated knives are great for cutting through hard foods like bread or tomatoes without squishing them flat (yeah, we hate that too). They’re also awesome for slicing through foods with softer exteriors and harder interiors – like pineapples!
Honing knife
Honing your knife is an absolutely essential skill for any chef. But if you don’t have the money or space for an elaborate sharpening system, a honing knife will help keep your blades at optimal sharpness while extending their lifespan significantly.
Tips for maintaining your knives
Whether you want to splurge on a set of high-quality knives, or you’ve already got a more modest collection, follow these steps for maintaining them.
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Sharpen your go-to knife every two weeks to keep it in pristine condition
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Do not put your knives in the dishwasher. Instead, hand wash them with warm water and soap after every use
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When you’re done washing, dry your knives thoroughly before storing them
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Avoid cutting on hard surfaces such as glass or ceramic cutting boards or granite countertops, these surfaces can irreparably damage your knife. Instead, use a wooden or plastic cutting board
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Always store your knife in its sheath or a storage block. That way, it won’t accidentally damage anything in your kitchen drawers
People also asked
Q: What is a Santoku knife?
A: A santoku knife is a Japanese-style chef’s knife that’s lightweight and small, allowing you to cut meat and vegetables extremely easily.
Q: Can I wash forged knives in a dishwasher?
A: It is not advisable to wash forged knives in a dishwasher or even to submerge them in water for an extended period of time. Instead, hand wash them to avoid any damage and prevent rust.
Q: Can I use a honing knife for cutting vegetables?
A: Yes, absolutely! You can use your honing knife for cutting soft foods such as bread, pastries, tomatoes, and mushrooms.