Meal preparation can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for some people, but it can also be a time-consuming and tiring activity for others. One of the most important factors in determining whether or not you enjoy cooking is the quality of your kitchen equipment. Having a good chef’s knife and other kitchen utensils can make a big difference in the quality of your food, whether you are cooking at home or in a professional kitchen.
Whether you are preparing food for family, friends, clients, or anyone else, a quality set of kitchen knives is the foundation of the entire endeavor. Whatever you are working on, the end result should be as delicious as you dreamed it would be. From paper-thin slices to any thickness you desire, everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and meats will be perfectly chopped, diced, minced, and sliced.
Do you need a Bread Knife, Boning Knife, serrated knife, or a traditional Japanese knife to do the job? Choosing the best kitchen knives can be difficult due to the numerous styles, colors, materials, and other options available. Should it be a Chinese chef’s knife or a German-style knife? A stainless steel knife or a carbon steel knife? I prepared a detailed guide on all the different knife styles and materials for you.
To make things easier, I have done a lot of research and compiled a list of the top ten kitchen knives from which to choose. They do come with a sharp factory edge and stay super-sharp for a long time. And the best kitchen knife sets along with various other kitchen cutlery and kitchen tools, so you’ll be able to make a more informed purchasing decision.
The Top 10 Best Kitchen Knives 2024
Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch Chef Knife
The Lamson Fire Forged 8-inch Chef Knife is the workhorse of the kitchen. Its broad blade dices, slices, and chops fruits, vegetables, and meats while protecting knuckles from hitting the cutting board. The blade is forged from the finest high-carbon stainless steel from Solingen, Germany (Grade 4116). The sleek, sturdy handles come in different materials. The pictures show the Acrylic handle of the Fire Series. You can also choose the resin-infused ebony handle (Earth Series) or a natural wood handle. (Rosewood Series, Silver Series).
The blades are precision-forged using the traditional hot-drop method. This makes it easier to temper them to the perfect hardness, resulting in a harder, sharper blade that is both corrosion-resistant and highly elastic. Full tang blades with triple riveted handles ensure the ideal balance and weight. A curved and recessed bolster provides a seamless transition from handle to blade, as well as comfortable thumb support for better control and safety. This knife is backed by the Sharp for LifeTM program. It supplies a lifetime of complimentary professional sharpening on every knife Lamson makes. This makes the Lamson Fire Forged 8″ Chef Knife “the best knife made in the USA” for my friend Mike. He owns the Lamson Earth Forged 10-Piece Block Set, and he swears he never will have another block in his kitchen. For him, the Lamson knives are the best kitchen knives out there!
We have a whole page dedicated to fine Knives made in the USA!
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
If you are looking for the best kitchen knives, you should take a look at this set first. The Mercer Culinary Genesis Set comes with a beautiful Tempered Glass knife holder. This way, it is easy for you to choose the right knife for the job. Each knife features an ergonomic Santoprene handle that feels very comfortable. The handle is non-slip even with wet hands, which increases security. The blades are made from high carbon, no-stain German X50 Cr Mo V15 cutlery steel. They resist rust, corrosion, and discoloration. The knives have a full tang blade. That means that the blade runs the entire length of the handle. This way you get a much better balance and, of course, the whole knife is more stable in the long run. The edges of the blades are taper-ground. This allows for long-lasting sharpness, easy honing, and increased efficiency when cutting and chopping.
The set includes:
- 8-Inch Chef Knife
- 8-Inch Bread Knife
- 6-Inch Boning Knife
- 5-Inch Utility Knife
- 5-Inch Paring Knife
- Glass Knife Holder
The knife holder can be easily dismantled to clean it. Mercer gives a limited lifetime warranty for this set.
18-Piece Emojoy Knife Set with Wood Block
The first thing you will notice if you look at the 18-Piece Emojoy Knife Set are the beautiful non-slip ABS handles, the forged bolster, and the fully exposed tang. I love the looks!
But these knives do not only look good. They are made from German X50Cr15 high-Carbon stainless steel for precise cuts (HRC 55 +/- 2). The strong bolster helps with stability and the knife is easy to control.
This is a really economical Knife Block Set with everything you need. It also makes a great starter set for your kids if they move out.
The set comes with a full money-back guarantee from EMOJOY.
What is in the box:
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 5.5-inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 3-inch Peeling Knife
- Kitchen Scissors
- Knife Sharpener
- 6 x 4.5-inch Steak Knives
- Wood Knife Block
I would never put these knives in the dishwasher and so should you!
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Signature Starter Knife Set
This Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Signature 3-piece starter knife set is made at the source of the best German knives. In Solingen, the knife town of Germany.
The blade is precision-stamped from one piece of a special formula high carbon steel. The blades are ice-hardened and reach 57 on the Rockwell scale. This is quite hard and helps the knives to stay sharp longer as well as retain an excellent edge.
The ergonomic polymer handle with the traditional three rivet design is nicely bonded on this full tang knife.
The set includes:
- 4-inch Paring Knife
- 6-inch Utility Knife
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
20 $ Upgrade: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Signature Knife Block Set
This set is a steal! Spend an additional $20, and you will get this set with a knife block, sharpener, and kitchen shears. But you are missing the 6-inch Utility Knife from the other set. The good news is – the knife block has 3 more empty slots. So you can get it separately if you really need it.
Included in this set:
- 2.75-inch Bird’s Beak Peeling Knife
- 4-inch Parer
- 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- 9-inch Sharpening Steel
- 10 Slot Birchwood Block
Chicago Cutlery Belmont 16-Piece Block Knife Set
Chicago Cutlery knives are known for their professional quality, precision sharpness, and outstanding durability. And they sell a few different Knife Block Sets. The Chicago Cutlery Belmont 16-piece block knife set is one of the best-looking kitchen knife blocks on the market. Chicago Cutlery calls the color Espresso and I love it, as well as the rounded corners. But that is not all – the knives in the block are even better!
The forged knives are precision sharpened for a great cutting experience. The stainless steel blades are strong and resistant to rust, stains, and pitting. The included sharpening steel will help keep the knives sharp over time. They are full metal tang, which means the blade stretches all the way to the end of the knife. This adds additional strength, balance, and better control to the knife. At the end of the professional stainless steel blades Chicago, Cutlery fitted polymer handles that fit wonderfully in your hand.
Included in this set:
- 7.75-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 3-inch Peeler Knife
- 8 x 4.5-inch Steak Knives
- Sheers
- Sharpening Steel
- Espresso Wood Block
We have a full review of the Chicago Cutlery Belmont 16-Piece Block Knife Set here.
Chicago Cutlery Stainless Steel 18-Piece Knife Block Set
The Chicago Cutlery fusion forged 18-piece block set is one of the best kitchen knife sets when it comes to stainless steel finishes. The knives are made from professional high-carbon stainless steel with forged blades. High-carbon stainless steel creates a stronger, harder blade that is resisting stains, rust, and pitting. Chicago Cutlery exclusive Taper Grind edge technology provides optimum sharpness for the blades. That makes it easy for you to cut very precisely, and the blades are easy to re-sharpen. You will love the way the black comfort-grip poly handles feel in your hand.
Included in the set:
- 3-inch peeling knife
- 5-inch utility knife
- 7.75-inch chef knife
- 8-inch slicer
- 7.75-inch bread knife
- 5-inch Partoku knife
- 7-inch santoku knife
- 3.25-inch paring knife
- 8 x 4.25-inch steak knives
- 8-inch sharpening steel
- Knife Block
Chicago Cutlery stands behind the Fusion Knife Block Set with a limited lifetime warranty.
Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chefs Knife
The Swiss Army Knife, which Victorinox is famed for, is what most people associate with the company. However, they also make a wide variety of different knives. The Victorinox Fibrox 8 Inch Chef’s Knife is capable of replacing a number of knives and is considered to be one of the greatest kitchen knives available on the market by many experts. The blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel, which ensures maximum sharpness as well as edge retention. For best-cutting efficacy, each individual blade is conically honed in both the length and crosswise directions, and then laser tested to ensure razor-sharp slicing, chopping, mincing, and dicing results. The ergonomic Fibrox Pro handle is non-slip and fits comfortably in any sized hand, reducing wrist strain and increasing productivity. This chef’s knife of professional quality is actually made for any occasion and can compete with options that cost several times as much as it does. In hotel and restaurant kitchens, professionals have frequently relied on this exact model for many years. However, it is as handy in the home kitchen when preparing unforgettable meals with family and friends. As with any other Victorinox product, this knife is backed by a lifetime warranty that ensures outstanding quality for years to come.
AmazonBasics 14-Piece Knife Set with Block
A knife block for $25 on a website dedicated to the best kitchen knives?
That would make me question the quality of this site, and I understand if you believe we have gone insane as a result of this. Please, take a deep breath — we did this on purpose.
Consider the scenario in which you do not have a lot of money at the time. For example, you have recently moved out from your parents to a new city and need to obtain all the necessary furniture and other items. You can not buy good quality knives right now, but you will need a couple to prepare your own meals in the future.
The Amazon Basics 14-piece knife set comes to the rescue in this situation, and it is available on Amazon. It does, however, have all the necessities in a single package. Using this set allows you to become familiar with the knives and determine which one you prefer to use the most and which one you use the least.
You might merely replace that one knife, and then after a while the next one if you have a little money saved up for it. And what about the ones you do not use very often or at all? You keep the original ones!
In addition to the knives, an elegant pine board is supplied to guarantee that they are safely stored and that the collection is easily accessible on the tabletop. The blades are comprised of high-carbon stainless steel to ensure precise results and long blade life. The knives have an ergonomically designed, triple-riveted POM (plastic over-molded) handle that provides a solid, pleasant grip as well as improved control and precision. Triple-riveted construction secures the handle to the stainless-steel tang, which extends from the blade to the end of the handle on every knife in the collection. This improves the balance and, of course, the stability of the knife, allowing it to last for an extended period of time.
What is in the Box:
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 5.5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 6 x 4.5-inch Steak Knives
- 8-inch Kitchen Shears
- 8-inch Sharpener
- Pinewood Block
If you ask me – this is the best bang for the buck!
Best Color-Coding Knives Set
Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Knife Set
The Cuisinart Advantage 12-Piece Knife Set is currently one of the best sets of color kitchen knives on the market. The included knives all feature high-quality stainless steel blades which offer an excellent slicing ability. Still, they are exceptionally easy to clean thanks to the non-stick coating on each blade.
The unique color coding of each knife in the set greatly reduces the risk of cross-contamination, especially if preparing a variety of foods in your kitchen. The knives come with matching blade guards to ensure safety from accidents. On top of that, the guard will keep the blade sharp if you store them loosely in a drawer. Ergonomic handles are becoming more common on more than just the most expensive knives, but these might somehow feel almost like they were custom-made just for you.
Included in this set:
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 8-inch Serrated Bread Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 6.5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
The value of this low-priced set is hard to beat and they look great in nearly any kitchen!
We have a full review of the Cuisinart Advantage 12-Piece Knife Set here!
Different Types Of Kitchen Knives & Tools
Here you find other knives we recommend.
Ceramic Kitchen Knives
When shopping for a strong kitchen knife, people may not initially think to buy a ceramic knife at all – but ceramic kitchen knives are actually very strong. Besides the strength, the main advantage of a ceramically coated knife is that you rarely, if ever, need to sharpen it. This is because it’s made out of zirconium dioxide, a substance so strong you need a diamond sharpener to sharpen the blade. Depending on the purpose and task at hand, I recommend this type of knife over many other options in the kitchen.
Steak Knives
Who does not love a delicious steak from time to time?
There is nothing quite like slicing up a freshly grilled or fried steak with a high-quality steak knife to get that perfect slice. Despite the fact that we have a lot of favorite recipes for juicy pieces of beef, we frequently find ourselves sampling slices of meat immediately off the grill rather than waiting until they are served. But the problem is that not all steaks are created equal, and if you do not have an appropriate sharp cutting tool, you will not get very far, and you might even ruin your meal in the process.
A nice set of steak knives is therefore required in order to properly enjoy your steak. Our website contains some of the most comprehensive evaluations of steak knives available anywhere.
Cheese Knives
Cheese knives are common among people who have a large number of different cheeses in the fridge For the cheese enthusiast, a cheese knife is almost as significant as the cheese itself. The best cheese knife, without a doubt, is a specialty knife that should only be used for the purpose of cutting cheese. The knife is analogous to a butter knife in that it has different blades depending on the sort of cheese you are cutting; however, a butter knife only has one blade because there is only one variety of butter.
Hard cheese knives, soft cheese knives, and cheese slicers are all available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Chef Knives
Versatility is the most important aspect of a typical Chef’s Knife. Sometimes referred to as a cook’s knife, there are various styles such as French, German, and Japanese. A chef knife in most western kitchens is around 8 inches or 20 cm long, although elsewhere in the culinary world lengths range from 6–14 inches or 15-36 cm long. The range of Chef’s knives available today is truly mesmerizing, with prices ranging from a few dollars to handmade blades selling for small fortunes. The variety of styles and materials can be equally impressive with various blade shapes, handles, and materials, featuring everything from carbon steel to exotic alloys in an ever-increasing variety of finishes.
Japanese Chef Knives
Japanese Chef Knives are some of the most sought-after tools for chefs and home cooks due to their long history of quality and durability. Even the best high-quality western kitchen knife doesn’t likely compare to the best Japanese kitchen knives. Special knives for one task each such as the “Deba Bocho” for filleting fish, Nakiri Hocho and Usuba Hocho for slicing vegetables, Take Hiki & Yanagi Ba for perfect sashimi, and the all-purpose “Santoku Hocho utility knife style. Whether the single-material “Honyaki” or multi-layered “Kasumi” styles. A good Japanese Chef’s Knife and lots of practice can transform an average cook into a master chef.“Japanese Chef Knives are some of the most sought-after tools for chefs and home cooks due to their long history of quality and durability. Even the best high-quality western kitchen knife doesn’t likely compare to the best Japanese kitchen knives. Special knives for one task each such as the “Deba Bocho” for filleting fish, Nakiri Hocho and Usuba Hocho for slicing vegetables, Take Hiki & Yanagi Ba for perfect sashimi, and the all-purpose “Santoku Hocho utility knife style. Whether the single-material “Honyaki” or multi-layered “Kasumi” styles. A good Japanese Chef’s Knife and lots of practice can transform an average cook into a master chef.
Knife Block Sets
You now have a better understanding of the greatest kitchen knives, but where will you keep them?
The ideal knife holder is either a magnetic knife holder or a knife block.
However, why not have a look at a knife block set instead? If you are like the majority of people, you want a kitchen solution that is all-inclusive and that saves you both time and money. It is possible to detract from the delightful experience of making delicious meals by wasting time running around seeking various knives and other instruments.
Being organized is one of the most important keys to saving time, and knife block sets are specifically intended to help you do just that. Whatever knife you believe would be most suited for the work at hand, you will always be able to find the knife in the same location.
A variety of knives and other tools are included in the sets on my list, which range from gigantic to minimal in size and number of instruments included.
More Knives on our Site
- Japanese Kitchen Knives
- Stainless Steel Knives
- Oyster Knives
- Fruit Knives
- Dessert Knives
- Bread Knives
- Kitchen Knife Sets
Best Kitchen Knife Brands 2024
Victorinox
If you’ve ever heard of Swiss Army Knives, you’ve heard of Victorinox. The company has been based in Switzerland since 1884 and has made quite a name for itself by crafting high-quality blades of all sorts as well as bayonets, watches, and many other tools. For someone who is simply shopping for a high-quality kitchen knife but doesn’t want to search the whole internet to compare all options, it’s hard to go wrong with a quality Victorinox Kitchen Knife. Or this gorgeous knife set from Victorinox. Any knife made by Victorinox is sure to be of the highest quality, which is why the knife brand has earned the reputation of being one of the most popular in the world.
Ginsu Kitchen Knives
Ginsu knives were not always called Ginsu – they started out as Quikut. The owners decided to change the name to give it a more Japanese feel and a likeness to Samurai swords and knives made for their razor-sharp edges. You can be sure that if you buy any Ginsu Knife Set or other Ginsu Chef Knife, you will be getting a quality product that will also cut anything you need in the kitchen. Ginsu Knives may not be standard kitchen knives due to their unique features, but these knives will last forever if used properly.
Most Popular Knife Brands
Best Kitchen Knife Accessories 2024
Magnetic Knife Holders
Many people like putting their knives into a knife block, but a magnetic knife holder is also a good way of storing your knives and has a few advantages. The primary advantage of having a magnetic knife holder instead of a knife block is that you can easily see which knife to choose. No need to pull it out of a knife block. What is becoming popular are two-sided magnetic knife holders, which are great for commercial kitchens and professional chefs. We have compiled a great list of the most popular options.
Cutting Boards
A couple of interesting facts about cutting boards: Many people don’t realize that plastic cutting boards hold more bacteria than wood cutting boards. And that the primary purpose of a cutting board is to protect your knife – not your counter (which is why glass, steel, or marble cutting boards are often not ideal for use in the kitchen.) One advantage of the newest plastic cutting boards is that you can have very thin cutting boards in multiple colors. The different colored plastic cutting boards can improve cleanliness and lessen contamination by the ability to keep track of which are used for raw meat, vegetables, cheese, and other items.
Knife Blocks
Although magnetic knife holders have certain distinct advantages, there is still something about a good knife block that makes your kitchen look great. The advantage of a knife block is that it’s a very easy way to store your knives on a counter. Most knife blocks are made out of wood. Traditional models are vertical, which means sliding the knife in/out from the top. There are a few new options that you can lay on their side to make storing much more practical than the traditional standing kind in some situations.
Knife Sharpeners
Most knives require sharpening at some point to ensure sharpness and safety. That’s right, sharp is safer. A dull blade requires substantially more pressure in order to cut an object, especially if round or slippery. Control of the knife can easily be lost while attempting to cut with a dull blade. This may result in unwanted and sometimes dire results. Luckily, it’s easy to learn how to sharpen a knife using a good Knife Sharpener, and the process can even be automated. It’s also possible to spend incredible amounts of time and money to create an elaborate ordeal.