The Best Knife Sets for 2021
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Best Knife Set
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No kitchen accessory is as versatile as a quality knife. I have put together a collection of the best knife sets currently available to help you with all your slicing, dicing, and chopping.
UPDATED: August 24, 2021.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Calphalon Classic set because it features full tang knives with triple-rivets and the block has a built-in system that sharpens the straight blades every time they are removed.
To help you select the set that works best for you, let’s go over some of the basic components and features of a standard kitchen knife.
The two main parts of a knife I am sure you are familiar with are the blade and the handle. These two parts have several sub-components that are important to understand.
Blade Materials
The two most common materials used for blades are high-carbon steel and stainless steel. High-carbon steel has the benefits of maintaining a sharp edge and being resistant to staining and rust. This should not be confused with simply “carbon steel” which is prone to discoloration. Stainless steel is also resistant to rust and corrosion but tends to not hold an edge as long as high-carbon steel.
Cutting Edge
As the name implies, this is the outmost edge of the knife that runs the length of the blade. It has been honed to a sharp edge that does the cutting.
Blade Grinds
The blade grind is the profile created when the cutting edge of the knife is formed. There is a wide range of grind types including hollow-ground, full flat, saber, chisel, convex, and more.
Hollow-ground forms a concave or inward curved profile and is one of the most common. This design forms a thin edge that can quickly remove material which makes it ideal for slicing meats.
Granton Edge
Knife with a Granton Edge
Found on some larger knives the Granton Edge is located above the cutting edge. It is composed of grooves that allow for space between the blade edge and the food being cut. This helps to make slicing easier as it decreases the chance the object being cut will stick to the blade.
Tang
The tang is what connects the bolster (see below) to the handle of the knife. There are two kinds of tangs: partial tang and full tang. A partial tang does not extend the full length of the handle, while a full tang does. A full tang is generally preferable as it offers greater durability and balance.
Bolster
The bolster is a component of forged knives and it connects the tang to the blade. To help protect your hand, some knives feature a bolster that extends along the back of the blade.
Rivets
Rivets are what are used to secure the handle to the tang. The “triple-rivet” design is the most common in knife design. The handle is usually made from wood or some kind of polymer-based material.
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Other than knives, some of the sets will include related accessories:
Steak Knives
Beyond just the knives for cutting and chopping, most sets will include several steak knives. These are typically serrated to make it easier to cut through the meat.
Sharpeners
Some of the sets listed below include a sharpening steel or built-in sharpener so you can quickly form a sharp edge before cutting.
Kitchen Shears
Another common accessory is a set of kitchen shears which are also often included in a set for convenience.
Knife Block
The knife block acts not only as a convenient storage device but also adds an attractive feature to your countertop. These are typically constructed from wood but also transparent options are common since it makes it easier to quickly identify a particular knife.
Check out this quick video to brush up on some basic knife skills:
So here is my list of The Best Knife Sets for 2021.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: Calphalon Classic 15-Piece Knife Set
The Calphalon Classic 15-Piece Knife Set features built-in block sharpeners that automatically sharpen the straight edge knives every time they are removed from the block.
Includes an expanded selection of large and small knives for dicing, chopping, paring, and more, plus eight steak knives.
Features knives that are made from high-carbon, no-stain forged steel.
Features full tang construction.
Equipped with a triple-riveted handle for balance and control.
Features labeled handles to quickly find the right knife while it is in the block.
Includes a block that stores all 14 pieces along with an extra non-sharpening slot.
Runner-up: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set
The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set features a full-tang, one-piece blade design.
Constructed from high-carbon German steel.
Equipped with non-slip Santoprene handles for a secure hold while cutting.
Includes a glass knife block to easily select the desired blade.
Knives included:
5" utility.
8" chef's.
3-1/2" paring.
8" bread.
6" boning.
Best Value: McCook MC29 14-Piece Knife Set
The McCook MC29 14-Piece Knife Set is equipped with a built-in ceramic slot sharpener in the block to maintain a sharp edge.
Constructed from high-carbon stainless steel to prevent corrosion and rust.
Includes a knife block to keep the set organized and accessible.
Comes with a set of kitchen shears.
Knives included:
4.5" steak x 6.
5" santoku.
5-1/2" serrated utility.
5" utility.
3.5" paring.
8" chef.
8" slicing.
Best Lightweight Design: J.A. Henckels International 15-Piece Knife Set
The J.A. Henckels International 15-Piece Knife Set features a stamped blade construction that offers a lightweight design when compared with forged knives.
Fabricated from durable, high-quality stainless steel.
Honed for long-lasting sharpness.
Includes all-rounder 8" Chef's knife is designed for chopping.
Includes an 8" bread knife.
Comes with a 7" hollow edge Santoku blade with small indentations that prevent food from sticking.
Equipped with a full tang with a triple-rivet design for stability and control.
Must-have Accessory
Don't forget the sharpener.
Best Budget Option: Maestro Cutlery 15-Piece Knife Set
The Maestro Cutlery 15-Piece Knife Set incorporates stainless steel and German high carbon steel to bring you the benefits of both materials.
Constructed from stainless steel for a rust-resistant and stain-resistant design.
Features high carbon steel construction that provides durability and edge retention.
Includes a set of kitchen shears and a sharpening steel.
Best Full Stainless: Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-Piece Knife Set
The Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-Piece Knife Set features high-carbon stainless steel blades.
Features a strong and durable bolster for stability and control.
Equipped with an ergonomically designed stainless steel handle provides comfort and support.
Includes six 4.5" hot-forged steak knives.
Includes a set of kitchen shears and a sharpening steel.
Most Knives Option: AmazonBasics Premium 18-Piece Knife Set
The AmazonBasics 18-piece knife set uses stainless-steel precision-honed blades for lasting sharpness.
Comes equipped with an ergonomically designed handle to help ensure a secure, comfortable grip.
Equipped with a full bolster to help keep fingers a safe distance from the blade.
Features triple-riveted construction with a full tang.
Best Accessories: Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set
The Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set features a variety of blades to suit a range of kitchen tasks.
Blades are constructed from stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion.
Features a TPR coating on the handles.
Equipped with a nonstick coating prevents foods from adhering to the knives.
Includes a multi-functional knife with curved blade.
Includes a set of kitchen shears.
Best for Professionals: ZWILLING 10-Piece Knife Set
The ZWILLING Knife Set offers a quality collection for cooking professionals.
Created using a unique ice-hardening system to create a durable blade.
Equipped with “no-stain” steel blades to keep the knives looking good over time.
Features a full-tang design with three rivets for stability and balance when cutting.
Offers a dishwasher safe design, although the manufacturer recommends hand washing if possible.
Equipped with a polymer-based handle.
Features a ten-piece set with kitchen shears.
Best Premium Option: Cangshan S1 Series 6-Piece Knife Set
The Cangshan S1 Series 6-Piece Knife Set features a high-alloy German steel construction which offers a mix of hardness and durability.
Features a six-stage heat treatment process.
Equipped with a sharp 16-degree edge.
Designed to withstand regular kitchen use.
Includes a knife block for organization and accessibility.
I hope this list of the best knife sets was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
