Best Knife Set For Every Kitchen, Budget and Need

The key to preparing a first-class dish is having all the necessary tools. This includes the best knife set full of sharp knives. In fact, one of the first things an experienced home cook or a professional chef does is sharpen his knives. But even if you are not much of a chef, it is important to have a variety of cutting tools in your kitchen.

However, choosing the right set can be daunting. You want a knife set that is minimal, but still complete with all the types of knives. However, this will greatly vary depending on your cooking habits, budget, amount of space in your kitchen and other factors. Some chefs only use two or three knives, but many home cooks prefer a wide variety of blades for different tasks.

To help you choose the overall best knife set for your needs, we’ve identified 9 kitchen sets. We have taken into account specific factors to come up with the best knife set for every kitchen, budget and need. Therefore, whether you are a beginner chef or an experienced home cook, we’re certain you will find this guide helpful. Also, in order to get a complete view, we have provided more in-depth articles on the best chef knife set, best knife block set and the best knife set under 100 USD.

 

Top 9 Best Knife Sets on the Market Today

Best Japanese knife set – Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-pc Block Set

 

 

Miyabi is a subsidiary of Zwilling and one of the most trusted knife manufacturers in the world. The knives are unique, in that they combine Japanese craftsmanship and artistry with German engineering to produce some of the best knives on the market. Miyabi knives have very distinct qualities that make them pro-quality and worth the price. The Miyabi Birchwood Set SG2 7 piece knife block is not an exception. It provides you with all the basic knives you will require in your kitchen. Let’s review the 7 pieces that make up this knife set in details.

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Miyabi Birchwood GS2 8-Inch Chef Knife

The chef knife is one of the most essential knives in any kitchen. It is considered an all-purpose knife that can be used for most tasks. The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 8-Inch Chef Knife comes with a very beautiful eye-catching design.

The core of the knife is made out of MC63 micro carbide powder steel. During the manufacturing process, the blade is put via a type of ice-hardening process designed to expertly cool the steel. This guarantees a Rockwell hardness of 63. Once the core is made, it is then coated with 50 layers of two types of steel on each side.

Each layer has a different level of hardness and is specially treated to form an elegant floral pattern along the blade. The blade is then finished off with Honbazuke honing, giving it 19 degrees of sharpness that will are guaranteed to last for several months.

The D-shaped handle of the Miyabi Birchwood GS2 8-Inch Chef Knife is made from high quality Birchwood. The natural texture of Birchwood has ripples and streaks that give it a golden appearance. It is complemented with red spacers on both ends and the logo engraved on the metal end cap. The knife is well-balanced, providing users with an excellent grip and ergonomic feel.

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 8-Inch Chef Knife is guaranteed to last a lifetime. It is designed for both pros and amateurs. It’ss a knife you will find yourself using for daily kitchen tasks. And, it excels at cutting up meat and vegetables, chopping up herbs or dicing herbs. The fact the knife does not have a curvature in the tip of the blade adds stability to knife so you won’t nick or cut your fingers.

Miyabi Birchwood GS2 3.5 Inch Paring Knife

 

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 3.5 Inch Paring Knife has similar features as the chef’s knife, only that it is a smaller knife. Its shorter blade size makes it ideal for peeling vegetables by them in your hands. The knife boasts a beautifully polished blade with a sturdy MC63 micro carbide powder steel core. Each side of the blade has 50 layers of steel for increased hardness. The blade is hardened using the CRYODUR technique at 63 HRC. The handle is made out of Karelian Masur Birchwood for an eye-catching appearance and enhanced durability. The 3.5-inch paring knife is ideal for intricate work on fruits and vegetables, although you can still use it for cutting and peeling different fruits and vegetables.

 

Miyabi Birchwood GS2 9-Inch Bread Knife

 

 

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 9-Inch Bread Knife is a top grade kitchen knife for any level with great taste. The blade is made out of high quality SG2 micro-carbide powder steel, which is then hammered with 100 layers of steel for maximum hardness and long lasting sharpness and durability. The blade is then hardened using the CRYODUR ice hardening technique to 63 Rockwell Hardness. This helps to protect the flowered Damascus pattern. The D-shaped handle is made out of genuine Karelian Birchwood for an exquisite and ergonomic appearance.

 

Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-Inch Santoku Knife

 

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-Inch Santoku Knife is an excellent kitchen workhorse that can take of all your chopping, slicing and dicing needs when you are prepping your dinner. In fact, this knife can replace both your chef’s knife and utility knife.

The knife comes a beautiful D-shaped Birchwood handle and a sturdy blade with a strong core of SG2 micro-carbide powder steel covered in 100 layers of steels. As for sharpness, the blade is hand-honed using the three-step Honbazuke method to a 9.5 to 12-degree edge, which means that it will virtually cut via anything with ease.

 

Stainless Kitchen Shears

 

 

The Miyabi kitchen shears are important piece in the knife set. You can use them to cut everything from vegetables and herbs, to pesky plastic packing to poultry bones. The D-shaped handles are designed with perfect comfort and style in mind. The blades move smoothly through whatever you’re cutting and easy to clean.

 

 

Miyabi Birchwood Handle 9-inch Hone

 

 

The knife set also features a 9-inch honing rod to help to keep your knives sharp. The honing rod boasts a D-shaped Birchwood handle for maximum comfort and added elegance. The honing stick is made from tungsten carbide which works better on GS2 steel.

 

 

12-Slot Miyabi Bamboo Storage Block

The knife also features a 12-slot storage block. The extra slots can be used for holding your already existing knives or you can add other specialty knives not provided in the knife set.

Pros and Cons of the Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-pc Knife Block Set

Pros

• The set has all the essential knives
• All knives are made of high quality materials and have a beautiful design
• Comes with a honing rod
• The storage block has extra slots to allow you to store your already existing or add other specialty knives

Cons 

• It is costly
• The knife block is not ideal for those with limited kitchen space

Best Studio Block Knife Set – Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Set

 

Wusthof is popularly known for manufacturing high quality knives through the incorporation of their unique craftsmanship. The Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Knife Set is an average knife set with all the essential knives needed in any kitchen. The knives have high-carbon steel blades with full tangs and double bolsters for balanced and enhanced durability. The set is ideal for those looking for high quality knives at an affordable price. Let’s review each of the 7 pieces that makes up the Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Set.

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Wusthof Classic Ikon 3.5-Inch Paring Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 3.5-Inch Paring Knife can be used for most small kitchen chores, such as coring fruits, cutting vegetable or studding meat. The 3.5-inch blade length allows you to control the knife easily. The blade is forged from a single piece of high carbon stainless steel for maximum durability and excellent corrosion and stain resistance properties. The blade is sharpened using the Wusthof’s PEtec technology, making it 20% sharper than other standard knives on the market. The handle is made of polypropylene and is contoured for enhanced comfort and safety.

 

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-Inch Utility Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-inch Utility is medium-sized knife that can be used for cutting sandwich meats and larger vegetables. Its blade is forged from a single-piece of high carbon stainless and then sharpened using the Wusthof’s PEtec technology. The knife also boasts a contoured polypropylene handle that is comfortable to hold for long. The full tang enhances the durability of the knife and makes it easy to control.

 

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-inch Chef’s Knife

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-inch chef’s or cook’s knife is specifically designed to handle most kitchen tasks. It can work well with meats, fruits and vegetable. This knife will rarely leave the kitchen and is the most comfortable as tool used for mincing, slicing and chopping. Tasks such as slicing via a roast, breaking down a pork loin and other heavy duty tasks are where this knife truly excels.

The blade is forged from a single piece of high carbon steel. It takes over 40 steps to create a Wusthof chef knife from scratch. The steel is composed of three metals, namely: chromium, molybdenum and vanadium for maximum strength, toughness and durability. The bolster does not extend to the edge, making it possible to sharpen the edge all the way from the tip to the back of the blade.

The handle is V-shaped to accommodate the shape of your hand, making the knife ideal for extensive use. Overall, the knife feels well-balanced and is guaranteed to last a lifetime.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Bread Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-inch Bread Knife is an essential knife to have in the kitchen. Aside from slicing bread, you can use it saw via hearty vegetables, such as butternut squash or create perfectly thin slices of juicy tomatoes. Wusthof makes one the best bread knives in the world and the Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-inch Bread Knife is not an exception.

The blade is forged from a single-piece of high carbon steel and sharpened using the Wusthof’s PEtec technique. The full tang enhances the durability of the knife, while the finger guard and full bolster helps to improve the safety of the knife. The contoured polypropylene handle is well balanced and comfortable to hold for long without fatigue to your hand, wrist or forearm.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 9-inch Honing Steel

 

 

This knife set also comes with a 9-inch honing rod so you can keep your knives sharp. The rod is made of special steel that perfectly hones the German high carbon steel used to manufacture Wusthof classic Ikon knives.

 

 

Pull Apart Shears

 

 

The Wusthof’s pull-apart shears are forged from high carbon steel for maximum toughness and durability. The D-shaped are comfortable to hold for long. You can use the shears for a wide range of kitchen tasks.

 

 

15-Slot Storage Block

 

 

The set also comes with a handsome hardwood knife storage block that can hold up to 15 items. The slots are gentle on your knife edges and can be cleaned easily. There are extra slots to allow you to add other specialty knives not included in the set.

 

 

Pros and Cons the Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Knife Set

Pros

• Highly durable tools for any kitchen
• Honing steel included to keep the knives sharp
• High durable polypropylene handle
• The knife storage block has extra slots so you add other specialty knives in the future
• The wooden storage block accommodates different handles and bends with the kitchen décor

Cins 

• The storage block design does not appeal to some users
• This is set is not ideal for professional chefs who like to try different meals

 

 

Best Chef Knife Set – Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Chef’s Knife Set

 

If you are a professional chef who likes traveling with your knives, then the Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Set is what you need. The knife set does not come with a countertop knife block like most knife sets, so that you can purchase you preferred knife roll for carrying your knives. The Wusthof Classic knife set comes in many types but this set has all the knives you need to prepare most meals. Here is a short review for each of the pieces that make up the Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Set.

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Wusthof Classic 4-Inch Paring Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic 4-Inch Paring Knife features a short, but sturdy blade and is lightweight to allow for maximum maneuverability while in use. The blade is precision forged from a single-piece of high carbon stainless steel and tempered to 58 HRC for maximum durability and strength. The cutting edge is sharpened using the Wusthof’s PEtec technology, resulting in an ultra-sharp blade with excellent edge retention. The full tang polypropylene handle is triple-riveted for maximum durability and enhanced comfort.

 

 

Wusthof Classic 5-Inch Boning Knife

The Wusthof Classic 5-Inch Boning Knife features a thin, sharp and flexible blade for removing the bones and skin from meat and fish. The blade is curved at the tip to enable you to peel the skin and fat away from meats. Several cuts of meat, such as a rack of lamb and pork cuts have a layer of fat that should be removed before cooking. The thin blade is ideal for this task and its flexibility. The sharpness allows you to remove the fat and skin from meats without carving away the flesh underneath.

Like other knives in the set, the Wusthof Classic 5-Inch Boning Knife is forged from a single piece of high carbon steel and hardened to 58 HRC. The blade is then sharpened following the PEtec process making it 20% sharper. The triple-riveted handle is made from polypropylene and features an ergonomic design for enhanced comfort.

 

Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Bread Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Bread knife is one of the best rated Wusthof bread knives on the market. It comes with a double number of serrations compared to other knives in the same class. The double serrations allow the knife to glide through crusty bread with minimal crumbs and without damaging the inside. You can also use the knife cutting via delicate vegetables and fruits.

The knife features a sturdy polypropylene handle that is attached to the blade with three metallic rivets. The blade is precision-forged with a single-piece of high carbon steel for maximum strength, toughness and excellent rust and corrosion resistance properties.

 

 

Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife is an all-purpose knife. It comes with a long, wide, slightly curved 8-inch blade for mincing, cutting, slicing and dicing all kind of foods. The full tang triple-riveted handle is made of polypropylene to resist fading, discoloration and impact. The blade is precision-forged from a single piece of high carbon stainless. It is hardened to 58 HRC and sharpened using Wusthof’s PEtec yielding 20 percent sharper edge with excellent edge retention.

 

 

Wusthof Classic 9-inch Carving Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic carving knife comes with a 9-inch long and narrow blade. It is specifically designed for carving ham or a leg of lamb and poultry. The pointed tip is used for cutting meat along a board while the thin blade makes it possible to cut more precise slices. Like other Wusthof classic knives, the blade is forged from a single-piece of high carbon steel and hardened to 58HRC. The handle is made out of high quality polypropylene to resist fading, discoloration and impact. The handle is ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and durability.

 

 

Wusthof 9-inch Honing Steel

 

 

The Wusthof 9-inch honing steel helps to keep the knives discussed above sharp. It helps you remove microscopic amounts of metal from the blade and also helps to straight the blade just for all the knives that make up the Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Chef’s Knife Set

 

 

Pros  and Cons of the Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Knife Set

Pros

• Ideal for professional chefs who love traveling with their tools
• Made up of high quality Wusthof classic knives
• The set comes with a honing steel for keeping the knives sharp
• Contains all the essential knives a professional chef will require
• Reasonably priced

Cons 

• Does not feature a storage option. You have to purchase a knife roll if you already don’t have one
• Doesn’t feature a pair of shears
• There are no many specialty knives

 

 

Best Budget Knife Set – JA Henckels International 15-Piece Statement Block Set

 

 

If you are looking for quality forged knives without spending a fortune, then you consider trying out the J.A Henckels International 15-Piece Statement Block Set. J.A Henckels makes a wide range of knives of different quality. The international collection is made in locations outside Germany and Japan and is on the lower price end. These particular made is made is Spain and is an excellent option for those looking for a best knife set under a budget.

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The J.A Henckels International 15-Piece Statement Knife Block Set is specifically designed to comfortably accomplish all your kitchen tasks as far as cutting is concerned. Essentially, the set comes with knives suitable for all purposes including cutting, chopping, paring, bone removal, mincing and peeling. Here is a short review of all the 15 pieces that make up the J.A Henckels International 15-Piece Statement Block Set.

JA Henckels International 3-inch Paring Knife

The JA Henckels International 3-inch Paring Knife comes with a short sturdy blade and is extremely lightweight to allow for maximum maneuverability while in use. It can be used for a wide range of tasks, including paring vegetables, peeling and crushing garlic, mincing shallots, filleting small fish, slicing cheese as well as deveining shrimp.

JA Henckels International 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife

The JA Henckels International 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife can be used for slicing bread, meats and other types of food with a hard crust or an outer skin. You can also use it for cutting soft or juicy vegetables, such as tomatoes.

JA Henckels International 7-inch Santoku Knife

The JA Henckels International 7-inch Santoku Knife is specially made to provide a well-balanced comfortable grip. The handle design and weight distribution make its ideal for people who have small hands. Although it can be used as a chef’s knife, the Santoku knife is ideal for slicing and chopping.

JA Henckels International 8-inch Chef’s Knife

The JA Henckels International 8-inch Chef’s Knife is made of high quality German carbon no-stain steel. Even though the knife is made in Spain, the steel still comes from Germany. The handle is made from polypropylene material and features full tang. The handle design’s provides a comfortable grip. You can use the knife for nearly all kitchen tasks, including dicing, chopping, slicing and deboning smaller cuts of meat.

JA Henckels International 8-inch Bread Knife

The JA Henckels International 8-inch Bread Knife has serrated blade forged from a single piece of high carbon German Steel. The 8-inch serrated blade can smoothly saw via hearty bread crusts and bagels or make paper-thing tomato and strawberry slices.

JA Henckels International 4.5-inch Steak Knife

The knife provides a total of 6 ultra-sharp steak knives. The knives are fabricated from high quality stainless steel for maximum durability and excellent corrosion and rust resistance properties. The knives are specifically designed for cutting steak and meat, though they can also be used for chopping and slicing vegetables and fruits with thin skins.

JA Henckels International Sharpening Steel

The JA Henckels International sharpening steel is ideal for honing your knives and straightening the edges of your knives.

A Pair of Kitchen Shears

The set also comes with a sturdy pair of kitchen shears which are comfortable to hold for long. You can use them to cut everything from vegetables and herbs, to pesky plastic packing to poultry bones.

JA Henckels Hardwood Storage Block

Included in the set is a durable wooden block for safe storage of your knives. The block does not have extra slots for storage of your already existing knives.

Pros and Cons of the JA Henckels International 15-Piece Statement Knife Block Set

Pros

• Ridiculously affordable pricing
• Sturdy hardwood block for storage
• Features a strong and reliable honing steel
• A quick and fashionable knife set that will add a touch of beauty to your kitchen
• Ideal for many different chefs

Cons 

• Does not include all the speciality, making inappropriate for most professional chefs
• There are no extra slots on the storage block

 

 

Best Luxury Knife Set – Kramer By Zwilling 7-piece Set

 

 

 

If you are looking for a luxury knife set with all the basic knives needed in the kitchen, then you should try out the Kramer by Zwilling 7-piece Knife Set. The knives that make up this set feature a 101-layer blade with a deep-etched chevron Damascus design, an SG2 super steel core and a 63 Rockwell Hardness. Here is a short review of the each of the pieces that make up the Kramer by Zwilling 7-piece Set.

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Kramer by Zwilling 3.5-inch Paring Knife

If you are looking for a luxurious paring knife for your modern kitchen, then the Kramer by Zwilling 3.5-inch Paring Knife may be what you need. The blade features a super-premium steel with a fine grain structure SG2 core for an ultra-sharp edge. The core is clad by 50 layers of nickel and Damascus stainless steel on each side with a deep-etched chevron pattern.

 

Kramer by Zwilling 5-inch Utility Knife

 

The Kramer by Zwilling 5-inch Utility Knife is designed to master blade Smith Bob Kramer’s exact specifications. It has the same features as the paring knife except that it comes with a longer straight blade that is ideal for various kinds of cooking tasks in the kitchen. The knife is a perfect option for culinary students, home cooking enthusiasts and cooking hobbyists.

 

Kramer by Zwilling 8-inch Chef’s Knife

The Kramer by Zwilling 8-inch Chef’s Knife is one most popular luxurious chef knives in the market. It comes with an ultra-sharp cutting edge and sturdy triple-riveted linen Micarta handle with signature decorative center pin. Blade is hand-finished, and sharpened twice using a traditional Honbazuke honing method. It features a SG2 super-steel core that is clad with a 100 layers of nickel and Damascus steel with a deep-etched chevron Damascus design.

Kramer by Zwilling 9-inch Bread Knife

 

The Kramer by Zwilling 9-inch Bread Knife has all the same physical characteristics as the chef knife except that it comes with a longer serrated blade. This kind of blade allows the knife to glide via crusty bread with minimal crumbs and without damaging the inside.

 

Kramer by Zwilling 9-inch Slicer

 

The Kramer by Zwilling 9-inch slicer is ideal for slicing meats and vegetables with ease. It is built to last and features an extremely sharp blade that makes your cutting tasks easier.

 

Kramer by Zwilling 12-inch Honing

 

This honing steel is specifically designed to sharpen your knives without damaging their edge. It’s made in Seki City, Japan like the other tools in the set and works well with SG2 super-steel.

 

Knife Storage Block

 

 

Despite its high pricing, the set also comes with a sturdy beautifully designed storage block to hold all your knives. There are extra slots which you can use for your already existing knives.

 

 

Pros and Cons of the Kramer by Zwilling 7-piece Knife Set

Pros

• Sturdy knives with an ultra-sharp edge
• 101 layer blades with a deep-etched chevron Damascus design
• Knives are hardened to 63 HRC for maximum strength and durability
• The set adds a touch of beauty to any kitchen
• Triple-riveted linen Micarta handles for added comfort and durability
• Storage block to keep your knives safe and accessible
• Honing steel to keep your blades sharp

Cons

• It is comes with a higher retailer price due to its many amazing features
• Does not include specialty knives or steak knives

 

 

Best Large Knife Block Set – Wusthof Classic Ikon 22-Piece Block Set

 

If you are professional chef or an experienced home cook who likes experiencing with all meals, then you should certainly fall in love with the Wusthof Classic Ikon 22-Piece Knife Block Set. There are many sizes of the Wusthof Classic Ikon knife set but this one is the largest. Let’s discuss the various pieces that make up the set.

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Wusthof Classic Ikon 3.5-Inch Paring Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 3.5-Inch Paring Knife has straight-edge blade that is specifically made for paring or peeling fruits and vegetables. It can also be used for other slicing up ingredients, removing seeds and deveining shellfish.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 4.5 Utility Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 4.5 Utility Knife is ideal for utility or general purposes. It features a sturdy blade with an ultra-sharp edge for general tasks, such as scraping hides, cutting, cleaning fish etc. You can also use the utility for cutting larger vegetables and sandwich meats that not large enough for a cook’s knife.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 4.5 Steak Knife

 

The set comes with 8, 4.5-inch steak knives cutting steaks. The have a sharp blade and a v-shaped polypropylene hand for maximum comfort. These are probably the steaks with best-looking handles of German knives on the market today. The 8 steaks knives just look stunning whether they are on the table or when in stored in the knife block.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Santoku Knife is best used for cutting meat, slicing cheese, mincing herbs or meat, dicing, chopping or slicing fruits, vegetables and nuts. The wide blade makes the knife ideal for scooping food off a cutting board. The hollow edge on the blade prevents foods from sticking on the blade while in use.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife is ideal for slicing bread, meats and other foods with hard outer skin or crust. It can also be used for cutting soft or juicy vegetables, such as tomatoes.

 

Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Boning Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 5-Inch Boning Knife has thin sharp, flexible that is ideal for removing bones and skin from meat and finish. It’s curved at the tip to enable you to cut meat away from the bones and joints.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-Inch Utility Knife

 

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-Inch Utility Knife has a straight-edge blade that can be used for nearly all cutting needs in your kitchen. The handle feels comfortable and firm in your hands. The knife is certainly perfect for mid-sized prep work.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-Inch Cook’s Knife

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-Inch Cook’s Knife is ideal for people who have hands. It is a multipurpose kitchen that can be used for all kitchen tasks, including cutting, dicing, slicing and dicing.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Inch Santoku Knife

This knife has the same physical characteristics as the 5-inch Santoku knife discussed earlier. The only difference is that it comes with a larger blade length to fit your hands better.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Bread Knife

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Bread Knife has double number of serrations as to allow the blade to glide via crusty bread with minimal crumbs and without damaging the inside.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Carving Knife

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch carving Knife features a long, narrow blade that is ideal for carving ham or a leg of poultry or lamb. It is slightly thinner than the chef’s knife to enable it to make more precise slices. The pointed tip makes the knife useful for cutting meat along a board. It has a hollow to prevent food from stick to the blade while in use.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cooks Knife

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cooks Knife is perfect for any type of food preparation, from vegetables and fruits to meat. The blade is precision-forged from a single –piece of high carbon steel for maximum strength, long-lasting sharpness and excellent rust and corrosion resistance properties.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 10-Inch Honing Steel

The Wusthof Classic Ikon 10-Inch Honing Steel helps to you to keep your knives sharp and realign the blade edges.

A Pair of Come-Apart Kitchen Shears

The Wusthof Classic Ikon kitchen shears are ideal for cutting anything from vegetables and herbs, to pesky plastic packing to poultry bones. The handles are designed with perfect comfort and style in mind.

A 22 Slot Block

The set comes with a 22-slot wooden storage block that allows you to safely store your all knives included in the set.

Pros and Cons of the Wusthof Classic Ikon 22-Piece Knife Block Set

Pros

• It contains all knives you will need in any kitchen
• Wooden storage block for safe storage and organization of the tools
• Comes with 8 steak knives
• Honing steel for keeping your sharps

Cons 

• There are no extra slots on the storage block for your already existing knives
• The set is not ideal for a single home user

 

 

Best Knife Block Set without Steak Knives – Wusthof Ikon 9-Piece Block Set

 

If you are looking for a knife set that doesn’t come with steak knives, then you should try the Wusthof Ikon 9-Piece Knife Block. There are 3 versions of Wusthof ikon knife set and this is the largest.. You will get all that you need without the unnecessary extras. All knives in the set are of exceptional high quality, forged, full tang with a modern design.

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You will pretty much use all knives in this set all the time. With the 2 chopping knives, paring and utility knife most work in the kitchen is 90% done. Also add a bread and slicing knife to the set and you can achieve anything you wish to create with these knives.

In order to safely store and maintain the knives in this set you also get a beautiful walnut block and a sharpening steel. On top a extra pair of kitchen scissors is always welcomed.

The knife set contains:

Wusthof Ikon Cook’s Knife

The Wusthof Ikon Cook’s Knife will work well for any cook, whether you are beginner chef, an experienced home cook or a professional chef. You can use it for nearly all kitchen tasks from cutting, dicing, slicing, and much more. The blade is precision forged from a single-piece of high carbon stainless steel and sharpened using the PEtec technique. The handle is made from African Blackwood and it affixed to the blade with three metallic rivets.

Wusthof Ikon Santoku Knife

The Wusthof Ikon Santoku knife has wide blade make it ideal for scooping food off a cutting board. You can also use for cutting meat, slicing fruits, mincing meats and herbs and so much more.

Wusthof Ikon Utility Knife

The Wusthof Ikon utility knife is also forged from a single piece of high carbon stainless steel and sharpened following the PEtec process. It has triple-riveted African Blackwood handle that is D-shaped for enhanced comfort. You can use the utility knife for any kind of cutting tasks in the kitchen.

Wusthof Ikon Paring Knife

The Wusthof Ikon paring knife comes with a straight-edge blade that is specially made for multipurpose use. The blade is hand-honed and forged to a razor-like edge using the Wusthof PEtec technology. It is ideal for peeling vegetables and fruits, slicing garlic clove or shallots and other detailed cutting, such as cutting shapes into dough or scoring patterns and designs on the surfaces of food.

Wusthof Ikon Bread Knife

The Wusthof Ikon Bread Knife comes with an ultra-sharp serrated blade for cutting soft bread without crushing it.

Wusthof Ikon Carving Knife

The Wusthof Ikon Carving Knife has a hollow edge to prevent food from sticking on the blade. It is ideal for carving ham or a leg of a lamb or poultry.

Honing Steel

The set also comes with a honing to allow you to keep your knives sharp.

A Pair of Kitchen Shears

The Wusthof Ikon 9-Piece knife set also comes with one pair of stainless steel kitchen shears for breaking down poultry, cutting open food packaging and snipping herbs.

Wooden Knife Block

The Wusthof Ikon 9-Piece knife set also includes one wooden storage block for safe storage of your knives.

Pros and Cons of the Wusthof Ikon 9-Piece knife set

Pros

• High quality knives with an ultra-sharp edge
• Extra slots on the storage block to allow you to add other specialty knives
• Honing steel for maintain the sharpness of your knives
• Kitchen shears included
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Doesn’t include all specialty knives
• No steak knives

 

 

Best knife Set for Culinary Students – Wusthof 7-Piece Professional Set

 

 

The Wusthof 7-Piece Professional Set is a best knife set for culinary students who want the basic food preparation tools at their disposal. The Wusthof Pro line provides a smart value for home cooks and commercial kitchens. This set features high carbon German Steel blades and a unique handle made with an inner core for enhanced stability, a non-slip grip and an ergonomic design to ensure your comfort even during extended tasks.

The Wusthof 7-Piece Professional Set contains all the basic kitchen knives and reliable knife roll for transport and storage. The blades of the knives are precision-stamped out of high carbon German Stainless Steel and they do not wear out easily. The edges are sharpened at 14 degrees. This allows the blade to hold a sharp edge longer and can be easily sharpened to ensure maximum cutting performance. The blade is further hardened to 56 HRC for enhanced sturdiness and durability

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The knives also feature a half tang that is embedded into an ergonomic black handle. The set includes:

1. 3.5-inch paring knife
2. 6-inch boning knife
3. 6-inch wavy-edge utility knife
4. 8-inch cook’s knife
5. 9-inch bread knife
6. An 11-inch slicer
7. 1 knife roll

Pros and Cons of the Wusthof 7-Piece Professional Knife Set

Pros

• Precision stamped blades
• Non-slip polymer handles with an ergonomic shape for enhanced comfort
• The set contains all the essential knives for culinary students
• Affordable
• A knife roll for transportation and storage of knives

Cons 

• Knives require frequent sharpening to maintain their sharpness
• Lacks a honing steel

 

 

Best Japanese Style Knife Set For Culinary Students – Shun 8-Piece Classic Student Set

 

Shun is one of the popular knife manufacturers in the world. The entire Shun knives line is known for its high quality kitchen knives. The Shun 8-Piece Classic Student Knife Set is specifically meant for the basic culinary student who needs all the necessary tools to enhance their learning experience. The knives included in this set have high carbon stainless steel blades that are precision forged for enhanced durability and long lasting sharpness. The blades are made with a process that combines 16 layers of stainless steel in Damascus style.

The blades are sharpened to a 16-degree angle to achieve a razor-like sharpness and ease the sharpening process. The knives all feature a D-shaped Pakkawood handle that specifically design to provide a comfortable grip for greater control and reduced hand fatigue.

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The 8-pieces that make up the Shun 8-Piece Classic Student Knife Set include:

1. 3.5-inch paring knife
2. 6-inch utility knife
3. 6-inch boning knife
4. 8-inch chef’s knife
5. 9-inch bread knife
6. 9-inch hollow-ground slicing knife
7. Honing steel
8. Knife roll

Pros and Cons of the Shun Classic 8-Piece Student Set

Pros

• Contains all the essential for a beginner chef and culinary students
• Ultra-sharp knives that are easy to maintain
• D-shaped Pakkawood handles for enhanced comfort
• Honing steel for keeping knives sharp
• 8-slot knife roll for easy transportation and storage

Cons 

• Not ideal for home cooks or professional chefs who need more specialty knives.

 

 

How to Choose the Best Knife Set

 

From a home kitchen to the high-end restaurants of the world, every cook needs a proper knife set in order to properly prepare any food. If you choose the wrong set, you’ll not only make the preparation more tedious but also more dangerous. This is because dull, low quality knives expose you to a higher risk of cutting yourself. Here are some expert-proven tips on how to choose the best set.

Take Into Account the Size of Your Knife Set

Knife set come in different sizes. Before making a decision on the size of your set, consider your cooking practices and habit and take into account the different pieces that come with the set you are thinking of buying. Do you really require 12 steak knives? Will you be filleting your own fish or you will be willing to buy them already prepped from the market? Steak knives or a fillet blade will likely remain in your block and collect dust if you go for a set that is not suited for your own cooking style.

Take time to check the tools offered in a set, and determine if you will really use them in your kitchen. For most home kitchens, a basic or an average knife set, with three or four knives is enough for most of the work performed. A basic set will contain a chef knife for all the general cutting duties. A paring knife for peeling, trimming and cutting smaller pieces of food. And a serrated bread knife for cutting bread, tomatoes, delicate cakes and fruits.

Decide Whether You Need Storage for Your Knife Set

For safety purposes, and to maintain a sharp edge, you should never store your knives loose in a cutlery drawer. That’s another bonus with buying a set, since most will come with a storage option. Generally, there are four basic ways to store your kitchen knives. You can mount them on wall with a magnetic strip or store them on the counter in a block or under a cabinet if space is limited. Another common storage method is the Chef’s roll, which is ideal for professional chefs who travel with their home tools. Let’s discuss some of the most common knife storage options.

Magnetic Wall Strips

Magnetic wall strips are a safe and convenient storage option. They are regarded as the best storage method for holding kitchen knives since minimal contact is made with the cutting edge. If you prefer using magnetic wall strips, then you may have to purchase it differently as many of the best knife sets don’t offer magnetic strips. You can for a set without a storage option and then purchase your own magnetic wall strip for storing the knives.

Countertop Knife Storage

This is the most common type of knife storage in most modern kitchen. If you buy your knives as a set, it’s very likely that the knife set will come with a knife block that is perfectly designed for the shape of your blades. Knife blocks come in various sizes, materials and colors. Thus, be sure to choose the one that meets your needs and matches the décor of your kitchen.

Portable Knife Rolls

Also known as knife bags, knife rolls are an ideal option if you will be traveling with your knives. Portable knife rolls are very popular among professional chefs, but home cooks can still benefit from them too. They have separate slots inside, where you place your knives and they are usually zipped or rolled into a compact bag so you can carry them with you easily.

Decide the Number of Slots Your Storage Option Should Have

Once you have decided your ideal knife storage option, be sure to check the number of slots provided. Many home cooks, unless they are avid cooks or chefs, can get away with a knife storage option that holds 4 to 8 knives. This type of storage will take up less space in the kitchen and can be stored out of sight when you want an uncluttered look.

If you will using many different types of knives, then you can got for a storage option with more slots. This way you will never have to worry about leaving your knives in the drawer where somebody can be injured.

Do You Need Steak Knives?

Steak knives are important in a kitchen. They are sharp table knives that are used for cutting steak. You will certainly find a steak knife useful when eating finer meats, such as steak, chicken and beef. Having a wrong knife can lead to a rough cut making your food harder to eat. There are two major types of steak knives: serrated blades and straight blade.

A serrated steak knife has multiple teeth or ridges on the bottom of its blade. When cutting with a serrated blade, you will notice that it tears via the meat. Serrated knives are ideal for cutting roasts and bread. A straight blade steak knife has no ridges. It comes with a straight cutting edge and is used to make cleaner cuts. If you are looking for a basic knife for cutting meat, chances are you will need a straight blade knife.

It is important to note that not every knife set comes with steak knives. Depending on your needs, available space and budget, you have to decide whether you will require a large set with four or more steak knife. If you love preparing steak, then it is highly advisable that you go for a knife that offers steak knives. Steak knives will allow you to cut the biggest and hardest meat with the least strain.

Determine What You’re Going to Use the Knives For

With so many knife sets to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start with creating your personal knife collection. Do you really need a carving knife if you already have a chef’s knife? What’s so great about having a set of steak knives? In order to make these important life choices, you need to take account many factors.

Whether you’re a home cook, a beginner or professional chef, you’ll certainly require a chef’s knife. You can use it for all your basic food preparation tasks, like chopping and slicing fresh ingredients. Beyond a chef’s knife, you require a small paring knife for cutting, peeling and shaving any small and a serrated bread knife for cutting via anything with a hard edge and a softer interior.

Large knife sets often make you feel like there are things you should be doing or tasks that you should know how to do. That’s why we recommend them to professional chefs and experienced home cooks. If you’re a beginner or a single home user, go for basic or an average knife with three or four knives.

Beyond the three basic knives, large knife sets can include a peeling knife, a boning knife, a meat cleaver, kitchen shears or a set of identical steak knives ( likely unnecessary unless if you are serving up steak for 8 people frequently). Most home cooks do not do cooking tasks that correspond to these tools. So, a lot of specialty knives won’t be used.

Consider Your Budget and Maintenance Needs

While retails have encouraged American shoppers to stock up their kitchen with large knife sets, chefs and food world professionals have been preaching a different gospel. Many professional chefs will tell you that you do not 15 knives in your kitchen. You only need a chef’s knife, a bread knife and a paring knife. Everything else is just sort of unnecessary.

More importantly as a home cook, you do not have to go for the pricey knives as they are usually made with the thickest and hardest steel that can be challenging to keep sharp. Instead, think of size, shape, grip, heft and material. For beginner cooks, it is recommended that you go for knives that require little maintenance. Make sure that each knife you buy feels good in your hands.

Decide Whether You’ll Require a Block with Extra Slots

Depending on your kitchen space and cooking style, you need decide whether you’ll need a knife block. In addition to choosing the right material for you knife block, check to be sure that it has enough slots to store all your knives. If you will be purchasing more specialty knives in the future, be sure to go for a knife block that provides extra slots.

More importantly avoid choosing Global knife blocks as they can be inconvenient if you have oddly shaped blades or if you are not sure whether your existing knives will fit in the slots. Go for a knife block set with a slot for shears and provides extra slots for your existing or future knives.
Best Knife Set Review: Care and Maintenance of Your Knives and Knife Set

 

The Most Important Knives The Best Knife Set Should Have

 

Kitchen knife sets can be classified into three distinct categories:

Basic Knife Sets

A basic knife set contains all the kind of knives you will require for most of your everyday cooking. It contains the basic knives used in the kitchen, such as:

• Chef’s Knife
• Paring knife
• Serrated Bread knife

A basic knife set is a perfect option if you only cook occasionally. However, if you like to cook every day and experiment with different meals, then you should go for an average set or a large set.

Average Knife Sets

An average knife contains all the three basic knives and slicing knife. Slicing knives are vital when you want to cut thinner slices of roast, fruits and vegetables. They have a length ranging from 8 to 14 inches. You can use them for preparing vegetables, preparing fruits for salads or slicing and carving thin cuts of meat, such as fish, pork, beef and chicken. In summary, an average knife contains:

• Chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• Serrated Bread knife
• Slicing knife

Large Knife Sets

A large knife set is ideal for professional chefs and experienced home cooks who like experiencing with meals. Most large knife sets feature a good chef’s knife, a paring knife, a serrated bread knife, a slicing knife, a utility knife and many other types of knives including slicers, butcher knives, prep knives, steak knives, deboning knives and more.

When shopping, for the Best Knife Set, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. For example, when you see an “X-Piece Set”, you may assume that X stands for the number of knives. However, it turns that the knife block is included in the number. There are many other factors you need to take into account when choosing the best kitchen set.

Care and Maintenance of you Knife Set and Knives

 

How Clean & Maintain a Knife Block Properly

A knife block is a safe and convenient way to keep your tools accessible on the kitchen counter. However, there are chances that the slots may be holding more than the blade of a knife. According to the Healthy Facilities Institute, these slots could be a breeding ground for bacteria. To keep knives ready to use, clean the block at least once a month.

How to Clean a Knife Block?

1. Remove the Crumbs
   Start by removing the crumbs that may be stuck in your knife block. Turn the knife block upside down and shake out the crumbs that may have accumulated inside the block. Consider using a large pipe cleaner to remove anything stubborn that may be stuck at the bottom of the storage block. This is important as some crumbs may be harder to remove once they become wet.
2. Wash the Block
   Using your hands to wash the block in hot soapy water and use a small brush to clean all the slots. Rinse it in clean water and then sanitize it with a mild bleach solution. Allow the solution to soak for a minute and then rinse it again.
3. Dry it thoroughly
   Place the block upside down and allow it to dry. This is step is very important. Do not reinsert the tools into the block before it is completely dry as it can trap water and promote bacteria growth. If you are in a rush, try using an electric fan or a hair dryer to fasten the process. To prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the block again, always make sure that the entire knife is clean and completely dry before inserting it in the slots.

How To Properly Store The Knives In Your Knife Set

For most people, kitchen space is prized commodity that is difficult to find. Since knives are one of the important and expensive kitchen tools, they deserve a proper spot in a kitchen. A proper storage not only ensures that your knives last longer, but also prevents you from scouring the kitchen corners every time you need. The key to safe knife storage is keeping the blades away from where your fingers might be. Here are some of the most common knife storage options.

Knife Blocks

A knife block is vital tool for organizing and keeping knives in place. It can also be handy when you are cooking as you can easily reach out to the knife block and pick the right knife. There are old classic knife blocks that come as a set with knives include, which many people are perfectly happy with. Other blocks come without knives.

Knife blocks are usually made of wood or steel, but there are also knife blocks that are made of acrylic or plastic. Steel and wood are usually preferred due to their aesthetic quality. You’ll find wood knife blocks made of cherry wood, walnut, bamboo or Beachwood. Wood knife blocks provide a more traditional look to your kitchen. Metallic knife blocks are sleeker and a modern alternative in terms of style and build.

There are two major types of knife blocks: knife blocks with pre-sized slots and universal slot-less blocks. Knife blocks with pre-sized slots can be damaging on cutting edges. Constantly sliding your knives in and out of the slots means that the cutting edge comes into contact with the wood, which can damage the blades.

Universal slot-less knife blocks, on the other hand, are recommended if you’re keen on building a knife collection. Unlike the pre-sized slots knife blocks, these storage blocks can be used with blades from different brands. They are filled with plastic or rubber rods that are affixed to the base plate and will comfortably accommodate any blade size.

Knife Rolls

Knife Rolls are an ideal option for professional cooks who like traveling around with their knives from one job to another. They can still be a really useful storage option, even if you are not a professional chef. They are very company and can accommodate many knives and they are very portable. This means you do not necessarily need to have a dedicated knife drawer as long as you can get somewhere safe to stash your knives.

Knife rolls are specifically designed for taking your knives with you while on vacation. While they are popular among professional chefs, they are beneficial to home cooks as well. They have separate slots inside where you can store your knives, and they are usually rolled or zipped up into a compact that you can carry with you.

When choosing a knife roll, check to be sure that it has enough slots for the knives that you want to take with you. More importantly, go for the one with a durable and a sturdy zipper that closes securely so you do not have to mind about your knife storage bag accidently coming open when it is being carried.

Magnetic Knife Holders

Magnetic knife holders are a perfect way to give yourself more counter and drawer space. That explains why magnetic knife holders are becoming more and more popular for homeowners with smaller homes and less storage space in their kitchens. Rather than paying for a knife block that doesn’t fit all your knives, consider installing a magnetic knife strip on your kitchen wall.

Depending on the number of knives you have, you can easily choose a magnetic holder that meet your needs and safely store all your knives within reach. Magnetic knife strips come in a wide range of lengths, so you buy one that will hold the right number of knives for you. In addition, you can put the strip high, so you don’t hurt your hands. With a magnetic knife strip, you can easily the blade of the knife you are grabbing as opposed to a block, where the blade is not visible.

How to Maintain the Sharpness of the Knives in your Set

A sharp knife is a vital part of the cooking process. If you see that your ingredients are tearing before you can slice through them completely, chances are that your blade is too dull. Over time, the blade becomes too dull due to repeated use and requires sharpening. Learning how to maintain a sharp knife requires a bit of practice, but often doesn’t take up too much time. Here are valuable tips on how to keep your kitchen knives sharp.

Hone Your Knives Regularly

One of the biggest misconceptions about honing rods is that they are a type of knife sharpeners. It is unfortunate that most manufacturers market their honing steels as such. The truth is that a honing rod is not a knife sharpener. It only helps to realign the cutting edge. A honing rod straightens the metal on your knife without removing a large amount of metal from the blade.

To use a honing rod, hold the knife in your dominant hand and the rod in the other had. Elevate the rod above its handle and hold your knife at a 20-degree angle. Make sure that your fingers are away from the blade.

Now start moving your hand and wrist as you move the knife across the top of the honing rod from the knife’s heel to its tip. Repeat the same process from the bottom of the rod with other side of the blade. To get the best results, you may have to do 6 to 8 repetitions. The more you practice, the easier it will get.

Sharpen Your Knife with a Whetstone

A whetstone is also referred as a sharpening stone or a water stone. Whetstones are made of many different materials form synthetics to ceramics. They have two sides a finer side and a rough side. In addition, whetstones come in different grits, but basically the higher the grit the smoother the surface, which servers for finishing and polishing the knife. The rough side has a lower grit and is used for eroding the metal particles from the knife and helps to repair chipped edges. They are the first step in sharpening a particularly dull blade.

To sharpen a knife with a stone, first soak the stone in water for 20 to 30 minutes or until the air bubbles stop rising. Once ready, place the stone on flat surface and then position your knife with the edge facing up. Now place your thumb on the knife’s spine and your index finger on the heel. Make sure that the bevel of the edge is flat against the whetstone.

Apply moderate pressure and start sliding the blade forward and across thee whetstone covering the entire length of the blade. Repeat this for 10 times and then flip the knife over and give the other side of the blade 10 strokes on the whetstone. Flip the whetstone over to the fine grit and give each side of the blade 10 strokes on the whetstone. Once you are done, make sure you hone the blade and then rise and wipe it dry to remove any metal particles.

Cut on the Right Surfaces

The surfaces you use for cutting greatly affect the sharpness of knife. Avoid cutting on hard or metal surfaces, such as aluminum, granite or stainless steel. It is recommended that you cut on wood, plastic or polyethylene. You blade is more likely to remain sharp provide that your cutting board is made out of proper materials.

What Your Knives by Hand

Avoid putting your knives in the dishwasher. While this may seem like a good way of cleaning your knives properly, the detergent, water and barrage of heat dulls the blade quickly. Instead, consider washing your knives thoroughly with your hands. Although it is a good practice to sharpen your knives before each and every use, washing them by hand helps them to maintain a sharp cutting edge for longer.

Store You Knives Correctly

Apart from throwing knives in the dishwasher, some homeowners also toss their knives with other kitchen utensils. Consider having a dedicated storage spot for all your knives. We have discussed the various knife storage options above; choose the best one for your need. Most commercial kitchens prefer using a magnetic knife strip so that the knives can be quickly accessed. However, a magnetic knife holder is not really recommended for a home with little children or pets. Wooden blocks or knife blocks are a perfect storage option for many modern kitchens. They can be useful for a whole set of knives, a pair shears and a honing rod.