7 Best Kitchen Knife Sets In 2020 – Review and Buyer’s Guide

Whether you are cooking professionally or just having fun, you need to have a good set of knives. The following article takes a look at 7 of the best kitchen knife sets. Having the proper blade is one of an essential tool in the kitchen, and if you consider yourself a chef well, then it’s the single most important.
You use a knife for every cooking job from chopping, to cutting and carving. A good quality sharp knife helps ensure control, which means a safer cooking experience. A quality kitchen knife set offers balance, handle comfort, and ease of cutting.
So whether you are cooking professionally or just having fun, you need to have a good set of knives for the best results. Here are some models that stand out as exceptional quality and value
TIP: Whenever purchasing a high-quality knife set, remember it will need regular maintenance, sharpening, always keep knives sheathed, and should always be hand-washed and immediately dried.
Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan Kitchen Knife Set
The Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan Kitchen Knife Set has it all cutting performance, handle comfort and balance. The high-carbon stainless steel blades are rust-resistant, and the 25-degree taper grind edge provides maximum sharpness.
The triple-riveted, polymer handles with ergonomic grip adds a fresh, modern look to any kitchen.
Chicago Cutlery Metropolitan Kitchen Knife Set Includes the Following:
- 2-3/4″ Paring Knives
- 3-1/2″ Paring Knives
- 4-3/4″ Partoku Knife
- 5.1/2″ Utility Knives
- 7″ Santoku Knife
- 9″ Scalloped Knife
- 6 – 4.1/2″ Steak Knives
- Honing Steel
- Kitchen Shear
- Hardwood Block
Pros:
- Comfortable Grip
- Well Built from high-carbon steel
- Easy To Clean
- Nice To Handle
Cons:
- Dulls Quickly
- Not Dishwasher Safe
- Pitted Edge
Elegant Life 15-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
This high-end looking knife set is made from High Carbon stainless steel blades which makes it sturdy and corrosion-resistant. The handles are made of Pakkawood which gives them a gorgeous look.
The weight balance of the blades is so good that makes this set very efficient in precise cutting. It comes with a knife block and a sharpener which is really great.
This Knife Set includes:
- 1 x Sharpener
- 1 x 8” Chef knife
- 1 x 8” Bread knife
- 1 x 7” Santoku knife
- 1 x 6” Salman knife
- 1 x 5” Utility knife
- 1 x 3.5” Paring knife
- 6 x 4.5” Steak knife
- 1 x Kitchen scissor
- 1 x Wooden stand
Pros:
- Superior quality
- Ergonomically designed
- Comes with wooden knife block and shapener
- Carbon Steel makes it Rust resistant
Cons:
- The blade has pebbled texture, not cleaning regularly will catch dirt and grease.
Ginsu Chikara Kitchen Knife Set
Ginsu is best known for its corny 1970’s infomercials, but aside from its laughable marketing origins, this company is serious about quality cutlery. This 8-piece set is known for its comfort, offering incredible performance.
The Ginsu Chikara is forged from one piece of premium stainless steel. With relatively low-maintenance, this knife set with stay razor-sharp but is not self-sharpening.
This Knife Set includes:
- 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
- 7-Inch Santoku Knife
- 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 5-Inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-Inch Pairing Knife
- Honing Steel
- Kitchen Shears
Pros:
- Comfortable Grip
- Well Built/ Quality
- Stays Sharp
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons:
- Rusts Quickly
- Difficult to Clean
ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Four Star Anniversary 8-pc Knife Block Set
The precision-forged single piece of steel is designed for performance, comfort, and safety. Manufactured in Germany, the Henckels “friodur” ice-hardening technique is a unique formula proprietary high carbon steel that has been developed over 280 for extreme hardness and durability.
This versatile set is long-lasting and excellent for everyday use. Featuring a hollow edge that prevents sticking the sturdiness of this set ensures the edges will not chip. This set also comes in other upgraded price ranges.
This Knife Set includes:
- 4-Inch Paring Knife
- 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 5.5-Inch prep knife
- 8-Inch Bread Knife
- 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
- Honing Steel
- Kitchen Shears
- Hardwood Block
Pros:
- Comfortable Grip
- Easy To Clean
- Well Built / Quality
- Stays Sharp
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons:
- Susceptible to H2O spots
- Not Self-Sharpening
Zwilling J.A Henckels Twin Pro “S” Kitchen Knife Set
German-based premium kitchen knife set offers sturdy and sharp. The exceptionally well-balanced handle reduces stress and wrist fatigue.
Manufactured in Germany, the Henckels “friodur” ice-hardening technique is a unique formula proprietary high carbon steel that has been developed over 280 for extreme hardness and durability.
This set is known for its strength with blade edge angles at 10-15 degrees for performance. As of this article’s writing, all Henckels products, this set comes with a lifetime warranty against defects.
This Knife Set includes:
- 3″ Pairing Knife
- 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 5″ Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- 8″ chef’s Knife
- Honing Steel
- Kitchen Shears
- Hardwood Block
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to Keep Sharp
- Well Built / Quality
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Susceptible to H2O spots
- Not Self-Sharpening
Wusthof Classic #8418 – 8 Piece Kitchen Knife Set
Wusthof is a significant name in knives and is known for its cutlery that offers precision on every piece. This set provides balance for ease of use, handle comfort and balance.
This deluxe set is precision forged from high carbon stainless steel and tempered to 58-degree HRC. This technology yields a blade of 20% sharper than earlier models.
This German-made classic series has been their best-selling set for generations. Durable, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to dulling makes this an excellent kitchen knife set with a limited lifetime warranty.
This Knife Set includes:
- 3 1/2″ Paring Knife
- 4 1/2″ Utility Knife
- 6″ Utility Knife
- 8″ Bread Knife
- 8″ Chef’s Knife
- Honing Steel
- Come-Apart Kitchen Shears
- Slot Block
Pros:
- Comfortable Grip
- Stays Sharp
- Well Built / Quality
- Easy to clean
- Well balanced
Cons:
- Not Dishwasher Safe
- Logo Fades
Wusthof Classic Ikon #8347 7 Piece Kitchen Knife Set
Wusthof is one of the world’s top knife makers forging its blades from a single steel piece. As of the writing of this article, all knives are backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Made in Solingen, Germany, the high carbon, stainless steel blades are built for strength and stability. Wash by hand is recommended, along with regular sharping and maintenance.
This Knife Set includes:
- 3.5″ Paring Knife
- 6″ Utility Knife
- 8″ Chef’s Knife
- 8″ Bread Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- Honing Steel
- 13-Slot Walnut Block
Pros:
- Comfortable Grip
- Well Built / Quality
- Easy to clean
- Precise
Cons:
- Not Dishwasher Safe
- Needs Regular Maintenance
- Not Self-Sharpening
About the Author
Lori Bogedin is a health and wellness writer and editor of TwigsCafe.com. She is in the restaurant business since 1999. In 2016 she was named one of the "Top Women in Business" by Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal.