Last updated 06.14.23 — True confession: I have never owned a chef knife set. All those perfectly matched blades, all from the same knife maker and the same line—their uniformity seems excessive. And they often encourage you to buy knives you don’t need, without offering you the variety that might be more useful. On the other hand, they can look quite handsome—especially in a gift box—and make your shopping much simpler, and sometimes save you money. So, lets take a tour of some kitchen knife sets I might buy for myself or to gift to someone else.
If you care about quality, my article Best Chef Knives — Six Recommendations can serve as a guide as to which chef knife sets are most worth investigating. Especially when you consider, no matter how many knives are in the set, odds are you’ll be wielding your good old chef knife 75 percent of the time. So we’ll concentrate on six high-quality brands and their top-level lines. Suffice it to say, the German knives will all be made in Germany (not Spain, or elsewhere) and the Japanese knives will all be made in Japan (not China).
I highly recommend skimming over Best Chef Knives to get a better sense of the kitchen knife universe and your place in it. Joking aside, it will help you familiarize yourself with some of the major brands, understand the differences (and similarities) between them, and figure out what details are important to consider (and which are not) when buying your best-est buddies of the kitchen. . .er, your kitchen knives.
Best Chef Knife Sets Overview
- Starter Chef Knife Sets ($180—$340)
- Intermediate Chef Knife Sets ($350—$1,000)
- Deluxe Chef Knife Sets ($900—$1,800)
- Super High-end Chef Knife Sets ($1,900–$3,250)
German vs. Japanese Chef Knife Sets
One key concept worth touching on briefly before we blast off is the difference between German and Japanese knives.
Because of the nature of the steel they are made of and the way they are constructed, German and Japanese knives can vary quite a bit in their look and feel. They can also perform differently and require different care/treatment.
German-style knives tend to be made of tougher, but softer steel, and are thicker and heavier. Japanese-style knives tend to be made of harder, but brittler steel, and are thinner and lighter.
German knives are warhorses that can put up with an amazing amount of abuse. It will take a lot to chip the edge of a German knife. Japanese knives are thoroughbreds which must be handled with more care. You can’t get away with powering through a chicken joint with a Global santoku.
(Above: Miyabi Birchwood 7-piece set.)
Japanese-style knives will tend to take a finer (i.e. sharper) edge and hold it longer. They will more consistently come out of the box blisteringly sharp. Contrastingly, German knives will often not hold as fine an edge and require sharpening more often.
But we’re talking generalities here—for as of late, there’s been a lot of blending between both worlds. And there are numerous exceptions and hybrids—which I will try to point out along the way.
For the record: I own and use both German- and Japanese-style knives in my kitchen and love them both. In general practice—cutting up veggies, slicing up a flank steak—I don’t notice a humongous difference in their sharpitude. (Although, please note, I send my knives to professional sharpening services who can return them sharper than anything from a factory.) And. . .because I handle all my kitchen knives with TLC, there’s not much difference between how I treat each type.
The Core Three
Ooops, I lied. There’s one other key concept I should expose you to as well, just in case you’re not familiar with it—the Core Three.
An overwhelming majority of all kitchen prep tasks can be accomplished with just three kitchen knives—a chef, a paring, and a (serrated) bread knife. Yep. Other types and styles of knives may make your work faster and easier, but these three will do the trick for most kitchen tasks.
Thus, when I choose a chef knife set, I’m always looking for these three blades to be in the starting line up. The rest can follow. So if you scroll around on Amazon and see perfectly good-looking name-brand sets that aren’t on my recommended list, this might be one of the reasons.
The only exception to this rule would be a two-piece starter set. For folks on a tight budget, you can save moola by starting off with a high-quality chef and paring knife and adding in an inexpensive bread knife. Knives with serrated edges, like bread knives, are not as dependent on high-quality steel and manufacturing to do their job. (It has to do with the nature of serrated edges and is not worth delving into here.)
• • •
Recommended Chef Knife Sets
It makes the most sense to me to organize these kitchen knife sets into three broad categories (Starter, Intermediate, Deluxe) according to the number of knives in each set—with a nod towards price. Then, in each of these categories, we’ll split them into German and Japanese, and, finally, into brands. There is one final category I couldn’t resist adding—Super High-end—which includes really large sets as well as sets from ultra high-level lines.
The prices range from $180 to $1,800 per set, most falling somewhere in the middle. Although kitchen knife prices seem to bounce around like the stock market, I’m still going to list approximate numbers—because I know that can help speed your shopping along.
Are you ready. . . ?
Starter Chef Knife Sets ($180—$350)
A starter set might be perfect for an off-campus college student, a young professional, or anybody else just beginning their sojourn into the world of cooking. As already mentioned, my picks come in two- or three-piece sets—with either a paring and a chef knife (2), or with a serrated bread-type knife folded in (3). Most of these kitchen knife sets do not come with a full-sized bread knife (8-inch) which is less than ideal for the long-term. But, in the short-term, it will work just fine. And, in most cases, you can easily nab a matching regular-sized bread knife later on.
German Starter Sets
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
Zwilling Professional S 2-piece / $180 @ Amazon
Includes: 4” paring, 8” chef
Zwilling Professional S 3-piece / $130 @ Amazon
Includes: 4” paring, 6” utility, 8″ chef
Three knives for the price of one! I don’t know how long this will last, but it’s an outright steal. And, yes, you still need to buy a bread knife.
Zwilling Pro 3-piece / $250 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 5” serrated utility, 8″ chef
The Pro has a very similar name and is identical in quality to the Professional S. Crazy, huh? The main difference between the two is a slightly different blade design. Scroll up the page—under The Core Three—for a photo.
Wusthof Knives
Wusthof Classic 2-piece Set / $195 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 8″ chef
Wusthof Classic Ikon 2-piece Set / $230 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 8″ chef
Wusthof Classic Ikon 3-piece Set / $415 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 8” chef, 8” bread
Sorry. . .this one’s a bit over our designated price range. But you’re getting exactly what you need—The Core Three. Plus, it’s one of my favorite kitchen knife designs and will give you many, many years of cooking pleasure.
Messermeister
Messermeister Meridian Elite 2-piece Set / $200 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 8” chef
Both the paring and chef are Messermeister’s “Stealth” versions which is what you want—lighter and easier to maneuver.
Messermeister Royal Elite 2-piece Set / $280 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 8” chef
The only difference between the Royal Elite and the Oliva Elite (see below) is the type of wood in the handle—American walnut burl for the Royal and olivewood for the Oliva. Also: they only come in the lighter “Stealth” versions.
Messermeister Oliva Elite 2-piece Set / $250 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 8” chef
Japanese Starter Sets
Global Knives
Global Classic 2-piece Set / $150 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 8” chef (G2)
Global Classic 3-piece Chef Knife Set / $200 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 8″ bread knife, 8” chef (G2)
Shun Knives
Shun Classic 2-piece Set / $260 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 8″ chef
Shun Classic 3-piece Set / $340 @ Sur La Table
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 8″ chef
This is a great deal, but you’ll still need a bread knife.
Miyabi
Miyabi is one of two Japanese knife brands that appear here that I was not able to cover in my original Best Chef Knives article. Blending Japanese artistry with high-performance, they are similar to Shun. Read more about them further down the page under Japanese Intermediate Knife Sets. Or, for a fuller explanation, click to my article Best Japanese Chef Knives. . . .
Miyabi Artisan 2-piece Set / $319 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 8” chef
Recommended Bread Knives to Add to a Set
Here’s a covey of bread knives that will save you a pretty penny—which you can then apply towards buying something else for your kitchen knife set (like a ceramic hone!). Most of the knives are name brands, but not always from premium lines. That’s OK. Bread knives are where you can skimp a little on style and still come away with a blade that will perform quite well.
I own only one of these bread knives—the MAC superior which rips through the hardest crust like a buzz saw. But I’m very familiar with all the brands recommended, have thoroughly researched the reviews, and am an expert at reading in between the lines.
Please note: 1) As in the case of chef knives, odds are the Japanese bread knives will come from the factory sharper than the German, buuuuuut, you will need to treat them with greater care. 2) Prices will fluctuate, but their pricing relative to each other should stay in sync.
Henckels Statement Bread Knife, 8-inch / $20
5 stars / 773 ratings @ Amazon
From Henckels, one of the two most established German knifemakers—but not a upper-grade line. So what—according to reviews it slices like a charm.
Tojiro Fujiro Bread Knife, 10-inch / $40
5 stars / 2,643 ratings @ Amazon
I contemplated recommending only this knife and dropping the mic. But then I figured some visitors might appreciate alternatives, even if for purely stylistic reasons (i.e. a handle that is black). But if I had to choose just one bread knife with the best bang-to-buck ratio—this would be it.
MAC Superior Bread Knife, 10.5-inch / $76
4.6 stars / 157 ratings @ Amazon
This is the babe I own—wicked sharp, but with a delicate edge. Don’t be using her to slice on anything hard—a plate, platter, granite counter—or you risk folding the tips of the serrated edges.
Global Classic Bread Knife (G-9), 8.75-inch / $87
5 stars / 502 ratings @ Amazon
Global rules in Japanese knifeland—world-class styling with uncompromised quality. This knife is not only from a high-caliber maker, but, also, a top-tier line (Global doesn’t really produce lower-tier).
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro Bread Knife, 8-inch / $90
5 stars / 42 ratings @ Sur La Table
Unlike the Henckels Statement (first knife in the list), the Pro is one of Zwilling/Henckels’ premium lines. Currently, I’ve found this price only at Sur La Table.
Intermediate Chef Knife Sets ($350—$1,000)
These kitchen knife collections tend to be the most popular—the ones your average home cook will find meets most needs, and most shoppers will buy as a present for others. Most sets contain the core three, along with a utility/prep knife, kitchen shears, honing steel, and block. Yes, the honing rods are usually made of steel, where I would much prefer ceramic—which some of the Japanese brands do supply. (Yay!)
Nobody, including many experienced home chefs, seems to be clear what that 8-inch pole with a handle, that comes with so many kitchen knife sets, is exactly for. For sharpening your kitchen knives? For smoothing down their edges? (close) For practicing fencing in between kitchen tasks? (En garde!)
It’s called a honing steel—as well as simply a “steel” or “hone.” When properly applied to an already sharp knife, it will revive its sharpitude—again and again. But it does not sharpen (take off metal). It simply, and quickly, realigns the microscopic teeth (yes, teeth, like a saw) on the knife’s cutting edge. For more on this, please refer to my article: What’s a Honing Steel?
The largest (and priciest) chef knife sets in this category also might add in a santoku or an extra paring knife which, to me, is a big plus. Just to get your mind percolating, I’ll supply a quick list of knife styles I’ve found the most useful after the core three, in order of importance: santoku/nakiri or 6-inch chef, long slicer/carver, boning knife, second paring knife, hooked-beak paring knife (for peeling fruit).
With only a few exceptions, all of these kitchen knife sets come with a block. But please double check that the block is in the wood you want!
German Intermediate Sets
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
Zwilling Professional S 7-piece Set, Natural Block / $350 @ Amazon
3” paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef, honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block
The only flaw in this Zwilling set is that it lacks a full-length bread knife—which every cook at this level should possess. No matter—scroll up the page to my sidebar, Recommended Bread Knives, and pick one out. Or, better yet—design your own chef knife set from the bottom up (see below).
Zwilling Pro 7-piece Set, Acacia Block & Rustic White / $370 @ Sur la Table | Amazon
Includes: 4″ paring, 5.5″ prep, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block
In-Drawer Knife Tray (instead of block) / $370 @ Amazon
Same 7-piece set as above, but in a wooden tray designed to fit into a kitchen drawer.
(Above: Zwilling Pro 7-piece set, acacia block.)
Zwilling Professional S 10-piece Set, Natural Block / $650 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Included: 4” paring, 5” serrated utility, 5” hollow-edge santoku, 5.5” boning, 6” utility, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block
Having a boning knife is a big plus for a cook who roasts poultry often!
Zwilling Pro 10-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $650 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Included: 3” paring, 4” paring, 5” serrated utility, 5.5” prep, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block (also in black, rustic white, and natural)
Ancient proverb: “An extra paring knife rarely goes unused.”
Custom Kitchen Knife Set—Design Your Own
I want to show you how you can often get more-bang-for-your-buck and more closely what you need, if you create your own kitchen knife set. So, I’m going to build a custom Zwilling/Henckels Professional S 7-piece set and compare it to a pre-packaged Professional S 7-piece set. Considering the continual ups-and-downs of kitchen knife prices nowadays, it’s a risky experiment. Who knows what things will cost a week from now? Nonetheless, it will still give you an idea of an alternate approach to acquiring your kitchen cutlery.
Pre-packaged Professional S Block Set, 7 piece / $348
Includes: 3″ paring, 5″ santoku, 5″ serrated utility, 8″ chef,
steel hone, kitchen shears, 14-slot block @ Amazon $348
As compared to. . .
Custom Professional S 7-piece Set / $324
• Prof S 3-piece set (paring, utility, chef): $132
• Prof S bread knife: $105
• Messermeister ceramic hone: $35
• Zwilling heavy-duty kitchen shears: $22
• Block (20-slot, off-brand): $30
Grand Total: $324
Pros and Cons
There are four “Pros” to the custom set versus the pre-packaged.
1) Less expensive: only $324 versus $348
2) Bread knife: You get a full-fledged, 8-inch, bread knife (versus a 5-inch serrated utility).
3) Ceramic hone: You get a quality ceramic hone (versus a ridged steel one). Ceramic is more effective and easier on your knives.
4) Block: You get a block with 20-slots—plenty of room to expand (versus only 14 slots).
There is only one “Con”. . .against the custom set as compared to the pre-packaged.
1) Utility knife: You’re stuck with a utility knife (no serrations) versus a santoku. Although there are some distinct uses for a slicer/utility knife (cutting a cheesecake, for example), odds are a santoku will be more useful.
Conclusion: If (for $100) you add a Professional S santoku (7-inch, larger than what’s in the pre-packaged set) to your custom set, you end up with a pretty versatile collection of high-quality knives for $424. Aaaand, if you want to save another $30 (but not sacrifice a spec of quality), swap out the Professional S bread knife for the MAC Superior (in my Recommended Bread Knives sidebar up the page). Now—for a set of five knives (paring, utility, santoku, chef, bread) including all the extras (block, hone, scissors)—you’re under $400. Molto congratulations!
And, hey, what if you’d prefer to try a Tojiro Japanese santoku instead of Henckels? With the custom set, for about the same amount of money ($92), you could buy the Tojiro. You have more options with a custom set—it’s the name of the game.
OK, lecture over!
Wusthof Knives
The last two of these Wusthof sets (Classic Ikon 7-piece and Classic Ikon 8-piece) are nearly identical except that one comes with a santoku while the other comes with an extra paring knife. Your choice. . .
Wusthof Classic 7-piece Set, Natural Block (Model 7417) / $485 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 15-slot block
Wusthof Classic 9-Piece Set, Acacia Block / $665 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 4.5” Asian utility, 5” serrated utility, 6” utility, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 17-slot knife block
If it were me, I would lean toward this set versus the next. I would use the extra $165 price difference to put towards a long slicer, a boning knife, or a ceramic hone.
Wusthof Classic 11-Piece Set, Acacia Block / $830 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 2.75″ trimming, 3.5” paring, 4.5” utility, 4.5” Asian utility, 5” serrated utility, 6” utility, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 17-slot knife block
Although the 11-piece set above is a sumptuous array of kitchen cutlery (the peeling/paring knife and the Asian utility are nice touches), there are still some knives a gung-ho home cook might find missing, or, perhaps want to swap out. For example: I’d trade in the two shorter (non-serrated) utility knives for a single, long slicer (8-10”) to use on roasts and fillets. And I’d also find a santoku much more useful than the, afore-mentioned, Asian utility. Every cook’s needs are different, of course. . .
Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-piece Set, Slim Acacia Block & Black / $695 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8” bread, kitchen shears, 6-slot block—slim block to maximize counter space (4 x 12-inch footprint)
(Above: Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-piece set, slim block.)
Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-piece Set, Acacia Block / $685 @ Amazon
Includes: 3″ flat-cut paring, 3.5″ paring, 5″ serrated utility, 6″ utility, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 17-slot block
Extra paring knife always a plus! But, unlike the 7-piece set above, you’re bereft a santoku. Which is especially a pity considering the fact they’ve given you two utility knives. Truly dumb.
Wusthof Ikon Blackwood 7-piece Set, Slim Walnut Block / $995 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, kitchen shears, 6-slot block (9.5″ x 3.5″ footprint)
If you’re passionate about the look and feel of natural materials, you should take a look at the Ikon Blackwood line. It’s identical in design to the Classic Ikon, except that the handles are made from African blackwood (grenadilla). Blackwood is dense, super-hard, and displays a beautiful, deep grain structure. It also happens to be the most expensive wood in the world (high-end clarinets and oboes are made from it). And it’s especially well-suited for knife handles because it resists water, requires little maintenance, and retains its beauty and integrity.
Messermeister Knives
Messermeister Oliva Elite 4-piece / $500 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 8″ chef (stealth), 9″ bread, no block
Messermeister Oliva Elite 5-piece, Acacia Block / $600 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 8″ chef (stealth), 9″ bread, honing steel, 10-slot block
If you don’t care about the stylish, modern block and are happy to go more traditional, you’ll save around $50 if you buy your own.
Messermeister Meridian Elite 8-Piece Magnet Block Set / $800 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” offset bread, 8” chef (stealth), 6” carving fork, 8” hollow-edge carver/slicer, 10-slot acacia magnetic block
Top-of-the-Pops set (above) in the German Intermediate Sets section. You get so much of what you need for a bang-up price—nothing extraneous. Plus, there’s a carving set (which gives you a long slicer) as well as a 7-inch santoku, which can double as second chef knife. Sweeeeet. The only thing I might have traded out would be the 6-inch utility for a boning knife instead. Granted, you’re missing a honing steel (rather have a ceramic one anyway) and kitchen shears. But you can pick them both up for $60. You won’t be able to store them on the magnetic block, but, you know. . .sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Messermeister Royale Elite 6-Piece Magnet Block Set / $800 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 5.5” cheese/tomato, 6” utility, 9” bread, 8” chef (stealth), 10-slot acacia magnetic block
(Photo just before German Intermediate Sets.)
Royale Elite, Meridian Elite, and Oliva Elite are all exactly the same blades, but with different handles. Gorgeous. I don’t which is handsomer, the walnut on the Royale or the olivewood on the Oliva.
Carving Set—Messermeister Royale Elite
Kullenschliff (hollowed-edge), 8-inch carving knife accompanied by a 6-inch carving fork. Both fashioned with those dark, walnut burl handles / $200 @ Amazon.
(Above: Global Sai 7-piece set.)
Japanese Intermediate Knife Sets
GlobaL Knives
All of these Intermediate Global kitchen knife sets seem to be pretty well-designed—offering the types of knives you’ll most use in a home kitchen. And to add to the festivities, most sets seem to be at fire sale prices (as of 4/28/23).
Also: Global happens to make one of the finest ceramic hones on the market. (At least, that’s what a professional sharpening service once told me.) And unlike many of the metal hones/steels that come with German knife sets, they’re expensive to buy a la carte ($130). So if a Global set comes with a hone, it’s a serious kitchen bonus.
Global Classic 7-piece Ikasu Set, Bamboo Block / $400 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 4.25” utility, 5” chef, 5.5” vegetable, 8” chef (G2), 8.5” bread, Ikasu bamboo block
Global Classic 7-piece Hiro Set, Black Metal Block / $480-600 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 4.5” paring, 5” utility, 5.5” nakiri vegetable, 8” chef (G2), 8.5” bread, 7-slot block
Global Classic 7-piece Takashi Set, Bamboo Block / $380-500 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” peeling, 4.5” paring, 5.5” vegetable, 8” chef (G2), 8.5” bread, 8.5” ceramic hone, 8-slot block
Global Classic 8-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $480 @ Amazon
Includes: 3” paring, 4.5” paring, 5” utility, 5.5” nakiri vegetable, 8” chef (G2), 8.5” bread, 7-slot block
Global 10-piece Set, Silver / $700 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 4.25″ Asian utility, 5.25” chef, 6″ serrated utility, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef (G2), 8” carving, 8.5” bread, ceramic hone, 9-slot block
Global Classic 10-piece Takashi Set, Natural Block / $700 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3” peeler, 3” paring, 4.5” utility, 5.5” nakiri, 6.25” boning, 8” chef (G2), 8.5” bread, kitchen shears, 9-slot block
Global Ukon 6-piece Set, Black Metal Block / $400-600 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” serrated utility, 7” santoku, 8” chef, 9” bread, 5-slot block
Global Ukon is a newer line—very similar to the original (Classic), but a tad heavier with a slightly thicker blade. You’re paying a premium for the new design. It might be worth it to you if you want something that’s a bit heftier. Personally, I prefer the slim, nimbleness of the Classic. (Below: photo of a Global Ukon chef knife.)
Global Sai 7-piece Set, Stainless Steel Block / $700-775 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” serrated utility, 5.5” chef, 7.5″ nakiri, 8” chef, 9” bread, 14-slot stainless steel ship-shape block
As with the Ukon line above, Sai is a another new Global knife line. But this time, sexier, more dramatically different—and, in my opinion, more worth the uptick in price. You’re getting a sandwiched (san mai) blade construction with a beautiful hammered pattern. Quite a leap from the Classic or Yukon. (Scroll up to just above Japanese Intermediate Knife Sets header for a photo.)
Shun Knives
Why on earth a knife maker would not include a bread knife with their most popular-sized knife sets perplexes me. But this is what Shun has done with seven of their smaller-sized intermediate sets and, instead, supplied them with a honing steel and/or kitchen shears.
Granted, Shun’s hones, even though made from steel (as opposed to ceramic) seem to be higher quality than those supplied with the German knife makers. They have a totally smooth side—which will save much wear and tear on your knives’ edges.
At any rate, seven of the nine sets that kick off Shun’s intermediate line-up lack a bread knife, and I have noted “no bread knife” on each so that you’re fully aware. If you wish to add a matching Shun bread knife to one of these sets, it will cost you $170-210. (Ouch!) Otherwise, if you’re game to customize, pick out a less-pricey option from the shopping list I’ve already supplied above. Finito la musica!
Tip About Kitchen Knife Sets with Blocks
Remember: The block is always included in the number of pieces in a block set. Same goes for scissors and honing steel. So a 7-piece block set with scissors and a steel will have only four knives. Capice?
Shun Classic
Shun Classic 5-piece Starter Set (Slimline), Bamboo Block / $400 @ Amazon
w/Classic Blonde / $450 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
w/Classic 6-piece, Dark Block / $450 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 8” chef, honing steel, 6-slot block, no bread knife (6-piece adds kitchen shears)
The Classic and the Classic Blonde lines are identical other than the fact that one has dark pakkawood handles and the other has the newer “blonde” ones. If you groove on the lighter-colored handles, grab them while they last—they’re a bargain! Also—in the 6-piece set, it appears that Sur La Table’s and Amazon’s wood blocks are made of different types of dark wood.
Shun Classic 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $615 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 8” chef, 9” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 11-slot block
Now you get the bread knife—hurrah! Excellent core set to build on. . .
Shun Classic 8-piece Knife Roll Set / $800 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 6” boning/fillet, 8” chef, 9” bread, 9” hollow-edge slicer, honing steel, 8-pocket knife roll
11-Slot Bamboo Knife Block / $60 @ Amazon
There are a couple of compelling reasons for going with the 8-piece knife roll set and simply adding a knife block instead of opting for the 10-piece block set (see below). 1) The 8-piece comes with a bonefide Shun Classic bread knife, which the 10-piece lacks and runs $170 if bought on its lonesome. 2) The 8-piece also supplies a fillet/boning knife which can be a godsend if you cook a lot of whole fish or fowl. (Both sets have: paring, utility, chef, long slicer, and hone.)
Shun Classic 10-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $1,000 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 4.5” honesuki (prep knife), 5” hollow-edge nakiri, 6” utility, 7” santoku, 8” chef, 9” hollow-edge slicer, honing steel, kitchen shears, 13-slot block
On the other hand: If there’s often more than one cook in your kitchen slicing-and-dicing (chef/santoku/nakiri), or you love the optionality of having a compact blade (honesuki/nakiri) for just cutting up a cuke—then the 10-piece set might suit you better. (Sure, a fillet knife can come in handy, but you probably won’t use it nearly as much as a santoku/nakiri/honesuki. Plus, you can always pick one up later.) All you need to add is a bread knife (don’t forget my list), and you’ve got a powerful cooking arsenal.
(Above: Shun Premier Grey 5-piece set with block.)
Shun Premier
Shun Premier 5-piece Starter Set (Slimline), Bamboo Block / $490 @ Amazon
w/Premier Blonde / $490 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
w/Premier Grey / $480-490 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
w/Premier 6-piece, Dark Block / $490 @ Sur La Table
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 8” chef, honing steel, 6-slot block, no bread knife (6-piece adds kitchen shears)
The Shun Premier series is very similar to the Classic except that the blade has a hammered tsuchime finish and the handle a slight, curvy swell. The handles for the Premier come in three finishes—original (brown), Blonde, and Grey. But not all types of knives (chef, paring, etc.) come in every finish. The original finish has the largest/widest collection of knives.
Shun Premier 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $740 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 6” utility, 8” chef, 9” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 11-slot block
Bread knife is now included! Excellent “essentials” set to add knives to as your cheffing grows.
Shun Premier 8-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $1,000 @ Amazon
Includes: 4” paring, 5.5” santoku, 6.5” utility, 8” chef, 9” bread, 9.5” slicer, honing steel, 11-slot block
Note: There are two similar Shun Premier 8-piece sets—each with a slightly (but significantly) different array of knives. I much prefer this collection (even though it’s more expensive) because it contains more of what you’ll most need, including both a bread knife and a long slicer (see below).
Shun Premier 8-piece Set, Beechwood Block / $900 @ Amazon
Includes: 4” paring, 5.5” nakiri, 6” boning/fillet, 6.5” utility, 7” santoku, 8” chef, no bread knife, honing steel, 11-slot block
This puppy doesn’t seem as useful as the set above, thus it’s not my first choice. But, if you have a penchant for nakiris, require a boning/fillet knife, and don’t mind buying a bread knife separately, then it might be for you.
Miyabi Knives
Miyabi is a boutique Japanese knifemaker acquired by Zwilling J.A. Henckels in 2004. They are well-known inside Japan for making high-quality kitchen knives, but not as widely-known internationally. Centered in Seki, one of the knifemaking capitals of the world, Miyabi’s craftsmanship rests upon hundreds of years of Japanese blademaking. (Think Samurai swords.) Using high-grade materials and exacting standards, many of the kitchen knives they manufacturer are a blend of East meets West, Japanese meets German.
Unlike Shun, every single one of Miyabi’s mid-range sets (and high-end too, for that matter) supplies a bread knife. If you add to this the fact that Miyabi’s beauty, performance, and attention to detail is every bit as good as Shun’s (maybe even better), it’s seriously worth considering Miyabi first. (Not that there’s anything wrong with Shun knives—I own a few myself.)
Miyabi Koh 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $530 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.5″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9″ honing steel, 9″ honing steel, kitchen shears, 10-slot block
Miyabi Evolution 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $530 @ Sur La Table
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.5″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 10-slot block
The Evolution has a broad blade and a very German-looking style, but it’s thin and light like Japanese. I love the fact that instead of the usual limited-in-usefulness utility knife, you get a santoku. Bravo, Miyabi, bravo!
Miyabi Kaizen II 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $630 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5” paring, 4.5” utility, 8” chef, 9.5” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 11-slot block
Miyabi Artisan 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $800 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread knife, honing steel, kitchen shears, 10-slot block
Both Arisan and Mizu are fashioned with a higher-performance steel than the Miyabi’s that precede. (This SG2 powder steel is also superior to the VG-Max used in Shun’s Premier line.) Also, note that the Artisan 7-piece comes with a 7-inch santoku while the corresponding Mizu set has a 5.5-inch utility knife instead (ugh).
Miyabi Mizu 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $750 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.5″ utility, 8″ chef, 9″ bread knife, honing steel, kitchen shears, 10-slot block
The Mizu line is kissing cousin to the Artisan. It’s just the handles that vary—Mizu’s handle being brown/grey (instead of dark burgundy) and straight, without the swell.
Deluxe Chef Knife Sets ($900—$1,795)
For the serious home chef (you know the type) who can carve up a pineapple in four minutes flat or skin a salmon while telling a joke—gift them one these. They’ll thank you forever. Or buy one for yourself. . .heck, you deserve it!
In addition to the core three, these super-sizers can include a boning knife, a slicer, a santoku or two, plus the all-American crowd-pleaser—steak knives! Party on. . .
(Above: Wusthof Classic 16-piece set.)
German Deluxe Knife Sets
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
Zwilling Professional S 16-piece Set, Acacia Block / $1,000 @ Amazon
Includes: 2.75″ bird’s-beak peeler, 4” paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5.5″ prep, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (6), honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block (six finishes—Acacia, Bamboo, Black, Natural, Walnut, White)
I’m always a sucker for peeler/paring knife—and you should be, too, if you bake a lot of pies! Note: steak knives are high-quality, forged.
Zwilling Pro 16-piece Set, Walnut Block / $970-990 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3″ bird’s-beak peeler, 4” paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5.5″ prep, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (6), honing steel, kitchen shears, 16-slot block (four finishes—Black, Walnut, Rustic White/Rust, White)
Almost identical selection of knives as the Professional S set above—but instead of the peeler, a 3″ paring. Forged steak knives as well.
Zwilling Professional S 20-piece Set, Birchwood Block / $1,290 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 2.75″ bird’s-beak peeler, 4” paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5.5″ fillet/boning, 5.5″ prep, 6″ utility, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (8), honing steel, kitchen shears, 22-slot block
Like the Professional S 16-piece—with a utility, boning, and two steak knives to up the ante.
Zwilling Pro 20-piece Set, Walnut Block / $1,290 @ Sur La Table
Includes: 3″ paring, 3″ flat-edge paring, 4” paring, 5″ serrated utility, 5.5″ fillet/boning, 5.5″ prep, 5.5″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (8), honing steel, kitchen shears, 21-slot block (ash w/dark walnut stain)
Wusthof Knives
Wusthof Classic 16-piece Set, Acacia Block / $1,295 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ utility, 5” hollow-edge santoku, 5” serrated utility, 8″ hollow-edge offset carving/slicing, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (6), honing steel, kitchen shears, 17-slot block
Wusthof Amici 6-piece Knife Set, Leather-bound Block
BUY NOW $1,560 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5” serrated utility, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread (double-serrated), 6-slot block
You’re paying a premium for only five knives (and I don’t think you’re saving a penny buying them in a set). But if you’ve recently received an inheritance, love wood handles, and must own Wusthof—then you won’t be disappointed. Pros: Wusthof’s double-serrated bread knife will rip through crusy baggettes like a tree saw. Cons: The paring knife looks a bit clunky and lacks a pointy tip.
Wusthof Classic Ikon 11-Piece Set, Acacia Block / $1,065 @ Sur La Table | Amazon
Includes: 3″ flat-cut paring, 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ utility, 5” hollow-edge santoku, 5” serrated utility, 5” boning, 8” chef, 8” bread, honing steel, kitchen shears, 17-slot block
Very chefy—with boning knife, santoku, and second paring knife. Only major kitchen knife missing is a long slicer/carver. But no steak knives.
Wusthof Classic Ikon 16-piece Set, Acacia Block / $1,795 @ Amazon
Includes: 3″ flat-edge paring, 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ utility, 5” serrated utility, 6″ utility, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8″ hollow-edge carver/slicer, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (4), honing steel, kitchen shears, 15-slot block
w/Classic Ikon Creme / $1,795 @ Amazon
Exact same Classic Ikon set except with creme-colored handles and a walnut block.
Messermeister Knives
Messermeister Meridian Elite 11-piece Set, Magnetic Block / $900 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 6” boning, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef (stealth), 9” bread, 4.5″ steak knives (4), 10-slot block
Messermeister Oliva Elite 11-piece Set, Magnetic Block / $1,100 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 6” boning, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef (stealth), 9” bread, 4.5″ steak knives (4), 10-slot block
Messermeister Royale Elite 11-piece Set, Magnetic Block / $1,300 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 6″ utility, 6” boning, 7” hollow-edge santoku, 8” chef (stealth), 9” bread, 4.5″ steak knives (4), 10-slot block
Japanese Deluxe Knife Sets
Global Knives
Global 20-piece Set, Walnut Block / $1,200 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 4.25″ Asian utility, 5″ chef, 5.5″ hollow-edge nakiri, 6″ boning, 6″ serrated utility, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 7″ hollow-edge nakiri/vegetable, 8″ chef (G2), 8″ hollow-edge carving, 8.5″ bread, 4.5″ steak knives (6), 8.5″ ceramic hone, kitchen shears, 19-slot block
Crazy complete, plus it has a ceramic hone!. What else could you desire—an extra paring knife?
Miyabi Knives
Miyabi Artisan, 10-piece Set, Magnetic Block / $1,400 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5″ utility, 6″ chef, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9.5″ slicing, honing steel (ridged metal), kitchen shears, 7-space block
Very practical set! The only knife missing (for an active cook) is a boning knife. . . which is easy to add. Again a warning: I would not allow the inexpensive ridged-metal hone that comes with this set within 100 miles of any of these knives. Just toss the crappy thing into the trash and buy yourself a decent ceramic hone for around 30 bucks. Seriously.
Miyabi Mizu, 10-piece Set, Magnetic Block / $1,200 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.5″ prep, 6″ chef, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9.5″ slicing, tungsten honing steel, kitchen shears, 7-space block
Miyabi Mizu, 13-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $1,400 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.5″ prep, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9.5″ slicing, 4.75″ steak knives (4), tungsten honing steel, kitchen shears, 12-slot block
Identical to the set above, except that the 6-inch chef is swapped out for four steak knives.
Miyabi Birchwood, 7-piece Set, Bamboo Block / $1,300 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9.5″ slicing, tungsten honing steel, kitchen shears, 12-slot block
The Miyabi Birchwood is one of the most beautiful, and finely wrought, factory-made knives I have ever held in my sweaty paws. Really. The handles are matte-finished so they not only show off the wood, but cling to your fingers in a very tactile way. The delicate Damascus pattern on each blade sings. On top of all this elegance, the Japanese powder steel edges come from the factory brutally sharp.
Super High-end Chef Knife Sets ($1,900-$3,250)
If you bought a chunk of Amazon stock in the 90s, or just scored the lottery and love to cook.
(Above: Kramer stainless Damascus 7-piece set.)
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
Kramer Stainless Damascus 7-piece Set, Walnut Block / $2,000 @ Sur La Table
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5″ utility, 8″ chef, 10″ bread, 9″ slicer, Kramer’s double-cut sharpening steel, 14-slot block
Zwilling enticed Bob Kramer, an American bladesmith guru, to design a number of factory-made knife lines for them. The Kramer Damascus is the most elite of these lines—a high level of artistry, but designed to be used.
Wusthof Knives
Wusthof Classic 26-piece Set, Acacia Block / $2,395 @ Amazon
Includes: 2.75″ peeler, 3″ flat-cut paring, 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ prep, 5″ boning, 5″ serrated utility, 5.5″ sandwich, 6″ chef, 6″ utility, 6″ carving fork, 6″ cleaver, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 10″ super-slicer, 4.5″ steak knives (8), honing steel, kitchen shears, 25-slot block
Kind of weird that after all this—there’s a carving fork, but no long carving knife. Also. . .how about, instead of two serrated utility knives, a dedicated cheese slicer (you know, with a hollowed-out blade for minimal resistance).
Wusthof Classic Ikon 23-piece Set, Beechwood Block / $2,795 @ Amazon
Includes: 3″ flat-cut paring, 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ utility, 5″ hollow-edge santoku, 5″ serrated utility, 6″ chef, 6″ utility, 7″ fillet/boning, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 9″ hollow-edge carver, 4.5″ steak knives (8), honing steel, kitchen shears, 22-slot block
For this version of the Classic Ikon super-set, you get a carving knife, but no carving fork. Annoying. . .
Wusthof Classic Ikon 26-piece Set, Acacia Block / $3,250 @ Amazon
Includes: 2.75″ peeler, 3″ flat-cut paring, 3.5″ paring, 4.5″ prep utility, 5″ hollow-edge santoku, 5″ serrated utility, 6″ chef, 6″ utility, 6″ carving fork, 7″ fillet/boning, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 8″ carver, 10″ super-slicer, 4.5″ steak knives (8), honing steel, kitchen shears, 25-slot block
Finally, both a carving knife and a fork. As compared to the Classic 26-piece set (above)—a few other permutations in the line-up. For example: no cleaver, and an extra santoku instead of an extra serrated utility (praise the Lord). Still wishing for a cheese slicer. . . .
Shun Knives
Shun Premier 15-piece Set, Angled Block / $2,000 @ Amazon
Includes: 4″ paring, 5.5″ nakiri, 6″ gokujo boning, 6″ U2 ultimate utility, 6.5″ utility, 7″ santoku, 8″ chef, 9″ bread, 9.5″ slicing, 5″ steak knives (4), 17-slot block
Miyabi Knives
Miyabi Black 10-piece Set, Magnetic Walnut Block (5000MCD67) / $2,250 @ Amazon
Includes: 3.5″ paring, 5.25″ prep, 5.5″ santoku, 7″ rocking santoku, 8″ chef, 9.5″ slicer, 9.5″ bread, tungsten honing steel, kitchen shears, 7-space block (red oak w/walnut stain)
While Miyabi Black, stylistically, is kissing cousin to the Miyabi Birchwood, technically, it’s a small notch above. Both share the same powder steel construction, but the amount of Damascus layers (132) and the Rockwell hardness (HRC66) in the Black slightly surpass the Birchwood. On the other hand, the dyed Bigleaf maple used in the Black’s handles is apples-and-oranges to the Birchwood’s Karelian birch.
Hopefully, I’ve given you a thorough enough overview of chef knife sets to send you on your way. Happy shopping!
And don’t forget the KitchenKnifeGuru.com motto: “Have fun in the kitchen!”
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I’m not sure they all have to be from the same maker to call it a set? I have knives from many different makers, as I like specific knives from them so can get exactly what I like in terms of a knife for each task I am performing.
And of course, you can have the same profile knife, from multiple makers. Maybe I have a problem! Not everyone makes a Nakiri though, and that is one of my all-time favourite knives for the kitchen.
Thanks for the content
Matt
Welcome, Matt! I’m of the same school, I have NO complete sets of anything in my kitchen, but plenty of blades.
Best, KKG
P.S. Take a look at Matt’s knives, folks: https://www.selfemadeknives.co.uk/. I have not tested any out, but I like the vibe. BTW, Matt am I right in assuming that some of your kitchen knives are forged and some are not?
Hey mate, sorry for the late reply.
I don’t forge many blades myself, but I do buy forged pattern welded steels and sanmai. I make the majority of my knives from a process called stock removal, which is where I but my steel in flat bar stock and cut out my initial profile.
Hi! I have a family friend that has difficulty with their hand strength due to health issues. Do you have a quality knife set you could recommend? Thank you!
Hi Matthew,
1) No matter what, it will be much easier for your friend to decide on the right knife set for them by holding knives in their hand and comparing and contrasting. If there’s not a large knife store nearby, then begin by going to any reputable store and trying out what they have. It will help. Also, have your friend visit friend’s who own quality knives and try them out that way. Finally, if they need to order knives online to see how they actually feel in their hand, they can do this and then return. I’ve done this often with a variety of stores (Amazon, Sur La Table) and never had a problem. Buuuuuuut, they will NOT be able to use the test knife to cut up food, etc. They must keep it pristine and unused.
2) Not being able to talk with your friend, I don’t know what specific qualities in a knife, or knife handle, will particularly help them. Do they need a slim knife handle or a hefty one? Do they need a handle that’s grippy, that has a grippy texture? Do they want a knife that’s very sharp and thin so that it will feel minimal resistance when cutting? Or do they want a knife with some weight that will help with bearing down while cutting? All of these issues will lead to different brands/lines. . .
3) Buying a knife set can be a big commitment in moola. It also doesn’t offer flexibility. For example: Maybe you like the chef knife in a certain brand/line, but the paring knife doesn’t work as well for you. It might be wiser for your friend to plan to mix and match and go one or two knives at a time. Yes, it might cost more (might). But the ability to choose more exactly what knife brand/line they like for each kitchen task will easily outweigh any extra outlay.
4) I highly recommend you (and your friend) look at two other posts on the KKG website to get a better sense of what is out there: Best Chef Knives—Six Recommendations and Best Japanese Chef Knives—Six Recommendations.
Hope this helps. Feel free to come back :)
Best, KKG
great, thanks for this information