The 10 Best Kitchen Knife Sets of 2024 for Home Cooks of All Skill Levels

Best Overall

Wüsthof Gourmet 16-Piece Acacia Knife Block Set

View On Crate & Barrel

For a strong and durable set of kitchen knives that you’ll be able to use for years on end, the Wüsthof Gourmet 16-Piece Acacia Knife Block Set is our pick for the best kitchen knife set.

It is a bit more expensive than your average set of knives, but the tempered and hardened steel craftsmanship is designed to last for decades (if not generations) to come. The set includes every knife you need for slicing and dicing gourmet meals. and a 9" honing steel rod to easily sharpen your knives as needed.

The knives were crafted in Solingen, Germany—the knife-producing capital of the world—using the stamped steel method rather than forged steel. That makes the set more affordable than its forged counterpart, but just as long-lasting.

Of course, the key is to take proper care of your knives—always hand-wash them versus throwing them in the dishwasher. The blades have been buffed and polished by hand and feature a 14-degree edge angle for added convenience and versatility.

We like that this set comes with a secure acacia wood knife block that protects members of your household and ensures they stay sharper for longer. There are no knife-dulling additions such as plastic inserts or cut corners. so you can rest assured your knives are stored properly.

Material: Stamped steel | Number of Pieces: 16 | Block or Case: Block

Best Budget

Henckels Statement Knife Block Set

View On Amazon $150 View On Wayfair $150 View On Lowe's $150

Looking to keep your kitchen purchases under a tight budget? Consider opting for this affordable option from Henckels, which comes with 15 useful pieces: a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife hollow edge, a chef’s knife, a bread knife, six steak knives, honing steel, shears, and a hardwood knife block for storage.

In addition to its low price, this set boasts precise, fine-edge blades for all its knives, all of which are made from top-tier, stain- and rust-free stainless steel. They have a lightweight feel that makes it easy to hold and maneuver them, as well as curved handles that allow you to get a firm grip during use.

Plus, all of the knives and shears are dishwasher-safe, so cleaning up after cooking prep will be a breeze. On the downside, the handles are a bit blocky, so they won’t fit perfectly in everyone's hands. But if keeping costs down is your main priority, make sure not to miss out on this set despite those minor flaws.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel I Number of Pieces: 15 I Block or Case: Block

Best Splurge

Shun Hikari Knife Block Set

View On Williams-Sonoma $1,280

For shoppers who are able and willing to spend a bit more on their kitchen accessories, take note of this gorgeous and high-quality knife set from Williams Sonoma. Each of the five handcrafted knives (a paring knife, a utility knife, two chef’s knives, and a bread knife) is made from durable stainless steel and features birch handles.

These knives are sharp and effective, with micro-serrations designed to reduce friction and help the knives last for years on end. They all have comfortable grips thanks to polished bolster, and moisture- and bacteria-resistant handles can be used by both left- and right-handed chefs.

The storage block, also made from birch, has eight slots for various knives as well as the included honing steel. Hone your knives once a week, and sharpen them yearly using a whetstone or knife sharpener.

To help prevent rusting, be sure to hand wash these knives and avoid using bleach or citrus extracts. Still, this is an excellent set of knives for anyone who isn’t shopping with a tight budget and wants a top-level collection of kitchen tools.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel, birch wood I Number of Pieces: Seven | Block or Case: Block

Best Magnetic

Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set

View On Amazon $77 View On Wayfair $92

If you don’t have the room for—or don’t like the look of—a traditional knife block, a magnetic knife holder can be a great space-saving alternative. The Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set is the best kitchen knife set if you're going this route.

The set comes with a 9-inch wavy edge offset bread knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, a 7-inch Japanese Santoku, and a three-inch slim paring knife, all of which are crafted using high-carbon Japanese steel and engineered to last for years to come, even with heavy use.

We love that this space-saving set allows you to have several knives easily accessible like you would a bulkier knife block. Keep in mind, however, that the set doesn’t include safety features like plastic covers and the sharp edges of the knives are fully exposed.

You’ll want to be sure you keep it somewhere out of reach to ensure proper kitchen safety, especially if you have kids or wily pets running around.

Material: Alloy steel | Number of Pieces: Five | Block or Case: Block

Best with Block

Zwilling Pro Knife Block Set

View On Wayfair $350 View On Sur La Table $370 View On Belk.com

Having a solid knife block is key to keeping your kitchen knives organized and easily accessible, and we love this pick from Zwilling.

In addition to six stainless steel tools (a bread knife, a chef’s knife, a fine-edge prep knife, a paring knife, shears, and honing steel), it comes with a two-stage sharpener and a 16-slot block made from stylish and sturdy acacia wood.

The wooden block will keep your knives securely stored when not in use while also adding a sophisticated touch to your kitchen, thanks to its stand-out, elegant design. As for the knives themselves, they’re sharp, durable, and corrosion-resistant, and you can use the sharpener to maintain their edges as needed.

Each knife has a comfortable pinch grip and an ergonomic, curved-bolster look, so you can hold them with ease. Just make sure to note that you’ll need to fill in the knife block with extra knives if you want to avoid the look of empty slots, which can add up the costs and cause some hassle if you weren’t expecting it.

Product Details: Material: High-carbon stainless steel I Number of Pieces: Seven I Block or Case: Block

Best with Case

Ross Henery Professional 9-Piece Chef Knife Set

View On Amazon $130

A wooden block isn’t the only storage option for the best kitchen knife sets—you can instead opt for a case, like the one included in this nine-piece Ross Henery knife set. The set comes with a carving knife, a chef’s knife, a fileting knife, a bread knife, a cleaver, a boning knife, a paring knife, a meat fork, and sharpening steel.

All of the knives and tools can be safely and securely stored in a compact, roll-up canvas carrying case. The knives all come with protective sheaths, too, for extra protection.

Rust- and corrosion-resistant, their blades will stay sharp for a long while, but you can use the included sharpener to hone their edges as needed. They each have a knurled grip to keep your hands steady during use, so you don’t risk slipping while preparing your food.

Because these knives have a case, not a block, there’s no way to display them nicely on your kitchen counter, if that’s something you were hoping to do. Still, having such a handy way to keep them stored makes up for the issues.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel I Number of Pieces: Nine I Block or Case: Case

Best with Scissors

Henckels Graphite Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set

View On Amazon $267 View On Target $200 View On Wayfair $252

If you frequently find yourself needing a pair of scissors while cooking, the Henckels Graphite 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set is the best kitchen knife set for you.

The 20-piece set comes with two paring knives, a serrated utility knife, a prep knife, a utility knife, a boning knife, a santoku knife, a bread knife, a carving knife, a chef’s knife, eight steak knives, and a pair of kitchen shears. All of the knives and tools can be safely placed in the self-sharpening wooden knife block.

These carbon knives and scissors are all razor-sharp and have fine-edge blades, as well as triple-rivet, lightweight handles for an easy grip. The block is made from elegant ash wood and comes with labeled guide slots, so you can easily know where each knife is supposed to go.

Additionally, the self-sharpening feature automatically hones the knives whenever they’re stored or taken out. Unlike many knives on our list, these are dishwasher safe so you won’t have to spend extra time washing and drying your utensils.

Keep in mind that the top of the wooden block does feature a stainless steel-looking cap, which may not match your exact kitchen aesthetic. However, if you’re indifferent toward the look, this is the best kitchen knife set with scissors to add to your countertop.

Product Details: Material: Carbon stainless steel I Number of Pieces: 20 I Block or Case: Block

Best Small

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Set

View On Amazon $180 View On Wayfair $147 View On Walmart $180

If you have a small kitchen, the Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set pairs a quality knife set with convenient storage. Because this set also has all the essentials, it’s also ideal for a beginner home cook who is honing their basic knife skills.

The five knives (a paring knife, a utility knife, a boning knife, a bread knife, and a chef knife) all live in a compact block made from wood and tempered glass. Not only does it take up less space than other knife sets, but it also has a natural and minimalist look that matches many different kitchen styles.

The high-carbon German steel knives are durable and highly effective, with ergonomic handles and non-slip grips to help make cutting easy and comfortable. To avoid rust, wash the knives with mild soap and warm water, and make sure they are completely dry before storing them.

Washing them by hand (instead of the dishwasher) will help ensure the knives will last for years to come. Because the block features glass, it may occasionally need to be dusted or wiped clean. Even so, though, this is a beautiful and convenient knife set great for smaller kitchen spaces.

Product Details: Material: Alloy steel I Number of Pieces: Six I Block or Case: Block

Best Large

Cuisinart Normandy 19 Piece Cutlery Block Set

View On Amazon $98 View On Target $150 View On Wayfair $98

If you cook often or are looking to upgrade to a larger set, the Cuisinart C77SS-19P Normandy 19 Piece Cutlery Block Set has everything you need—and then some.

The 19-piece set includes an 8-inch chef knife, a serrated bread knife, a slicing knife, a Santoku knife, a serrated utility knife, a paring knife, bird’s beak paring knife, eight steak knives, eight-inch sharpening steel, stainless steel shears, and an 18-slot block.

It really is a large assortment of knives and tools—but the cleverly shaped block cuts down on the space it takes up. The block holds all of the knives, plus the sharpening steel and shears, but has a low profile to fit comfortably underneath most kitchen cabinets.

The price is right for such a large number of stainless steel knives, but certain parts of this set don’t feel as high-end as more expensive options. We don’t love that the knife block has plastic inserts. Several users say the inserts are flimsy and easily damaged.

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 19 | Block or Case: Block