Make Perfect Dinner Parties With the Best Kitchen Knife Set Consumer Reports

#1. Home Hero 17 Pieces Kitchen Knives Set - The Best Overall

The following ten products are the best ones we could find, but if you want our recommendation on the absolute best, it's got to be the Home Hero 17 Pieces Kitchen Knives Set.

When we think about knives in general, there are two features that we all want and need - sharpness and durability.

It doesn't matter if you own a knife set with 10, 13, or 17 pieces - it's no use if they can't do the thing they're designed for.

Therefore, we're proud to present to you this Home Hero knife set that comes with pre-sharpened knives that are made from quality stainless steel.

You'll receive 13 professional kitchen knives and some extra equipment, such as a peeler, knife stand, and a knife sharpener.

When it comes to the knives themselves, you'll find that this set has got you covered.

There won't be a situation where you'll be lacking a certain knife for the given occasion.

To name some, you'll be getting a pizza knife, bread knife, carving knife, steak knives, and many others.

The design of this knife set is quite modern, as you can tell per the photos, and they're quite a treat to be used for dinner parties.

It's surprising that it's so affordable, given the overall quality and the sharpness of each knife.

We've tested them out, and they work like a charm. No repeat cuts were needed; you can do everything in a single motion.

As far as the cons go, there aren't any - it's that simple.

#2. Farberware 22-Piece High-Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Set - People's Choice

We can talk a lot about manufacturers, the secrets behind the trade, and the little things that separate the best from the good, but the simple truth is people know what they want.

So, here's the absolute customer favorite, the Farberware 22-Piece High-Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Set.

This knife set has a classic design with its wooden-crafted stand and black non-slip handles.

It comes with 22 pieces of individual accessories, including knives, kitchen shears, three spatulas, and five measuring spoons.

When it comes to sharpness and durability, we can safely say that this set amazed us.

It's made from high-carbon stainless steel that's known for its resilience, and the knives have micro-serrations that make each cut extra-easy, and you'll probably never have to sharpen these knives again.

We mentioned that the handle has a non-slip finish to it, but it's also triple-riveted, meaning that the handle is reinforced for extra strength.

Also, we forgot to mention that this knife set is incredibly affordable, which is no reflection of its quality, yet approachability.

As you can see, it's not a fancy set that you'll use when you have some guests over, but it's excellent for everyday use or even as a gift to a student since it features almost every knife you could possibly need - starting from steak knives to going to a paring knife.

#3. McCook MC29 15-Piece Knife Set - The Best For The Money

Even though this is not the cheapest product in our ranks, it sure is the best one you can get for the price, which is even more affordable with Amazon coupons discount.

But, more on that in the McCook MC29 15-Piece Knife Set review.

Let's first talk about what you'll get if you purchase this set.

It comes with 15 pieces of cutlery - 12 knives, two kitchen shears, and a knife block with an equipped sharpener.

However, we highly doubt you'll use the sharpener that often, considering that the knives are made from stainless steel, and they are rust and tarnish-resistant.

The package includes six steak knives, a chef knife, a slicing knife, and a santoku knife that is perfect for cutting up garlic and other vegetables.

All pieces were made with taper grind technology, meaning that the utmost priority during the manufacturing process was the sharpness.

They are quite sensitive in terms of losing their coatings ever extended washes, so try not to rub them too hard and never put them in the dishwasher.

A bar of soap and warm water will do the trick without a hitch.

The handles match the size of a hand perfectly, and they feel good ergonomically.

The overall weight of the knives is quite reduced thanks to the high-carbon steel, which is another bonus.

Since it's quite a set, we would've liked to see a bit more pieces, but these knives will do.

#4. J.A. Henckels Kitchen Knife Block Set - The Best Premium Set

Even though all knives look alike, and the main differences revolve around durability and sharpness, there are some subtle differences that separate the premium from the regular ones.

So, let's see what makes the J.A. Henckels Kitchen Knife Block Set authentic.

Let's examine the design first.

The blade is made from high-quality stainless steel, and each knife has a triple-riveted plastic handle that fits the hand perfectly.

Each knife has precision-stamped blade construction, and the edges are finessed for precision cutting.

When it comes to the knife block set itself, it features 15 pieces of cutlery; a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a paring knife, a santoku knife with a hollow edge, a chef's knife, a bread knife, a 4.5-inch steak knife, shears, and a hardwood block.

One thing that separates this set from the others is the overall weight of all knives, which was significantly lowered during the manufacturing process thanks to the design and the quality steel of these knives.

Not only will you not get tired while cutting, but the maneuvering process will be much easier, especially if you're cutting something tough.

Also, many kitchen knives cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher since they'll get damaged or lose their shine.

It's not the same case with this set since they're absolutely dishwasher-safe, and they still won't lose their cutting edge.

They are expensive in comparison with the previous knife sets, but you'll be glad you purchased them since they'll serve you for a long time.

#5. Amazon Basics 14-Piece Kitchen Knife Set - The Best Versatile Set

Next up is a straightforward set that doesn't disappoint and is solid in all regards.

Without further ado, here's the Amazon Basics 14-Piece Kitchen Knife Set.

Amazon Basics products never seem to disappoint with their quality and overall longevity.

In the case of this set, you won't see anything too special, but it's so solid without any special additions that you gotta love it.

It is a 14-piece set, and it includes all knives that you're used to hearing about, such as an 8-inch chef's knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5.5-inch utility knife, a paring, and a steak knife.

It also includes a knife sharpener and a knife block made of pinewood that looks quite well and simplistic.

These knives are made from high-carbon steel, which means that they have tremendous durability and they're resistant to rust in the long run.

Unlike standard stainless steel knives, this high-carbon alloy doesn't have to be oiled on a regular basis to protect the knives from rust.

The handles are ergonomic and triple-riveted, and their shape fits every hand like a glove, whether a man's or a woman's.

The reason we consider this set to be the most versatile is due to its simplicity. You can use it for dinner parties, everyday cooking sessions, or even as a gift.

The pinewood block is quite attractive, and the knives themselves have a beautiful appeal.

They are also quite cheap, but you'll have to settle for lesser quality in comparison with the other kitchen knife sets.

They are still solid and a great addition to your kitchen.

#6. Marco Almond KYA31 Japanese Knives Set - The Best For Beginners

There are expensive kitchen knives that are generally used by professional cooks in restaurants, but that doesn't mean that they're not appropriate for beginners or enthusiasts that love cooking.

Therefore, here's a set that's perfect for both, the Marco Almond KYA31 Japanese Knives Set.

These Japanese steel knives are known for their craftsmanship and superb sharpness.

Companies such as J.A. Henckels and Marco Almond have always put sharpness over quality, which is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, this set will be perfect for every occasion, but you'll still have to take good care of them, meaning you'll have to manually wash them and dry them off instantly to prevent rusting.

When it comes to the pieces, it features eight types of knives and twelve in total, some of which are an 8-inch chef's knife, a 5-inch santoku knife for vegetables, steak knives, and a 3.5-inch paring knife.

They're also made from stainless steel, high-carbon, meaning that they'll last you for years if you take care of them properly.

They are sturdy, robust, and have a nice metallic look to them combined with triple-riveted handles.

It comes with a built-in sharpener and a block for easy storage.

The entire set has a premium look to it, and it's no wonder considering that the Japanese put a lot of effort and time into making it look innovative and premium.

The thing we didn't like was that the storage block doesn't have any inner coating to prevent chafing when you pull the knives out.

So, be careful when you take them out.

#7. Master Maison Premium Kitchen Knife Set - The Best Design

If you're a fan of fancy designs and beautiful knives, you're bound to like this kitchen knife set.

So, here's the Master Maison Premium Kitchen Knife Set review.

This is a fully-stacked kitchen knife set that contains everything you could possibly need for a dinner party or a weekend BBQ hangout with friends.

We're not going to name all of them since it's a 19-piece set and has every piece of cutlery you need, but we will say that the design of these knives is extraordinary.

It is made from German stainless steel, and every blade is made to be stain and rust-resistant for absolute durability.

They have incredible edge retention, and they're rated 52+ on the Rockwell hardness scale, which is not surprising given the incredible materials used to manufacture these knives.

The ergonomic handles, including the block, are made from brown pinewood, and the handles are also triple-riveted for maximum durability and stability.

We've tried out the chef's knife and the carving knife, and we can say with certainty that the sharpness is not something that should worry you regarding this set.

We did notice that the steak knives could use a bit of sharpening, but it could've been a problem with the specific set that we used.

Aside from this, we couldn't really notice any flaws.

For a premium set, it's affordable and long-lasting; plus, it'll look great when you take it out in front of your guests.

#8. DEIK Kitchen Knife Set - The Best Black Set

Even though many prefer the standard metallic and wooden-style knives, there are modern sets, such as this one, that attract customers with a full black design.

So, let's see what the DEIK Kitchen Knife Set has to offer.

It's not just about the color; it's the fact that all of these knives are manufactured using the black BO oxide technology that ensures there won't be any rusting or hard-to-clean stains in the future.

Also, it's practical, and you can use them on various occasions.

In terms of the set itself, we should mention that it comes with 16 pieces of cutlery, including the sharpening steel, scissors, an acrylic stand, and a peeler.

The most surprising thing is that it's so cost-effective considering the overall price of this set that it goes for on the market.

The acrylic stand is also a modern accessory that looks really well and gives you enough storage space to safely deposit your cutlery.

The handles are ergonomic and non-slip, so there's no need to worry about accidentally dropping a knife due to design flaws.

It also comes with six steak knives that are serrated and perfect in terms of sharpness and the time it'll take you to prepare your meals.

However, we should mention that you should not put these knives in the dishwasher, and you should definitely dry them after you've hand washed them since the black color can come off after prolonged use and bad care.

#9. Esonmus Kitchen Knife Set - The Best Easy Care Set

If it always seems like you lack space in the kitchen, this set will not be a part of that problem. Here's the Esonmus Kitchen Knife Set.

This 15-piece set is extremely practical and compact.

All knives and cutlery are placed into one woodblock, one on top of the other, and they practically take up no space.

When it's time to clean them, you'll do it manually and dry them off with a dry cloth or a paper towel and deposit them back into the block, as they're not dishwasher-safe.

It comes with all the essentials, including the sharpener rod and the kitchen shear.

We're personally very fond of the 7-inch santoku knife that cuts perfectly with no effort. Also, the six steak knives you'll receive are decent themselves.

When it comes to the quality of these knives, there's no denying it - it's obvious that the manufacturer gave it all.

The high-carbon stainless steel's durability and hardness are the best for kitchen knives, and the triple-riveted handles give the knives stability and long-lasting longevity.

Furthermore, the materials and the coating prevent the knives from rusting if they're treated right.

The storage block itself is not the brightest point of this set since it does seem a bit low-tier, and you should be careful when you're depositing the knives back.

If you aren't, some scratches are bound to appear.

#10. Wusthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block - The Best German Set

Finally, we're down to the last kitchen set in this article, and then we're moving to the buyer's guide.

But, before that, let's see what the Wusthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block review has to offer.

This is one of the premium models manufactured by Wusthof, a German manufacturer that sells exquisite knives.

The quality is superb, and it would have been higher on this list if it weren't for the price, but it's still a tremendous model that you should consider if you're purchasing a set that'll last you for a lifetime.

Speaking of a lifetime, it comes with a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service that will respond to all of your questions.

The set comes with seven pieces of cutlery - a paring knife, a 5-inch utility knife, a bread knife, a classic 8-inch chef's knife, kitchen shears, and a wooden knife block.

It doesn't have any steak knives, which is a letdown, but the superb quality of the ones above speaks for itself.

The blades are made from stain-resistant German stainless steel and highly resilient triple-riveted handles.

Also, the kitchen block has a thin design that's perfect for saving storage.

Overall, there's nothing wrong with this set, except for the fact that it lacks some knives that are quite handy in the kitchen, such as a santoku knife or a paring knife.

Other than that, it's a set that'll certainly raise some conversation.

1. The Accessories

Even though there are sets with too many accessories and cutlery, it's still important to determine what are the crucial elements of a solid kitchen knife set.

As we could see from the previous reviews, there were sets with more than 15 pieces, even 20 in some cases, of cutlery. 

However, if you're not a professional cook and you want the essentials, you should look for sets that contain at least one chef's knife, steak knife, utility knife, a quality santoku knife for vegetables, and a sharp bread knife.

Also, aside from the knives, it wouldn't be bad that the set contains a sharpener and a deposit block for safe storage since you don't want to separate the set and mix it with the rest of the cutlery in your kitchen.

You can also purchase a set that contains a paring knife, but it is not necessary since you can basically use the Santoku knife for the same purposes.

However, it should at least contain one of these two.

2. Sharpness

We don't even need to clarify how important sharpness is for knives, even if the set contains a sharpener, but how do you know which set has the sharpest knives?

Well, you can never truly know until you test them out, but there are some things that could help.

For example, serrated knives are usually much sharper than straight blades, and they're perfect for cutting up meat and bread.

Moreover, you can always count on the customer experience through the comments on the reviews.

In most cases, they'll usually be the main factor on whether you purchase a product or not.

3. The Materials

This is also an essential thing that you should consider before you buy a kitchen knife set.

As you could see, most sets are made from stainless steel, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the set is durable enough to sustain all the pressure from continuous cutting.

For example, if it doesn't have a good coating that's rust-resistant or stain-resistant, you'll have to wash all knives by hand and dry them immediately once you're done since rust can catch on quite quickly.

Experience has shown that high-carbon stainless steel is probably the best material for kitchen knives since it's the best combination of both worlds - resilience and longevity. 

Carbon alloys help with the prevention of rust, and steel keeps the knives solid and robust.

What knives does Gordon Ramsay use?

Over the course of his career, Ramsay has used knives from all top-brand manufacturers around the world.

Currently, he's using kitchen knives set from Wusthof and Henckels, as they seem to suit him the best.

We've also covered some of their sets in this article, but they're suited more for professional cooks.

Of course, if you're a beginner enthusiast, you'll never know the difference, so you can try them if you want.

How much is a kitchen knife set?

It depends on the quality and the manufacturer that you wish to purchase from.

Generally, the prices go to $100, but there are premium knife sets that will set you back way more than $100.

How long should kitchen knives last?

The lifespan of a kitchen knife is usually determined by the material and the coating it has.

Also, if the handle is made from wood, it depends on what type we are talking about.

However, the average is somewhere between 5-10 years, but there are sets that'll last for decades without having any visible damage or stains.

Are German or Japanese knives better?

It's hard to answer, considering that they both make quality knives.

In terms of hardness, the Rockwell scale favors the Japanese knives, but that has some consequences in terms of durability.

In essence, it depends on what you'll be using them for. If you slice more, Japanese knives should be your pick.

What is the best kitchen knife set Consumer Reports?

According to our research, it is definitely the Home Hero 17 Pieces Kitchen Knives Set.

Firstly, it has all the right accessories and knives that a complete set should have, and secondly, they're all quality-made and durable.

They'll last you for years, and you don't even have to pay much to own them.