The best knife sets

• The best knife sets are backed by a long-term warranty, feature blades that will stay sharp, are comfortable in your hands, and come with the types of knives you will use most, including a good chef's knife.
• The Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set has all the knives you need and even comes with a built-in knife sharpener.
• Even the best knives will dull over time, and it's important to keep them sharp for your safety. Check out our guide to the best knife sharpeners.

Ask any chef, and they will tell you that the key to preparing a first-class meal is having the right tools. This includes a full set of sharp knives. In fact, one of the first tasks a professional chef performs upon stepping into their kitchen is sharpening their knives. And, many chefs also hand wash their cutting implements at the end of the day.

Most knife sets feature a chef's knife, a paring knife, a utility knife, and a serrated bread knife. And, you can commonly find sets with deboning knives, steak knives, slicers, Santoku knives, Kiritsuke prep knives, butcher knives, shears, and more.

All of the sets we review are made of stainless steel, though ceramic knives are growing in popularity. We did not include any ceramic knives because they are more prone to chipping or breaking completely. Plus, they are harder to sharpen.

Before choosing which knife sets to include in this buying guide, we spent hours closely researching the thousands of ratings and reviews from both experts and customers. The sets we picked for the following slides are based on a strong track record of durability, ability to remain sharp for long food prep sessions, and comfortable and effortless use.

Here are the best knife sets:

• Best knife set overall: Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set
• Best knife set with a glass block: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
• Best knife set without a block: Victorinox 4-Piece Knife Set with Fibrox Handles
• Best high-end knife set: Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
• Best budget knife set: Vremi 10-Piece Colorful Knife Set

Prices and links are current as of 7/8/20. We removed customer reviews because we've found them to be unreliable in the past. We also added a selection of related buying guides.

The best knife set overall

The Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set comes with 16 durable knives, shears, and a block with built-in sharpener.

The 16 knives that come with the Chicago Cutlery Insignia2 18-Piece Knife Block Set are eight 4.5-inch forged steak (non-serrated), 8-inch slicer, 8-inch chef's, 7-inch Santoku, 7-inch serrated bread, 5.5-inch utility, 5-inch deboning, and 3.5-inch and 3-inch paring knives. The set also comes with shears, and the 18th piece, the knife block, features a knife sharpener.

The blades are made of high-carbon stainless steel. They are full tang, which means the blade extends the full length of the handle. The handles are triple-riveted with stainless steel for added stability. As with any knives, this set should be washed by hand. Chicago Cutlery stands behind the quality of this set with a lifetime limited warranty.

Though the built-in knife sharpener is nice for convenience, we wouldn't recommend relying on it to sharpen your knives. The built-in sharpener works by sharpening your knife as you insert it into the opening in the block, but it doesn't allow you to get a precision edge on the blade. For that, we recommend a dedicated sharpener.

Pros: Durable, lifetime warranty, 16 knives included

Cons: No serrated steak knife, built-in sharpener doesn't work well

The best glass block knife set

If searching for the right knife in a wooden block drives you nuts, consider the transparent Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set.

The Mercer Culinary Genesis Knife Block Set comes with 3.5-inch paring, 5-inch utility, 6-inch boning, 8-inch bread, and 8-inch chef knives. You can choose between a metal block and wooden block, each with tempered glass. Both blocks allow you to readily see where each knife is located.

The blades are made of high-carbon, no-stain X50 Cr Mo V15 German cutlery steel, which is resistant to discoloration, corrosion, and rust. The full-tang blade extends into the Santoprene handle that has a non-slip grip and excellent comfort. Additionally, each knife has a bolster which offers extra balance and strength. Mercer Culinary backs this set with a lifetime limited warranty.

The knives are precision-forged for durability and strength. However, the glass block needs to be cleaned regularly or any grime will become readily apparent. 

Though knives should always be hand-washed, there are users who have put their knives in the dishwasher with no noticeable negative effects. The biggest complaint is how the knives are positioned on the block. Since the block is not angled, it is hard to pull the knives out of the block when it is situated under a cupboard.

Pros: Attractive glass block, maintains sharpness, lifetime warranty

Cons: Glass attracts smudges, awkward to use when positioned under a cupboard

The best without a block

If you are looking for an affordable knife set that is easy to sharpen, the Victorinox 4-Piece Knife Set with Fibrox Handles is an excellent option.

Victorinox is the original maker of the iconic Swiss Army Knife, so you know it's a name you can trust in the world of knife-making. The company has scaled up its cutlery prowess to make some great knives as a friendly price-point.

The four pieces in the Victorinox knife set are a 4-inch paring, 6-inch utility/chef, 10.25-inch bread, and an 8-inch chef's knife. Each knife is made of high-carbon, stainless steel and hand-finished in Switzerland at Victorinox's headquarters. The company uses a special ice-tempering process that aims to keep the knife's original sharpness after each sharpening throughout its lifetime. The handles are made of a slip-resistant textured polymer material known as "Fibrox."

Even in smaller hands, users remark that the knives feel sturdy, balanced, and have a nice grip on them. Buyers note that the knives keep their sharpness and approach the level of quality found in more expensive models.

Pros: Well-balanced, comfortable grip, relatively inexpensive, proven longevity

Cons: Poorly-shaped paring knife curves dramatically near the tip

See Also:

• The best wine glasses
• The best Bundt pans
• The best espresso tampers

SEE ALSO: The best cutting boards you can buy