Whatever meal you’re preparing, one tool is always indispensable: knives. From peeling vegetables, chopping ingredients, and more, your kitchen blades come handy. This is why every kitchen needs top rated knives sets. It ensures that your cutting needs are done right and fast for a reasonable price.
| KNIFE SET | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! J.A. Henckels Zwilling 11-Piece Knife Set |  | Check Price |
 | imarku 16-Piece Knife Block Set | | Check Price |
 | DALSTRONG Crusader Series 18-Piece Knife Set | | Check Price |
 | Shun Classic 6-Piece Knife Block Set |  | Check Price |
 | J.A. Henckels Premio 19-Piece Knife Set |  | Check Price |
You’ll never know the difference a topnotch knife set can do unless you buy one. It will speed up your cooking more than you could ever imagine.
Many of us are guilty of using the same knife on every cutting task. This makes the knife dull fast, not to mention that it also increases the risk of injuries. So whether you’re a self-proclaimed home chef or not, you’ll surely benefit from a new knife set.
Below, I reviewed five knife sets I swear by. As a ‘kitchen nerd’, I’ve tried all of these sets before, and I can attest to its quality.
5 Top Rated Kitchen Knives Sets
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: J.A. Henckels Zwilling 11-Piece Knife Set
Product Name: J.A. Henckels Zwilling 11-Piece Knife Set
Product Description: If you're looking for top rated kitchen knives sets, you shouldn't miss the J.A. Henckels Zwilling 11-Piece Set. This comes with high-quality knives and a block ready to place on your countertop. For this set, you'll get a 4-inch parer, 2.5" peeling knife, 6" utility knife, 5-inch serrated knife, and an 8" chef's knife. This is also bundled with an 8" bread knife, 7" santoku, and a 4.5" steak knife. To complete the 11-piece set, you'll receive a 9" sharpening steel, kitchen scissors, and hardwood block. Moreover, this set is available in 6, 7, and 19-piece sets to suit your needs or budget. All of the knives are made of precision-stamped German steel. It's stain-free and lighter than other knives in the market for less hand strain during use.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Value for Money
Overall
Summary
Also, these knives have undergone Henckel’s ice-hardening process that strengthens the blade and shields it from discoloration. The knives are also dishwasher-safe and covered by a one-of-kind lifetime warranty.
Overall, these knives are insanely sharp. While it costs more than typical knife sets, it’s worth the splurge if money isn’t an issue. My only gripe is that they could have used a more attractive handle, but that’s not really a big deal.
Pros
Made of German steel
Covered by a lifetime warranty
Made to last a lifetime
Cons
The handles aren’t the most attractive, but it gets the job done.
RUNNERS-UP
imarku 16-Piece Knife Block Set
Another knife set I recommend is the imarku 16-Piece Knife Set. All these knives are made of high-carbon German stainless steel with guaranteed quality and durability.
For this set, you will get an 8″ chef knife, 8″ bread knife, 7″ santoku, 8″ slicing knife, 6″ chef knife, 3″ parer, and a 5″ utility knife. To complete the set, it also comes with six 5″ steak knives as well as a pair of kitchen shears, sharpening steel, and the wood block.
One thing that really stands out on this set is its Pakkawood handles. It’s very durable and aesthetic, which gives each knife a premium look. The handle is also easy to hold, and the ends have shiny steel pommels.
These knives are rust and stain-resistant. The edges are also very sharp, so it’s sure to endure the toughest chopping tasks you have in your kitchen. This set also sharpens easily so that you wouldn’t have a problem.
Also, the wooden block has well-carved slots, so each knife slides perfectly to it. Meanwhile, the slots for the steak knives can be slide out of the main block. This lets you place it on the dining table without carrying the entire set.
DALSTRONG Crusader Series 18-Piece Knife Block Set
Do you want a futuristic-looking knife set? The DALSTRONG Crusader Series set might nail it for you. It’s not your conventional knife because the handles are stainless steel. Both the blade and handle are a single piece, so you won’t worry about breakage.
To be honest, the first thing that came to my mind upon seeing this is the ergonomics of the knife. But since I’m intrigued, I tried it, and I’m quite surprised with the grip. It looks elegant, and it has a comfortable handle. However, for those who are new to using knives, this set has a learning curve.
As for the knife material, this is made of ThyssenKrupp German steel. It’s high-carbon and bears an unbeatable Rockwell hardness of 56+.
Moreover, this set consists of a 9″ carving knife, 8.5″ kiritsuke knife, 8″ chef’s knife, 7″ santoku knife, 8″ bread knife, 7″ nakiri knife and 6.5″ boning knife. Aside from that, you will also receive six 5″ steak knives, 5.5″ serrated utility knife, 3.5″ parer, and a 6″ filet knife.
This is bundled with a 9″ sharpening rod and an acacia wood block to complete the set.
Shun Classic 6-Piece Knife Block Set
If you’re only looking for a small set, you should consider the Shun Classic 6-Piece Set. This includes a 3.5″ parer, 8″ chef’s knife, 7″ santoku, a pair of kitchen scissors, a honing rod, and a wooden block.
This knife is a head-turner, thanks to its stainless Damascus cladding. It has 34 layers of cutting core on each side. This gives the knife a unique touch, which is a break from the shiny options in the market.
Moreover, the block is made from ebony Pakkawood, which is one of this set’s highlights. It’s durable and resists moisture, so it won’t rot easily.
Aside from that, all the blades have a Rockwell hardness of 60-61. It’s also hand-sharpened to ensure the quality of each knife. The double-bevel edge is angled at 16 degrees on each side.
This set is handcrafted in Seki, Japan, which says a lot about its quality. The set is also covered by a limited lifetime warranty – a testament to the craftsmanship and durability of each piece.
Just take note that you should never put these knives on the dishwasher. Instead, wash it with dish soap and dry it right away.
J.A. Henckels Premio 19-Piece Knife Set
My last pick for top rated kitchen knives sets is the J.A. Henckels Premio 19-Piece Knife Set. This is an excellent alternative if you don’t have the budget for the Zwilling set.
For the Premio set, you’ll get a 3″ parer, ” hollow edge parer, 5″ serrated utility knife, 35.5″ boning knife, 6″ utility knife, 7″ santoku, and an 8″ bread knife. Aside from that, this also has an 8″ chef’s knife and eight 4.5″ serrated steak knives.
Moreover, this set has a 9″ sharpening rod, a pair of kitchen shears, and a wood block with a cherry finish. It’s a massive set for a very low price.
Except for the steak knives, all the other blades are fully forged and full tang. It also has riveted handles and stainless steel end caps. As for the steak knives, the blades are stamped, which are still durable.
Like the first J.A. Henckels set I reviewed, the Premio series is also covered with a lifetime warranty.
Overall, this set is for the money. It remains sharp and easy to sharpen after long use.
I only wish that the wood block is larger, considering that it’s holding 16 knives. Other than that, you won’t regret investing in this set.
Knife Set Buying Guide
When scouting for top rated kitchen knives set, you have to be meticulous over the following aspects:
✔️Size and inclusions
The very first thing you should think of is how large the set will be. It can be a humble, 6-piece set or as large as 18-piece. The answer here depends on your needs in the kitchen.
For starters, you don’t really need a massive set. A set with a parer, chef’s knife, and utility knife are enough for most kitchens. However, if you’re performing special chopping and cutting tasks, you may need more knives than this.
Meat knives like a carving, boning, filet, and butcher’s knife are useful for those who are preparing large amounts of meat. You should also get a set of steak knives if you’re often serving steaks and expecting guests.
✔️Blade material
Next, check the blade material. The most common are stainless steel since it doesn’t rust easily and quite easy to sharpen. High-carbon steel is also a popular option since it has increased edge retention while resisting rust.
Meanwhile, you can also find knives with ceramic and titanium materials. These aren’t common in most household kitchen knife sets. First, because it’s more expensive and second, it’s not easy to maintain.
Aside from the material, you should also check whether the blades are full or half tang. Full tang blades are those that run all throughout the length of the handle. Meanwhile, half tangs only run halfway through the handle.
✔️Forged vs. stamped
Once you’ve chosen the blade material, you also have to consider whether you want a forged or stamped option.
Basically, forged knives are made from a single piece of metal. It’s heated and pounded immensely to take shape. It’s also exposed to heat and quenching multiple times before tempering.
On the other hand, there’s also the stamped knives. As its name suggests, the blade is ‘stamped’ or cut out from a metal sheet. It’s then polished and sharpened.
So which one should you get? I go for forged blades for large knives like a chef’s knife, santoku, and utility knife. Smaller units like parers can be made of stamped blades. In the end, it’s all about your preference.
✔️Handle material and style
After the blade, you should consider the handle material. Wood is a popular option since it’s aesthetic and easy to hold. You can also find various wood types with different colors and grains.
On the other hand, synthetic and laminate handles offer a lighter alternative to wood. However, it’s not as eye-pleasing as natural wood handles.
✔️Straight vs. serrated edge
Another thing I want to highlight is the difference between a straight and serrated blade. Serrated blades have jagged or saw-like edges. This is useful for soft food items like tomatoes and bread.
On the other hand, straight edges are perfect for stiff food items like vegetables and meat.
✔️Block quality
Aside from the knives, it’s important the block that holds everything is durable. Most of these are made of wood. Make sure that each knife has a fitting slot so you won’t have to worry about storage.
Like knife handles, the block can be made of different wood materials with varying colors and grains. You can choose the one that suits your taste.
Most of all, the knife block should resist moisture so that it will last as long as the blades.
✔️Price and warranty
Lastly, consider how much you’re planning to spend on top rated kitchen knives sets. There are many affordable options, but not all of them are good finds.
For those who are serious about sprucing up the kitchen and acquiring high-quality tools, investing in a durable set is a must. Sure, you’d have to shell out more money, but it will make your cooking tasks easier in the long run.
Final words
The top rated kitchen knives sets I reviewed here will surely give the best value for your money. All of them are made of premium materials and underwent sophisticated production. While most aren’t cheap, investing a little more will give you a better chopping experience.
What do you think of these kitchen knife sets? Have you owned any of it before? Let us know below!
