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10 Best Knife Sets 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
The HENCKELS Statement 20-piece knife set offers a wide variety of knives suitable for most kitchen tasks, including paring, boning, santoku, chef's, bread, carving, and steak knives. The blades are made from stainless steel, known for its durability and resistance to rust and stains, and they come razor-sharp right out of the box. Thanks to German engineering backed by over a century of experience, these knives maintain their edge well, needing minimal maintenance to stay sharp. The handle is made of plastic, designed to be comfortable and easy to grip, although it may not feel as premium or warm as wood handles.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,425
Sharpness and Edge Retention
Balance and Weight
Maintenance and Care
Most important from
24213 reviews
#2
HENCKELS Statement Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
The HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set stands out as a solid choice for home cooks seeking high-quality kitchen tools. One of its main strengths is the ultra-sharp blades, crafted from durable stainless steel, which offer professional-level sharpness for precision cutting. With a wide variety of knives included—ranging from a paring knife to a versatile chef's knife—this set can handle nearly any kitchen task you might encounter. It’s also lightweight, making it easy to maneuver, while the hardwood block provides organized storage that ensures the knives are readily accessible.
Rating
9.1
Handle Material
Knife Types Included
Number of Pieces
Most important from
24213 reviews
#3
HOSHANHO 16-Piece Knife Set, Japanese High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set, Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Block Set with Sharpener
The HOSHANHO 16-Piece Knife Set offers a comprehensive collection suitable for most kitchen tasks, including essential knives like chef, bread, santoku, and steak knives, plus useful extras like kitchen shears and a sharpener. The blades are made of forged Japanese high carbon stainless steel, known for good durability, rust resistance, and holding a sharp edge thanks to a hardness rating of 58 HRC. The knives feature an ultra-sharp 15-degree blade angle which helps in cutting ingredients cleanly without crushing them. Handles are crafted from pakkawood, providing a firm, comfortable grip that fits well in the hand and reduces fatigue during extended use.
Rating
9.1
Sharpness and Edge Retention
Handle Design and Comfort
Included Knives
Most important from
465 reviews
Top 10 Best Knife Sets 2026 in the United States
#1
Winner
HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Plastic, comfortable, easy to grip
Included Knives: Various knives from 3" to 8"
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Razor-sharp, maintains edge well
Balance and Weight: Balanced; total weight 14 pounds
Maintenance and Care: Dishwasher safe; hand wash preferred
Chosen by 1425 this week
HENCKELS Statement Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
HENCKELS Statement Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Knife Types Included: 5" Serrated Utility, 14-Slot Block, 7" HE Santoku, 9" Sharpening Steel, 5" HE Santoku, 8" Chef, 8" Bread, 4.5" Steak Knives (6), 3" Parer, Kitchen Shears
Number of Pieces: 15
Weight and Balance: 8.6 pounds
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Ultra-sharp, professional-level sharpness
Storage Options: 14-Slot Hardwood Block
HOSHANHO 16-Piece Knife Set, Japanese High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set, Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Block Set with Sharpener
HOSHANHO 16-Piece Knife Set, Japanese High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set, Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Block Set with Sharpener
Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Pakkawood handles, firm comfortable grip
Included Knives: chef, bread, santoku, steak knives, shears
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Japanese steel, 58 HRC, 15-degree angle
Balance and Weight: Set weighs over 11 pounds
Maintenance and Care: Hand wash only, not dishwasher safe
Cuisinart 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, High Carbon Stainless Steel, Forged Triple Rivet, Natural C77CTR-15P
Cuisinart 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, High Carbon Stainless Steel, Forged Triple Rivet, Natural C77CTR-15P
Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Stainless steel, triple rivet, wide bolster
Included Knives: Chef, slicing, santoku, paring, 6 steak knives
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Sharp longer, resists rust and stains
Balance and Weight: Weight balanced for control
Maintenance and Care: Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended
McCook® Knife Sets, German Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Block Sets with Built-in Sharpener
McCook® Knife Sets, German Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Block Sets with Built-in Sharpener
Blade Material: High-carbon German stainless steel
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Number of Pieces: 15
Weight and Balance: 7.34 pounds, well-balanced
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Taper grind edge technology
Storage Options: Knife block with built-in sharpener
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Shun Classic 23 Piece Knife Block Set
Shun Classic 23 Piece Knife Block Set
Blade Material: VG-MAX Damascus Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Ebony PakkaWood, D-form, secure grip
Included Knives: Various knives, honing steel, bamboo block
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Hard Rockwell 60-61, 16° double bevel
Balance and Weight: Forged, strong, balanced, solid feel
Maintenance and Care: Hand wash, dry immediately, no dishwasher
HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 15-Piece White Handle Knife Set with Block, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery
HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 15-Piece White Handle Knife Set with Block, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Wood
Knife Types Included: 3.5" Paring, 5" Serrated Utility, 5.5" Santoku, 7" HE Santoku, 8" Bread, 8" Chef, 4.75" Steak (6), Shears, Honing steel
Number of Pieces: 15
Weight and Balance: 10.5 pounds
Storage Options: 14-slot Hardwood Block
Shun Classic 10-piece Knife Block Set
Shun Classic 10-piece Knife Block Set
Blade Material: VG-MAX core, 34-layer Damascus cladding
Handle Material: D-shaped ebony PakkaWood
Knife Types Included: paring, honesuki, nakiri, utility, santoku, chef, carving
Number of Pieces: 10
Weight and Balance: 11.75 pounds
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Rockwell Hardness 60-61, 16° double-bevel
Storage Options: deluxe bamboo knife block
HENCKELS Premium Quality 12-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
HENCKELS Premium Quality 12-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Wood; comfortable grip; less ergonomic
Included Knives: Santoku, Sharpening Steel, Chef, Bread, Steak, Block, Parer
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Razor-sharp; maintains edge; stamped blade
Balance and Weight: Well balanced; lightweight; 8.22 pounds
Maintenance and Care: Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended
#10
Shun Premier 8 Piece Knife Block Set
Shun Premier 8 Piece Knife Block Set
Blade Material: VG-MAX steel, Damascus, Stainless Steel
Handle Design and Comfort: Contoured walnut PakkaWood, comfy grip
Included Knives: 4" Paring, 5.5" Nakiri, 6" Boning, 6.5" Utility, 7" Santoku, honing steel
Sharpness and Edge Retention: Hand-sharpened 16° double-bevel, sharp, durable
Balance and Weight: Forged, solid feel, 12.3 pounds
Maintenance and Care: Hand wash, gentle soap, no dishwasher
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Buying Guide for the Best Knife Sets
Choosing the right knife set is an important step in setting up your kitchen for efficient and enjoyable cooking. A good knife set will provide you with the specific tools needed for everyday food prep, from slicing vegetables to carving meats. The goal is to find a set that covers your culinary needs, feels comfortable in your hand, and will last with proper care. It’s also good to consider ease of maintenance and how much space you have for storage when picking a set.Blade MaterialBlade material is what the knife’s cutting part is made from and it directly affects the knife’s sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. The most common materials are stainless steel, high-carbon steel, and ceramic. Stainless steel is rust-resistant and easy to care for, making it a popular choice for most kitchens. High-carbon steel holds a sharp edge longer but can be more prone to rust if not maintained properly. Ceramic blades stay sharp for a long time and resist staining, but can chip or break if dropped. When picking a blade material, think about your willingness to maintain the knives and how often you’ll use them.
Handle Design and ComfortThe handle is where you grip the knife, and it hugely influences comfort, control, and safety while cutting. Handles can be made from wood, plastic, or composite materials. Wood handles have a traditional feel but need more care to prevent damage from water. Plastic and composite handles are more resistant to moisture and easier to clean. The shape of the handle matters too—choose a handle that fits comfortably in your hand and offers a secure grip. If you have smaller or larger hands, be sure to pick a set that feels comfortable for you during repeated use.
Included KnivesKnife sets come with a variety of pieces, usually including a chef’s knife, paring knife, bread knife, and others like utility or serrated knives. Some sets have more speciality knives, while others stick to just the basics. Consider what kind of cooking you do most often; if you mostly do general cooking, a few basic knives will suffice, but if you like baking or preparing exotic dishes, a set with specialty blades might be helpful. Avoid buying sets with lots of knives you won’t actually use.
Sharpness and Edge RetentionSharpness refers to how finely the knife can cut, and edge retention is how long it stays sharp before needing to be honed or sharpened again. This depends mostly on the blade’s material and design. Knives that stay sharp longer require less upkeep but can be harder to sharpen on your own. If you don’t want to sharpen knives often, look for a set known for edge retention. If you’re comfortable sharpening, you might prioritize knives that are easy to hone regularly.
Balance and WeightBalance and weight describe how the knife feels in your hand and how easily you can control it. A balanced knife is neither blade- nor handle-heavy, and should feel natural to maneuver. Weight is a personal preference—some people like heavier knives for chopping, while others prefer lighter ones for delicate tasks. Think about what feels comfortable for your wrist and hand strength, and choose a set with knives that won’t tire you out during prep.
Maintenance and CareMaintenance and care refer to how easy the knives are to clean, sharpen, and store. Some knives are dishwasher safe, but hand washing is usually best to preserve sharpness and prevent corrosion. Consider whether the set comes with a storage block, magnetic strip, or protective sheaths, as this helps keep knives safe and handy. If you want the least upkeep, pick knives that resist staining and rust, and avoid wood handles if you'll be washing them often.