We Continually Test Premium Knives To Identify The High-End Sets That Offer The Best Value in 2024. Advances in metallurgy and manufacturing in the last 50 years have led to an increase in quality and a decrease in price of the average kitchen cutlery set in 2024. That being said, the old adage “You get what you pay for” still rings true.
Our Top Knife Set Picks After Years of Testing
Best German Made Set – Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-piece Knife Set
Specifications
| X50CrMoV15 High Carbon Steel Blades |
| Triple Riveted Polypropylene Handle |
| 15 Slot Walnut Knife Block |
| Full Tang |
| Forged not Stamped |
| Wusthof’s Precision Edge Technology |
| Half Bolstered Blade Which Allows The Entire Blade To be Sharpened |
| Made in Germany |
Set includes the following knives: 5 inch serrated utility/tomato, 3.5 inch paring, 8 inch bread, 5 inch santoku, 8 inch chef’s, one pair of come-apart shears and a 6 slot storage block.
It is pretty obvious that Wusthof plans on this being the last kitchen cutlery set you ever need to buy which is why the Classic Ikon series is popular with professional chefs. The knives look and feel tough enough to survive the apocalypse.
The stand out feature of the Ikon knives is that they are heavily weighted toward the butt of the handle, which makes rock chopping feel a lot more comfortable and natural (for most people). Wusthof went to great pains to make sure the Ikon series is well balanced and easy to maintain. You won’t find the same out-of-box slicing prowess as the most of the Japanese knife sets, but the classic Ikon series knives are more durable and less likely to chip.
This seven piece set is a great starter set for anyone wanting get started with professional kitchen knives, because it offers excellent value compared to buying these premium knives separately. I do wish the storage block has some empty slots, so the set could be added to over time. Fortunately Wusthof does sell a variety of storage blocks separately, so upgrading to a bigger block down the road is an option.
While these knives are superior in every way to most other knife sets on the market, the craftsmanship is not quite on the same level as the premium Karamer By Zwilling Euroline set or Zwilling J.A. Hickels 1731 Series sets listed later in this article. This set is still durable enough to be the last set you ever buy even if you are in your twenties, and they still very much offer you professional level performance.
The Classic Ikon handles are contoured for comfort and made of a sturdy polypropylene that is triple riveted to the tang, so it will not come loose after extensive use like cheaper knife handles have a tendency do. Wusthof also forges metal end caps at the butt of the handle to give the knives their impressive balance. While the Classic Ikon handles are not as visually appealing as some of the other high end knife sets, they are sturdy, secure and comfortable.
You can learn a bit more about the performance of the Wusthof Classic Ikon Series by reading our in-depth Review of the Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 Inch Chef Knife.
Zwilling Profesional S 16 Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| Full Tang |
| High carbon no stain stainless steel blades |
| Forged not stamped |
| Ergonomic polypropylene handles |
| Full bolster |
| 57 Rockwell Hardness |
| Made in Germany and Spain |
| Great Balance |
| Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Set includes the following: one 4″ paring knife, one 3″ paring knife, one 5″ serrated utility knife, one 5.5″ fine edge prep knife, one 7″ santoku knife HE, one 8″ bread knife, one 8″ chef’s knife, six 4.5″ steak knives, one 9″ sharpening steel, one pair of kitchen shears, and a storage block
The Professional S knives are one of the more traditionally styled designs on here. They are similar to the Zwilling Pro series knives, but they have a more drop-point blade profile compared to the Pro Series’ more curved edge with a straight-edge spine.
The Professional S series also has a full bolster (the section where the handle meets the blade) while the Pro Series has a half bolster. The full bolsters gives the Professional S series knives better balance and act as a hand guard to protect the hand from slipping onto the blade. However, it also makes it a little more difficult to sharpen the the full edge.
The Professional series knives are made in Solingen, Germany except for the steak knives which are made in Spain. Solingen is one of the two most famous knife making cities in the world. The other is Seki, Japan.
These knives are all made using Zwilling’s Sigmaforce one-piece precision-forged construction which is well respected, and it is impressive that they have managed to offer knives made with that technique at a relatively affordable price point. The remarkable durability of the steel used on this set is due in part to Zwilling’s Friodur ice hardening process which has proved to be more than marketing speak.
This set contains all the knives most busy home cooks would need, but there are two empty slots in the storage block, so more knives can be added as needed. Zwilling also make a few different colors and sizes of knife blocks that can fit the Zwilling Pro knives.
Ultimately the Zwilling Professional S line of knives are poorly named but well designed. They offer a professional level of performance at a good price. The knives in this set were designed by Matteo Thun to be modern, performance-driven knives that don’t cost a fortune. Zwilling Professional S series knives are used by a lot of chefs around the world, but they are relatively affordable when compared to a lot of other premium knife sets.
If you are looking for a smaller set from this series, check out the Zwilling Professional S 10-Piece Set.
You can learn more about Zwilling knives and the difference between the different knife series with the help of our handy Zwilling Knife Guide.
Cangshan TC Series 17 Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| Full Tang |
| Swedish Sandvik 14C28N Steel |
| Great Edge Retention |
| Forged not Stamped |
| Made in Yangjiang, China |
| Extremely Sharp |
| Lifetime Warranty |
| Hand Crafted Walnut Block |
Set includes the following: 8″ chef, 8″ bread, 7″ santoku, 6″ boning, 5″ serrated utility, 5″ tomato, 3.5″ paring, 2.75″ peeling, six 5″ steak knives, honing steel and kitchen shears
Cangshan is a relatively new kitchenware company that has jumped into the cutlery game in a big way. Initially they made more budget-friendly knives that were well received and generally respected as a good value. Recently they released their high-end TC series of knives that are made with a great Swedish Sandvik steel that has decent edge retention and is incredibly durable.
While the high-quality steel is a big plus for this knife set, it is really the design of the knives that make them worthy of this list. Cangshan utilized a design that is a hybrid of Western and Japanese style knives in a way that is a little reminiscent of Dalstrong’s Shogun series or the Misen chef knife. It’s thick bladed like a western knife, but thin behind the edge with a 16-degree angle that’s similar to Japanese knives.
The TC knives perform very well. Cangshan is a relatively new company, but we have been using their knives for several years now, and we feel confident vouching for their durability. What makes them interesting is the semi-octagonal handles that flare out toward the top. The shape creates a good spot for a secure pinch grip that seems to especially comfortable for people with smaller hands.
One of the reasons this set made the list is because it maintains decent quality throughout the set which is rare for such a big set. Usually cutlery companies throw some low-quality steak knives or kitchen shears into a set this size to save money, but Cangshan maintained consistent quality on all the knives in this set.
We reviewed the Cangshan TC chef’s knife a while back if you interested in a little more detail about the quality and performance of the Cangshan TC series..
Kanetsune Seki KC-950 9-Piece Knife Set
| DSR-1K6 Japanese stainless steel |
| Hammer finish blades |
| 58 – 59 HRC |
| Laminated wood handles |
| Plastic bolsters with wood pin |
| Lightweight w/ neutral balance |
| Made in Japan |
Set Includes: 9.4” gyuto, 8.3” gyuto, 7.1” gyuto, 6.5” santoku, 6.5” nakiri, 4.7” petty, 9.4” slicer (sujihiki) 8.3” slicer (sujihiki), 8.5” Mini Deba.
There’s a certain element of quantity over quality in this set, but the quality is still on par with most mid-range knives. Kanetsune is a big company with a strong reputation for good fit and finish and quality control in an approachable price range.
This is one of the larger sets they offer, and, frankly, it gives you more sizes than you really need. But between the three different sizes of gyutos, two different sujihiki, a nakiri, and a mini deba, it will be very easy to pick out a knife of whatever size is most comfortable for any fruit, vegetable, or fish you have in front of yo
The materials on the KC-950 knives might not be as impressive as some others on this list. The stainless steel leans a little soft for Japanese cutlery, and the laminated wood handles with plastic bolsters don’t carry quite the same high-end gravitas as other expensive sets, but they are incredibly lightweight and comfortable.
These knives are sturdy workhorses compared to your typical Shun knife. They might not hold an edge quite as long, but they’ll be easier to sharpen, less prone to chipping, and offer a more neutral balance as opposed to the blade-heavy balance that’s standard in most Japanese cutlery.
A word about Hocho Knife.
Hocho Knife is one of the few places where this set is available online. They are very well known and trusted in the kitchen cutlery industry. We happen to have an affiliate deal with them, but we were happy customers of Hocho Knife long before we were an affiliate.
Cangshan Thomas Keller 17 Piece Block Set
| RWL34 powder steel at 61 HRC |
| Good edge retention and stability |
| 16° edge |
| Designed by Michelin star chef Thomas Keller |
| Made in Yangjiang, China |
Set Includes: 8” chef’s knife, 8” bread knife, 8” honing steel, 7” santoku, 6” boning knife, 5” steak knife (6), 5” tomato/cheese knife, 5” serrated utility knife, 3.5” paring knife, 2.75”peeling knife, 16-slot walnut block.
Designed by the multi-Michelin Starred chef behind French Laundry and Bouchon Bakery, the Thomas Keller series of knives made by Cangshan is amazingly smooth cutting and comfortable.
It uses a premium powder steel made by the Swedish company Damasteel (which is responsible for making the steel used in some of the best Damascus knives in the world). While these knives are made of Damascus, RWL34 is a fantastic material that’s capable of high hardnesses and can take a super thin edge.
As for the actual feel of the knives, they are somewhere in between the Zwilling Pro series and the Kramer knives. The slanted bolster makes the larger knives very comfortable in a pinch grip, and the slightly rounded handle is easy to grip and doesn’t have any harsh corners to bite into the palm of the hand.
This is more than a complete set, including a bunch of knives you probably won’t use, but who’s to say you won’t find some blocks of cheese to slice up with that tomato/cheese knife? And the santoku can be a nice change of pace if you want to push cut through a lot of vegetables when you get bored with the western style chef’s knife. The point is, there’s a lot of options in this set.
If want want in in-depth look at how the Thomas Keller Signature Collection performs in the kitchen, check out our review of the 8-inch chef knife.
Shun Classic 6-piece Knife Block Set
Specifications
| D Shaped Ebony Pakkawood Handles |
| Full Tang |
| VG-MAX Stainless Steel Core With 34 Layers (Each Side) of Stainless Damascus Cladding |
| 4 Empty Knife Slots on the Block To Make Set Customization Easier |
| Hand Crafted |
| Forged not Stamped |
| Made in Seki, Japan |
Set includes the following: 3.5 inch paring, 7 inch Santoku, 8 inch chef, wood storage block, kitchen shears and a honing steel
The Shun Classic 6 Piece is a basic set that makes it possible for consumers to jump into the premium knife world for just under $500. It ships with the most essential knives, leaving two empty slots in the block so more can be added later.
This set offers a lot of value from a cost vs. performance standpoint. The Shun Classics have a VG-MAX steel that’s folded several times with a high carbon steel to make the blade a little tougher and maintain a cutting edge longer.
They also sport the traditional D-shaped handle in Pakkawood, which you don’t get in a lot of Shun’s other knife series. If you have never used a knife with a Japanese style D-shaped handle you may want to try one out before buying a whole set. Most people find them to be comfortable, and many professional chefs and serious amateurs use them, but some people who are accustomed to western style contoured handles don’t like the feeling of that little bump on the side.
The Shun Classic 10 Piece set is an excellent option if you are looking for a happy medium between quality and quantity in a Japanese knife set. But if you’re curious about what else Shun makes, you’ll want to take a look at our Shun Knife set guide. We also did an in depth review of the Shun Classic Santoku knife that is included in this set. Check it out to see how one of the Shun Classic knives performs in the kitchen.
Shun Premier 7-Piece Essential Set
Specifications
| Full Tang |
| VG-MAX steel |
| Oval Shaped Walnut Pakkawood handles |
| 3 empty slots in roll for set customization |
| Hammered Finish |
| Made in Seki, Japan |
Set includes the following: 8” Chef knife, 4” paring knife, 6.5” utility knife, 9” bread knife, herb shears, combination honing steel and an eleven slot bamboo knife storage block.
The Shun Premier series of knives has a lot of similarities to the Shun Classic line such as: VG-MAX steel blades, Packwood handles and similar bade geometry. However, there are a few upgrades that set the Premier line apart. The handles are oval rather than D-shaped, the Pakkawood handles have a Walnut finish, and the top of the blades are hammered to help prevent blade stick.
Another upside to the Premier line is that it is one of Shun’s largest series of knives, so there are more options if you want to fill the empty slots in the storage block down the road. The utility knife pictured above is one of the standout knives in this 7-piece set. The blade shape is similar to the Shun Classic utility knife, but I found the oval handles made the Premier utility knife easier to grip over a larger variety of tasks the D shaped handle of the Shun Classic utility knife. Obviously D shaped handle fans would disagree, but they can write their own article.
This set has been out of stock at most retailers for large parts of 2021 and 2022, but I personally think it is worth waiting for if you are in the market for a high performing Japanese knife set that looks like a piece of art on your kitchen counter. From a straight performance standpoint the Shun Premier series is tough to beat in the production knife world, but the thin edges, hard steel and hammered finish do make these knives a little more prone to chipping. You definitely want to avoid cutting through bones or frozen food when using Shun Premier knives. I like to keep a tough cleaver with soft steel on hand for those types of tasks.
You can learn more about how the Shun Premier set stacks up against other cutlery brands by reading our Shun Premier Chef Knife Review.
Shun Kanso 6-Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| AUS10A steel |
| Stonewash finish blades |
| 16° cutting edge |
| Wooden Tagayasan style handles |
| Full tang |
| Neutral balance |
| Made in Japan |
Set Includes: 8” chef’s knife, 6” utility knife, 5” hollow ground santoku knife, 3.5” paring Knife, 9” honing rod, 8-slot wood block.
Shun went for a rustic feeling for the Kanso series. It has wood handle scales with an exposed tang, and a rarely-seen stonewash finish on the blade. The AUS10A steel also doesn’t show up too often in Shun’s line ups.
That’s a steel that leans more tough than hard compared to the VG-10 in their other stuff, so the edge retention on the Kanso knives won’t be as good as their Classic or Premiere series, but it also has a significantly lower chance of chipping. It’s a work-horse knife with a little bit of personality.
It’s not so easy to see in pictures, but the handle scales are pretty wide, and you can actually feel the texture of the wood, so there’s a lot of material and texture for your fingers to grip onto even in a pinch grip. The only issue with the ergonomics is that neither the spine or any part of the tang is crowned, so you might feel the metal pinching into your hands after you’ve been cutting for a while.
Rustic as the look and feel of the Kanso knives might be, the edge is very polished. It has a very smooth cut, and even though it’s a little thicker behind the edge than other Shun knives (and other Japanese knives in general), these blades have a buttery feel to them when cutting most kinds of foods.
You can learn more about the performance of the Shun Kanso series by checking out our Shun Kanso Chef’s Knife Review.
Best Overall Quality – Zwilling By Kramer Euroline Essential Collection 7-Piece Set
Specifications
| FC61 Steel |
| Full Tang |
| Very ergonomic contoured handles |
| Amazing edge retention |
| Forged not Stamped |
| 61 Rockwell hardness |
| Made in Seki, Japan |
| Lifetime Warranty |
| Designed by Bob Kramer |
Set includes the following: one 8″ chef knife, one 7″ santoku, one 10″ bread knife, one 5″ utility knife, one 4″ paring knife, one 12″ sharpening steel and a 14 slot storage block.
The Euroline Essential Collection is a result of a partnership between master bladesmith Bob Kramer and Zwilling Henckles. Bob Kramer’s knives have been long time favorites of famous chefs around the world. Unfortunately they are expensive and difficult to buy. Thankfully Zwilling Henkels made his work more accessible by licensing a few designs from Kramer.
The knives in the Zwilling Kramer Euroline Essential Collection are functional works of art made in Zwilling’s Japanese factory in Seki. They’re designed to be comfortable and well balanced with thick Micarta handles for hard working chefs who put in long hours, with big-bellied blades that allow for edge modification provide a good space for scooping food up. It’s easily one of the best performing production kitchen sets being manufactured today.
This Kramer Zwilling set ships with a rather ordinary looking wooden block which seems kinda weird considering the high quality and great looks of the knives in this set. Fortunately the wood block does have empty slots in case you want to add one of the other knives from this set like the 6 inch chef knife that I assume Zwilling left out to keep the set below $1,000. This set does not ship with steak knives, but there are 6 empty slots in the storage block, so steak knives can easily be added later.
From a quality, performance and aesthetics standpoint there are very few premium knife sets that can compete with the Kramer by Zwilling Euroline Collection except for maybe the Zwilling Kramer Meiji or Carbon 2.0 sets (but we haven’t had a chance to test those).
Check out our in-depth review of the Kramer By Zwilling Euroline Essential Collection 8 Inch Chef Knife Review here to learn more about these knives.
Best Large Knife Set – Bavarian Knife Works 19 Piece DreamCut Set
Specifications
| X50CoMoV15 German steel at 58 HRC |
| Full Tang |
| Includes 10” chef’s knife |
| 19-slot wood knife block |
| Crowned spines |
| Great storage block design |
| Half bolsters |
| Made in Germany |
Set includes: 10” chef’s knife, 10” carving knife, 9” off-set bread knife, 8” boning knife, 7” santoku, 5” paring knife, honing steel, diamond steel, carving fork, kitchen shears, six 4.5” steak knives
This is a pretty new company that hit the kitchen scene in kind of a new way. This set comes with a 10-inch chef’s knife and an off-set bread knife, which we don’t see very often (at least, not in the big-kitchen-set world), but honestly it’s a breath of fresh air. We love off-set bread knives almost as much as we love bread.
It’s important to note that this doesn’t come with an 8-inch chef’s knife like basically every other set on this list. Instead it has a 7-inch santoku. Most of the professional chefs we’ve talked to seem to prefer a 10-inch knife for most of their work anyway. If you really need that standard-sized chef’s knife, it’s less than $100 to add on, and they’ve left an empty slot in the block for it just in case.
As for the actual function of the set, these knives feel incredible. They’re very lightweight and well balanced for western-style knives. The company has spent a lot of time working on the edges of these things so that the weight of the knife does most of the cutting, so these are very pleasant to cut with. And since it comes with both a honing rod and a sharpening rod, you’ll have everything you need to maintain those edges at hand.
Check out our in-depth Bavarian Knife Set Review to learn more about this set.
Zwilling Pro 10 Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| Made in Solingen, Germany |
| Sigmaforged German steel with Friodur cryo treatment |
| Curved Bolster |
| Full Tang Construction |
| Full tang |
| Polymer handles (available in black and white) |
| Lifetime warranty |
| 55 – 58 HRC |
Set Includes the following: 3” paring knife, 4″ paring knife, 5″ serrated utility knife, 5.5″prep knife, 7″ santoku knife, 8″ bread knife, 8” chef knife, Twin sharpening steel and and a 16-slot wood block.
This is one of the more accessible standards in the kitchen cutlery world. It’s very basic in the sense that when some uses the term Western or German chef knife, you can just picture the Zwilling Pro chef knife.
I should emphasize that this is called the Zwilling Pro set. Zwilling also makes the Pro S, which is roughly the same design, but it has a full bolster and a blade shape that’s a little closer to a gyuto because of the way the spine drops down and leaves less of a curve to the edge.
Both versions are made with the same Sigmaforge process out of a single piece of steel, and put through Zwilling’s own particular set of cryo treatments, but I prefer the bolsterless version because it’s easier to sharpen the whole edge, and a whole lot more comfortable in a pinch grip.
These knives are more tough than hard. Zwilling only takes these to 58 HRC at the most, so these will have a typically Western edge retention in that they will need to be at least honed after a day or week of heavy use, and sharpened one to two times a year (again, depending on how heavily you’re using it). But that use will feel great. The Pro knives have a nice balance and the curved bolster make for one of the most comfortable grips you’ll find on this list.
As for the 16 piece set itself, it’s likely more than most people need, but at least it will be too much of a good thing. With two paring knives and a utility knife you’ll be well covered for detail work. Between the Santoku and the standard 8-inch western chef’s knife, this set can handle basically every kind of food from fine vegetables to hardy cuts of meat.
The Pro series has been around for a while, so you can find a lot of different variations of it in both size and color of handle. Just be sure you pay attention to the lack of an “S” in the name if you’re particular about full bolsters.
There is a 16-piece version of the Zwilling Professional S set if you need steak knives.
Best American Made Pick – Artisan Revere 3-Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| Elmax Super Steel Blades |
| Full Tang |
| 60-61 HRC |
| 12° Edge |
| Wood Richlite Handles |
| Hand Crafted |
| Leather Sheath Included For Each Knife |
| Made in the USA |
Set includes the following: 8″ chef knife, 3.3″ paring knife, 6.4″ small petty knife and 3 custom leather sheaths
The Artisan Revere VIP set is quite possible the best over all knife set we have ever tested. There is no question that the Elmax steel blades have the best edge retention of any kitchen knife we have ever tested.
Artisan Revere knives have excellent performance, impressive toughness, and perfect balance. All of this comes with a relatively steep price tag, but if ultimate quality is what you are looking for, Artisan Revre is tough to beat.
Every knife in this set feels like it was designed with ultimate comfort and performance in mind. The knives feel like somthing boght from a high-end custom knife maker which helps to justify the price tag.
The 6.4 inch small petty knife included in this set has become an all time favorite here at Nothing But Knives. It is versatile enough to be able to be used for almost any cutting or slicing task. The fact that it ships with a leathe sheath makes it a good option for a road trip or camping knife, and it is small enough to toss in a backpack or compact RV or boat drawer.
The 8 inch chef knife that ships with the Artisan Revere VIP knife set has become the knife we compare any and all high -end kitchen knives to. Its impressive balance, edge retention and overall performance make it the knife to beat in the crowded premium kitchen cutlery world.
You can learn more about our thoughts and opinons on this knife by checking out our Artisan Revre Chef Knife Review.
All the knives in this set can be purchased seperatly or all togethor on the Artisan Revere website. We have been dealing with them for some time, so we can vouch for their excellent customer service.
Enso SG2 7 Piece Knife Set
Specifications
| 101 layers of stainless steel Damascus over an SG2 steel core |
| Canvas micarta handles with a Samurai Crest |
| Full Tang |
| Forged not Stamped |
| Lifetime warranty |
| 63 Rockwell hardness |
| True Damascus pattern |
| Made in Seki, Japan |
Set includes the following knives: 3.25 inch paring, 6 inch utility, 6.5 inch santoku, 8 inch chef’s, 9 inch bread knife stainless steel come-apart shears and a dark ash storage block.
The handles of the SG2 series knives are made of linen micarta which is by far my favorite handle material. It more commonly found on high end survival knives than kitchen knives. It is extremely durable and easy to grip. Even these knives are made in Japan they have a more western style handle which makes the knives a bit of a East/West hybrid.
The Damascus pattern on the blades is a result of steel actually being layered. It is not the fake etching found on so many of the budget knives on the market today.
Best Japanese Knife Set – Miyabi Mizu SG2 7-Piece Set
Specifications
| SG2 Super Steel Core With Layered Damascus Steel |
| Precision forged |
| Friodur Ice-hardened |
| 63 HRC |
| Full Tang |
| Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| Made in Seki, Japan |
| Micarta Handles |
| 9-12 Degree Blade Angle |
Set includes the following: one 3.5″paring knife, one 5.5″ utility knife, 9.5″ bread knife, 9″ tungsten sharpening steel, kitchen shears and a bamboo wood block.
The knives of the 7 piece Miyabi Mizu set checked so many boxes from and aesthetics and performance standpoint. These knives ship as sharp as any production knives we have ever tested. They require very little pressure to slice through tomatoes or even onions.
The SG2 steel blades of the Miyabi Mizu SG2 knives are hardened to 63 HRC. This combination of high end steel and relatively extreme heat treatment means these knives hold their edge for longer than almost any other production knife set. However, this also means they need to be treated with care. These premium knives always need to be hand washed and dried immediately. They should also never be used to cut through bone or frozen meat.
The D shaped Micarta handles of these knives are are comfortable and resilient. The sloped bolster makes these knives a good option for fans of the pinch grip. All the knives in this set are well balanced and fun to use.
Miyabi is a Japanese company that is owned by a German knife company called Zwilling which is known for their excellent Friodur ice-hardening heat treatment. The result of these two companies merging is that it has allowed Miyabi to combine their highly respected Japanese craftsmanship with Zwilling’s proprietary heat treatment. The Mizu SG2 performs at a high level thanks to the combined knowledge of German and Japanese knife makers.
Check out our in-depth review of the Miyabi Mizu 8 inch chef knife to get a detailed breakdown of the Miyabi Mizu series performance and durability.
If you want to learn more about our thoughts on the on performance of the Miyabi Mizu knife series, check out our in-depth review of the Miyabi Mizu 8 Inch Chef Knife.
How We Chose Sets To Be conidered For This Article.
There are a lot of elements that can separate a $50 chef’s knife from a $200 professional chef knife. Steel quality, handle material, balance and aesthetics are all factors that set the knives in these professional sets apart and justify their relatively expensive cost. If you are done with low to mid range kitchen cutlery sets, and are ready to shell out a bit more to have an elite level knife set that makes your kitchen counter look its best, here are some great options.
The price range of the cutlery sets in this article ranges from around $500 to $2400. Due to price fluctuation there are often a few sets in this article a little under $500. Obviously, the terms “high end” and “professional” are subjective, but $500 seemed to be a good starting point for what most people would consider a premium level. If that range is a bit more than you want to throw down on a cutlery set, check out our post on the best kitchen knife sets under $300.
How We Test
We spend a lot of time here at Nothing But Knives working with a large array of outdoor knives and kitchen cutlery. For this article we tested a variety of professional knife series and sets. We also reached out to chefs, cooks, butchers, and even a busy food truck owner to get their opinions on the best professional knife sets and high end chef knives. We continue to test new knife sets and series as they are released to ensure this article stays current.
Tips on Caring for Your Kitchen Knives
High end knives deserve high end care. Remember that just because something costs a lot of money, doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Here’s a quick guide on how to properly use and care for your knives.
Cutting
- Don’t cut anything frozen
- Cut with a smooth, straight motion (Don’t twist the knife)
- Only use wooden or rubber cutting boards (Bamboo is fine too, but it will dull your knives quicker)
Cleaning
- Always hand wash your knife
- Wipe the blade right after you’re done cutting something (especially if you’re cutting acidic foods like citrus, and especially if you have a carbon blade)
- Always dry a knife completely after you’re done using it (even stainless knives rust if left wet)
- Never leave your knife in the sink
- Put a light coat of food grade mineral oil on carbon steel knives for long term storage
Sharpening
- Most knives will need to be honed after heavy use (a fine grooved steel or high grit ceramic rod are preferable)
- Find a professional sharpener you trust and take your knife in at least once a year
- Or sharpen them yourself when they no longer cut paper easily (it takes practice but anyone can do it)
Differences Between Japanese and Western Kitchen Knives
You might have noticed a lot of references to “Japanese” or “Western” knives. And you also probably noticed a distinct aesthetic difference when one of those words pops up. There’s an increasing mentality that Japanese knives are better by default, but the truth is that it’s largely a matter of personal style and what you’re cooking.
Here’s a quick run down of the differences.
| Western Knives | Japanese Knives |
|---|---|
| Heavier, with thicker blade stocks and edge geometry | Thinner, lighter, and (usually) weighted toward the blade |
| Tend to have either a neutral or handle-heavy balance | Great for cutting finer foods like vegetables and fish |
| Blades have more pronounced bellies along the edge | Steel is usually harder (more frail but with better edge retention) |
| Good for rock chopping | Mostly balanced for push cuts |
| Handles are usually squared with a belly and have a full tang | Handle shapes range from oval to octagonal, and often have a stick tang |
We wrote a German Chef Knife Guide that might be helpful if you are just looking for a premium western style chef knife rather than a whole set.
Steel Guide to High-End Kitchen Cutlery
Different kinds of knives call for different kinds of steels, and it’s worth knowing a bit about why as long as you’re planning on spending the equivalent of a tank of gas on the thing. I’m about to make a lot of broad-stroke claims that that are worth discussing in greater detail. If you really want to get into the weeds, you could check out the work of Larrin Thomas. He’s significantly more competent about this kind of thing than we are.
If you want a more simplified run down of steel nuance, you can check out our steel guide.
Stainless vs Carbon
The first thing you’ll probably want to know about a knife’s steel is how stainless it is. Here’s the egregiously oversimplified summary of the stainless vs carbon steel for the general consumer:
| Stainless steel takes a lot more exposure to rust. It’s also typically harder, which can make the edge retention better but they’ll be harder to sharpen. |
| Carbon steel is a lot tougher and easier to sharpen (and can usually take a much thinner edge) but it will form rust spots very quickly if left damp for very long. |
If we really wanted to get deep into it, we would break this down to carbon, low alloy, high alloy, and stainless steels. But, again, this is meant to be a quick guide. I’ll refer you again to the Knife Steel Nerds link above.
Carbon Steels Will Form a Patina
It’s a slight discoloration of the blade due to surface oxidation. For collectors and fans of carbon steel knives in general, this is a good thing. It means the knife has been used, and different foods will make a carbon blade discolor in different ways, so it makes the coloring a little more unique to the user and what they normally cook.
Some people find it unsightly, though. If you want a blade to stay looking basically the same color as when you bought it, stainless steel is the way to go.
Steels From Around the World
It goes far beyond steels just being stainless or not. There are hundreds of types of steels in each category, and different styles of knives tend to do better with certain kinds of steel. Conveniently, different styles tend to correlate with different countries and the steels made in those countries.
So here it goes.
Japanese Steel
In production kitchen knives you’re most likely to see VG-10 or VG-MAX. But more traditional or specialized Japanese knives often have variations of high carbon white or blue steel.
The short version is that Japanese knives are generally made thinner and harder for doing much more precise cuts, so they’re usually made with steels that can take very thin edges, and can be tempered to a high hardness (generally in the 60 – 64 HRc range).
German Steel
German or western-style knives are made thicker and tougher so they can handle things like breaking down whole chickens without chipping an edge on bone. They tend to use stainless steels tempered to a softer range, generally 56 – 58 HRc.
A lot of German companies use the same steel. They might use different words for it, but almost every western-style kitchen knife is going to be made of some variation of 1.4116 steel, which is close enough in composition to be basically the same thing as X50CrMoV15 (they’re made by different companies, though). In fact, any time you see a company pushing a knife with “high quality German stainless steel” or something equally vague, there’s a very good chance it’s some form of 1.4116.
On paper, it’s not very impressive compared to other things, but it’s a very tough steel that German companies have been working with for a long time. Wusthof has it dialed in very well, and Zwilling has played with it so much they started making up names like “Friodur hardening” to describe their processes. Both of those companies have been making knives that last decades for a long time, so it’s really all about how the steel is handled.
Other European Steels
You aren’t likely to see anything out there called a “Swedish chef’s knife”, but more and more companies are starting to incorporate Swedish and Austrian steels into designs. Most often I see it being used in Western style knives because companies like Bohler and Sandvik are very good at making tough, grindable steels.
AEB-L is a favorite for a lot of custom makers, and a form of it is used in Zwilling’s stainless Kramer line. 14C28N and 13C26 are pretty similar to AEB-L, although apparently tougher with better edge stability, and a manufacturing dream in terms of churning out consistent, mass produced quality.
Hey, You Forgot American Steels
Almost. The thing is, most production kitchen cutlery makers don’t use American steels very often. Even companies like Lamson, who are based in the US, still prefer the tried-and-true durability of 1.4116.
Kitchen knives with American steel aren’t unheard of, though, especially in the custom knife world. Bob Kramer is a huge fan of 52100, for example. That’s what Zwilling puts in their Kramer Carbon 2.0 line. And a lot of the time when an EDC-centric company like Benchmade or Spyderco makes kitchen knives, they use Crucible’s S45V, Carpenter’s CTS-BD1N, or even 440C, if they really want to cut costs.
Most of those steels are high priced and difficult to work with, though. Established kitchen knife makers usually don’t want to change up their manufacturing process to deal with them, so it’s highly unlikely to see Wusthof or Messermeister popping out a CPM 154 blade any time soon.
This is a thorough list, but i feel it is missing one of the best companies out there. Meglio Knives from the US seems to outperform even the hardest of these heavy hitters. They simply use better materials and haven’t been able to find a knife that can compete with them. Just my experience.
You are right about Meglio Knives deserving a place on this list from a quality standpoint. However this list features knife sets, and unfortunately Meglio doesn’t offer sets yet.
Ben, Bobby, if you were putting together a knife set for the kitchen – which would you invest in. Thanks!
That is the subject of an ever evolving discussion here at Nothing But Knives. We test new knives almost every day, so our answers change somewhat. If money were no object the Kramer by Zwilling series of knives is high on the list, but the price on those knives is a bit of a stretch for many. For more affordable knives I am a big fan of the Tojiro DP chef knife and the Wusthof Classic Ikon chef knife. For a Santoku knife the Enso SG2 is absolutly worth it’s high price tag, but the Enso HD Santoku is more affordable and also really impressive. From there it gets kinda murky. The Cangshan 6.5″ Nakiri is great and the Messermeister Kullenschliff carving knife definitely is high on my list. We are planning a custom knife set article sometime in early 2021.
You can’t beat ones made in Japan.
How would you rank this series of knife sets in this article?
It totally depends on needs and budget. The Wusthof Classic Ikon set probably offers the most value from a performance and durability standpoint. For just straight slicing prowess the Enso and Shun sets are tough to beat, but their edges are a little more prone to chipping and rolling than Western style knife sets. For overall best of the best from a looks and performance standpoint the Kramer By Zwilling set would be my top choice, but it is not cheap.
You would put the Shun and Enso from your list ahead of the Miyabi Mizu? I find it hard to believe they would be more durable or sharper.
I’d say the difference in sharpness between a Shun Classic and Miyabi Mizu are negligible, and they’re all about as durable as anyone should expect Japanese knives to be.
This is my first set I am buying and want to have something that is not a joke in my kitchen. I dated a man who was pure Henckel which you list above as the overall best.
It is so hard to choose which knife set is the most appropriate especially when each set evaluated seems to be of good quality. I was considering the Nexus but after reading the response to Joseph am reconsidering. How do you view the Nexus with the ones you listed above or within the article.
Secondly, do you prefer forged or stamped and why.
Hi Victoria,
The Nexus is an excellent set that holds a great edge thanks to it’s high end steel. From a straight performance standpoint I think the Wusthof Classic Ikon set has a bit of an edge. (pun intended). Nexus is a good choice for people who hate sharpening. I also prefer the more rounded handle of the Wusthof Classic Ikon over the slightly blockier Nexus handles.
The Nexus knives are pretty pretty durable, but hey do not slice as well as the Shun or Enso knives in this article, but the blades are a little more resilient. Still if I had to choose just one knife set, I would choose the Wusthof Classic Ikon set over the Nexus set.
As far as stamped vs forged goes, I almost always prefer forged knives. However modern stamping methods have allowed some companies to make quality stamped knives. Global is an example of one of those companies. Victorinox is another. In general, though, forged knives are more durable and hold a better edge.
Do these high quality knives also require periodic sharpening?
Hi Phung. Yes they still require sharpening, but the knives in this article will hold their edge better than more budget friendly knives.
Can someone explain why I am coming up against OUT OF STOCK and CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE when considering some of these kitchen sets? Thanks
Hi Fred, it is a super frustrating result of the supply chain issues of this last year. Many factories were shut down, and wholesale orders to retailers are way behind. It is getting better, but it seems to be a slow process.
Hey Ben, I was curious as to whether you have a link to the Wusthof Classic Ikon 12- piece Knife Set from blade HQ or Amazon, I didn’t know if you got a commission. But you definitely deserve it if you do. I commented earlier on which larger set you preferred. Well I found that the Ikon comes in a 12 piece set that would be perfect. Pleas let me know or post a link to it on this article so I can give you some credit. Thank you again.
Hi Justin. The Classic Ikon 12 piece is a great set. No worries about clicking on an affiliate link. It is nice when it happens, but ultimately it is traffic that helps the site, so I appreciate you taking the time to read the article.
Nexus set is not “made in germany, finished in switzerland.” Description states, “All Nexus products are handcrafted in our state of the art facility in YangJing, China.”
Thanks Max. Changed it.
I know nothing about knives, so any feedback and opinions would be wonderful and greatly appreciated. I’m debating whether or not I should go with the Wusthof Classic Ikon Knives or Material Knife Set. Do you have any experience with Material Knives? Would you recommend them as a budget knife set? Which set would you recommend if I only want 3 basic knives – chef knife, pairing knife, & serrated knife? What about Misen Knives or Made-In Knives? Do you recommended any other knife brands which are superior to material or is Wusthof the best buy? Thank you for any help.
Hi Ashleigh, I don’t have an experience with Material knives yet, and that is mostly due to the fact that I am skeptical of any knife company that does not give exact specifications on the steel they use. However, their knives seem to be pretty popular. I do have experience with Misen knives. They are tough, but the Wusthof Classic Ikon knives are better in every way from ergonomics to overall performance. If I was shopping for the 3 knives you mentioned, Classic Ikon would be a great way to go.
Thank you so much for your help. I will definitely buy the Wusthof Classic Ikon knives.
Right on, Ashleigh. Glad we could help.
I thought Dalstrong was always a good brand to go with. Why are they not on the list?
Hi Bert. Dalstrong has historically been a good brand, but not great. They are the undisputed king of marketing in the Kitchen cutlery world, but until recently the performance fell a little short of many of the other high end brands. However, they have increased the overall quality and performance of their knives in the last couple years, but they don’t yet offer their best knife series in sets.
Ok so of all the knives you tested on here and maybe since this article. What would you recomend either set wise or piecing together? I would like to stay around $1,000 including steak knives.
I would probably get the Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece set that is at the beginning of this article, and the Wusthof 1120360401 Classic IKON 4 Piece Steak Knife Set. Together they would be right around $1k.
Another good option would be the Zwilling Pro 10 Piece Knife Set listed here combined with the Zwilling Pro 6 piece steak knife set. The storage block that ships with the 10-Piece set has six empty slots for steak knives.
My personal favorite in the $1k price range are the Tojiro DP knives. However, their sets are small and almost always out of stock which is why they are not in this article. However, you could put together a Tojiro DP knife set that included steak knives for under $1k. The knives and storage block would have to be bought individually. If you do a search for Tojiro on this site it will bring up a few articles where we talk about them. Amazon usually has their knives in stock, but Cutlery And More is another good place to find them if Amazon is out.
Hey, I just stumbled across this site today and am so glad I did! I currently have a cheap $100 Cuisinart set, but my wife and I are getting into more “mature” dishes and we started eating a lot of steak dishes, I would love to just have a set that super sharp. Which set is simply the sharpest and best for meat dishes, but also has some of the sharpest knives for chopping veggies and such? Out of these listed I liked the Cangshan set, but quite frankly I don’t need a set that large. Is there a set similar to that which has enough steak knives for dinner parties, a variety of other knives, and still has the same sharpness and quality? Thanks so much!
Hi Benjamin. All the knives in this article are really sharp right out of the box. The Zwilling Pro Series 7 Piece Block Set combined with the Zwilling Pro 6 Piece Steak Knife Set would probably be a great fit for your needs. The storage block that ships with the 7 Piece Set has six empty slots for steak knives, but the steak knife set has to be purchased separately. This is a common problem in the high end cutlery world. Small sets often don’t ship with steak knives, so they have to be purchased separately.
Can’t say that I agree that the prices are decreasing. The same 3.5 inch Wusthof Classic Paring knife I purchased 14 months ago on Amazon for $40 is now $95. Perhaps in the long run, but certainly not recently.
Hi JR. Yea we have seen significant price increases over the last two years, but prior to that companies had constantly been improving quality and decreasing prices. Obviously the recent supply chain issues and increased inflation have been tough on knife companies.
Why did you not mention Warther Cutlery? They are some of the best made American knives I have come across. Much better than the Buck you have listed. Also, Case makes knives here in the US and they have a no questions asked warranty. I mean, “no questions” as in no receipt, no problem. How can you beat that warranty. You say lifetime warranty on your list, but you don’t really elaborate. A warranty is only as good as the stability and access of the company. Are these companies a no receipt – no question warranty for lifetime? Are they easy to return too? Do they have outlets or dealers? Lots of questions come to my mind in the evaluation of the best option. Nexus for one, being Chinese, would be a STRIKE off my list.
Hey Pike, thanks for reading.
If you’re asking about the Buck warranty, I’d point you toward their neatly written FAQ page in which they make clear that questions are very much asked.
But I appreciate your pointing out Warther Cutlery to us. Your comment possesses all the panting desperation of grabbing someone by the shirt collar, pointing them at a forest, and asking how they could possibly miss that nice tree in the back, then demanding to know how many branches are on the tree next to it.
Generally we try not to recommend knife makers we haven’t tested ourselves. And while Warther looks like a fine company, it’s expensive for us to just snatch up every good looking knife we come across. We can only climb so many trees in a year, but we’ll probably get down there and climb that tree one of these days. When we do we’ll be sure to count the branches for you, and point out any Chinese trees we see along the way so you can keep your little list safely updated.
HI there! Which set would be the best for everyday cooking? (not looking to spend a $$$ but willing to splurge a little) Many Thanks!
Hi Jamie,
That is a tough question to answer, because everyone has different needs and preferences based on the type of cooking they do, and the knife technique they prefer. From a straight value and performance standpoint, I really like the Wusthof Classic Ikon series sets. I also really like the Zwilling Pro series knife sets. They offer really good bang for the buck. If you are looking for more lightweight Japanese style knives, Tojiro DP sets are a good way to go if you can find them.
Great article Ben…have you reviewed New West Knife Works? Your thoughts on their process would be appreciated
Thanks John. We have not reviewed anything from New West Knife Works yet, but they are on our list.
What do you think of the Cangshan L Series Classic 17-Piece Block Set offered by Costco?
Hi Tanya. We haven’t has a chance to test out any of the Cangshan L series knives yet, but every Cangshan knife we have tested offered quality and performance above its price range.
The Kramer set is
$1999 on Amazon.
1.). Is it best to Buy knife sets or buy individual knives in putting together a chef’s working knife set?
2). If this is the way to go, then what 2 is 3 knives would you but to start?
Correction to that last: What 2 or 3 knives would you buy to start?
Generally speaking, the best approach is to slowly build a set one knife at a time. Start with a chef’s knife and a paring knife. A bread knife is good to have to, because those things work great for a lot more than bread if they’re made well.
The truth is almost all sets have more knives than you need. Sometimes it’s nice to have more than you need, especially if you want a certain look in your kitchen or have a lot of people around who cook, but if you’re just starting your own personal collection, it’s good to start slowly with the knives you really like and will use day to day.