In addition to being practical, quality knives can also be stunning.
Due to the growing influence of Japanese knife design…
…which has a long history of focusing on beauty…
…there is an ever-expanding selection of high-quality…
…and stunning knife sets available.
We’re going to look at some of the best kitchen knife sets…
…with a range of European functions and Japanese-influenced styles in this article.
Before we get into the list of the best luxury kitchen knife sets, let’s hear Michael’s story…
For Christmas, I bought my daughter this set of knives.
She just started culinary school.
The knives are nice and I think the quality is good, but I haven’t used them yet.
Well, I expect that she’ll love them, and I’m planning on getting the whole set
for myself along with the butcher block, quality is important.
Let’s dive right in!
Best Luxury Kitchen Knife Set Recommendations
| Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | Wusthof Classic 16-piece Acacia Knife Block Set | Prime | Check Price on Amazon |
Top | DALSTRONG Knife Block Set - 6-Piece w/Magnetic Knife Stand - Phantom Series - Japanese High-Carbon - AUS8 Steel - Pakkawood Handle | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
Top | Shun Cutlery Classic 5-Piece Starter Block Set; 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 6-inch Utility Knife, 8- inch Chef’s Knife, Combination Honing Steel, 6-Slot Slimline Block; Handle Any Kitchen Task | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
Top | DALSTRONG Knife Set Block - 5pc - Shogun Series X Knife Set - AUS-10V High-Carbon Japanese Super Steel - Black G10 Handles - Acacia Wood Block | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Wüsthof Classic 16-Piece Knife Block Set
- Set Includes: 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 4.5-inch Utility Knife, 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife, 6-inch Utility Knife, 7-inch Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife, 8-inch Bread Knife, 8-inch Chefs Knife, 9-inch Sharpening Steel, Six 4.5-inch Steak Knives, 17-slot Acacia Knife Block and Come-Apart Shears
With this incredible knife set from Wüsthof…
…you’ll get a comprehensive set of knives made from durable materials.
Wüsthof are one of the most well-known and respected brands in the world of knives.
As a result of its long knife-making history…
…Solingen, Germany, is known as The City of Blades.
The blade is made of a German stainless steel called X50CrMo15.
High carbon steel is commonly used to make knife blades…
…for their strength and edge retention…
…and high chromium content increases the steel’s resistance to rust and corrosion.
Handles are all made from a thermoplastic called POM.
Western-style knives are often made of this material…
…because it is durable and resistant to moisture…
…and temperature fluctuations that you would find in a busy kitchen.
The expansive knife set contains just about any knife you could ever need…
…and because Wüsthof knives are built for durabilit…
… you can expect the set to last for decades despite heavy use.
If you can spend $ 1,000 or more on a knife set…
…then you actually end up with an excellent value for money per knife…
…especially given that Wüsthof is widely regarded…
…as the best manufacturer of western-style knives.
Dalstrong Phantom Series 6-Piece Magnetic Block Set
- Powerhouse Knife. Masterfully elegant, perfectly balanced, razor sharp and with exceptional performance, the Phantom Series knife is a statement in refinement, beauty, purity and power.
Due to the fact that Dalstrong knives are manufactured in China…
…using imported German or Japanese steels…
…you get incredible quality at a relatively low price.
Their blades are made from AUS-8 steel.
A high carbon content gives it strength as well as a mixture of nickel…
…manganese, silicon, vanadium, chrome…
…and molybdenum which work together to add a little flexibility…
…since high carbon knives tend to be brittle.
It’s a quality steel that produces a great blade…
…with a sharp cutting edge that keeps its sharpness very well.
There is a partial bolster on the blade and a full tang into the handle.
The handles are Japanese style, so they are very well rounded…
…and comfortable to hold. The handles are made of a material called G-10.
Therefore, the handle is lightweight, chemically inert…
…and resistant to both water and temperature changes, so it shouldn’t corrode or deform.
Keep reading…
Shun Classic 5-Piece Block Set
This is the second Shun set I have on my list.
Since it’s smaller, it’s much more affordable…
…but it uses the same fantastic materials and design.
Shun knives are made in the Japanese city of Seki…
…known as the knife capital of Japan.
Shun’s blades are made with VG-MAX…
…a Japanese steel with a western twist on classic Japanese steel.
As you would expect from Japanese steel, it is high in carbon…
…which gives it an extremely sharp edge with excellent edge retention.
The western twist is that Shun has added more chromium to the blade…
…which makes stainless steel knives resistant to corrosion and rust.
As a result, the blade comes out stronger…
…and more durable than you might expect.
The blades are partially bolstered and have a full tang going down the handle.
With a tapered cylindrical shape and Pakkawood as the material…
…the handles are crafted in a traditional Japanese style.
Knife handles made of this wood composite are renowned…
…for their durability and attractive natural appearance.
Last, but not least…
Dalstrong Shogun Series X 5-Piece Knife Set
As you would expect from a knife with Shogun in the name…
…these Dalstrong Shogun knives are inspired by the Japanese style.
The Dalstrong knives are manufactured in China using German or Japanese steel…
…as a result you get incredible quality knives at a relatively low price.
They use AUS-10 as the steel for the blades.
It is made up of a high carbon content and a mixture of nickel…
…manganese, silicon, vanadium, chrome, and molybdenum…
…which make it resistant to rust and corrosion…
…and to add some flexibility since high carbon knives tend to be brittle.
Steel of this quality makes for a superb blade with a cutting edge…
…that retains its sharpness very well.
“The coating enhances its strength and improves the blade nonstick properties. Each full tang knife is hand sharpened for optimum durability.”
Anthony Zallo – Chef at Bigelow Grille
There is a partial bolster to the blades and a full tang to the handle.
It’s a mix of the classic western style and the more cylindrical Japanese style handle…
…so it’s very well rounded and comfortable to hold.
The handle is made of fiberglass called G-10, and it is riveted.
Due to its light and incredibly durable construction, chemically inert…
…and resistance to different temperatures and liquids…
…the handle shouldn’t corrode or crack in any way.
A few things to note…
Things to Consider When Shopping for the Best Kitchen Knife Sets
To make sure you end up with the right knife set…
…there are a few factors you need to consider.
Here’s what to look for:
Material
Due to technological advancement, knife makers are able to experiment…
…with different materials to make great knives for professional…
…or domestic use at a low cost.
Thus, a wide range of materials are used in producing these knives…
…which affects their price, performance, and durability.
Stainless Steel
There are many reasons why butchers and chefs prefer stainless steel knives.
These knives are easy to sharpen, maintain, and do not rust.
They are, however, flexible and bend easily.
Additionally, stainless steel blades have poor edge retention.
The block might not be a deal-breaker if it has a sharpener for self-sharpening.
Carbon Steel
A carbon steel knife is easy to sharpen, and will retain its edge for a long time.
Therefore, it won’t become blunt anytime soon.
Unfortunately, they are susceptible to corrosion and rust.
As a result, the maintenance cost is high and might not be worth it in the long run.
It is recommended to season the knife with mineral oil to prevent rusting.
Damascus Steel
Carbon steel and stainless steel are blended to offer the best of both worlds…
…without the drawbacks. When identifying Damascus steel knives…
…look for a striking design on the blade.
The knives made of Damascus steel are expensive…
…since they are usually handmade and there is only a limited supply on the market.
Since some brands coat stainless steel knives for a similar appearance…
…it can be tricky to buy a Damascus steel knife.
Ceramic
Knives of this type are rust-free, very sharp, and lightweight.
Ceramic knives have a longer edge retention…
…which means you don’t need to sharpen them as often as other types.
However, they are prone to chipping and are expensive to maintain.
Weight
Weight of a knife is a personal preference, as it all depends on the user.
However, many knife specialists advise home cooks…
…to stay away from light kitchen knives.
A knife must not be too heavy or too light…
…in order to perform excellent cutting effortlessly.
In addition, the knife should not be too heavy…
…since this could make maneuvering challenging, or worse, strain your wrist.
Comfort
Holding the right kitchen knife must be comfortable for you.
For a comfortable grip and secure handling…
…some kitchen knives feature rubberized handles or molded handlebars.
Several brands offer both options for a more comfortable handling experience.
It’s best to choose knives with smooth handles when you’re choosing a collection.
To protect your forefinger from the blade…
…make sure the knives have seamless bolstered handles.
Balance
A good kitchen knife should have the right balance and weight, as I mentioned earlier.
The handle and blade should be equally weighted.
You can figure this out by trying to balance the knife…
…with your forefinger at the middle point.
The knife shouldn’t tip either way if it’s balanced.
In order to achieve the desired cut or efficiency…
…you must maneuver the knife skillfully with a heavy handle.
It won’t feel right to use it to make some cuts.
Tang
Tangs fall into three categories: half tangs, rat-tail tangs, and full tangs.
In full-tang knives, both the handle and blade are comprised of one piece.
When it comes to durability, a full tang design is the best choice.
Rat-tail tangs, on the other hand, have a larger blade…
…and a narrower handle welded to the base.
A half tang has the blade glued to the handle.
It should be clear by now that the half-tang is the least durable option.
The handle tends to fall out over time.
Sum Up!
Super sharp knives are essential for cooking.
You need the essential tools for ingredient prep – such as the chef’s knife…
…the serrated knife, and the paring knife…
…as well as specialized blades to reduce pain…
…when deboning, filleting, or carving.
However, we often consider knives block sets to be a luxury item.
An excellent knife block set eliminates the effort…
…and guesswork involved in researching and selecting each blade one by one.
Conclusion
The top 5 best kitchen knife sets have been reviewed…
…and we have discussed key factors to consider when shopping for the right one.
Be sure to keep these factors in mind…
…when determining a collection’s effectiveness, durability, and usability.
Ultimately, they all would serve you well for many years to come…
….if you choose any set on this list.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
