Knives are must-haves in the kitchen. While the chef’s knife is the most important and versatile, you will also need a serrated knife, paring knife, and boning knife, among others. Rather than buying knives individually, you can save money by buying them altogether. Keep on reading and we’ll talk about the top options for the best knife block sets.
Top 6 Picks for the Best Knife Block Sets Reviews 2021
If you are clueless about what to buy, below are some of the top products to include on your list.
1. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Signature Knife Block Set
The price of this knife block set can be a turn-off for most people. However, that should not be the case. It is from one of the most reputable brands, so you can enjoy the best value for every dollar. Not to mention, one set is inclusive of 19 pieces. It has a chef’s knife, steak knives, and utility knife, among others.
We love how the knives are made using high-carbon steel. This is a premium material that resists stain, making it easy to prolong the functional life of the knives. To add, it has one-piece precision-stamped blade, which ensures its incredible strength even after years of use.
It is also worth mentioning that it comes with an ice-hardened blade. The main benefit of the latter is that the blade will stay sharp for a long time. If ever it dulls, you don’t have to worry since the set is also inclusive of a honing rod. This makes it effortless to maintain the blade’s peak performance.
2. Wusthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set
Any seasoned chef will agree – Wusthof is an unrivaled brand. Even if it is expensive, it is a great option, especially because the company has been operating for centuries. With this set, you will get a paring knife, serrated utility knife, chef’s knife, and kitchen shears, all of which are organized in a beautiful acacia block.
The knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel. This material is popular for its incredible strength while maintaining a minimal weight. The knives are also precision-forged for better durability.
More so, it comes with triple-riveted handle. It has a full bolster for safety. We love its ergonomic design, making it comfortable to hold, even for a long time. The handle resists fading and discoloration. It also does not easily get slippery, even when your hand is wet.
Lastly, this knife block set comes with a limited lifetime warranty. This should be more than enough to provide you with peace of mind.
3. J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio 19-piece Knife Set
The beautiful cherry block that comes with this knife set will surely stand out in the kitchen. It comes with different types of essential knives you will need. It has paring knife, chef’s knife, serrated steak knife, and utility knife, among others.
Except for the steak knives, all of the knives in this set have a stamped construction. There is also a fully-forged blade with a full-tang. This way, you can be confident that they will withstand many years of use. Plus, they are also comfortable to hold because of the triple-riveted handle.
The performance of each knife is unbeatable, which is one thing you can expect from a reliable brand. They are all well-balanced, making them user-friendly and minimizing the possibility of an injury. It also has great edge retention. Even after years of use, the blade will remain sharp.
4. Nanfang Brothers Kitchen Damascus Knife Set
It may not be from a brand as popular as the makers of the knife sets mentioned above, but this is another option worth considering. Aside from the beechwood block, this set is also inclusive of a chef knife, bread knife, utility knife, paring knife, slicing knife, kitchen shears, and knife sharpener.
In terms of construction, the knives are exceptional because they are made of VG10 steel core. This Japanese material uses 67 layers of Damascus steel at its core, which means that it can deliver an incredible strength. The sharpness and edge retention are impressive.
Aside from the blade, the design of the handle is equally notable. It has a curved design so that your hand can rest properly. The handle is integrated into the blade, making it strong.
5. Calphalon 321 Knife Block Set
This knife set comes with a chef’s knife, serrated utility knife, santoku knife, paring knife, steak knives, kitchen shears, and a sharpening block. The best thing about this product is that the ceramic sharpeners are built-in on the unit. This means that the knives are basically self-sharpening. Every time you put them on and off the block, the blades are sharpened.
The forged steel construction of the knives is one more thing we would like to highlight. It has a high-carbon and no-stain steel, guaranteeing many years of functionality. It easily maintains its peak performance without requiring too much on your end.
Another thing we like in these knives is that the handles are labeled. You no longer have to be confused, making sure that you will pull out the right knife at all times!
6. Cuisinart C77SS-15PK Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Block Set
This is another knife set wherein the brand name alone is already a compelling reason to pick it over the competition. The block set includes a chef’s knife, slicing knife, santoku knife, serrated utility knife, bird’s peak paring knife, sharpening steel, and kitchen shears.
The knives come with stainless steel blades. They are hardened to perfection, so you can be confident that the quality is second to none. The edges are angled to deliver incredible sharpness and edge retention. When it turns dull, you can use the sharpening steel included in the set to restore the knife’s functionality.
It is also worth noting that the knives have a durable bolster. This will improve control and stability. You can improve handling and minimize the possibility of hurting yourself. The stainless steel handle is curved and has an ergonomic design, so gripping it is effortless.
How to Choose the Best Knife Block Sets
There are plenty of options in the market, but this does not mean that they can all deliver the same superior quality.
Inclusions
One of the most important is to identify the items that are included in the set. In most cases, the more items there are, the more expensive it is. Aside from the block itself, these are some of the must-haves:
- Chef’s Knife: This is the most important knife in the set as it is the most versatile. If you can only have one knife in the kitchen, it is the chef’s knife. The length of the blade ranges from eight to ten inches. If possible, choose a longer blade as it is more useful for a variety of applications.
- Paring Knife: A small knife, it is a great option when slicing foods that require more detail. From strawberries to garlic, this is perfect for small items. However, because it is small and lightweight, you should not use it on large and heavy fruits or vegetables.
- Serrated Knife: While it is most commonly used for slicing bread, that is not the only thing that it can do. The serrated edges are great for things that are hard on the exterior and soft on the interior.
- Boning Knife: As the name implies, this knife is for boning. Whether for fish or meat, this is functional. It is small for more detailed work. It is not meant to cut through bones. Rather, it must cut around the bone.
- Kitchen Shears: Aside from knives, you will also need kitchen shears. This is important for items that you need to cut instead of slice. In most cases, it has a come-apart design.
- Honing Rod or Sharpening Steel: Over time, the knives can become dull. This is a good item to help restore the sharpness and functionality of the blades.
Material
This is important as it affects the overall quality and performance of the knives. Stainless steel is the most common material that is used, which is known for its hardness. It also has exceptional edge retention, making sure that it stays sharp for a long time. There are different types of steel, so make sure to choose what works best for your needs.
The material of the handle is also important. It can be steel, plastic, or wood. Regardless, pick one that is ergonomic, allowing you to hold the knife properly. It must also be water-resistant.
As for the block, wood is the most common. Choose a long-lasting wood that can withstand the harsh kitchen environment. Look for one with aesthetically pleasing design so that it won’t be an eyesore in the kitchen.
Ease of Use
As you evaluate the knives included in the set, make sure that they are user-friendly. They should be easy and comfortable to hold, so it is a must to have an ergonomic handle. Plus, it should be well-balanced, so having a bolster can help. Most importantly, it should be safe to use.
Gordon Ramsay by Royal Doulton Knife Block
FAQs About Knife Block Set
Got questions about knife block sets? We’ll answer some of them below.
What should be included in a knife block set?
This will depend on your needs and preferences. Aside from the knife block, you need a chef’s knife, paring knife, utility knife, and steak knives. It is also important to have a honing rod or sharpening steel, as well as kitchen shears.
How much does a knife block set?
It costs anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on the brand, inclusions, and materials, among other things. Consider it as an investment, so do not hesitate to spend more if this means that you will enjoy exceptional quality.
How do you maintain a knife block?
Like the knives, the block requires proper care and maintenance to prolong its functional life. Hand-wash using hot and soapy water. Pay attention to cleaning the knife slots. Store the block and the knives in a place away from direct heat and moisture. If there are hard residues, use a scraper, but be careful to not scratch or damage the block.
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