12 best knife sets in 2021 for every kind of slicing and dicing
IF YOU CONSIDER yourself a bit of a home chef, you'll be well aware of the importance of a good knife set. Dull knives make preparing your ingredients feel like a chore, so we've rounded up the 12 best knife sets in 2021 for every kind of slicing and dicing.
Japanese knives, German knives, Stainless steel knives - choosing between different kinds of knife sets can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re more of a hobby cook than a kitchen expert. To help you make your decision process a little easier we’ve rounded up the best kitchen knife set for every category, so you can stop searching and start slicing.
But before we get into the best knife sets, you're probably wondering what they're all used for.
Which kitchen knives are used for what?
Professional knife sets are high-quality, comprehensive knife sets used by either professionals in a commercial kitchen or by enthusiastic self-taught chefs at home.
Japanese knife sets are known for their precise sharpness and while they can be used for most kitchen tasks, are especially adept at cutting up seafood and vegetables.
German knife sets are usually made up of thicker knives and more robust than other knives, and can cut through pretty much anything - even bones.
Stainless steel knife sets are durable, strong, and corrosion-resistant which means although they are usually reasonably priced, they can also be depended on to be long lasting.
Ceramic knife sets don't rust, stay sharper for longer, and are thin enough to slice through fruit and vegetables extremely finely.
1. Professional X50 Knife Set
Best professional knife set
If you’re on the hunt for some professional quality knives, now would be the best time to go for it - as this set by ProCook is currently discounted by £100.
The set comes with a paring, chef, utility, bread, and carving knife so you’ll have all the knives you need for cooking 5-star quality meals at home.
The ergonomic handles of these knives have been designed to fit within your hand perfectly, so they remain comfortable even if you have a lot of cutting to do.
Comes with:
- Paring knife
- Utility knife
- Chef knife
- Bread knife
- Carving knife
- Glass block
Material: German stainless steel blade with micarta handles
Dishwasher safe: No
Buy here: £129
2. Nafang Brothers Damascus Kitchen Knife Set
Best Japanese knife set
Japanese knives are coveted because of their superior quality and lightweight feel, making cutting through tough ingredients a breeze.
This set by Nafang Brothers not only comes with six knives - including a chef knife, slicing knife, bread knife, Santoku knife, utility knife, and a paring knife - but it also comes with a knife sharpener so you can care for the knives and keep them sharp.
Comes with:
- Chef knife
- Slicing knife
- Bread knife
- Santoku knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
- Kitchen shears
- Knife sharpener
- Beechwood block
Material: Damascus steel blade and full tang ABS handle
Dishwasher safe: No
Buy here: £169.95
3. homgeek Knife Set with Block homgeek Knife Set
Best german knife set
German knives tend to be quite thick and sturdy, making them perfect for cutting through tough ingredients like meat.
This set from Homgeek gives you the freedom to get creative in the kitchen, offering professional quality knives at a reasonable price.
The blade of the knife has been forged with hand-polished edges to ensure they are not only sharp but also stain resistant.
Comes with:
- Chef knife
- Slicing knife
- Bread knife
- Boning knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
- Wooden knife holder
Material: Stainless steel blade and pakka wood handle.
Dishwasher safe: No
4. Richardson Sheffield Scandi 5 Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
Best knife sets under £100
With a modern Scandinavian inspired design, these high-quality knives have been made using chrome molybdenum vanadium stainless steel with carbonised ash wood handles.
This combination of materials creates knives that are built to last and will help you level up your kitchen creations.
Comes with:
- Cooks knife
- Carving knife
- Bread knife
- Utility knife
- All-purpose knife
- Wooden block
Material: Stainless steel blade with carbonised ash wood handle
Dishwasher safe: No
5. Nuovva Store Kitchen Knife Block Set
Best knife set under £50
Coming in at under £50, this set of stainless steel knives comes stocked with a whopping 12 knives, a pair of kitchen shears, and a wooden block for you to keep them all in.
This set is best suited to someone who needs a whole new batch of knives, cooks a lot and wants quality without the hefty price tag.
Comes with:
- Chef knife
- Slicing knife
- Bread knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
- Six steak knives
- All-purpose kitchen shears
- Hardwood knife block
Material: Stainless steel blade and handles
Dishwasher safe: No
6. Russell Hobbes Magnus 12 Piece Knife Block
Best budget knife set
This is a simple set that will ensure your kitchen is fully equipped for all your cooking needs.
Clocking in at under £30, these knives aren’t a huge financial investment, and although we’d recommend a more expensive set for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, if you’re more of a simple chef this set will suffice.
Comes with:
- Five cooking knives
- Four steak knives
- Kitchen shears
- Knife sharpener
Material: Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: No
7. Robert Welch Signature Book Oak Knife Block Set
Best knife block set
This knife set has won a design award, and you only need to take a glance at it to see why.
The oak wooden block that the knives are stored in is a more modern take than the knife blocks you’re probably used to and will look a lot better on your kitchen bench.
The knives can be removed from the front or top of the block, which makes them easier to grab when you’re in the cooking zone.
The knives come with a lifetime guarantee, so while they might seem expensive they work out cheaper than buying a whole new set once every few years.
Comes with:
- Carving knife
- Bread knife
- Cook’s knife
- Santoku knife
- Kitchen knife
- Vegetable knife
- Book oak knife block
Material: Stainless steel blade with DuPont handles
Dishwasher safe: No
8. All-Inclusive 10-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
Best stainless steel knife set
This all-inclusive stainless steel knife set comes with everything a budding home chef could need - down to the chopping board.
The sleek set will add a modern touch to your kitchen aesthetic, and make it super simple to stay organised with the individual knife slots in the caddy.
Comes with:
- Chef knife
- Bread knife
- Carving knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
- Kitchen shears
- Knife sharpener
- Cutting board
- Multi-compartment holder
Material: Stainless steel knives and handles
Dishwasher safe: No
9. Craverix Professional Kitchen Knives Set
Best knife set with plastic handles
A simple, budget-friendly knife set that comes with the basics you need for slicing and dicing at home.
Perfect for students and people moving into their first home, this is a durable set that won’t set you back a lot of money, but will still get the job done.
Comes with:
- Paring knife
- Utility knife
- Bread knife
- Slicing knife
- Chef knife
- Acrylic stand
Material: Stainless steel blade with acrylic handles
Dishwasher safe: No
10. Magnani Professional Knife Set with Magnetic Wall Strip
Best magnetic knife set
Keep all your knives hanging right where you can see them with this professional knife kit that comes with a magnetic strip for you to hang in your kitchen.
Unlike many other knife sets, this one is dishwasher safe which will save you a tonne of time on clean ups in the long run.
Comes with:
- Meat knife
- Fruit knife
- Bread knife
- Santoku knife
- Universal knife
- Chef knife
- Kitchen shears
- Knife sharpener
- Magnetic knife stand
Material: RVS metal
Dishwasher safe: Yes
11. Ankway Ceramic Knife Set Black
Best ceramic knife set
Ceramic knives are preferred by those who are extra cautious of bacteria, as the surface of ceramic knives has no bacteria-producing pores which inhibit their growth.
This ceramic knife set is sharp and effective, slicing through your ingredients with ease.
Comes with:
- Fruit knife
- Paring knife
- Utility knife
- Chef knife
- Knife sheaths
- Ceramic peeler
- Gift box
Material: Ceramic
Dishwasher safe: Yes
12. Morphy Richards Accents 5 Piece Knife Block
Best copper knife set
Make a statement in your kitchen with this copper-coloured knife block set that safely stores all your knives on the countertop.
The powerful high-grade blades effortlessly slice through ingredients and help you prepare meals with ease.
Comes with:
- Bread knife
- Chef knife
- Slicing knife
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
Material: Copper stainless steel
Dishwasher safe: No