10 Chef-Approved Knife Sets That Are a Cut Above the Rest
Ask any chef—well-weighted, sturdy knives are a game changer in the kitchen.
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Preparing a savory meal begins not only with mouthwateringly fresh ingredients, but also with workhorse cutlery that renders chopping, slicing, and dicing effortless. Put those worn-out, dull blades on the chopping block and let these cutting-edge knife sets make you the Gordon Ramsay or Ina Garten of your own culinary domain.
These Japanese-style cook's knives are specialized for their dexterity in chopping, dicing, and slicing. Rust-resistant stainless-steel blades hold an incredibly sharp edge. Traditional-style rounded Japanese handles are made of heat- and water-resistant resin.
Just the right size, just the right weight, just what you need. A trio of high-performance knives, made from cryogenically-tempered Japanese stainless steel and high carbon making them meticulously sharp and incredibly resilient.
Our Five Two knives have handles that are good-looking enough to steal the whole show—but that’s just the beginning. Our Five Two knives have handles that are good-looking enough to steal the whole show—but that’s just the beginning.
A set of super dexterous knives is the building block of your kitchen. They underpin all your culinary creativity (and dish dreams). You want blades that go the distance and are a pleasure to use. Our Swiss Classic Kitchen Set, 5 pieces, is the natural choice.
The knives with a following. There’s a reason these knives are beloved by home chefs and professionals alike—actually, lots of reasons. For starters, every slicer is crafted in Japan from a single piece of the finest stainless steel.
The Zwilling Gourmet knife collection boasts lightweight blades that are precision-stamped from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, allowing for maximum maneuverability.
With a name that literally translates to “knife master," Messermeister’s collection of German-made knives are the hand-forged result of decades of hard work and the vision of exquisite quality by founder, Bernd Dressler.
Cut with carbon. Miyabi Evolution knives are manufactured in Seki, Japan (also known as a destination for samurai sword making!), where the process involves more than 100 steps and takes 42 days.
Shun knives reflect the handcraftsmanship of a centuries-old tradition of Japanese knife making. The Shun 5-Piece Starter Block Set includes three of the most essential knives, which feature razor-sharp stainless-steel blades and ergonomic PakkaWood handles.
Update your kitchen cutlery with this set that combines Wüsthof's renowned German craftsmanship with modern, ergonomic handles. Crafted in the famed cutlery center of Solingen, Germany, this set includes durable, versatile essentials for everyday food prep.
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Duncan Nielsen
News Editor
Duncan Nielsen is Dwell’s design news editor. His coverage includes everything from Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired sneakers to ADU legislation. Share tips or ideas at duncan at dwell dot com.
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