How to choose the best professional knife block set?

knives

One of the earliest tools used by mankind, knives appeared at least two and a half million years ago. Their evolution from wood, stone and bone to steel, ceramic, and titanium are revolutionary and make up for the immense variety of knives to choose from.

There are different sizes, qualities and prices. The important thing is to find a knife that feels comfortable in your hand. It’s all about balance and grip. 

Luckily, there are now sets of knives which have everything that a basic ‘home’ collection should consist of. We have created an overview of knife sets to help you choose a set to use in your kitchen. We are using affiliate links, this will however not affect the prices.

Our selection of best knife block sets

Global 7-piece Ikasu Knife Block Set
Wüsthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set 
Home Hero 7- Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Knife Set

Overview of best knife block sets

Global 7-piece Ikasu Knife Block Set

knife block by Global

Global is a Japanese brand of knives and has two most innovative features – their edge and the way they are balanced. The blade is made from one of the finest steels – CROMOVA 18 stainless steel. This special steel is ice-tempered and hardened to a Rockwell Hardness of 56-58, which remains razor sharp longer than any other steel and resists rust, stains and corrosion. To balance the blade, all Global knives have a unique hollow handle filled with the right amount of sand to create the perfect balance.

Inclusive in this set

1x Chef’s Knife, 1x Bread Knife, 1x Chef’s Utility/Prep Knife, 1x Utility Knife, 1x Paring Knife, 1x Nakiri Knife plus a Bamboo/Acrylic Knife Block 

Positives

  • Extremely sharp
  • Easy to maintain
  • Great balance
  • Lightweight

Negatives

  • The block is not very stable

Related: Best meat tenderizers

Home Hero 7- Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Knife Set 

Knife block by home hero

Home Hero has crafted a modern knife set using stainless steel. The knives are carefully coated with a non-stick paint and are ideal for every home.

The finger guard keeps your finger safe while using these sharp blade knives. The unique sharpener comes with two modes for fine and coarse sharpening. All the knives in this set are quality stainless steel with clear grain laser finishes to provide extra long-lasting sharpness.

Inclusive in this set

1x Chef Knife, 1x Carving Knife, 1x Bread Knife, 1x Utility Knife, 1x Paring Knife plus a sharpener, safety finger guard and cutlery stand.

Positives

  • Super sharp blades with laser finishes
  • Easy to clean
  • Includes a fingerguard and sharpener
  • Good looking acrylic block 

Negatives

  • The black coating on the blades might peel after sharpening
  • Handles are not always well attached to the blades

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set

knife block by Mercer

The Genesis collection from Mercer Culinary is the aspiring chef’s dream come true. It’s a no-nonsense set that includes the necessary knives for all your cutting needs around the kitchen. There are options to choose from a glass knife block or a wooden magnetic board stand to display your blades. NSF is a global provider of public health and safety-based risk management solutions. It’s a highly respected independent organization that has rigorously tested and certified that Mercer Genesis knives have met their standard for safety, quality, and performance.

Included in this set

1x Chef Knife, 1x Bread Knife, 1x Boning Knife, 1x Utility Knife, 1x paring knife plus a glass block or magnetic board stand.

Positives

  • Non-slip grip
  • High carbon, non-staining steel
  • Long durability
  • Long-lasting sharpness
  • Easy to maintain

Negatives

  • Knives will rust easy if not dried well.

Wüsthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set

knife block Wusthof

Family owned for seven generations, Wûsthof produces mid-priced to high-end kitchen knives for domestic and professional use. 

The knife is precision forged full tang, high-carbon stain resistant stainless steel with bolster. The handle is made of synthetic material that has a tight molecular structure which resists fading & discoloration.

Wüsthof knives feature a 14° cutting edge on each side. This new angle and more tapered cutting edge reduce drag when slicing through foods, allowing for seamless effortless cutting. Each knife blade is completely buffed and polished by hand.

The offer for a lifetime warranty is a bonus to all the great quality. 

Included in this set

1x Chef Knife, 1x Prep Knife, 1x Bread Knife, 1x Utility Knife, 1x Paring Knife, kitchen shears  plus a slim design wood block.

Positives

  • Easy to hold
  • Easy to use
  • Stain resistant stainless steel
  • Lifetime warranty

Negatives

  • The wood block is of lower quality.

Essentials of a professional knife set.

You don’t have to be a top chef to own a professional knife set. Although these sets can be large with over 30 pieces, we opt for the smaller sets with the essential cutlery.

A chef knife

It’s in the name, the most important knife in the kitchen! It’s multipurpose for slicing and chopping and usually 20-25cm long. Knife sets often contain a utility knife which is a bit smaller than the chef knife.

A boning knife

It’s a little shorter than a chef knife with 12-15cm. The smaller blade and very sharp point make it ideal to remove bones from fish, poultry and meat.

A bread knife

You can use this for much more than just bread. This knife with a serrated blade is perfect to cut all kinds of food with a crust without compressing its soft interior. 

A paring knife

This small all-purpose knife is ideal for the small jobs. Peeling fruit and vegetables, removing seeds, skinning food or preparing small garnishes. But remember, when you decide to buy one or even two, the best paring knives should be sharp for maximum efficiency.

How to choose the best Knife?

Knife blade   

The material a blade is made from is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a knife. 

Carbon steel is very sharp but vulnerable to rust and stains. Stainless steel will never be as sharp as carbon steel, but is highly resistant to corrosion. High carbon stainless steel blades do not discolour or stain and maintain a sharp edge.Titanium is more wear resistant, and more flexible than steel. Ceramic blades are hard, brittle, and lightweight; they maintain a sharp edge for years with no maintenance at all, but are as fragile as glass.  Plastic blades are not especially sharp and typically serrated.

Many knives have holes in the blade for various uses. Holes are commonly drilled in blades to reduce friction while cutting, but the holes are also handy to hang knives out of the way.

Handle 

Handles help with the functioning of your knife and are made to enhance the grip and manipulate the blade safely. It is the extension of your arm and it should feel comfortable when holding the knife.

The handle should be adjusted to the user’s hand and the grip should be solid, consistent and being non-slip is a plus.

Benefits of buying a knife block set

A block set is a great way to store and organise your knives.

It is a time saver when you don’t have to search in an over-loaded drawer but most of all it is much safer as you can’t mistakenly grab the knife by its blade and get injured. A third advantage is that you will avoid damaging or scratching your knives and preserve the quality. 

Also check : How to cook in a tiny kitchen

How to care about your knives?

  • Always keep them dry and clean 
  • Always hand wash knives, don’t use the dishwasher
  • Use soft sponges, no abrasive materials
  • Use a cutting board to keep them sharp
  • Store them with care

Conclusion

Knives are an invaluable tool for the preparation of your daily meals. Owning a professional knife set is stylish and you can proudly show off your new ‘tools’ but in the end your choice will be decided by your budget. 

  1. Global 7-piece Ikasu Knife Block Set
  2. Wüsthof Classic 7-piece Slim Knife Block Set
  3. Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set 
  4. Home Hero 7- Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Knife Set

Our choice is a close call between the Global set and the Wüsthof set. Both brands are already part of our kitchen.

If your budget is smaller, the Mercer set has all the essentials and will help you with all your cutting needs.

Are you ready to own a set? Let us know your choices and experiences. Your insight will be appreciated!

 

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