When you're a professional chef you're looking for a knife set that is high quality, efficient, and easy to use and you're willing to spend a little more than your average home cook is but you still don't want it to break the bank, right?
That's smart business sense but do keep in mind that you get what you pay for and especially with knives.
So don't cheap out and buy a knife set that frustrates you more than it helps you and then needs replacing in 6 months either.
I know from experience that investing in my kitchen equipment has saved me time, money, and a lot of frustration and that leads to a better experience for both you and whoever is eating your food.
There's no point in trying to butcher a piece of quality meat with a cheese knife (I've seen stranger things in kitchens honestly!) so pick something that is reliable and quality from my list below that is fit for purpose.
With that in mind, below are the best chef knife sets for the money...
The Features of a Good Chef Knife: What You’ll Find In All The Knife Choices Below
These are the characteristics of all good chef knives and will be present with the options recommended below...
- Sharp out the box: They should be sharp immediately and ready to go without you needing to sharpen it on first use, you want knives that can slice through meat effortlessly and even chop through tendon and bone if need be.
- Weight: There's 2 different schools of thought among Chefs among which is better, a heavy or a light knife but ultimately it's a personal choice, as you're buying a set typically you'll get a range of weights due to the size and style.
- Blade Size: At least 8 inches is ideal for most professional knives otherwise it can be too short for cutting many food items you'll be working with regularly, each set will have a wide range for all your needs.
- Grip: Your chef knife should have a firm and sturdy grip that's comfortable to hold and ergonomic to use, you don't want hand cramp or blisters when working with your chef knife (these Chinese ones are good). Each option below fits that bill.
Top 10 Chef Knife Sets
These are the top most popular chef knife sets for professionals...
Bestseller No. 1
Brewin CHEFILOSOPHI Japanese Chef Knife Set 5 PCS with Elegant Red Pakkawood Handle Ergonomic Design,Professional Ultra Sharp Kitchen Knives for Cooking High Carbon Stainless Steel
- DESIGN PHILOSOPHY - The Chefilosophi Series professional kitchen knife set from Brewin combines cutting edge kitchen technology with premium design philosophies; This five piece set of kitchen knives spares no attention to detail; For top shelf cooking knives that have been painstakingly crafted with expert chefs in mind, Brewin is obvious choice.
- RAZOR SHARP WITH DURABILITY - This stainless steel knife set features rock solid design crafted from durable materials; With a score of 56+ on the Rockwell hardness scale, our chef knife set professional solution uses ultra tough 1.4116 German stainless steel forged from a unified piece of rustproof metal; When you need kitchen accessories that will hold up under any conditions, choose Brewin.
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Each chef knife set has undergone stringent quality inspection and hundreds of hours of development with leading kitchen experts; This set of five chef knives is crafted to the highest standards with chefs and kitchen experts in mind; The Brewin promise is this; if we wouldn’t use this cooking knife set ourselves, we won’t sell it.
- ELEGANCE & BALANCE - Unlike some other chefs knives, The Chefilosophi Series from Brewin features perfectly balanced handles that are easier to hold; With a luxurious pakkawood natural texture and three reinforced anchor points, our chefs knife set has been engineered to last a lifetime.
- COMPLETE SET - Regarded as one of the best knife sets for people who demand all round practicality, the Chefilosophi Series comes with five sharp knives in luxurious gift packaging; With two eight inch knives as well as a santoku Japanese knife, our knife sets also include a five inch utility knife as well as smaller paring knife for peeling and prep.
SaleBestseller No. 2
FULLHI Knife Set, 14pcs Japanese Knife Set, Premium German Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set
- ALL-INCLUSIVE KNIVES SET: 14-piece kitchen knife set includes 8" Chef Knife, 8" Slicer Knife, 8" Bread Knife, 7" Santoku Knife, 5" Santoku Knife, 7" Cleaver Knife, 5"universal knife, and 3.5" Paring Knife. 3 Stainless Steel Finger Guards, 1 Bottle Opener, 1 Pair of Cut Resistant Gloves, 1 Portable Knife Sharpener, 1 Sharpening Stick are included in our giveaway. Whether cooking at home or outdoors, it can meet your needs.
- The ergonomic handle provides a solid grip while the shape of the bolster delivers optimal weight and balance. Non-slip pakka wood handle is able to maintain it’s friction even then the handle is wet, make the cutting more safe and effortless.
- Exceedingly sharp conical ground edge, hand-sharpened to a 16-degree angle, are long-lasting and easy to maintain. Blades are forged from High-Carbon German stainless steel and heat-treated for hardness that resists stains and corrosion.
- This knife set meet high-level safety standards for professional kitchens. Quick action support against manufacturer defects Please Hand Clean And Don't Use Dish Washer. Block available in Walnut hardwood that is gentle on blade edges
- The blade of this kitchen knife is made of 5Cr17 stainless steel, which has high hardness, wear resistance, good impact toughness performance. The ergonomic Full Tang handle can prevent the blade comfortable to grip and non-slip effect, it has a great fit in your hand.
SaleBestseller No. 3
Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen
- This 7-piece Chef’s Cutlery Set is an elegant collection of professional-grade, practical kitchen knives that give you the confidence to prepare any daily meal, healthy entrée or gourmet cuisine your taste buds crave!
- Each knife features powerfully durable full-tang construction (blades are 1 solid piece of metal), ergonomically-designed handles that feel perfect in either hand and a stylish case for easy storage and fast travel.
- Our high-quality knife set includes a 13” chef's knife, 13” bread knife, 13” slicing knife, 9.5” utility knife, 8” paring knife and a 13” sharpener—all protected by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Chop up everything from fibrous vegetables and delicate fruits to sumptuous cheeses, breads and sizzling steaks with mouthwatering ease… Our economic set of superior kitchen knives are super sharp and ideal for anyone to use.
- Slitzer Germany is a renowned producer of dependable heavy-duty cutlery that gives home foodies, culinary students, novice and professional chefs a fine set of cutting tools for a budget price that will last a lifetime!
SaleBestseller No. 4
HENCKELS Solution Razor-Sharp 16-Piece Self Sharpening Knife Block Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife, Steak Knife, German Engineered Knife Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- THE LAST KNIFE YOU’LL EVER NEED TO BUY: German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery. HENCKELS knives are built to last.
- EFFORTLESS CUTTING: Enjoy easy cutting with minimal effort with this lightweight, easy-to-use knife.
- SET INCLUDES: 4-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 5.5-inch hollow edge santoku knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch carving knife, 8 x 4.5-inch steak knives, kitchen shears, sharpening module knife block
- QUICK CLEAN UP: No-fuss cleanup, in the dishwasher or by hand. Stain and rust-free blades.
Bestseller No. 5
Chef Knife Set for Kitchen, 3Pcs German Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife, Professional Chefs Knife Set Ultra Sharp Chef Knife for Home, Restaurant (Blue Handle)
- Professional Kitchen Knife Set: Experience effortless cooking with our professional kitchen knife set, featuring an 8 inch chef knife, 5 inch santoku knife, and 3.5 inch paring knife. Perfect for cutting, dicing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, and more
- German High Premium Steel: Made from German high premium steel, our chefs knife is crafted from 4CR13MOV high carbon stainless steel for high hardness, anti-corrosion, wear-resistance, and sharpness
- Full Tang Ergonomic Handle: Our chef’s knife features a full tang ergonomic handle with a comfort grip handle and triple-riveted blade for ultimate durability and balance. Prep meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, bread and more with our self sharpening knives in this knife block set
- Ultra Sharp Blade & Damascus-like Pattern Design: Our ultra-sharp, satin-finished blade boasts precision cutting and is finely honed for long-lasting sharpness. The blade edge of our kitchen knives reaches 8-12 degrees per side with a special Damascus-like pattern, making this set both stylish and functional
- Lifetime Guarantee: We stand behind the quality of our chef knife with a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship, and a 180-day quality issue refund policy. Hand wash for best performance, and take care when using these sharp knives. Try our Cermug chef's knife set now!
Bestseller No. 6
Brewin Professional Kitchen Knives, 3PC Chef Knife Set Sharp Knives Carving Sets for Kitchen High Carbon Stainless Steel, Japanese Cooking Knife with Gift Box
- MUTI-PURPOSE CHEF KNIFE SET - The Brewin 3pc Professional Kitchen Knife Set comes with 1× chef’s knife, 1× santoku knife, and 1x utility knife and will be your best cooking mate. The knife set can easily handle all your daily kitchen tasks as the versatile knives let you enjoy cutting, carving, slicing, chopping, and mincing meat, fruits, vegetables, and more. This luxurious Brewin boxed carving knife set is the best gift for your loved ones.
- RAZOR SHARP WITH DURABLE EDGES - Sharpness is the key word for cutting knives. The razor-sharp edge is engineered with a 56+ Rockwell hardness score and is hand polished by our experienced craftsmen at 14-16 degrees per side. The combination of maximum sharpness and edge retention ensures precise and effortless cutting every time, even left-handed. DO NOT test the sharpness by touching the blade with your hand.
- FULL TANG ERGONOMIC HANDLE - Triple-riveted ABS ergonomic handle with fully-forged full tang yields optimal balance, strength, stability, and durability. The extra-wide design between index and middle finger provides the most comfortable and non-slip grip, The full bolster with a finely polished spine protects your fingers from sharp edges and ensures a more suitable pinch grip.
- STAIN RESISTANT AND EASY TO WASH - Brewin chef's knives are crafted from high-carbon 1.4116 German stainless steel engineered to perfection for rust and stain resistance, providing an excellent balance between long-lasting sharpness and durability. Hand wash the knives with dishwashing soap and dry them with a towel to maintain the knives’ quality.
- 100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE - Brewin strives to ensure complete customer satisfaction with every knife. If you're not satisfied with what you received, you can either return it for a full refund or request a replacement. If you have any other issues, feel free to contact us, we will reply immediately and do our best to solve your problem.
Bestseller No. 7
HOSHANHO Knife Set with Magnetic Knife Holder, 6 Pieces Japanese German High Carbon Steel Kitchen Knife Set, Ultra Sharp Professional Chef Knives Sets
- 【Professional Knife Set】The HOSHANHO 6-piece knife holder set includes all the knives you need for cooking: 8" Chef knife, 8" Serrated bread knife, 7" Santoku knife, 6" Utility knife, 3.75" Paring knife, and a double-sided magnetic knife holder. Multifunctional, multipurpose.
- 【Powerful Magnetic Knife Holder】The whole knife holder is embedded with magnetic core, strong magnet makes the suction stronger to hold knives or other ferromagnetic tools. The whole is made of natural acacia wood, making knife contact safer and more beautiful.
- 【Sharp Cooking Knife】Every HOSHANHO kitchen knife is forged from AUS-10 high carbon stainless steel for excellent resistance to stains, rust and corrosion. The 60 HRC hardness and hand-ground 15° blade angle make the blade ultra sharp.
- 【Ergonomic Handle】Ergonomic cooking knife handle with good balance and comfortable grip. The well-designed Japanese professional knife has a wider finger bolster for perfect stability and control, and you'll feel smoother and easier to cut with this high carbon stainless steel knife.
- 【Unique Design】HOSHANHO 6 pieces knife set with magnetic knife holder provides a more open space, and the knife can be dried naturally. The color of the knife holder is high-grade and the wood grain is beautiful, making your kitchen tidy and stylish.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Wanbasion Blue Professional Kitchen Knife Chef Set, Stainless Steel, Dishwasher Safe with Sheathes
- Resistant to corrosion & scratch – The surface of Wanbasion professional kitchen knife set with cover is titanium coating. Wanbasion chef kitchen knife set with cover is resistant to corrosion and scratch. So Wanbasion stainless steel kitchen knife set with cover will keep their beautiful looks and food safety for years to come.
- Resistant to rust & stains - Wanbasion stainless steel kitchen knife set with sheath is resistant to rust and stains. Wanbasion kitchen knife set dishwasher safe with sheath provides users with a lot of strength and knife hardness.Wanbasion professional kitchen knife set with sheath makes it a great choice for kitchen cooking tougher jobs.
- Better flexible - A special process is used to guarantee the quality of Wanbasion Professional kitchen chef knife set. The set of kitchen knives are more flexible, so the Sharp kitchen knife set with sheath is hard to bend and break.
- Excellent sharp & long edge retention - The new precision edge technology enhances the wanbasion chef kitchen knife set for cooking sharpness.And the technology improves Wanbasion Stainless steel kitchen knife set with cover long sharp edge retention.
- A Perfect Gift for Any Home Cook- Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned chef, this knife set is a must-have for your kitchen. And with its sleek and stylish design, it makes a great gift for anyone who loves to cook or is in need of reliable kitchen essentials.
Bestseller No. 9
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets For Kitchen With Block, 14 Pieces With Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knife Set With Sharpener, Steak Knives, Red
- Enduring & Excellence Sharpness: Professional, the satin-finished blade has precision cutting and is finely honed. Each knife's edge of Piklohas is hand-polished and precisely achieves 15 degrees per side for maximum sharpness, with Rockwell hardness of 58, extraordinary properties, and edge retention.
- Ergonomic Handle For Comfort: Full tang and forged bolster for superb robustness and creating the perfect balance between the blade and handle. This unique shape is ergonomically crafted for optimum comfort, control, and agility. And minimizes fatigue, finger numbness, or aches after continuously holding it for an extended time.
- Quality Manufacturing, Rust And Corrosion Resistant: Piklohas cutting knife is German top grade X50CrMoV15 high carbon steel with precision quenching and vacuum cold nitrogen treatment. It dramatically enhances the characteristics of corrosion resistance, rust prevention, and toughness, which can withstand high-frequency use.
- Space-Saving Design Of Magnet Knife Block: The double-sided magnetic design can easily hold up to 24 pieces of cutting tools, keeping your kitchen countertop clean and organized. The knife holder helps you secure your knives vertically without pushing them into a wooden, hard plastic, or metal block, which helps reduce scratches on the blade and damage to the edge.
- Perfect Kitchenware Gift Idea: This set of German knives combines high-end materials and first-class craftsmanship. With the blade's distinctive Damascus pattern, the handle's elegant cloud effect (made of ABS), and the power of the knife holder, it is a unique gift for family and friends on birthdays, weddings, and housewarming parties.
Bestseller No. 10
SCOLE® Chef Knife Ultra Sharp Kitchen Knife Set 7-Piece, Premium German 1.4116 Stainless Steel Chefs Knife Set, Ergonomic Handle Professional Knives Set for Kitchen with Gift Box
- [COMPREHENSIVE KNIFE SET] This is a perfect way to start a new knife set: 1x 8" chef knife, 1 x 8" slicing knife, 1 x 8" bread knife, 1 x 5" santoku knife, 1 x 5.5" serrated utility knife, 1 x 5" utility knife, 1 x 3.5" paring knife. Perfect for busy kitchens. A best gift for professional chefs and beginners.
- [SUPERIOR ERGONOMIC HANDLE] One piece full-tang blade and the ABS classic triple-riveted to ensure the durability and reliability of chefs knife, since they won't shrink, crack or falls off. The ergonomic handle design result in a comfortable grip that minimize fatigue while maximizing cutting accuracy.
- [PREMIUM HIGH CARBON GERMAN STAINLESS STEEL] The Scole kitchen knives set are made of imported high quality german 1.4116 stainless steel which is durable, stain-resistant and rust-resistant. Incredibly sharp and sturdy, enough to keep it last a lifetime.
- [ULTRA SHARP EDGE] The Scole chef knife engineered to perfection at 58±2 Rockwell hardness and hand polished edge at 14 degrees per side. Hand polished by craftsmen with decades of experience to ensure long-lasting sharpness.
- [LIFETIME GUARANTEE] SCOLE provides customers 90-day money back policy, free replacement and lifetime guarantee. We provide professional customer service, any purchases from us are backed by quality assurance and 24/7 customer service.
Popular Chef Knife Brands
Take a look at the list above for full details of the best professional chef knife brands but here's a small selection
- Henckels
- Wusthof
- Euna
- XYJ
- Damascus Steel
- DFITO
- Shun Classic
What brand of knives does Gordon Ramsey use?
Gordon Ramsey uses the following knife brands:
- Wusthof
- Henckels
How much should I spend on a chef's knife set?
Typically for a chefs knife set you'd be looking to spend at least $200 (there are cheaper options available but they are less reliable and lower quality) up to $1,000 for the high end option.
Bestseller No. 1
HENCKELS Dynamic Razor-Sharp 5-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- THE LAST KNIFE YOU’LL EVER NEED TO BUY: German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery. HENCKELS knives are built to last.
- EFFORTLESS CUTTING: Enjoy easy cutting with minimal effort with this lightweight, easy-to-use knife.
- SET INCLUDES: 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 8-inch Bread Knife, 7-In Hollow Edge Santoku Knife, 5-In Serrated Utility, 4-In Paring Knife
- QUICK CLEAN UP: No-fuss cleanup, in the dishwasher or by hand. Stain and rust-free blades.
SaleBestseller No. 1
WÜSTHOF Gourmet 2-Piece Chef's Knife Set,Black
- WÜSTHOF GOURMET SERIES – 2 Piece Chef's Knife Set with triple riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat and impact. Precisely laser-cut stamped knives offer superb quality and value
- RAZOR SHARP – High Carbon Stainless Steel Blades, precisely cut with the latest state of the art technology for incredible sharpness and easy maintenance. WÜSTHOF kitchen knives are Hand Wash Only
- WÜSTHOF KNIFE SET – Includes 4" Utility Knife and 8" Cook’s Knife
- DURABLE – WÜSTHOF Cutlery is crafted to resist corrosion and dulling. This German made Kitchen Knife set Comes with a limited Lifetime Warranty
- CENTURIES OF TRADITION – Family owned for seven generations, WÜSTHOF was founded in Solingen, Germany over 200 years ago. WÜSTHOF’s cutlery carries the Solingen name, a designation reserved for products that meet the strictest quality standards
SaleBestseller No. 1
Shun Cutlery Classic 3 Piece Starter Set, Includes 8" Chef's, 3.5" Paring, 6" Utility Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knives, 3 sizes
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Shun Classic 3-Piece Starter Set comes with all the essentials you need to get a good start on your cooking knife collection.
- SET INCLUDES: This professional knife set includes the Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife, 3.5-inch Paring Knife, and 6-inch Utility Knife.
- HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, Classic knives are corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
- COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handles are durable, beautiful, doesn't harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users.
- TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.
The Best Chef Knife Sets Revealed
So, I hope this post has revealed the best chef knife sets on the market for you and gives you some solid options to work with that suit every need and budget.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.