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
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 itâs 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. 2
Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen
- PROFESSIONAL CUTLERLY SET: This 7-piece Chefâs Cutlery Set is an elegant collection of professional-grade, practical kitchen knives that give you the confidence to prepare any daily meal, healthy entrĂ©e or gourmet cuisine your taste buds crave!
- ERGONOMIC, DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: 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.
- BOXED SET INCLUDES 5 KNIVES AND SHARPENER: Our high-quality knife set includes a 13â chef's knife, 13â bread knife, 13â slicing knife, 9.5â utility knife, 8â paring knife and a 13â sharpenerâall protected by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- A KNIFE FOR EVERY SITUATION: 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.
- AFFORDABLE, QUALITY CUTLERY: 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. 3
SANDEWILY Professional Kitchen Knives High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef Knife Set,3PCS Ultra Sharp Japanese Knife with Sheath,Ergonomic Pakkawood Handle Elegant Gift Box for Home or Restaurant
- đȘăProfessional Kitchen Knife SetăSANDEWILY 3PCS chef knife set include a 8-inch chef knife,a 7.5-inch cutting knife,and a 5-inch paring knife,they are the best choices for cutting,dicing,slicing,chopping vegetables fruits meats cheeses etc.To be a professional chef,this unique/multi-purpose/carefully-designed set is preferred.These professional knives will be your dependable companion,easy cooking effortless.
- đăComfortable UseăThe handle is made of Pakkawood,and the knife neck and tail are designed with steel cushion. The firm and durable cushion provides perfect stability and control force. The material is not easy to shrink,fade and deform. The size, length and shape of the handle conform to ergonomics,which can provide better grip strength,comfort and flexibility,and reduce fatigue caused by long-term use. And make sure each knife has a sheath to protect your blade and fingers.
- đăHigh Quality SteelăOur chef knives are made from the German high-quality high carbon stainless steel,the blade has high hardness anti-corrosion,wear-resistant,durable and sharpness. The carbon content is 0.5%,it make the hardness to HRC56±2. With carefully sharpening by our professional craftsmen,the blade edge reached 8-12 degrees per side. Be careful,these knives are extremely sharp! Mind you don't cut yourself.
- đăEasy to Wash and Stain ResistantăFood grade metallic paint has beautiful luster,laminated polishing can prevent tool rust, corrosion and adhesion,clean and sanitary structure,and will not fade or lose luster even after long-term use. This set of kitchen knife is easy to clean and can accompany you for a long time under the proper cleaning method. Hand washing is better. Please dry it with a cloth after washing. This set of knives is perfect for family and restaurant kitchen.
- đœăGifts and Excellent serviceăSANDEWILY kitchen knife set is equipped with scabbard and a premium box. It is an ideal gift of choice for birthday,wedding, anniversary,Mother's Day,Father's Day,Christmas,chef,family warmth and so on. If you have any questions,please feel free to contact us. We want each of customers to have a 100% good shopping experience.
SaleBestseller No. 4
COOCRAFT 6PC Kitchen Knife Set, German Stainless Steel, Kitchen Knife Chef Knife for Cutting, Peeling, Slicing Fruit, Vegetables, Bread and Meat Etc.
- MUTI-PURPOSE CHEF KNIFE SET - The COOCRAFT 6PC Professional Kitchen Knife Set comes with 1Ă chefâs knife, 1Ă santoku knife, 1Ă bread knife,1Ăslicing knife,1Ă utility knife, and 1x paring 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.
- 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. 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.
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN - COOCRAFT kitchen knife set is thoughtfully designed with a comfortable and ergonomic handle with anti-slip dots grip, allowing for extended period of use without discomfort or fatigue. The well-balanced construction ensures optimal control and stability, giving you the confidence to tackle any culinary challenge with ease.
- STAIN RESISTANT AND EASY TO WASH - COOCRAFT 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 knivesâ quality.
- 100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE - COOCRAFT 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 free 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. 5
SCOLEÂź 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.
Bestseller No. 6
Bfonder Kitchen Knife Sets with Multiple Sizes, 4pcs Chef Knife Sets Professional, High Carbon Stainless Steel Japanese Knife Sets, Ultra Sharp Knives Set for Kitchen with Ergonomic Handle Gift Box
- ăFour-piece Set of the Most Essential Kitchen KnivesăOur Bfonder knife set includes: 8âł chefâs knife, 8âł japanese nakiri Knife, 9âł bread knife, 5âł paring knife. Suitable for both home and restaurant use. This professional kitchen knife handles all kitchen tasks, chop like a chef to make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable.
- ăNon-Slip and Maximize Effort-Saving HandleăThe triple-riveted colored wood handle is firmly fixed on the blades to ensure durability and reliability, and will no longer loosen or fall off. The ergonomic handle design minimizes wrist pressure and provides a comfortable grip, even after prolonged use. Your palm and wrist will not feel tired, making it ideal for those who enjoy cooking.
- ăLong-lasting Sharp Ensures Precision CuttingăA perfect mix of design and practicality. This chef knife set is made of precisely tempered high-carbon stainless steel, possessing great hardness and unparalleled toughness. This knife set can cut meat like slicing through warm butter. The unique irregular hammered pattern on the blade can effectively prevent food from sticking, making cutting smoother.
- ăPerfect Gifts Set for Family and Friendsă Bfonder kitchen cooking knives come with a protective cover and premium box, making them great birthday gifts for husband, housewarming gifts for new homeowners, and wedding gifts. These knives are both sophisticated and elegant, it will be sure to win their hearts, Your loved ones will be thrilled.
- ăUnlimited One-Year WarrantyăWe offer a one-year warranty along with top-of-the-line customer service for our knives. Each knife is backed by superior quality and undergoes strict quality inspections. It is our responsibility to guarantee the quality of our cutting knives. Please feel free to contact us if you have any issues with your knife set.
SaleBestseller No. 7
Wanbasion Blue Professional Kitchen Knife Chef Set, Stainless Steel, Dishwasher Safe with Sheathes
- Resistant to corrosion & scratch â 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. 8
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe
- Super Sharp Blade: The super sharp blade is made of high-quality German stainless steel, with a chromium content of 16-18% and a carbon content of 0.6-0.75%. The blade is absolutely rust-proof. This makes the surface of the knife smooth and shiny, perfect for easily cutting meat or fruits and vegetables.
- High-quality Materials: The professional knife set are made of high-carbon rust-proof German stainless steel. (High-quality special stainless steel 5cr15mov) Rockwell hardness is 56-58, with high quality, sharpness and durability.
- Ergonomic Handle: The handle is famous for its ease of operation, comfort, strength and stability. Thanks to the ergonomic shape and non-slip handle, which has an integrated finger protection device, you can always work safely and quickly. Very suitable for different hands.
- Perfect Design: The knives set have a relatively large bolster, and the slope of the joint between the blade and the handle is gentle, which increase the overall stability and flexibility of the knife. The large and round handle design provides a comfortable environment for using. The razor-sharp blade edge also can keeps you from getting tired when you are cutting.
- Satisfactory Customer Service: We has always been committed to providing quality customer service and lifetime warranty service, you can rest assured to buy and use. You can choose our knife as a gift.
Bestseller No. 9
XYJ Authentic Since 1986,Professional Knife Sets for Master Chefs, Chef Knife Set with Bag,Case and Sheath,Culinary Kitchen Butcher Meat Knives,Cooking Cutting,Santoku,Utility,Fruits,Stainless Steel
- â¶ăXYJ Brandă Established in 1986, XYJ knives feature high quality, exceptional sharpness, simple design, great balance and good practicality. Applying ergonomics and mechanical levers principles, we greatly improve customersâ cutting experience. XYJ knives are terrific all-rounders and are especially designed for climbing, fishing, outdoors, kitchen cooking, etc. XYJ knives are practical work tools designed for various tasks, helping you to finish your job efficiently. XYJ explore your journey !
- â¶ăOne Set For All Taskă XYJ cutlery set includes: 1 x 3.5 inch paring knife, 1 x 5 inch utility knife, 1 x 6/7/8 inch boning knife , 1 x 6 inch chopping knife, 1 x 6.5 inch nakiri knife, 1 x 6.5 inch vegetable knife, 1 x 7 inch santoku knife, 1 x 8 inch cooking knife, 1 x 8 inch slicing knife, 1 x 8 inch bread knife, 1 x 8 inch chef knife, 1 x 13 pockets roll bag, 1 x knife sharpening rod, 1 x vegetable slicer, 1x peeler, 3 x cut resistant finger gloves and 1 x pocket knife with sheath.
- â¶ăProfessional Knife Sets for Master Chefsă XYJ Stainless steel chef knife is a multipurpose cutlery knife, which is designed for professional applications, suitable for cutting, dicing, slicing, chopping with vegetables, fruit, fish bread and meat for great addition to the kitchen, camping, and outdoor experience. One set for all taskïŒ
- â¶ăParticular Technologyă The blade of this kitchen knife is made of high quality stainless steel, uses a V-shaped and find processing blade,which can maintain the sharpness of the chef knife for a long time with incredible robustness,quality.The handle is made by stainless steel with seamless welding design,which is comfortable,stability and well balanced when holding to use. Its light weight and ergonomic design make the chef knife feels quite balanced and you wonât feel finger numbness.
- â¶ăPractical Prefect Giftă This cooking knife set comes with sharpener rod, vegetable slicer, roll chef knife bag and knife sheath, the sheath is use to protect your knife blade and finger, the whetstone and sharpener rod will help you resharpen the blade and restore the sharpness after using the knife for a long time. The knife bag is a good storage organizer to your chef's knife, make it more easy and convenient to carry out, it is the prefect gift for your family or friend.
Bestseller No. 10
XYJ Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Set 10 Piece Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpening Rod Carry Case Bag & Sheath Well Balance Ergonomic Handle
- â¶ăPackage Includesă XYj cutlery set includes: 1 x 3.5 inch paring knife, 1 x 5 inch utility knife, 1 x 5 inch Santoku knife, 1 x 5.5 inch boning knife, 1 x 7 inch Santoku knife, 1 x 7 inch Nakiri, 1 x 7.5 inch Kiritsuke knife, 1 x 8 inch slicing knife, 1 x 8 inch bread knife, 1 x 8 inch chef knife, 10 x knife sheaths, 1 x 12 pockets roll bag, 1 x knife sharpening rod, 1 x mini whetstone
- â¶ăParticular Designă The blade of this kitchen knife is made of high quality stainless steel, uses a V-shaped and fine processing blade, which can maintain the sharpness of the chef knife for a long time with incredible robustness and quality
- â¶ăErgonomic Handle Designă The handle is made by high quality color wood, which is comfortable, stability and well balanced when holding to use. The light weight and ergonomic design make the chef knife feels quite balanced and you wonât feel finger numbness
- â¶ăProfessional Chef's Knifeă XYj Stainless steel chef knife is a multifunction cutlery knife, which is designed for professional applications, suitable for cutting, dicing, slicing, chopping with vegetables, fruit bread and meat, adding satisfaction and enjoyment of kitchen experience
- â¶ăUnique Knife Sheath & Roll Bagă This cooking knife set comes with knife sheath and canvas roll carry bag, the sheath is use to protect your knife blade and finger, and the knife roll carry case is a good storage organizer to your chef's knife, make it more easy and convenient to carry out
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.
SaleBestseller No. 1
HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
- ULTRA-SHARP BLADES: Superior professional-level sharpness that ensures precision cutting.
- THE LAST KNIFE YOUâLL 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: 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 7-inch santoku knife hollow edge, 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch bread knife, 4.5-inch steak knife set of 6, professional honing steel, kitchen shears, and hardwood knife block
- QUICK CLEAN UP: No-fuss cleanup, in the dishwasher or by hand. Stain and rust-free blades.
Bestseller No. 1
WĂSTHOF Classic 3-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Black
- WĂSTHOF CLASSIC SERIES â Pairing Knife with full tang triple riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat and impact. The WĂSTHOF Classic Series has been our best-selling series for generations
- PRECISION FORGED â WĂSTHOF's Classic Series Knives are forged from a single block of High Carbon Stainless Steel and tempered to 58-degree HRC. The Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) yields a blade that is 20% sharper with twice the edge retention than previous models
- WĂSTHOF KNIFE â Three Piece Cook's Set includes 3 1/2" Paring Knife, 6" Utility Knife, and 8" Cookâs Knife
- DURABLE â WĂSTHOF Cutlery is crafted to resist corrosion and dulling. This German made Kitchen Knife set Comes with a limited Lifetime
- CENTURIES OF TRADITION â Family owned for seven generations, WĂSTHOFÂ was founded in Solingen, Germany over 200 years ago. WĂSTHOFâs cutlery carries the Solingen name, a designation reserved for products that meet the strictest quality standards
Bestseller No. 1
Shun Cutlery Kanso 3 Piece Starter Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set, Includes 8" Chef's Knife, 3.5" Paring Knife, and 6" Utility Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knives
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Shun Kanso 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 Kanso 8-inch Chef's Knife, 3.5-inch Paring Knife, and 6-inch Utility Knife.
- HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from AUS10A high-carbon stainless steel refined with Vanadium, these knives are strong, corrosion resistant, wear resistant, and razor-sharp.
- BEAUTIFUL, DURABLE HANDLE: Made with contoured tagayasan, known as "iron sword wood," the full-tang handle construction is dense, durable, beautiful and offers a secure grip with precision balance.
- 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.