Tl;dr: When looking for the proper chef knife set, consider the following factors: What are the essential knives you need, which sizes do you prefer, and which materials make up the knives? Also, know what features to look for, such as the tang, the weight, and whether the blade is stamped or forged. Though there are many large knife sets, finding the proper cutlery to match your lifestyle and cooking needs is what matters most.

I grab no knife in my kitchen more often than the chef's knife. The shape, weight, and size make it useful for almost anything. I use my chef’s knife daily, especially in the evening, to chop vegetables for dinner or slice fruit wedges for after-dinner cocktails (the reward for cooking).

A complete knife set is good; however, if you’re on a budget, I would choose a high-quality two- to three-piece chef’s knife set over a lower-quality complete set. You’ll get by just fine.

I am partial to Wüsthof knives, which are made in Solingen, Germany, home to many famous German knife factories making the highest-quality stainless steel blades. This brand has stood by my side in the kitchen for years, watching me go from baked chicken breasts every night to a wide variety of tasty dishes and adventures. Still, other extraordinary types exist as well, such as Japanese knives and knives made in Portland, Oregon. After reading, if you have further questions about chef knife sets, reach out to a Curated Kitchen Expert for free, personalized advice.

What Is a Chef’s Knife Set?

A chef’s knife set is considered the bare minimum for what a cook needs to accomplish any cutting task in the kitchen. All kitchen knives are helpful, but a chef’s knife set can do quite a bit if you don’t have every knife available. They consist of one chef’s knife and one or two more of the following knives:

• Chef’s knife: Often the largest knife in the kitchen, the most common size for a chef’s knife blade is eight inches, though they are offered in even larger sizes (up to 14 inches). It can slice and dice nearly everything, and the shape of the blade has a sloping edge, which allows cooks to rock the knife back and forth as they chop. Chef's knives are often confused with the santoku knife, which is similar in size but has a more rounded tip.
• Utility knife: A utility knife looks like a mini version of the chef’s knife; however, it is much narrower and generally smaller with a 6-inch blade, though you will sometimes see a 5-inch utility knife. Utility knives are handy for slicing onions, tomatoes, herbs, cheese, and more — or quickly cutting a sandwich in half.
• Paring knife: A paring knife is usually the smallest knife in a knife set. The blade is small at 3 to 3.5 inches, but that doesn’t mean the paring knife isn’t useful. When small tasks are needed, the paring knife steps in to peel apples and potatoes or dice bits of garlic.
• Serrated knife: A serrated knife (or serrated bread knife) has a jagged blade that resembles a saw. They are essential to the home chef for cutting through bread and other foods with tough surfaces that require a knife to use a sawing back-and-forth motion.

What to Consider When Buying a Chef Knife Set

As you search for the proper chef knife set, consider what essentials you need for cutting (what do you chop, slice, and dice the most in the kitchen?), the size of the knives, whether it’s forged or stamped, and how comfortable each knife is to hold.

Which Knives Are Essential to Your Kitchen?

Some things are just there for you — like your knives. Still, if you could only choose two or three, which would they be? When looking for a chef knife set, consider which knives are most important to you. The chef knife itself is a must-have. After that, would you use a paring, utility, or serrated knife the most?

What Size Knives Do You Prefer?

Consider storage when choosing knives. Do you have a knife block with various places to fit different-sized knives? Does the chef knife set come with any storage solutions? Or will you be storing knives in another way? It’s important to know where the knives will stay when you aren’t using them so you can determine what sizes and how many knives you can store.

Also, you must be comfortable with each knife size you use. If an 8-inch chef knife makes you nervous while chopping carrots and other foods, you are better off choosing a different size.

Most utility, paring, serrated, and chef knives each have a standard size with a small amount of variety. They range from a 3-inch paring knife to a 14-inch chef knife.

Is the Blade Forged or Stamped?

Though some specialty blades are ceramic, the most common material for kitchen knives is steel. The quality of steel varies, but a forged blade is more substantial than a stamped blade. Let’s look at the differences between the two.

Forged: Using heat, a forged knife is pounded into shape from a single steel bar. Forged knives are heavier than stamped knives, creating the most durable type of blade.

Stamped: Stamped knives are cut from sheet metal, so they are lighter than a forged knife and may contain softer steel. There are decent stamped knives on the market; however, forged knives are of higher quality.

Is the Knife Comfortable?

Some companies offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t like a knife. This is helpful so you can hold the knife and use it a few times to see how it feels. You must be comfortable with the knife as you dice up ingredients, or you may end up hurting yourself if it slips.

Features to Look Out for When Buying A Chef Knife Set

Kitchen knife sets aren’t all the same, and there are some essential features to keep an eye out for, including the tang, the weight of the knife, and sharpness. If you’d like more help selecting the best features in a chef knife set, contact a Curated Kitchen Expert today, and they’ll be happy to help.

Will the Blades Maintain Their Sharpness?

Most knives start sharp (hopefully) when they are new, but a high-quality knife will maintain its sharpness longer than other knives. When checking out chef knife sets, look for well-polished steel with no pits in the metal. Also, check to see if the blade's cutting edge runs from the tip to the handle as it should. High carbon stainless steel is considered one of the best metals and is used in many high-quality kitchen knives since it retains its sharpness exceptionally well. Knives made with low-quality metals (such as low-alloy steel) won’t maintain their sharpness very long.

Benefits:

• A sharp blade cuts easily and is safer than a dull blade.
• A knife made of high-quality steel won’t need sharpening as often.
• Food is aesthetically pleasing with the smooth cut of a sharp knife.
• Cooking is more enjoyable when the knives are sharp.

Be Aware:

• There isn’t a knife that never needs sharpening. Even the best knives eventually need to be sharpened after multiple uses. Keep a honing steel (also called a sharpening steel) in your kitchen for quick sharpening.
• A sharp knife can cut your finger easily, so be careful.

How Heavy Are the Knives?

High-quality chef knife sets usually contain heavy knives. The extra weight comes from forged knives made with the best steel and solid handles, both signs of an excellent knife. It’s essential to look for substantial knives and ensure they aren’t so heavy that you can’t hold them comfortably.

Benefits:

• When the weight is distributed properly, heavy knives feel stable and have better balance when cutting.
• A heavier knife can cut through foods more easily.
• A heavy knife feels like an extension of your hand. You don’t have to push hard to make it work.

Be Aware:

• A heavy knife can make your hand and arm feel tired if using it for a long time.
• Some people may need a lighter knife if they have weak hands or joint pain.

Are the Knives Full Tang?

The tang of a knife refers to the part of the blade that extends into the handle. The best knife set will contain full-tang knives. Full tang means the blade runs from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle. This creates a durable blade that won’t come loose. A partial tang is a blade that only runs partway through the handle and isn’t as long lasting.

Benefits:

• Full-tang blades won’t bend or snap off since they are held securely in the handle.
• You'll have a long-lasting knife that may last a lifetime.

Be Aware:

• You will pay more for full-tang chef knife sets.
• The knives are heavier (which is a good thing unless weight is an issue).

How To Choose the Right Chef Knife Set for You

Having the right chef knife set in your kitchen makes cooking more enjoyable. There’s something satisfying about slicing through meats, vegetables, and bread with ease as you prepare delicious meals. Everyone has their own budget, lifestyle, cooking needs, and abilities. The following section contains information about three people who need advice on choosing a chef knife set.

Melody

Melody is a food blogger who cooks daily and writes about what she makes. High-quality kitchen gear is essential for her lifestyle and blogging career since she puts her tools to work multiple times a day. She has some good knives but would like to upgrade to the best.

Features Melody should look for:

• Full tang for a secure blade
• Heavy weight for the best balance
• High carbon steel construction for the sharpest knife

Chef knife set examples: Wüsthof Classic Ikon Cook’s Set, Steelport Starter Set

Jason

Jason is new to cooking and enjoying it. He only cooks for himself but is trying to eat at home often rather than grabbing fast food when he’s out. He needs a reliable chef knife set that fits into his tight budget.

Features Jason should look for:

• Quality steel at a reasonable price
• Full tang for strong knives that don’t require replacing
• Sets with only two knives to help save on cost

Chef knife set examples: Cangshan Helena Starter Set, Zwilling Twin Signature “The Must Haves” Knife Set

Michael

Michael and his partner love entertaining guests in their home. Most Saturday nights, the apartment is filled with food, friends, and laughter, and Michael does all the cooking. He specializes in meats, roasted veggies, and homemade bread, and he needs reliable knives that he can count on not only on Saturday night but every day. He’s willing to spend the money to invest in heirloom-quality knives.

Features Michael should look for:

• High-quality carbon steel knives
• Full tang for durability
• A set of three knives for a variety of options

Chef knife set examples: Global UKON Knife Set, Wusthof Classic Ikon Knife Set, Steelport Essential Gift Set

Find the Best Chef Knife Set for You

As you search for the best chef knife set for yourself, remember to consider which knives are essential to your kitchen and which sizes you prefer. Also, decide if you want stamped or forged knives (forged are more durable), and ensure the knives you choose are comfortable to work with. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide on an important investment like a chef knife set, so please reach out to a Curated Kitchen Expert if you'd like more help.