The Most Important Kitchen Knives In 2024: Top-Rated & Hot Picks

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Most Important Kitchen Knives
Most Important Kitchen Knives

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-piece Block-Knive-set

You will like these knives cause they are made with high-quality, high-carbon stainless steel blades for precision and accuracy. This 8-Chef Knife is a multipurpose knife for slicing vegetables and mincing so you can customize your cutlery line. Read Review

2. Best For Price: Mercer Culinary M20707 Genesis 7-Inch Santoku Knife

The essential ingredient of every memorable meal starts with a well-crafted knife. The finest handles in forged cutlery and the precision construction of German high-carbon steel blades make slicing and chopping more efficient and enjoyable. Read Review

3. Best Design: Chicago Cutlery Malden 16 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife

With smooth stainless steel handles designed for comfort, these knives will add beauty to your kitchen. An ash wood block with a black finish securely holds the knife and protects its precision ground high carbon stainless steel blade. Read Review

4. Best Quality: ZWILLING Twin Signature 19-Piece German Knife Set

ZWILLING knives start very sharp and can be kept sharper with minimal care. As the world's largest knife manufacturer, we have our factory to control every production step's quality. Read Review

One of the most important things I learned during my time at Serious Eats is that if you want to be a good cook, you need a good set of knives and take care of them. You want to sharpen and sharpen your knives, clean them and store them safely.

Another important knife lesson: While it may seem convenient, buying a complete set of knives in one of the neighborhoods isn't the best option. As with pots and pans, you'll generally pay more for less critical parts and less for the features that help you the most.

We think the Most Important Kitchen Knives are the Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-piece Block-Knive-set. However, to provide the reader with a wider variety of alternatives, we recommend adding the Mercer Culinary M20707 Genesis 7-Inch Santoku Knife if you are interested in purchasing another appealing one. Here are the buying guides that we specially made for you guys. Follow all the words below for successful shopping!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-piece Block-Knive-set
Our Score:
9.9
Cuisinart

The Cuisinart C77SS-15PK is a strong and durable padding for perfect stability and control. This lightweight Knife is ideal for slicing, carving, and chopping; it is also easy to clean. 

Moreover, this product features precision tapered blades that taper to highly sharp, fine edges. The ergonomically designed stainless steel handle provides comfort and stability. The set comes with six 4.5-inch hot-forged steaks with various innovative new Knife and block styles that you can be proud of at your table.

TOP Choice #2 Mercer Culinary M20707 Genesis 7-Inch Santoku Knife
Our Score:
9.7
Mercer Culinary

These knives are precision-forged from high-carbon German steel for better durability, tapered edging for improved cutting efficiency, and incredible, long-lasting sharpness.

In addition, it is the best handle in forged cutlery. It is rectangular and has a series of shallows at the base called Glendon edges to create tiny air pockets that allow the flakes to come off the blade quickly. Never stop experimenting in the kitchen; this Genesis fork is a must-have for any kitchen, perfect for professional use or the home cook.

 

TOP Choice #3 Chicago Cutlery Malden 16 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife
Our Score:
9.5
Chicago Cutlery

The Chicago Cutlery Malden has a black lacquered grey knife block that holds the knives securely and comes with an integrated knife sharpener for easy sharpening. This product is designed for ease of use and safe handling in the kitchen.

Furthermore, the contoured stainless steel handle is sleek and modern for a comfortable feel. The high-carbon stainless steel ensures that the blade is more vital and brutal to resist stains, rust, and pitting. This is a reliable kitchen knife for everyday use.

 

 

Zwilling knives are ergonomically designed for maximum hand comfort, making meal prep a breeze. The ergonomic polymer handle connects perfectly with the complete tang. With an entire shank blade, the steel extends from the tip to the handle, providing optimal balance and strength when using the knife.

Additionally, this product features the traditional three rivets and a visible full handle. The handles of the Twin Signature cutlery are stylishly curved and not only feel good in the hand but also look more modern. 

This product features a precise, fine-edged blade that is ground for long-lasting sharpness. This Santoku - "the three virtues" in Japanese - features three cutting techniques: cleverly slicing garlic, sliced ​​cucumbers, and diced onions. 

Besides, the open-worked blade has small indentations, also known as grants, to prevent food from sticking when slicing. The fully forged construction provides a balanced handle, while the traditional three-rivet handle encourages tireless slicing. Plus, the fully developed structure provides durability and a seamless transition from blade to handle. Fully padded for weight and safety

 

6 Global - 8 inch, 20cm Chef's Knife
Our Score:
9.1
Global

The most important feature of any knife is its blade, and the GLOBAL blade is truly its hallmark. The GLOBAL knives have large, prominent edges that are easily visible to the naked eye and extend upwards of at least half a centimeter from the blade's tip.

Moreover, it has CROMOVA 18, steel containing a unique mixture of molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium. The exact combination is our trade secret, but the steel is hard enough to keep knives sharp yet soft enough to be sharpened with a whetstone. The high chromium content gives the blades excellent rust and stain resistance.

 

 

Prep is easy with the Henckels International CLASSIC 3-Piece Starter Knife Set. The razor-sharp blade is sharpened to ensure long-lasting sharpness, perfect for precise cuts. Easily slice herbs with an 8-inch chef's knife, cheese with a 6-inch utility knife, and apples with a 4-inch paring knife.

In addition, premium German stainless steel reinforces this durable Spanish-made knife. This knife features a seamless transition from blade to handle, the fully forged construction provides balance, and the traditional triple-riveted handle promotes easy cutting. 

More To Consider

Before you buy the most important kitchen knives, there are a few things you should know

There are many various sorts of most important kitchen knives on the market, and deciding which one is ideal for you might be difficult.

Many consumers purchase things without fully comprehending their requirements. It's critical to understand which aspects aren't worth the investment before making a purchase. This blog article will highlight items you should know before purchasing the most important kitchen knives in 2024 to assist you to avoid costly blunders.

Handle

Some handles can be made of wood, or wood composites. Others are made from plastic. As well as the price, the materials used to make the knives will impact their weight and feel. Make sure you choose the knife that will be used again and again.

Blade Size

The maximum length for a chef’s knife is approximately 8in (20cm), but 6in blades, which are especially popular with novice cooks, can be as long as 6in. It's important to find the perfect size blade, because it can improve your prep time as well as the precision of your cut. Although we would recommend that you start with a smaller knife, you can have larger hands if necessary.

Material

There are many options for chef's knives blades, such as ceramic. However, 99.9% prefer steel to any other material. We are only going to be testing stainless steel blades. There are many grades. A softer blade is easier to sharpen, but might not last as long. The difference in strength is not significant for amateur cooks. A quality knife should be sharpened quickly.

Perhaps the most important decision you will make is how your knife handles are made. A wide variety of materials are used to make chef's knives handles, such as wood, bone and carbon fiber. Some polymers and wood may feel a bit softer. Some handles are contoured or ergonomic, and others -- such as Japanese knives -- have a linear design. The choice of ergonomic handles will be based on personal preference.

Type

German or Western knives work well for large-scale tasks, such as cutting and breaking down chickens. Japanese knives however are delicater and can do more intricate cuts, like finely slicing cucumbers. Japanese knives may need to be sharpened more often than other types of knives due to their harder construction. However, this can make them susceptible for cracking or chipping.

Tang

Some knives are also equipped with a full Tang, meaning the blade passes through the handle. It helps the knife feel balanced.

Bolster

One point of distinction is the bolster. The handle's insertion into the blade, also known as the flow, can be seen here. One is angled while the other one is straight. Our research showed that straight bolsters have a stronger grip than angled ones, which is better for novices. Straight bolsters can be used for chef who prefer to hold the knife in their hand.

FAQs

What Is The Difference Between Japanese And German Knives?

The two main categories of kitchen knives are Japanese or German. Japanese knives can be sharper, thinner, and more difficult to maintain than German knives. German knives have more versatility and are easier to use than most other knife types. Japanese knives may be unique in their functions, so it is worth paying more attention to care and maintenance.

Do I Need A Full-tang Knife?

Tang refers specifically to the edge of the blade. It extends into the handle through which it stops, making it part tang knife. The metal is distributed throughout full-tang knives, which are better balanced. Due to the fact that only a portion of the knife is made out of metal, partial knives tend not to cost as much. Japanese knives also have partial tangs, with the rare exception of Japanese knives. Japanese knives often have wooden handles that are shaped like a waffle, and emphasize the blade-forward balanced. These handles are for knife-skilled people who prefer to be more relaxed.

What Is The Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Knives?

You can find knives at a range of prices, from very affordable to extremely high. Everything comes down the way it was constructed, like whether it was forged or stamped. Also what type of material it is made of. An inexpensive knife, even a basic one, is an excellent place to start if your goal is to become a home cook. A better knife, however, will allow you to make more precise and efficient mise-en-place. A knife can be a great tool for improving your cooking skills. But professional chefs often prefer dirt-cheap knives. This is where the point comes in: You can do the job with expensive or cheap knives. All you need to focus on is quality.

How Long Should A Chef's Knife Be?

It is true but it can be annoying. This will depend on what your personal preferences are, such as how the knife is held and used. For home chefs, an eight-inch knife is sufficient. The blade can be used to slice butternut squash and pineapples. An additional knife may prove to be worthwhile if you're able and willing to spend the money on large-scale prepping. If you are looking to reduce your length by more than eight inches, The santoku is an excellent choice.

What Is The Best Steel For A Kitchen Knife?

All steel contains carbon. There is less carbon in stainless steel than there is in carbon steel. Addition of chromium to stainless steel gives it its unique "stainless", status. Carbon steel however, has more carbon. A knife that contains more carbon is considered harder. Rockwell scale is used to measure hardness. The tougher a knife, the more it will be. They are extremely sharp due to their hardiness, however they can also be difficult to sharpen. These knives can also corrode and rust more easily. You may notice less difference in stainless steel knives than you would with carbon steel. However, they are sharper than the latter. Even though stainless steel is more durable than carbon steel, it can also be easier to maintain.

How Often Do You Need To Sharpen A Chef's Knife?

Minimum, you should have your knives sharpened twice a calendar year. Even more if your knives are used daily. More if your routine involves the preparation of difficult food like root vegetables and winter squash. Make a schedule to have the knives sharpened each year, even if you are outsourcing to professional cooks. The benefit to learning how sharpen knives your self is that it's easy and convenient.

Conclusion

It's challenging to determine the greatest product while deciding what to buy. We wanted to help you narrow things down by offering a list of most important kitchen knives above so you can make a better-educated decision before purchasing anything that might never work for you.

Would any of these ideas strike a chord with you? If that's the case, keep these in mind before making any purchases! You may also look into MasterChef Knife Block Set of Kitchen Knives to find another option that is a good fit for you.


2 ratings

About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio