Best budget knife set

By Ben North.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Finding high-quality kitchen knives at a reasonable price can be a daunting task. We extensively researched various kitchen knives including the ones Blair uses daily to find those that deliver exceptional value without compromising functionality. During our research, we considered factors such as edge retention, blade sharpness, handle comfort, durability, and overall performance. Here are our top picks for the best budget kitchen knives that combine affordability with outstanding performance to elevate your cooking experience.

Best budget knife set

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. A great set of knives is essential for any kitchen, whether you're regularly mincing up ingredients for a shepherd's pie or simply carving a grocery store rotisserie chicken. Sharp, easy-to-hold knives make chopping and slicing easier and safer—and can also allow for greater control when dealing with more intricate cuts. Building your own collection of knives based on individual preferences and needs is great, but sometimes investing in a complete set is the easier and more economical option. With all the variables—stainless steel to ceramic blades, plastic to hardwood handles, Granton or flat edges—choosing the right knife set can be a daunting task. To help find the best knife sets for your kitchen, we tested more than 20 of them, observing key factors like design, size, value, and performance. Here's what you should keep in mind while shopping for your next set of knives. Knife sets will vary in how many knives and what type of knives are included. Some knife sets will come with storage included, which can be either a vertical or horizontal knife block or a roll-up sheath with individual slots. Consider where you are going to keep the knives and how much space you have. No matter which knives you choose, they will need maintenance and eventually need to be sharpened.

Fortunately, there is an empty non-sharpening slot in the storage block, best budget knife set, so one can easily be added. The knife handles also have a range of materials, such as resin, wood, metal, or plastic, and each type has pros and cons. Overall the Ginsu Chikara Series is a great value buy, and it should provide years of use especially, if it is used as a travel set in an RV, houseboat, or vacation cabin.

If your knife is comfortable to grip and razor-sharp, you can chop ingredients faster and with more control and therefore more safely. After putting in over hours of research—and chopping more than 70 pounds of produce with 23 knives—we recommend the Mac MTH With its super-sharp edge, sleek, tapered shape, and comfortable handle, this knife makes everyday dicing and slicing tasks smoother and quicker. This classic German knife is a great choice if you prefer a heftier model for heavy-duty tasks. Its blade is softer than that of our top pick, so you need to sharpen it more frequently. This knife is comfortable to use, durable, and pretty sharp. Its razor-sharp edge, comfortable handle, and agile blade make chopping tasks much easier, which in turn cuts down on meal-prep time.

Every product is independently selected by obsessive editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. With the exception of a couple of speciality packs like steak knives , every set on this list includes one. From there, I looked at what else was included in the set, tested several myself, and then talked to nearly a dozen experts chefs, cookbook authors, and recipe testers among them. You can always build from there. Knife sets can come with anywhere from three pieces to more than For this story, I and the experts I spoke to leaned significantly towards the smaller end of that spectrum. From your core group, you can always add individual implements as you see what your real needs are. First of all, European-style is kind of a catch-all term that can also be called German-style, French-style, and Western-style. These are generally heavier with a thicker, more curved blade to facilitate rocking back and forth with the tip down on your cutting board.

Best budget knife set

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Jump to a Section. It is a bit more expensive than your average set of knives, but the tempered and hardened steel craftsmanship is designed to last for decades if not generations to come. The set includes every knife you need for slicing and dicing gourmet meals. The knives were crafted in Solingen, Germany—the knife-producing capital of the world—using the stamped steel method rather than forged steel. That makes the set more affordable than its forged counterpart, but just as long-lasting. Of course, the key is to take proper care of your knives —always hand-wash them versus throwing them in the dishwasher.

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How we tested. To be honest, all of the Japanese knives did a superb job on our basil test. All of this happens before we halve a single onion. This is important, because this set does not ship with a bread knife. I have personally used every sharpener I recommend the following list. The bread knife is probably the worst included knife from a performance standpoint, but it still got the job done. Others — like this one — just get quietly on with the job in hand. This steel is fairly rust resistant, but it generally does not hold its edge for a long time. The size of each knife is just right, and the chef's knife, in particular, felt very sturdy. Each knife offers an ergonomic handle and has a heft that donates quality, without feeling heavy.

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Cuisinart included a pair of kitchen shears in this set that have a built in bottle opener. The key with both styles of honing is to make sure the edge bevel is flush to the rod. We felt spoilt for choice with this knife block, which is a partnership between celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and leading kitchen brand Tefal. All the knives in this set are full tang , the blades hold their edge well for a budget set. Sets that include a steel to help hone your blade are also great, with a very small learning curve. But if you want to sharpen our budget pick , a German steel blade, or an inexpensive paring or utility knife, try one of our knife-sharpener picks. Develop and improve services. We especially like its smooth slicing action and blade-heavy balance. The rubber material on these handles is very grippy, but the feel of the rough texturing can take a little getting used to. Consider where you are going to keep the knives and how much space you have. Global Classic 3-Piece Knife Set. If you stick to mostly fruits, veggies, bread, and pre-butchered meats, a simpler set will serve you just fine.