The Best Kitchen Knives & Knife Sets
Here's the thing about kitchen knives: one excellent chef's knife will improve your cooking more than a 15-piece block of dull, mediocre ones. Buy quality where it counts, keep it sharp, and you're 90% there. Here's the knife to start with, the best full set if you want one, and how to keep any knife sharp.
| Pick | Type | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef's knife | Single knife | The one to buy first | $$ | View → |
| Knife block set | Full set | Outfitting a kitchen | $$$ | View → |
| Budget chef's knife | Budget | Punching above its price | $ | View → |
| Sharpener / honing steel | Maintenance | Keeping an edge | $ | View → |
Price tiers are our rough guide ($ = budget, $$$ = premium); check Amazon for the current price.
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Start with one great chef's knife
An 8-inch chef's knife does the vast majority of kitchen work. This is the single best knife purchase you can make.
8-inch chef's knife
sharp, balanced, and comfortable — it handles 90% of cutting tasks and instantly makes prep faster and safer.
Best for: the one knife to own
Check price on Amazon →Budget chef's knife
the famous cheap knife that out-cuts blades many times its price — a no-brainer first or backup knife.
Best for: amazing value
Check price on Amazon →Sets and the other useful blades
If you'd rather buy a coordinated set, or just add the two other knives that matter.
Knife block set
a coordinated set with block, chef's, paring, and serrated knives — the convenient way to kit out a kitchen in one buy.
Best for: outfitting a whole kitchen at once
Check price on Amazon →Paring & utility knife set
a small paring knife for detail work and a utility knife for sandwiches and small jobs — the two knives you'll reach for after the chef's knife.
Best for: the supporting cast
Check price on Amazon →Keep them sharp
A sharp cheap knife beats a dull expensive one — and it's safer. This is the most-skipped step.
Knife sharpener
a dull knife is dangerous and frustrating — an easy pull-through or whetstone keeps your edges keen and your cuts clean.
Best for: keeping every knife sharp
Check price on Amazon →Wood cutting board
a quality wood or end-grain board is gentler on edges than glass or hard plastic — it literally keeps your knives sharper.
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
What knives do I actually need?
Three do almost everything: an 8-inch chef's knife (the workhorse), a paring knife (small detail work), and a serrated bread knife (anything with a crust or skin). A big block set is convenient but full of knives most people rarely touch — many cooks are better off buying a few great knives individually.
Is an expensive chef's knife worth it?
A good chef's knife is worth it — it's sharper, better balanced, holds an edge longer, and you use it constantly. That said, the famous budget options punch well above their price, so you don't have to spend a fortune. Spend where it counts (the chef's knife) and keep it sharp.
How do I keep my knives sharp?
Hone regularly (a honing steel realigns the edge) and sharpen periodically (a sharpener or whetstone removes metal to create a new edge) — they're different things. Also use a wood or soft-plastic cutting board, never glass, and hand-wash rather than using the dishwasher. A sharp knife is safer and far more pleasant to use.