A quality knife is a necessary part of cooking, no matter what your skill level is. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, having a quality knife in your kitchen toolbelt can make complicated, or even mundane, cooking tasks much easier to tackle. But with so many options on the market, shopping for kitchen knife sets can be confusing. As a result, a lot of people end up buying a poor-quality knife that they have to replace in just a couple of years.

What To Look For in a Kitchen Knife Set

Mostly every standard kitchen knife set includes certain, special knives — i.e. a chef’s knife, a utility knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife — each with their unique function. However other sets can come with additional knives such as a carving knife, boning knife, or steak knife. With this in mind, here are several factors to look out for when shopping for a knife set for your kitchen:

Blade Material

The first thing to look out for is the material of the blade. Quality knives are typically made using stainless steel because stainless steel is durable, resistant to rusting, and easy to maintain.

Tang

Tang refers to the extension of the blade into the handle. Full tang happens when the blade runs through the handle, whereas partial tangs only stretch partially into the handle. For optimal balance and usage, opt for full tangs over partial tangs.

Handle Material

Having a comfortable and ergonomic handle is important so that when you prepare a meal, your hand doesn’t become tired or sore, which can cause accidents. When shopping for knife sets, look for knife handles that are designed with comfort in mind. Try feeling the handles to ensure they’re comfy with a secure grip.

Sharpness

Trying to work with a dull knife is extremely frustrating, — and not to mention, unsafe. And unfortunately, buying just any brand-new knife doesn’t guarantee that it’ll be sharp. To avoid the struggle, invest in a quality set that comes with a honing rod or sharpener so you can keep your knives in peak condition.

Storage Block

You can typically find a storage block — a.k.a. a magnetic strip — included with your knife set. This not only keeps you from being exposed to sharp blades, it provides an organized way to neatly store your knives.

When shopping, be sure to pick a storage block that complements the rest of your kitchen decor.

Here are the Best Kitchen Knife Sets

Having a quality knife set can make cooking in the kitchen a lot more convenient. With a strong and sturdy knife, you can saw through tough cuts of meat, crusty breads, and large fruits and veggies easily. To learn more about which knives can help you chop, slice, and dice with ease, here are seven kitchen knife sets to add to your shopping cart:

• Ninja NeverDull™ 12-Piece Premium Knife System
• Graphite 13-Piece Knife Block Set
• 16-Piece Japanese Knife Block Set
• Knife Set with Acrylic Block
• Forged Triple Rivet, 15-Piece Knife Set
• Gourmet 12-Piece Knife Block Set
• 15-Piece Classic High Carbon Knives

Or for the comprehensive list, take a look below!

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