Best Knife Set After Years of Testing Knives (2026)

I’m just going to say it: You don’t need an 18-piece knife block with a blade for every conceivable kitchen task. If you find one of those sets out in the wild, what you’ll probably find is that a lot of knives in the block still have a factory-sharp edge, because they’ve never been used. At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the sheer value a lot of knife sets offer. For most home cooks, buying every knife piecemeal is akin to adding a 15%–20% tax.After testing dozens and dozens of knives and talking with our Test Kitchen editors and professional chefs, the consensus is that the best knife set really only needs three essentials: a chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife. As you get more confident or curious in the kitchen, you might choose to add a versatile nakiri knife, a handy petty knife, or a versatile cleaver, but we generally recommend doing so on an ad hoc basis with an eye for how it will fit into your cooking and how much you truly want to spend on a knife.The best knife setsThe best knife set overall: Mac Professional Series 3-Piece Knife SetThe best budget knife set: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 5-Piece Magnetic Board Knife SetA Western-style favorite: Wüsthof Classic 3-Piece Starter SetThe best large knife set: Global 11-Piece Knife SetWhen it comes to the core pieces of a knife set, though, many of the best knife makers make great versions of multiple knife types. In that spirit, the sets here offer high performance and great value without compromise. Nearly every knife recommended in these sets has been tested individually, so I feel confident saying you’ll be happily slicing, sawing, and coring with every recommended option.Read on for our top knife set picks, including a couple of slightly more expansive options with a knife block and steak knives for those who want some extra pieces.New in this update: Editors spent some extended time with our top picks and we've added their long term user notes.Best knife set overall: Mac Professional Series 3-PcAnother great set: Shun Classic Damascus 3-PcBest budget: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 5-PcA high-performing aesthetic option: Hedley & Bennett 3-PcA favorite Western-style: Wüsthof Classic 3-PcBest expanded set: Shun Classic 7-Pc Essential Block SetBest large knife set: Global 11-PcHow we picked the best knife setsFAQsGet to know your reviewerBest knife set overall: Mac Professional Series 3-Piece Knife SetMac ProfessionalSeries 3-Piece Knife SetProsSharpWell-balancedNice hybrid shapeConsA little priceyIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 10.5" bread knife, 5" petty knifeMaterial: Molybdenum high-carbon steelFull tang: YesIndividual Mac knives have come out on top in our testing time and time again for their high-quality construction, ultra-sharp blades, lightweight feel, and middle-of-the-road price point. This three-piece set is made up of a chef’s and petty knife that are the top overall picks in their respective categories, and a bread knife that’s essentially a luxe version of our favorite serrated knife.In testing, the Mac Professional Chef’s Knife was versatile and comfortable to use thanks to its ergonomic pakkawood handle, able to work through a giant mound of veggies efficiently without making our hands cramp up. Its blade was one of the sharpest we tested and combines the best qualities of Japanese and Western-style chef’s knives in both its material and shape. Made of molybdenum high carbon steel, it strikes a balance between the brittle (but extra sharp) steel used in Japanese blades and the more durable, softer steel typical of a Western knife. Similarly, its shape is a hybrid of the rounded edge of a Western-style blade and the straighter edge of a Japanese knife.Perhaps unsurprisingly, we are also big fans of Mac’s Professional Series petty knife, and for similar reasons: It’s razor sharp, and offers a unique shape that splits the difference between a utility knife and paring knife.The bread knife included in this set is also part of Mac’s Professional Series. It’s a tier up from the Superior Series knife that won our bread knife test, which is evident in its build quality: While it features the same scalloped blade of the Superior Series knife, it has a metal bolster that makes for a more seamless connection between the blade and handle, and a more balanced overall feel while slicing.In the long run: I used these Mac knives for more than a year (the chef’s knife I used for five) and they served me well the whole time. The paring knife is on the long side so it’s better suited to things like cutting hard cheeses than peeling or coring, though I prefer using a Y-peeler and an apple corer anyway. But because it’s longer it was also easier to sharpen. The bread knife is perfect. The shape of the serrations and curve of the blade provide excellent leverage, and because they’re wavy instead of pointy I didn’t notice loss of sharpness at all. It’s also heavy enough that its weight helps me push through without tearing.And then there is the chef’s knife. The old standby, loved by every reviewer and test kitchen editor who has tried it. The balance, weight, and shape made it versatile, and the steel sharpened fantastically. However: After a couple years my Mac did chip. I was able to resharpen and salvage it, but I’m not the only one who ended up with a chipped blade. The Mac we kept in house for long term testing also chipped after a few years. As reviewer Jesse Raub has noted in a number of his knife pieces, Japanese knives like the Mac are made from harder steel, so they don’t dull easily but they do chip. Personally: I find it one of those trade-offs you have to make when you’re picking a knife and there is much good about the Mac I still happily endorse it.— Noah Kaufman, senior reviews editorAnother great knife set: Shun Classic Damascus 3-Piece Knife SetShunClassic Damascus 3 Piece Knife SetProsSharpBeautiful, patterned steelWell-balancedConsBread knife is a little shortIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 9" bread knife, 3.5" paring knifeMaterial: VG-Max high carbon steelFull tang: YesIf you like the high-end look of beautiful Damascus steel and prefer a more rounded belly to your chef’s knife (better for rocking chops on the board), this set from Shun may be the one for you. Shun’s knives consistently perform well in our testing, and each of these knives has earned a spot as a top pick in its category. And by buying them as a set, you’ll save a modest amount of money off the total cost of the individual knives.One of the things that sets Shun’s Classic line apart is that it features the brand’s proprietary VG-MAX core, a high carbon steel with additional metals like chromium and molybdenum added in the mix to help with corrosion resistance and sharpness. In testing, we found this made for blades that cut effortlessly through anything we threw at them, and retained their sharpness over time.The rounded pakkawood handles of the Classic line knives made each of them extremely comfortable to hold, and because the handles maintain an even thickness throughout their length, they allow each user to find the grip and hand positioning that’s best for them.Shun’s knives are routinely some of the sharpest in our testing, and we appreciate the more Western-leaning hybrid shape of their blades. It makes them great options for anyone who wants the versatility of a Western chef’s knife while looking for the precision edge of Japanese gyuto. While Shun’s bread knife is a little short for our tastes, it was also the sharpest and easily sliced through everything during its round of testing, earning it a top pick in that category.In the long run: I’ve had these Shun knives for a year now, and they’re my go-to set. The chef’s knife is incredibly comfortable to hold. A smooth notch where the blade meets the handle gives me a comfortable spot to pinch-grip, and the handle fits my small hands. The blade’s shape lets me glide and rock through tough ingredients. The paring knife is sharp and precise enough to hull strawberries but sturdy enough to cut into a thick wedge of Manchego. At nine inches, the bread knife handles most sourdough miches with ease, though I occasionally wish it were a little longer for really wide ones.— Olivia Tarantino, senior reviews editorBest budget knife set: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 5-Piece Magnetic Board SetMercer CulinaryRenaissance 5-Piece Knife Set With Magnetic BoardProsAffordableWell-balancedSturdy constructionConsSlightly bulkier than other optionsIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 8" bread knife, 3.5" paring knife, 5" utility knife (and magnetic knife board)Material: High carbon steelFull tang: YesSpending $400 on a knife set, like the Mac and Shun options above, is a big investment, even if you're getting three high-quality blades. For a more budget-friendly alternative, we recommend this four-knife set (it gets called a five-piece set because the knife board counts as a piece) from Mercer Culinary's Renaissance line. It’s a great, cheap option for anyone who wants reliable knives without committing to a premium price point.Mercer’s knives have consistently performed well in our testing, from the Renaissance line to the more affordable Genesis and Millennia collections. Their Millennia 10-inch Wavy Edge Bread Knife, priced under $16 when bought on its own, is even one of our top picks. In our tests, the Mercer chef’s, bread, and paring knives all delivered clean, consistent cuts and maintained their edges well after repeated use. While they didn’t outperform our favorite pricier knives, they came surprisingly close considering they were less than half the cost. Made from high carbon steel with full-tang construction and durable handles, the knives in this Renaissance set feel solid, well-balanced, and easy to control.While we prefer the Japanese petty knife over a Western utility knife shape, there’s enough value in the core three knives of this set that we think it’s worth it for anyone who wants an affordable refresh or is stocking their kitchen for the first time.A high-performing aesthetic option: Hedley & Bennett Chef's Knife SetHedley & BennettChef's Knife SetProsContains petty knife instead of a short paring knifeLightweightTapered bread knife allows for improved maneuverabilityConsShorter bread knifeIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 8.6" bread knife, 5.6" utility knifeMaterial: High carbon stainless steel coreFull tang: YesIn our testing for the best chef’s knives, Hedley & Bennett’s chef's knife stood out as well-balanced, comfortable to grip, and easy to maneuver thanks to the seamless transition between the handle and blade. After months of use, our test kitchen editors were impressed with how well it held up. And while testers preferred the Mac, if you’re looking to bring some fun color into your kitchen while still investing in a high-performing knife set, Hedley & Bennett is a great choice.This set includes a utility knife rather than a paring knife. It’s about two inches longer than a traditional paring knife (5.6 inches vs. 3.5), making it a bit more versatile for larger tasks, such as slicing an oversized apple.The bread knife is on the shorter side, at only 8.6 inches, but its sharp, tapered serrated edge allows for more controlled, precise cuts than some straight-blade designs. Deputy Food Editor Hana Asbrink notes that the blade's slope also helps prevent your knuckles from hitting the cutting board, a common issue with bread knives that maintain the same width along the entire blade.While they aren’t the sharpest knives out of the box, they’re made of high carbon stainless steel and can be easily sharpened to a finer edge. While we think most home cooks would like this set, its biggest advantage is the variety of colorways, which make for a more aesthetically pleasing kitchen.In the long run: I’m in a less-is-more phase of my life, mostly because my shoe box of a kitchen leaves little room for 10 knives. So the pared down three from Hedley & Bennett fits perfectly in my space. They’re lightweight and the tapered spines have contributed to a welcome feeling of precision when using them. The chef’s knife gets the most use—there’s something rhythmic about slicing garlic with it. But the utility knife has come in handy more often than I thought. I’ve used it, along with my trusty kitchen shears to break down whole chickens. And the angled tip of the serrated knife has made it useful for more than sawing through crusty bread. The blade shape helps for more delicate work like piercing tomato skin without mangling it.With use, a few minor scuffs and scratches have started to show. My colleagues have also warned me that the handles can crack over time, though that hasn’t been an issue for me over the first several months. Bless the greater knife powers that be. I do make a point of never leaving my knives in the sink and always drying them thoroughly after washing.— Nina Moskowitz, associate cooking editorA favorite Western-style knife set: Wüsthof Classic 3-Piece Starter SetWÜSTHOFClassic 3-Piece Starter SetProsSharpHigh-quality finishingBuilt to lastConsPriceyIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 8" bread Knife, 3.5" paring KnifeMaterial: High carbon stainless steelFull tang: yesThe Wüsthof Classic line helped define high-end knives both at home and in professional kitchens for decades. Over the years, Wüsthof Classic set the standard for what to expect for performance and durability—full-tang construction, high carbon stainless steel, and a razor-sharp edge that’s easy to maintain. In our tests, Wüsthof’s 8" chef’s knife has been a standout for many years, and the included bread knife and paring knife are also great options.The big catch is that many cooks prefer the more nimble Japanese-style and hybrid knives, and Wüsthof’s heritage puts their Classic line in a more expensive bracket. Still, if you prefer the heft and durability of Western-style knife set, it’s hard to go wrong with this one—and they’ll last a lifetime with good upkeep.Best expanded set: Shun Classic 7-Piece Essential Block SetShunClassic Essential Knife Block, Set of 7ProsDurable steelSharpWell-balancedConsHerb shears less versatile than standard kitchen shearsIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 9" bread knife, 6" utility knife, 3.5" paring knife, 9" honing steel, herb shears, 11-slot storage blockMaterial: VG-MAX stainless steelFull tang: YesIf you’re looking for a more expansive knife set beyond our essential three-piece recommendation, Shun’s Classic line stands out. This seven-piece set includes the core trio—a chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife—plus two smart additions: a 6-inch petty knife and a pair of herb shears. The petty knife fills that sweet spot between a paring and a chef’s knife, perfect for tasks that need more precision than a big blade allows but would overwhelm a smaller one, like slicing citrus or trimming proteins.The herb shears are a surprisingly handy upgrade. Instead of dragging out a cutting board just to mince some parsley or chives, you can snip them straight into a salad, soup, or garnish. Still, this is a good example of where a large set can sell you short: herb shears are less versatile than a standard set of heavy-duty kitchen shears.The set also comes with a honing steel to keep your knives sharp and a sleek 11-slot bamboo storage block, which gives you extra space to add other styles down the line, like a nakiri for vegetable prep, a santoku, or even a cleaver.In the long run: By jumping up to the larger seven-piece set I got to add my favorite part of the set: the herb scissors. I use them to snip parsley right over a finished dish without pulling out a cutting board. They’re small, but they can still cut raw chicken into chunks when I don’t feel like reaching for a knife. Just be sure to hand-wash and towel-dry them right away. If you leave them dripping wet, they will get watermarks.— Olivia Tarantino, senior reviews editorBest large knife set: Global 11-Piece Knife SetProsGreat valueIncludes steak knivesConsMore knives than you’ll likely needIncluded knives: 8" chef's knife, 8.5" bread Knife, 7" hollow-edge Asian chef’s Knife, 6" serrated utility knife, 5" petty knife, 3.5" paring knife, Four 4.5" steak knives, 10-slot blockMaterial: Molybdenum high carbon stainless steelFull tang: unibody constructionLarge knife sets that come with a storage block are handy—it’s literally a one-stop shop. And if you’re a fan of serving grilled ribeyes whole to your guests, you’re going to need some sharp steak knives. Global’s knives are strong performers in our tests, and their unibody construction makes them easy to clean and maintain. We also like their unique steel, which retains sharpness without being as brittle as other alloys.While they can be polarizing, many people find their dimpled steel handles comfortable to hold, and their knives come sharp out of the box. A big reason we like this large set over other options is that larger knife sets are usually extremely expensive, or they’re made up of a knifemaker's budget line. Here you see strong value for great knives, and the inclusion of a petty knife, a chef’s knife, and a kiritsuke-style slicing knife means there’s nothing you won’t be able to cut with swiftness and precision.Given its size, it’s a well-balanced set, and the inclusion of the serrated utility knife is a nice touch for slicing tomatoes or peeling squash. It may feel like a hefty sticker price, but you’d be hard-pressed to find this many high-quality knives at this price point from other brands.In the long run: While the Shun knives are my home set, the Global Chef’s knife is the one I always use when I’m working in the test kitchen. The balance and the size of the knives in this set (a slightly shorter chef’s and bread knives) are perfect for smaller women. Other BA editors have echoed this idea in the past. The secret is in the handle. Its dimpled steel gives you a secure grip, and it starts wide before tapering in, which makes it perfect for small hands. It feels hefty (it’s full of sand) while still being lightweight, which matters when you need to stay nimble with your knife cuts.—Olivia Tarantino, senior reviews editorHow we picked the best knife setsWe’ve been testing knives for years now, and we have found that the same brands tend to come out on top across each knife category. Luckily for you, aspiring knife set purchasers, that means we’ve had no trouble finding three-piece sets from brands we know and love that feature product-test-winning, quality knives our team of experts can vouch for. Each set listed above is made up of individual knives we’ve tested against a long list of competitors and wholeheartedly approve of.Head over to our individual reviews of the best chef’s knives, best bread knives, and best paring knives for even more information.FAQsHow many knives do you need in a knife set?We firmly believe that three knives are all you really need: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife. Together, they cover just about every essential kitchen task, from chopping vegetables to slicing crusty loaves.That said, if you’re looking to upgrade or expand your collection, three additional knives are excellent additions: a nakiri knife, a petty knife, and a cleaver. While not essential, they’re nice to have: the nakiri offers extra precision for vegetable prep, the petty knife is ideal for those in-between tasks that a paring or chef’s knife might not handle quite as neatly, and a cleaver can help tackle larger chopping tasks (or precion cuts with a Chinese cleaver).Which is the best brand for knives?Mac has come out on top of our knife testing across the three core knives—chef's, serrated, and paring—but the question itself is sort of like asking “who is the best guitar player.” Different people will find different knife shapes, weights, and handle styles better or worse for their hands. And, there are a lot of small elite knife makers out there that make items that aren't just kitchen tools, but works of art. If you want to investigate some of those, we'd encourage you to check out a shop like Chubo Knives for elite Japanese blades.But as far as affordable, widely available knives go, Mac's routinely out-performed the competition. They are made in Japan from molybdenum high carbon steel, which blends the durability of Western-style steel with the precision sharpness of traditional Japanese blades. The result is a knife that’s lightweight, versatile, and sharp. Mac’s bread knife took the top spot in our testing thanks to its 10.5-inch blade, which is an inch and a half longer than most. That extra length makes it easier to slice through wide loaves like focaccia in a single stroke.Are expensive knife sets worth it?We stand by all of our recommended knives, but what you will get if you buy higher-end knives are blades made from better steel that are finished with more care. That means they’ll hold an edge longer, require less sharpening, and last for years with proper care. For most home cooks, it’s worth investing at least $150–$200 in a chef’s knife since it’s the blade you’ll reach for every day. Secondar knives like paring, bread, or utility knives don’t need to be as pricey, but if you use them often, it may be worth upgrading those, too (and getting them as part of a bundle in a small knife set is a good way to do that).Read more here about how much you should spend on a knife.Is it better to buy knives individually or as a set?It depends on your priorities. The great part about a knife set is that it’s a one-and-done purchase. You get the three essentials (chef’s, bread, and paring knives), and you can trust that each knife in the set has been tested to perform at a high level. That said, buying individually gives you more flexibility. Maybe you prefer a 6-inch chef’s knife over an 8-inch, or a longer bread knife like Mac’s 10.5-inch version over Shun’s 9-inch or Hedley & Bennett’s 8.6-inch tapered blade. Think of a set as a strong starting point: it gets you well-equipped right away, but you can always mix and match later as you learn what sizes and styles feel best in your hand.Is it cheaper to buy knives in a set?In general, yes—most manufacturers will offer at least some discount when you buy knives as a set rather than one at a time. How much of a discount? Well, that varies. For some brands, buying a three-piece set is like getting a third knife for free. For others, you might only save a few bucks. Still, many sets will also go on sale, adding even more savings to the already discounted knives. At the end of the day, it’s worth pricing out each knife in a set to see how much you’ll save by buying the bundle, and weigh that against being able to pick your favorite knife from each type. Still, we find that if you’re a fan of one knife from a brand, you’ll probably enjoy the handle style and comfort of other knives from the same brand—combined with some savings, you get a strong argument for picking out a knife set when you need a kitchen refresh.What’s the best way to store your knives?Proper storage is just as important as proper sharpening when it comes to keeping your knives in good shape. No knife should ever be tossed into a drawer with other utensils—that’s a quick way to dull the edge, damage the blade, or worse, hurt someone.The best storage option depends on your kitchen setup and preferences, but our favorite is a magnetic strip mounted on the wall. It keeps blades accessible, protects the edge, and works for all shapes and sizes, whether you’ve got a slim paring knife, a hefty cleaver, or even kitchen shears. Another big plus: magnetic strips take up zero counter or drawer space and are easy to clean with a quick wipe. These are our favorite magnetic strips.Get to know your reviewerJesse Raub: I’ve been a professional kitchen product tester since 2021, where I tested nearly everything: espresso machines, wooden spoons, bread proofing baskets, pizza stones, garlic presses, and more. My fascination with kitchen knives began in 2003 when the chef at the kitchen where I worked let me use his personal Wüsthof knives during prep work one day. Over the last two years, I’ve tested over 70 different knives for Bon Appétit and written about the best knife sharpeners and how to best sharpen your knives at home. If you’re ever on the phone with me and hear a light scraping noise in the background, just know that I’m likely touching up my kitchen knives on a whetstone and testing their sharpness by slicing sheets of paper.Additional testing by Olivia Tarantino and Noah KaufmanLooking for more knife content? We’ve got you coveredCheck out more about all of the chef’s knives we’ve tested over the years from brands like Victorinox, Zwilling, Made In, and J.A. HenckelsLearn more about the best bread knivesShop all of our favorite paring knivesSee why we’re partial to magnetic knife holdersRead all about why whetstones are the best knife sharpeners, and what honing rods actually doLearn how to sharpen knives at any levelFind out how much you should spend on a kitchen knifeAdd to your collection with a nakiri knife, a petty knife, or a cleaver