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Best Kitchen Knife Sets: Are They Worth It and Which to Buy
What is the best kitchen knife set? The best set is the smallest one that covers what you actually cut. That means a chef's knife, a serrated bread knife and a paring knife, plus a honing rod and safe storage. Testers agree. Serious Eats says a good set should include at least those three knives and warns against "a bloated block filled with duplicates." Wirecutter's advice is that "the best knife set is the one you assemble yourself." If you'd rather buy everything in one go, a well-chosen block set is fine. Just pick by contents, not piece count.
Below: whether a set is worth it, what to look for, the Dalstrong sets compared, and a seven-step way to choose. Dalstrong prices are from dalstrong.com as of November 3, 2026.
Are knife sets worth it?
A set is worth it when you'll use nearly every piece. Serious Eats found some big blocks padded with extras. Its example, a 10-piece set, came with three paring knives and two serrated knives. Its top tested picks include the Misen 7-Piece Knife Set (best knife set) and the Wüsthof Classic 10-Piece (best block set with steak knives). Wirecutter's top set is the Wüsthof Classic Ikon 6-Piece Starter Block. Both outlets favor focused sets over big ones.
Buy a set if you're equipping a new kitchen, giving a gift, or want matching knives and storage in one purchase. Build your own if you already own a good chef's knife, or want to mix styles, such as a German chef's knife with a Japanese santoku.
Dalstrong knife sets compared
| Set | Price (Nov 3, 2026) | What's included | Steel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiator 5-Piece with Modular Block | $199 | 5-piece set with modular block (see product page for contents) | German X50CrMoV15 | A focused starter set |
| Gladiator 8-Piece Block Set | $249 | 8" chef, 7" santoku, 9" bread, 9" slicer, 6" utility, 6" serrated utility, 3.5" paring, 9" honing rod | German X50CrMoV15 | Everyday cooking, best value per piece |
| Gladiator 12-Piece Block Set | $299 | 12-piece block set (see product page for contents) | German X50CrMoV15 | Larger households |
| Gladiator 18-Piece Colossal Set | $399 | 18 pieces with block | German X50CrMoV15 | Cooks who want specialty blades too |
| Shadow Black 5-Piece Block Set | $399 | 5-piece block set | 7CR17MOV-X, black titanium nitride | An all-black kitchen |
| Shogun 5-Piece Block Set (ELITE) | $519 | 8" chef, 7" santoku, 8" bread, 6" utility, 3.5" paring, wood block | AUS-10V core, 66-layer Damascus | A premium Japanese-style set |
Contents are as listed on each product page. Where the table says "see product page," check the page for the exact knives. Prices change.
What a good knife set should include
- Chef's knife (8"). Your main knife. See how to choose a chef's knife.
- Serrated bread knife. For crusty loaves, tomatoes and cake. See best bread knife.
- Paring knife. For in-hand work like peeling and trimming. See why you need a paring knife.
- Honing rod. Keeps edges aligned between sharpenings. See honing vs sharpening.
- Nice to have: a santoku, a utility knife, a slicer for roasts, and shears.
How to choose a knife set in 7 steps
- List the knives you use weekly. Start from your cooking, not the piece count.
- Check for the core three. Make sure the set has a chef's knife, a bread knife and a paring knife.
- Cut the duplicates. Skip sets that pad the count with multiple paring knives or knives you won't touch.
- Choose a style. German-style steel is tough and forgiving. Japanese-style steel is harder and holds a finer edge. See Japanese vs German knives.
- Decide on steak knives. If the set doesn't include them, budget for a separate set. See best steak knives.
- Plan storage. A block, a magnetic strip or an in-drawer tray all protect edges. Serious Eats likes blocks fine if your knives fit the slots.
- Set a budget per useful knife. Divide the price by the pieces you'll actually use. For budget picks, see best knife set under $300.
Knife set checklist
- Chef's, bread and paring knives included
- No duplicates I won't use
- Steel style chosen: German or Japanese
- Honing rod included or bought separately
- Storage that fits my counter or drawer
- Hand-wash routine: see can you put knives in the dishwasher?
Frequently asked questions
Are knife sets worth it?
They are if you'll use nearly every piece. Testers like Serious Eats and Wirecutter favor focused sets, or building your own around a chef's knife, a bread knife and a paring knife, over large blocks padded with duplicates.
What knives should be in a basic knife set?
A chef's knife, a serrated bread knife and a paring knife, plus a honing rod and safe storage. A santoku, utility knife or slicer are useful extras.
How many pieces should a knife set have?
As few as cover your cooking. For most home cooks that's a handful of knives, a honing rod and a block. More pieces only help if you'll use them.
Is a knife block bad for knives?
No. Serious Eats says a block is fine if your knives fit the slots. Magnetic strips and in-drawer trays also protect edges. Avoid loose drawer storage.
What is the best Dalstrong knife set?
For value, the Gladiator 8-Piece Block Set ($249, Nov 3, 2026) covers chef, santoku, bread, slicer, utility and paring knives plus a honing rod. For premium Japanese style, the Shogun 5-Piece ($519).
Sources: Serious Eats knife set testing; Wirecutter knife set and build-your-own guides; Dalstrong product pages. Checked November 3, 2026.
