9 best knife sets in 2021 for every kind of slicing and dicing

Japanese knives, German knives, Stainless steel knives – choosing between different kinds of knife sets can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re more of a hobby cook than a kitchen expert. To help you make your decision process a little easier we’ve rounded up the best kitchen knife set for every category, so you can stop searching and start slicing.

Best professional knife set

If you’re on the hunt for some professional quality knives, now would be the best time to go for it – as this set by ProCook is currently discounted by £100.

The set comes with a paring, chef, utility, bread, and carving knife so you’ll have all the knives you need for cooking 5-star quality meals at home.

The ergonomic handles of these knives have been designed to fit within your hand perfectly, so they remain comfortable even if you have a lot of cutting to do.

Comes with:

• Paring knife
• Utility knife
• Chef knife
• Bread knife
• Carving knife
• Glass block

Material: German stainless steel blade with micarta handles

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £129

Japanese knives are coveted because of their superior quality and lightweight feel, making cutting through tough ingredients a breeze.

This set by Nafang Brothers not only comes with six knives – including a chef knife, slicing knife, bread knife, Santoku knife, utility knife, and a paring knife – but it also comes with a knife sharpener so you can care for the knives and keep them sharp.

Comes with:

• Chef knife
• Slicing knife
• Bread knife
• Santoku knife
• Utility knife
• Paring knife
• Kitchen shears
• Knife sharpener
• Beechwood block

Material: Damascus steel blade and full tang ABS handle

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £169.95

German knives tend to be quite thick and sturdy, making them perfect for cutting through tough ingredients like meat.

This set from Homgeek gives you the freedom to get creative in the kitchen, offering professional quality knives at a reasonable price.

The blade of the knife has been forged with hand-polished edges to ensure they are not only sharp but also stain resistant.

Comes with:

• Chef knife
• Slicing knife
• Bread knife
• Boning knife
• Utility knife
• Paring knife
• Wooden knife holder

Material: Stainless steel blade and pakka wood handle.

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £39.99

Best knife sets under £100

With a modern Scandinavian inspired design, these high-quality knives have been made using chrome molybdenum vanadium stainless steel with carbonised ash wood handles.

This combination of materials creates knives that are built to last and will help you level up your kitchen creations.

Comes with:

• Cooks knife
• Carving knife
• Bread knife
• Utility knife
• All-purpose knife
• Wooden block

Material: Stainless steel blade with carbonised ash wood handle

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £93.99

Best knife set under £50

Coming in at under £50, this set of stainless steel knives comes stocked with a whopping 12 knives, a pair of kitchen shears, and a wooden block for you to keep them all in.

This set is best suited to someone who needs a whole new batch of knives, cooks a lot and wants quality without the hefty price tag.

Comes with:

• Chef knife
• Slicing knife
• Bread knife
• Utility knife
• Paring knife
• Six steak knives
• All-purpose kitchen shears
• Hardwood knife block

Material: Stainless steel blade and handles

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £40.99

This is a simple set that will ensure your kitchen is fully equipped for all your cooking needs.

Clocking in at under £30, these knives aren’t a huge financial investment, and although we’d recommend a more expensive set for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, if you’re more of a simple chef this set will suffice.

Comes with:

• Five cooking knives
• Four steak knives
• Kitchen shears
• Knife sharpener

Material: Stainless steel

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £26.90

This knife set has won a design award, and you only need to take a glance at it to see why.

The oak wooden block that the knives are stored in is a more modern take than the knife blocks you’re probably used to and will look a lot better on your kitchen bench.

The knives can be removed from the front or top of the block, which makes them easier to grab when you’re in the cooking zone.

The knives come with a lifetime guarantee, so while they might seem expensive they work out cheaper than buying a whole new set once every few years.

Comes with:

• Carving knife
• Bread knife
• Cook’s knife
• Santoku knife
• Kitchen knife
• Vegetable knife
• Book oak knife block

Material: Stainless steel blade with DuPont handles

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £275

Best stainless steel knife set

This all-inclusive stainless steel knife set comes with everything a budding home chef could need – down to the chopping board.

The sleek set will add a modern touch to your kitchen aesthetic, and make it super simple to stay organised with the individual knife slots in the caddy.

Comes with:

• Chef knife
• Bread knife
• Carving knife
• Utility knife
• Paring knife
• Kitchen shears
• Knife sharpener
• Cutting board
• Multi-compartment holder

Material: Stainless steel knives and handles

Dishwasher safe: No

Buy here: £29.99

Best knife set with plastic handles

A simple, budget-friendly knife set that comes with the basics you need for slicing and dicing at home.

Perfect for students and people moving into their first home, this is a durable set that won’t set you back a lot of money, but will still get the job done.

Comes with:

• Paring knife
• Utility knife
• Bread knife
• Slicing knife
• Chef knife
• Acrylic stand