A great set of knives is essential for any kitchen, whether you’re regularly mincing up ingredients for a shepherd’s pie or simply carving a grocery store rotisserie chicken. Sharp, easy-to-hold knives make chopping and slicing easier and safer-and can also allow for greater control when dealing with more intricate cuts. Investing in a complete set is the easiest (and more economical) option to prep your kitchen for any task. But with all the variables-stainless steel to ceramic blades, plastic to hardwood handles, Granton or flat edges-choosing the right knife set can be a daunting task.
Top Picks for the Best Knife Block Sets in 2025
After extensive testing and research, we’ve compiled a list of the best knife block sets available in 2025. These sets have been evaluated for sharpness, comfort, durability, and value to suit a variety of cooking needs and budgets.
1. Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
Composed of five professional-quality knives and a pair of kitchen shears with pull-apart blades, this sleek set leaves little to be desired in terms of sharpness, balance and maneuverability. The set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, paring knife, prep knife, serrated utility knife, kitchen shears, and a 6-slot acacia wood knife block. The knives are forged from high-carbon stainless steel with triple-riveted synthetic handles, ensuring durability and comfort.
- Pros: Exceptionally sharp blades, comfortable ergonomic handles, compact and stylish acacia wood block, lifetime warranty.
- Cons: Premium price point, shears lack strength for heavy tasks like cutting chicken bones.
- Testing Scenario: The chef’s knife sliced through tomatoes and onions with precision, while the bread knife handled crusty loaves effortlessly. The shears struggled slightly with chicken wings but excelled in herb snipping.
Shop Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set on Amazon
2. Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-piece Forged Knife Block Set with Tempered Glass Block is our pick for the best budget knife set, which still packs all the quality we expect for a set that’s worthy of a spot in your kitchen. Included: 8-inch chef’s knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 8-inch serrated bread knife, 5-inch utility knife, 6-inch boning knife. The set features forged high-carbon stainless steel blades and a tempered glass block for a modern aesthetic.
- Pros: Affordable price, sharp and durable blades, comfortable Santoprene handles, space-saving glass block.
- Cons: No honing steel included, glass block may be hard to keep clean in greasy kitchens.
- Testing Scenario: The chef’s knife excelled at chopping vegetables and meat, while the paring knife was ideal for precise tasks like peeling apples. The block’s modern design saved counter space but showed smudges after use.
Shop Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Knife Block Set on Amazon
3. Miyabi Artisan 7-Piece Knife Block Set
Featuring hand-hammered steel blades and polished Cocobolo Rosewood Pakkawood handles, the knives included in the Miyabi Artisan 7-Piece Knife Block are absolutely gorgeous. More importantly, the blades are impossibly sharp, which made them a true pleasure to use in our tests. The set includes a chef’s knife, santoku knife, bread knife, paring knife, kitchen shears, sharpening steel, and a bamboo knife block.
- Pros: Ultra-sharp blades, stunning design, lightweight for precise cuts, excellent edge retention.
- Cons: Delicate blades prone to chipping, high price point.
- Testing Scenario: The santoku knife sliced through vegetables with ease, and the chef’s knife handled meat prep flawlessly. However, testers noted the need for careful handling to avoid blade damage.
Shop Miyabi Artisan 7-Piece Knife Block Set on Amazon
4. Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set
The Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set is our top choice because it has a great selection of sharp knives and includes a sharpening steel. It comes with a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 5-inch hollow edge santoku knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, kitchen shears, and a 6-slot Acacia wood knife block, among other extras like steak knives.
- Pros: Comprehensive set with versatile knives, sharp out of the box, includes sharpening steel, good value.
- Cons: Bulky block takes up counter space, some knives may rust if not dried properly.
- Testing Scenario: The chef’s knife was a standout for daily chopping, and the santoku knife was favored for its balance. Long-term testing showed the blades remained sharp, but the scissors rusted slightly when exposed to water.
Shop Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set on Amazon
5. Misen Essentials Knife Set
This set from Misen is the best knife set we’ve ever tested. The set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, and paring knife, with optional 5-piece or 7-piece versions. The knives are sharp enough to tackle heavy-duty tasks, and the high-carbon stainless steel is lightweight enough to use for extended periods. The double-riveted handles are available in four colors.
- Pros: Exceptional sharpness, well-balanced, modern design, affordable for quality.
- Cons: No storage block included in the base set, limited variety in the 3-piece option.
- Testing Scenario: The chef’s knife sliced through paper and parsley with ease, while the serrated knife handled crusty bread and soft cakes flawlessly. Testers appreciated the balance but wished for a block for storage.
Good Housekeeping’s guide to kitchen knives or explore Food Network’s recommendations.