Best Kitchen Knives of 2023

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Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Top 10 Best Kitchen Knives

  1. Velaze Block Sets 8-Piece Stainless Steel (Editor’s Choice)
  2. Damascus Koksmes Set (Luxury Choice)
  3. Hecef Set (Best Value)
  4. Amazon Basics 18 Piece (Best Knife Block)
  5. Shan Zu Set of 3 (Best Utility)
  6. Taylors Eye Witness Syracuse Asian Set (Best Grip)
  7. Chef’s Path (Best Stainless Steel)
  8. Wanbasion Professional Set
  9. Euna Japanese Style
  10. Mosfiata Chef’s Knife

So, you have decided you want to invest in some new knives, and that’s perfectly understandable! This is especially true if it has been some time since you treated yourself. However, this brings a problem, and that problem is knowing which knives to buy.

But there’s a solution. We will go through the best kitchen knives in the UK that customers can purchase right now. This is to help you come to some conclusion. We are going to look at different chef’s knives, Japanese knives, and so much more!

So let’s get started and check out some sets that we think are real standouts in the market.

How We Compared Kitchen Knives

To find the right kitchen knives we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Material
  • Cleaning
  • Handle

Our editorial team carefully researched and selected products that would suit a wide range of needs to take your kitchen experience to the next level. We set out this list after assessing customer reviews and evaluating pros and cons in line with the above comparison points.

Find more about our behind-the-scenes process here.

Kitchen Knives Reviews

Velaze Block Sets 8-Piece Stainless Steel (Editor’s Choice)

The first thing that strikes you here is that this Velaze block set is a gorgeous set of knives. Even the knife block looks like a work of art, and it’s going to look amazing in any kitchen.

You will get eight pieces in this set. These will include six knives, the block, and some pairs of scissors. You will get a paring knife, utility knife, chopper knife, chef’s knife, bread knife, and a sharpener in the set.

As they are made from stainless steel, these knives start as being razor-sharp. They also deliver a comfortable handle, which is important with a kitchen knife, making it easier to handle them.

The Velaze Block Set has produced some amazing knives suitable for everyone ranging from a serious chef to someone simply trying to find their way around the kitchen. However, bear in mind that their stainless steel design may need sharpening from time to time.

Pros:

  • These knives look the part in your kitchen
  • Stainless steel blades
  • The handle is ergonomically designed and sits comfortably in your hand
  • Sharpener is included
  • It provides you with a well-balanced knife properly crafted and ready for use

Cons:

  • May need to be sharpened from time to time
  • The blade material may be slightly too thin for some people

Damascus Koksmes Set (Luxury Choice)

If you are looking for German knives with Damascus steel, then this set is something that you should be seriously considering.

Containing nine pieces in total, you will not only have the best chef’s knife in the block. All the knives are made to such a high standard that you will be blown away by the sheer quality of the cutting edge.

The blades offer real precision and accuracy. Also, the handle is curved to make it easier for it to sit in your hand, leading to a well-balanced knife.

In this set, you get not only one of the best chef’s knives out there but also a bread knife, slicing knife, Santoku knife, paring knife, utility knife, a pair of kitchen scissors, and a sharpener. In other words, it has you fully covered.

It is the good quality steel that makes these knives stand out from the crowd. Knife maintenance is easy. You get a lifetime warranty, and these knives should have you happily chopping herbs for some time to come.

Although they are dishwasher-safe, it is recommended to handwash these knives to improve their longevity and avoid unnecessary scratches.

Pros:

  • They feel very well balanced
  • Made from Damascus steel
  • The set includes all of the types of kitchen knives you would expect
  • The sharpener works well, and it keeps your knives razor-sharp
  • They are very easy to care for

Cons:

  • It may be best to hand clean
  • You may find that they stain after a while

Hecef Set (Best Value)

If you are looking for the best value kitchen knives that are also highly functional, then this Hecef kitchen knife set is going to be perfect. It is made with stainless steel blades covered in a non-stick coating. These kitchen knives are different in that the blades are black, so they make a real statement.

In this set, you get the usual chef’s knife alongside a bread knife, santoku knife, utility knife, and finally, a paring knife. It covers all the basics of kitchen knives.

The cool thing about these blades is that they are resistant to staining. This will help keep these kitchen knives sharper for longer, so there is some science behind the coating on the blades.

Turning to the handles, they are also ergonomically designed, and that’s something you don’t always expect from inexpensive kitchen knives. They are designed to prevent your hands from becoming tired over time, and it does seem to work.

However, don’t expect them to have the best quality knife blade, and some people have noticed that they are quite a bit thinner. In saying that, they will still do the job as any standard sharp knife, but their life expectancy may be shorter.

Pros:

  • Very functional
  • The ergonomic handle feels good in the hand
  • Lightweight design to avoid fatigue
  • Includes five knives for different needs
  • Black blade is unique and resistant to staining

Cons:

  • You may want to opt for thicker blades
  • The handles are plastic, and some people may not appreciate that

Amazon Basics 18 Piece (Best Knife Block)

Moving onto this set of kitchen knives by Amazon Basics, and you are going to be pleasantly surprised by just how good they are. This is a huge set since it contains 18 pieces, which is great because they cover every type of knife.

When it comes to the knives, then it’s no surprise to see what’s included in the list. A paring knife, chef’s knives, santoku knife, utility knife, bread knife, the list goes on and on. All of this is then placed in a nice-looking wooden knife block, so everything is kept together, and they don’t clutter your kitchen drawers.

The blades on these kitchen knives are precision made. That means they are made from high-quality stainless steel, and each kitchen knife in the set has an ultra-sharp blade when starting. However, they will need to be sharpened if you use them on a regular basis, so do keep that in mind.

Finally, these knives are weighted, but that will make it easier to control them when in use. They feel balanced, and that balance follows on to the handles, which are triple-riveted and look pretty impressive.

Overall, this is a large set of kitchen knives. In addition, while they may not contain the best chef’s knives on the market, it represents a good set for someone wanting to own a large set of kitchen knives.

Unfortunately, this set is not dishwasher-safe; therefore, you will have to hand wash each knife individually after use. Also, the downfall of wooden knife blocks is that they tend to dull the knives more quickly as you pull them in and out.

Pros:

  • The array of kitchen knives in the set is impressive
  • They are well-balanced, making it easier to control them
  • The stainless steel is of good quality
  • They are very easy to maintain
  • You get a sharpener included, which is always a bonus

Cons:

  • The wooden block may dull knives over time
  • It may not be suitable for dishwasher

Shan Zu Set of 3 (Best Utility)

Even though this set by Shan Zu only contains three knives, you may find that you do not need much more.

In the set, you get one of the best chef’s knives around, and it’s paired with a brilliant utility knife, and finally, a small fruit knife. The knives are made from quality German stainless steel, and they are going to stay sharp for longer due to the quality of the material. Also, the blade is smooth and comes sharpened to high quality, so it’s capable of slicing right through fruit and vegetables with ease.

Furthermore, what also makes them so good is their handle. It is made from black wood, but it will not slip or twist in your hand, offering you complete control at all times.

One of the best things about this knife set is that it does cover most of the bases for everyday chopping. The different knives will eliminate the need for you to have so many options as the utility knife alone can be used for chopping, slicing, dicing, and everything else that you care to imagine.

As with most high-quality knives, this set is not dishwasher safe, so you will need to wash them by hand each time.

Pros:

  • The knives are ultra-sharp and make short work of things
  • They are very easy to clean and maintain
  • Made from high-quality stainless steel
  • The cutting edge on these knives offer real precision
  • Rust-resistant and stain resistant

Cons:

  • Only three knives may not be enough for every kitchen
  • It may not be dishwasher safe

Taylors Eye Witness Syracuse Asian Set (Best Grip)

One thing we look out for in our kitchen knife reviews is the grip. After all, you are talking about a dangerous item that can cause some damage, so you need to know that the knife you are about to use is not going to just slip from your hand.

That is certainly not a problem with this Syracuse Asian set by Taylors Eye Witness. Also, you may only get two different items here, but you will soon realise that you don’t need much more than this high-quality duo.

What you get here are knives that go big on weighting. Also, they have a rubberised handle, which is going to feel more comfortable and secure in your hand.

Thanks to the rubber handle, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to the knife twisting, as this is known to be an occasional problem even with an expensive knife. Also, the knives themselves are of a medium length, and that adds to their versatility.

What you have here is a Santoku knife along with a utility knife. They can both become staples on your chopping board quite quickly. With the Santoku knife, you get the usual dimples along the sides, and the robust blade on each will stay sharp for a long time.

Overall, though, aside from being easy to use, if you want quality knives that feel amazing in your hand, this could be the answer.

Of course, some people may need more than two knives for all of their cooking needs, and they may be too big for some consumers to find them comfortable to use.

Pros:

  • The grips are second to none
  • The blades are well-honed and sharp
  • The inclusion of a Japanese style knife is a good idea for versatility
  • Versatile duo
  • They are easy to maintain

Cons:

  • May need to buy additional knives
  • They may be too big for some people to handle

Chef’s Path (Best Stainless Steel)

Chef’s Path makes this knife, and it’s going to become pretty clear very quickly that you have a knife here where the blade material is second to none. That’s why we have selected it as the best stainless steel in our search for the best kitchen knife set.

The blade itself is plain, and it doesn’t have a serrated edge. However, this 8″ long chef’s knife has to be one of the best chef’s knives UK suppliers can provide to their customers.

Manufactured from a German steel blade, it comes complete with its case, which also helps to protect it when not in use. You will also find that the blade is sharpened to perfection, and the angle at which it is sharpened makes a huge difference.

This knife also comes with some real versatility. It’s capable of being used for various cuts, and thanks to the precision of the blade, it means you can use that rocking motion for cutting herbs, and this knife will perform better than you anticipated.

The handle is riveted to the full tang as any good knife should. They are also rounded to give you a comfortable grip while providing you with some extra finger space for added comfort.

Pros:

  • The quality of the stainless steel is second to none
  • The sharpness of the blade makes this an easy knife to use
  • It’s not a heavy knife, and you won’t tire of using it
  • The handle with extra finger clearance is a nice touch
  • It can be used in so many ways

Cons:

  • You may need to buy additional knives to complete your collection
  • It may not be dishwasher safe

Wanbasion Professional Set

Finished in different colour options, this set by Wanbasion at least has a different look than most kitchen knives. They are dishwasher safe, so caring for them should not be a problem.

You get six different knives, and they do cover most of the bases. Manufactured from high-hardness stainless steel, they claim that they won’t rust, and that’s a good thing. Also, they state that their blades are not made from softer steel and that the blade material used is so strong that these knives won’t break. So, they should be able to put up with a lot of punishment.

For the blade, they have sharpened them using precision technology. That means that these knives offer you a sharp blade no matter what you are cutting, and that’s going to make life easier.

In the set, you do get a chef’s knife, a Santoku knife, a carving knife, a bread knife, a utility knife, and a paring knife, so you shouldn’t need to buy any additional knives.

Pros:

  • Made from stainless steel
  • Rust-resistant design
  • A complete set
  • They look good and feel good in the hand
  • They cover all of the bases you would want, from kitchen knives

Cons:

  • They may not stay as sharp as others for too long
  • They may have a slightly thinner blade than what some people would prefer

Euna Japanese Style

A Western chef’s knife is different from Japanese knives, and this set by Euna is a prime example of the best Japanese knives we can find. Thanks to the balance of blades, this does then equate to being some of the best kitchen knives around.

You get five different kitchen knives in this set, including a chef’s knife, a Santoku knife, a paring knife, a utility knife, and a slicing knife. These knives are manufactured from high carbon steel, which will add toughness and resilience to the set. They are long-lasting, resistant to corrosion, and each knife is sharpened to such an extent that you will make short work of whatever it is you are doing in the kitchen.

However, a word of warning here. These knives are for hand wash only. They are not dishwasher-safe, so you need to take your time and be careful when cleaning. What’s more, there have been reports of the coating peeling off after some time, so make sure to keep an eye on this if it begins to happen.

Pros:

  • They are high-quality Japanese knives
  • Each knife is crafted to absolute precision
  • The blades contain non-stick coatings that are completely safe
  • You also receive a protective sheath
  • High carbon steel construction

Cons:

  • It may not be the most durable
  • You may find that the coating begins to peel

Mosfiata Chef’s Knife

Finally, we have the Mosfiata chef’s knife. Even though we are only talking about one knife, this is a knife out of this world.

The blade is 8″ in length, and it’s crafted from the best possible German carbon steel. That means it is exceptionally strong, and thanks to the way in which the blade is produced, it will remain strong for longer than you would tend to expect.

It is also sharpened by hand, and it’s done so to a precise 16 degrees. The knife will also taper ever so slightly down to the cutting edge, which helps with the control of the knife.

The handle is ergonomically designed, which feels comfortable in hand. Unfortunately, the handle is made from plastic which does take away from the design a little bit.

The main thing about this knife is that it is multi-functional, so you can use it for a range of cutting needs in the kitchen.

Pros:

  • It is very sharp and highly durable
  • It looks pretty impressive
  • Highly versatile knife
  • Ergonomic handle
  • German carbon steel construction

Cons:

  • The handle may be of lower quality
  • May need to buy additional knives for your collection

Choosing the Best Kitchen Knives Sets

Choosing the best kitchen knives in the UK isn’t easy, and we understood why as soon as we looked at the variety of knives out there on the market. So how do you even choose the best set? Let’s take a look.

There are many different knives available, so whether you are looking for the best carving knife in the UK or something simple to chop your veg, there’s something for every need.

What Will You Use Them For?

Well, it’s all down to what your own personal preferences are and what you tend to do in the kitchen.

If you don’t really understand the purpose and design of different knives, it may be good to have just one or two that you can use for everything.

However, if you know your stuff, then you will want to opt for a set that includes a chef’s knife, a bread knife, a paring knife, and even sharpening steels, if possible. A Japanese-style knife may not be the most useful to someone who is only chopping onions and garlic.

a-pair-of-hands-chopping-some-greens

Also, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that chef’s knives are purely for chefs. It’s merely a title; a good chef’s knife is just a larger knife that can be used for many different reasons.

There are many different knives available, so whether you are looking for the best carving knife in the UK or something simple to chop your veg, there’s something for every need.

Material

You are more likely to end up with stainless steel kitchen knives, as those are most commonly found on the market. However, pay attention to the quality of the stainless steel, as that will determine how often you need to sharpen it and how durable they are.

Ceramic knives are a great option because they are long-lasting; however, they are more delicate and prone to chips and cracks.

If you need to sharpen your knife, you can purchase electric sharpeners or sharpening steel to maintain your knives.

Cleaning

Not every kitchen knife is dishwasher safe. Many knives are recommended to be handwash only. This is because they will often knock against other things in the dishwasher, which could dull your sharp knives and scratch anything else next to them.

Unless your kitchen knives are rust-resistant, be sure to dry them off properly before you place them back in the drawer or their knife block.

Handle

Take a look at the handle, as some may argue that this is the most important part of your kitchen knife. While the blade can be sharpened, if the handle is uncomfortable, you may not want to use it.

Look for an ergonomic handle and read reviews to see if others found them comfortable or not. Plastic handles are often less comfortable than wooden ones.

Finding the Right Knife

As you can see, it’s not going to be too difficult for you to find the best kitchen knives in the UK that are suitable for your needs. We have included a variety here, so we are sure you will find something that suits your needs.

However, if you are still struggling to choose, we recommend the Velaze Block Sets 8-Piece Stainless Steel of our editor. Not only does it include five high-quality, stainless steel kitchen knives for all of your cooking needs, it also includes a pair of scissors and sharpening steel! Their ergonomic slip-resistant handles will make you feel comfortable in the kitchen in no time.

Invest in a good set of knives, and they will last you for far longer than you ever thought possible. At the end of the day, if you enjoy being in the kitchen, why wouldn’t you want to invest in some high-quality items capable of making your life so much easier?

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