Rating of the best kitchen knife sets for 2022

In the arsenal of any owner in the kitchen should be present: chef's and utility knives, knives for vegetables and fruits. These quads are capable of handling any kitchen job as long as they are made of durable material and can sharpen perfectly. A sharp blade, regardless of its shape, should be able to cut through most types of everyday food. For lovers of seafood based dishes, it will not be superfluous to have a fillet knife, because thanks to its elongated blade, it is very convenient to cut fish fillets into portions of various shapes. Fillet knives are very well obtained from Japanese manufacturers, cutters have a special blade structure. Some kitchen cutting accessories may have an unusual blade shape - such are used for cutting greens, fruits or soft bread. Most often they are made of ceramics, as this material perfectly cuts the soft structure. And to complete the kitchen set of knives should be a standard tool with a classic metal blade, intended for cutting meat.This is what a traditional set of knives for home cooking looks like.

Knife sets for home kitchen

Their set, for the most part, will depend on the preferences of the owner, and individual items will differ in purpose and form. Each knife should be maximally structurally adapted to perform a specific task, while ensuring the comfort of use for the owner.

According to their purpose, sets can be divided into groups:

• Cooking;
• Cutting;
• Boning;
• Loin;
• Universal (contain one specialized blade from each previous type).

IMPORTANT! Classification, in order to simplify the reference, can also occur by the name of the product being cut - for butter, for cheese, for bread, for meat, for fruits and vegetables. However, most Russian consumers prefer to use standard universal models for most activities.

Manufacturing materials

Any knife, regardless of its purpose, is made of two components - the blade and the handle. The quality of the material that was used in the manufacture of the blade will determine the durability and functionality of the entire device.

metal blades

Stainless steel is one of the most popular knife making materials. Such a blade is not afraid of corrosion even after ten years of operation, which is achieved through a special production technology and processing of the bearing part with a special composition. Usually, manufacturers use several grades of steel, which have different degrees of hardness. The ideal indicator of this degree is at least 50 units for Rockwell slag. A good choice would be a product made from steel grades 95x18 or 40x13. An indication of the use of an anti-corrosion compound in production is marked with the inscriptions on the blade "Stainless" or "Stainless", which means production by laser or rolling mill technology. The first option is considered more reliable and such blades are capable of self-sharpening, however, they are much more expensive. The disadvantages of metal blades include the fact that they wear down quickly.

Ceramic blades

They are made from zirconium crystals, and their shade can vary from black or dark blue to milky white. This color scheme is influenced by manufacturing technology - light-colored blades are made of zirconium dioxide, and darker ones are made of zirconium carbide. The base raw mass is pressed under high pressure, and then fired in a kiln at a temperature of about 1600 degrees Celsius. This production technique allows the destruction of the crystalline structure, turning it into a strong and fine dispersion.Ceramic options do not require sharpening for many years, their blades are resistant to scratches, and the knives themselves look very aesthetically pleasing. When cutting, they do not leave an unpleasant aftertaste on the products, they weigh very little, and the user's hand does not get tired even during long work. Such properties have contributed to the special popularity of ceramic devices for use in the professional cookery. Their disadvantages include the difficulty of sharpening at home - for these purposes, you will need a grinding stone with a diamond coating. In addition, ceramic specimens are not well suited for slicing frozen fish or meat. In addition, they are not recommended for cutting on glass, stone or ceramic surfaces.

Titanium blades

This raw material is a hard metal that has a silvery hue and has been given special strength properties through the use of innovative manufacturing technologies. Such models are very, very expensive, so they are not very much in demand in the domestic market. Their advantages are low weight, they are not magnetic to metal objects, do not show chemical reactions when interacting with various products, and do not give in to rust manifestations with frequent interaction with moisture. However, they have a low hardness, and scratches and chips are possible on the blades. Also, frequent sharpening is required.

Criterias of choice

A good cutting tool should have several fundamental properties, including reasonable cost, low maintenance and the ability to cope with cutting various products. When choosing a set, you need to pay attention to the quality of the individual elements of each knife in the set in order to make the right choice.

Variety of blades

All-purpose knives should be able to cut almost any food. At the same time, you should not neglect the options for blades that have a specific shape - they will help you perform the most complex tasks that require precision and accuracy of movements (for example, grinding loose and soft products). Each task has its own blade:

• Universal type - such a blade has a blade of average length of 14-20 centimeters with a thickness of 2 millimeters (the cutting edge can be straight or wavy). It is useful for chopping and slicing many types of products, which include fish, meat, and vegetables with fruits. Usually, its handle is ergonomic, and it is light in weight.
• Chef type (or "chef knife") - it is distinguished by its large size, it is used mainly by male chefs. The width of the blade can be from 2 to 4 centimeters with a length of up to 30 centimeters. It has a solid weight, during use it is important to maintain proper balance. Perfect for professional cutting of products, and its cutting side is often performed slightly raised to the tip or has a precise triangular shape.
• Slicing type - these knives have a long blade with an average width. They are convenient to grind fruit or sausage and cheese products. The ideal option is when there are small round recesses on their blade that will create an air gap, preventing slices of sausage or cheese from sticking to the knife during cutting.
• Fillet type - they are distinguished by a narrow and long blade, characterized by special flexibility. This type is excellent for cutting fruits with dense pulp, and it can also process fresh fish or meat fillets well.
• Vegetable type - they are distinguished by a short blade of medium width. They are good for peeling vegetables and fruits, as well as their subsequent cutting.
• Bread type - intended for cutting bakery products, they have a long blade with a width of 2-3 centimeters, which has teeth, which makes them visually related to a small saw. Such a sample will easily cut fresh pastries with a crispy crust, puff pastry, and will also easily cope with very hard fruits (pumpkin or pineapple).
• Ax type - they are characterized by a very wide blade, have a rectangular shape. Due to their special design and their increased weight, they are suitable for chopping bones and primary butchering pieces of meat.

IMPORTANT! There are special blades designed for carving (artistic carving of fruits or vegetables). They have a wavy shape and are convenient for making beautiful furrows and patterns on products.

metal quality

The functionality of the product directly depends on the characteristics of this parameter. Nowadays, several types of alloys are used, which have individual strength characteristics:

• "BG-42" - stainless steel, capable of holding sharpening for a long time, is used for knives of all types, including clumsy and figured samples.
• "440" - an alloy that is durable, perfectly defeats the manifestations of corrosion, if sharpened in a timely and correct manner. If it has the mark "C", then this means the material of the highest quality processing.
• "58-64 HRC" is a stainless and wear-resistant steel that does not need frequent sharpening and is able to cut fruit pulp with high quality. Its only drawback is that during prolonged use the blade will become brittle, and chips will appear on the surface.
• "55-58 HRC" - this stainless steel has medium hardness. Such blades are resistant to mechanical damage; in case of an accidental fall, the risk of chipping is very low. Sharpening is very easy, but they are not recommended for use on stone or glass cutting boards.
• "M390" - "stainless steel", able to properly and for a long time maintain a sharpened state. Extremely wear resistant, can be used for decades without deforming the thin blade.
• "ZDP-189" - this alloy is characterized by increased cost and is characterized by high strength. Does not bend, does not change shape during prolonged use. Belongs to the premium class.
• "420" - this alloy is distinguished by an extremely affordable price tag. The blades are quite flexible, perfect for cutting vegetables. However, much will depend on the manufacturer - the European versions are durable, but the Chinese ones bend too much even with a slight pressure (there is a high frequency of banal breakdowns).
• ATS-34 is a hard anti-corrosion steel developed using innovative Japanese technologies. Products based on it are of high value. As a close analogue, you can bring the brand "154CM" - it has similar properties, but costs less.

Type of cutting edge

Before making a purchase, you should decide on the type of sharpening of the future product. If its cutting part is smooth, then it can be sharpened with musat or stone at home. A blade with teeth (for cutting bakery products), as well as a ceramic one, restores its sharpness only when turned with a special diamond-coated stone. Such operations are best carried out in a specialized workshop, because it makes no sense to keep such an apparatus at home.

If the edge has a protective coating, then most likely it will not have to be sharpened at all, because then, over time, cracks may form on the blade. This is especially true for products made of "stainless steel" with laser sharpening - it is best not to touch them at all. Today, Japanese models with one-sided sharpening have appeared on the Russian market. They are sharp and comfortable, but designed to work with a specific hand - right or left. Thus, special attention should be paid to the cutting edge so as not to inadvertently purchase a whole set for a “not your working” hand.

Lever

This element is responsible for the indicator of comfortable handling of the product during operation. This part must be smooth, not have spikes and notches, and have a perfectly balanced shape. If the handle slips in a wet palm, then such a model is not worth buying, because there is a very high risk of injury. In addition, the handle should not have play, its fit should be very tight, it should not have open slots where product residues could accumulate. Experts call the best option all-metal products, in which the blade and handle are a single whole. Such models are considered almost eternal, however, their price is very expensive.

Manufacturers use different materials to make handles. Wooden overlays look natural, convey pleasant tactile sensations to the palms, however, they are adversely affected by contact with moisture - the wood can swell, crack and darken. A plastic handle can be a hygienic and durable solution. This material meets the criteria for heat resistance, keeps its shape even with prolonged contact with moisture, retains its original color, and does not transfer foreign odors to products upon contact.

Comfort at work

Ergonomics is a property of a knife, which indicates the presence of constant comfort when working with it, regardless of the duration of operations. The handle fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, it is smooth, and the blade has the right sharpness. The main requirement for comfort is proper balance of the cutting tool, its center of gravity should be at the junction of the handle and blade. Often, in some samples, there is an overweight towards the blade, however, this may not interfere with work. Another thing is when the opposite situation is observed - the overweight of the handle with a light blade is the key to 100% inconvenient work. The hand will start to get tired very quickly, cutting food into thin and even slices will not work, even if the cutting part is made with the desired shape. Smooth and rounded edges of the butt will help to avoid extra calluses.

Rating of the best kitchen knife sets for 2022

Budget segment

1st place: Xiaomi huohou Kitchen Nano ceramic Knife Set

This set of knives rightfully occupies a leading position in the budget segment, especially considering the price-quality ratio. All knives included in the kit are lightweight, impeccable sharpness and environmental friendliness.

A little about the brand: Huohou Innovation Enterprise was established in 2017. Since its founding, the company has adhered to the principle that the user experience should be taken as the standard. Combining its advanced design and advanced technical capabilities, Huohou Technology has obtained a total of 5 independent research and development patents.

Company slogan: Huohou, let's make you love the kitchen!

The knife set includes 4 ceramic knives:

1. 325 mm long (120 mm handle + 205 mm blade);
2. Length 290 mm (120+170 mm);
3. Length 270 mm (120+150 mm);
4. Length 200 mm (100+100 mm).

Plus, the set includes a paring knife.

The blade material is not traditional ceramics, but using zirconium dioxide nanomaterial, which is pressed, sintered and polished. Such a blade is not subject to wear, does not contain dissolved metal ions, does not wear out and does not crumble during operation, which means that it does not change the original taste of food, does not impair its quality.

Interesting! The manufacturer uses zirconium sand mined on the west coast of Australia.

The vertical grinding technique of Japanese ceramic knives is used in the manufacturing, and the edge polishing is controlled within 0.4mm, which makes the blade unique in shape and sharper. The hardness and gloss of the blade is ensured by the high-temperature vacuum blackening technology used using carbon powder.

The cost of the set is 1688 rubles. However, the company does offer promotional offers that allow you to count on a significant price reduction or receive gifts from Huohou.

Advantages:

• Ergonomic design of knives, which allows you to make less effort and prevent injury during use;
• The blade is sharpened by hand, the sharp corners are polished, which will not allow you to accidentally injure your hand;
• Ceramic knives are made of absolutely dense material, which is a guarantee of resistance to various acid-base substances, not susceptible to oxidation, the blade does not absorb odors, can be used repeatedly;
• Smooth cutting due to the use of vertical grinding of the knife edge;
• The meat does not stick to the blade;
• Cuts smoothly, even when you need to, for example, thinly slice a lemon or process smaller ingredients;
• The hard texture of the ceramic blade is a guarantee of sharpness and durability, in comparison with metal knives;
• Does not require sharpening.

Flaws:

• Not suitable for cutting frozen and hard foods, such as bones, crab claws;
• Do not wash knives in the dishwasher.

2nd place: "GIPFEL 5"

This set is made in ultra-modern style and will look great in a modern kitchen. The set consists of all the most popular cutting tools - vegetable, chef's, utility, bread and carving knives. Blades are made of 3chrome13 stainless steel, which is equipped with a special coating that prevents food from sticking to the blade. The handles and stand are made of black plastic, decorated with white decor elements. The blades are especially sharp, the handles are ergonomic, they do not slip in the hand. The recommended price for retail chains is 2800 rubles.

• Ideal equipment;
• Quality steel;
• Possibility of washing in the dishwasher.

• The anti-stick coating wears out quickly.

3rd place: "BERLINGER HAUS INFINITY LINE"

The set includes five knives, scissors and musat with a stand - a total of 8 items. The handles can be of a variety of colors, but in the Russian Federation red is more common. The set consists of a chef's knife, a bread knife, a utility knife, a vegetable knife and a santoku knife. All their blades are made of high-quality laser-cut stainless steel, which not only maintains the required sharpness for a long time, but also facilitates the cutting process. The handles are covered with soft touch technology, they are comfortably held in the palm of your hand and do not slip.The stand is made of acrylic, which guarantees a long service life. All elements show high cutting properties, their maintenance is simple, the materials of manufacture are of high quality. The recommended cost for retail chains is 2000 rubles.

• Laconic design of devices;
• High quality steel;
• Excellent cutting properties.

• Not a very comfortable stand.

4th place: "RONDELL URBAN"

This set has a stylish design, dominated by black with red accents. The set consists of a chef's knife, a utility knife and a vegetable knife. There is also a scissor. The blades are made of German "stainless steel" brand "X30chrome13", sharpened on both sides. The blade thickness is 2 mm, the handles are made of plastic, they are well balanced and do not slip in the hand. The material of the handles is plastic with a heat-resistant rubber coating. The knife sharpener is characterized by compactness, its body has a suction cup to ensure stability during operation, the sharpening angle can be changed. The blades are quite sharp and will not require sharpening for a long time. The recommended cost for retail chains is 1100 rubles.

• Comfortable rubberized handles;
• Stylish design;
• Double-sided sharpening of blades.

• Small set.

Middle price segment

1st place: "SAMURA HARAKIRI"

In this set, each device has advanced functionality and is produced using special technology. All scabbards are made of high-tech steel AUS-8, which guarantees excellent anti-corrosion properties, in turn, is lightweight.The handles are made of ABS plastic, which indicates a special resistance to mechanical damage, and their shape is ergonomic. Composition of the set: chef's, vegetable, cutting, bread, universal, santoku and nakiri knives. All devices are packed in a transparent blister. Distinctive characteristics include high-quality sharpening, the overall laconic design of any design, comfortable handles with an anti-slip coating. The recommended cost for retail chains is 3500 rubles.

• Double-sided sharpening of blades;
• Excellent workmanship material;
• Multifunctional set.

• The handles may seem short.

2nd place: "MAYER & BOCH"

This set is positioned as a kitchen toolkit exclusively for domestic daily use. The composition includes: chef's, utility, vegetable, bread and carving knives, as well as scissors. The blades are made of high carbon steel, hardened and forged, which means stable anti-corrosion properties. The handles are made of wood, have a special curved shape, which implies an increased grip comfort. For storage, a stand made of natural wood is provided. The recommended cost for retail chains is 3400 rubles.

• High-quality materials of execution;
• Good balance of all devices;
• Adequate price.

• Wooden stand will not withstand high humidity.

3rd place: TALLER SHEFFIELD

The complete set of this set can be called optimal - it can be used both in professional activities and in everyday life. The composition includes two universal knives, chef's, vegetable and cut knives.The blades are made of 420 steel, which is characterized by increased anti-corrosion properties. The blades are flexible and durable, their thickness varies from 2 to 2.5 millimeters. The handles are also made of steel, have a special shape and an ergonomic design with an anti-slip effect. The stand is made of wood, it contains metal elements. The devices themselves are light in weight and are of high quality workmanship. The recommended cost for retail chains is 3300 rubles.

• Small weight;
• Wide range of applications;
• Special handle shape.

• Not very durable initial sharpening.

Premium class

1st place: "VICTORINOX STANDART"

A very expensive set of nine devices, made in Switzerland, it comes with a lifetime warranty. Consists of two vegetable and two carving knives, a bread knife and a knife for tomatoes. There is a fork for turning steaks, as well as scissors and musat. The blades use high-quality titanium, they are perfectly balanced. Handles are made of durable polypropylene, able to withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. The stand is sawn from natural beech and has comfortable dimensions. None of the production materials contain harmful compounds. Users note the highest sharpness and strength with sufficient flexibility. The recommended cost for retail chains is 81,000 rubles.

• Titanium as raw material;
• Good equipment;
• Multifunctionality.

• Very high price!

2nd place: "NADOBA URSA"

This set has a very attractive appearance and can harmoniously fit into any modern kitchen. The complete set consists of: cutting, chef's, universal, vegetable and santoku knives, as well as scissors. A wooden stand is used as a storage unit. The blades are made of premium quality stainless steel for durability and reliability. Handles made of ABS plastic with anti-slip coating, their shape is ergonomic. The cutting parts of the scissors are also made of high-quality steel, and their rings have rubberized linings; in addition, a bottle opener is installed in the scissors. The storage block is sawn from a single piece of hevea wood, it has a built-in handy knife sharpener - thanks to it, you can sharpen the blades from both sides at once. Factory sharpening retains its original qualities for quite a long time. The design can be described as stylish, which is facilitated by the molded construction of the knives. The recommended cost for retail chains is 5,000 rubles.

• Built-in double-sided knife;
• Quality steel;
• Original design.

• Not the cheapest price.

Instead of an epilogue

An analysis of the market for the devices in question has established that it is not difficult to find a reliable and high-quality set of knives at an affordable price today. However, it is worth noting the dominance of low-quality fakes, especially those made in China, in this market. At the same time, the Russian manufacturer begins to confidently take a leading position.