10 Best Cutlery Sets For Chefs 2026 in the United States

The Shun Premier 8 Piece Professional Block Set is a comprehensive and beautifully designed cutlery set suitable for chefs and serious home cooks. This set includes six essential knives: an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, 9-inch Bread Knife, 5.5-inch Santoku Knife, and a 9.5-inch Slicing Knife. Additionally, it comes with a honing steel and an 11-slot bamboo knife block for storage.

The knives are crafted with VG-MAX steel and feature a distinctive 68-layer Damascus cladding, providing exceptional sharpness with 16-degree edges. This ensures the knives are not only razor-sharp but also retain their edge for a long time. The hammered tsuchime finish helps reduce drag and prevents food from sticking to the blade, which can enhance your cooking experience. Each knife has a contoured Pakkawood handle, offering a comfortable and secure grip, suitable for both left and right-handed users. The handles are designed to provide optimal control and reduce hand fatigue during prolonged use.

Some might find the maintenance a bit demanding since these knives are not dishwasher safe and require hand washing to preserve their quality. The set also includes free sharpening and honing services to keep the knives in top condition, which is a valuable addition. The Shun Premier set is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship that reflects traditional Japanese knife-making expertise. Weighing in at 11.85 pounds, the set is relatively heavy, which could be a consideration for users looking for lighter alternatives. This knife set is ideal for professionals and cooking enthusiasts who value precision, durability, and traditional craftsmanship in their kitchen tools.

The Dalstrong Knife Block Set-5pc-Shogun Series ELITE is crafted for professional chefs and serious home cooks. This set includes five essential knives: an 8-inch Chef Knife, a 7-inch Santoku, a 6-inch Utility Knife, an 8-inch Bread Knife, and a 3.5-inch Paring Knife, making it versatile for various kitchen tasks. The blades are made from high-carbon AUS-10V Japanese super steel, which ensures they are incredibly sharp and durable.

The knives boast a stunning design with 67 layers of high-carbon stainless steel, offering excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. They are finished with a 'tsunami-rose' Damascus pattern, which adds to their aesthetic appeal. The handles are made from black G10, a military-grade material known for its strength and longevity. They are ergonomically designed for comfort and control, making them suitable for extended use without causing hand fatigue.

Each knife is well-balanced, enhancing precision and ease of use. The set includes a handcrafted Acacia wood block that not only provides safe storage but also adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen decor. However, there are a few drawbacks. The knives are not dishwasher safe, which means they require manual cleaning and maintenance to preserve their quality. Additionally, the set is relatively heavy at 8.2 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some users. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Dalstrong Shogun Series ELITE stands out with its exceptional performance, durability, and stylish design, making it a worthy investment for culinary enthusiasts.

The Miyabi Mizu SG2 7-piece Knife Block Set is a high-quality collection designed for chefs who appreciate traditional Japanese craftsmanship and premium materials. Its blades are made from SG2 micro-carbide powder steel, known for exceptional sharpness and durability, enhanced by a special ice-hardening process. This means the knives maintain their edge well and offer precise cutting thanks to a very fine blade angle of 9 to 12 degrees. The forged construction adds strength and longevity. The set features a unique and comfortable Micarta D-shaped handle with decorative accents, which provides a secure grip and good balance, important for extended use in the kitchen. Weighing 6.5 pounds in total, the knives feel sturdy without being heavy, helping with control during detailed cutting tasks.

Handcrafted in Japan, these knives come with a lifetime warranty, reflecting confidence in their quality. On the downside, this set is not dishwasher safe, so hand washing is required to maintain the finish and performance. Also, the price point and care needs might be more suited to serious cooks rather than casual users. If you value exceptional sharpness, beautiful design, and long-term reliability in a chef knife set, the Miyabi Mizu SG2 is a solid choice, but it demands proper maintenance and care to keep it at its best.