10 Best Cutlery Sets For Chefs 2025 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 Shun Premier 7 Piece Essential Block Set is a premium offering for those who take their kitchen craft seriously. It includes an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, and a 9-inch Bread Knife, along with Herb Shears and a honing steel, all housed in an 11-slot bamboo block. These knives are crafted from VG-MAX steel and feature layers of Damascus cladding, known for their sharpness and precision, appealing to chefs who prioritize cutting performance. The distinctive hammered tsuchime finish on the knives not only adds to their aesthetic appeal but also helps reduce drag and sticking, making slicing smoother.

The handles are made from Pakkawood, offering a comfortable grip for both left and right-handed users, which is a thoughtful touch for versatility in use. However, because they are made from engineered wood, they might require more careful maintenance compared to synthetic handles. Each knife is hand-forged in Japan, reflecting traditional craftsmanship, which is a significant advantage for those looking for quality and legacy in their kitchen tools. This set is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and free sharpening services, underlining the manufacturer's confidence in its durability.

The knives are not dishwasher safe, requiring hand washing, which might be seen as a drawback for some users who prefer low-maintenance products. Additionally, at 11 pounds, the set is quite hefty, which might not suit everyone, particularly those with limited kitchen space. While this set ranks fairly well in customer reviews, it may be more expensive compared to other sets, reflecting its premium build and materials. This set is best suited for chefs or serious home cooks who are willing to invest in high-quality, handcrafted Japanese knives.

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-pc Knife Block Set is designed with the discerning chef in mind. This set includes essential knives like the 3.5” Parer, 7” Santoku, 8” Chef, and 9” Bread knife, along with stainless steel shears and a 9” Birchwood handle steel for maintenance. The 101-layer flower Damascus design on the blades gives them an edge both literally and aesthetically. The blades are crafted from high carbon stainless steel, ice-hardened to Rockwell 63, ensuring durability and sharpness, a key strength for chefs demanding precision slicing and cutting.

The handle design is another standout feature, made from traditional Japanese Karelian (Masur) Birch, offering a comfortable grip and adding to the balance of the knives. However, the wooden handle design means these knives are not dishwasher safe, requiring careful hand washing and maintenance. This might be a drawback for those seeking low-maintenance options.

Each blade is hand-honed using a precise three-step Honbazuke process, achieving a razor-sharp edge between 9.5 to 12 degrees, which is ideal for fine Japanese cuisine preparation. The rounded spine and heel further enhance comfort during prolonged use, making them suitable for professional kitchens. The set is packaged in a contemporary 12-slot bamboo block, which is both stylish and functional, though the heavy weight of the entire set (7 pounds) might be a consideration for those with limited space or who prefer a lighter setup.

This set is particularly appealing for chefs who appreciate high-quality craftsmanship and traditional Japanese aesthetics, though it requires careful handling and maintenance to preserve its premium edge and appearance.