How Much Do Good Knife Sets Cost?
You can pay anything for a chef’s knife, ranging from $10 to $1,000 (or more) — and there are arguments to be made for both ends of the range. Budget knives will do the job and are virtually worry-free. On the other hand, spending extra will get you one that will last a lifetime and is almost certainly a work of beauty. Do you think $50 to $100 is a lot of money? Knives, on the other hand, are a relative bargain. Consider the fact that you almost certainly use your knife more than any other single culinary utensil. Consider that a coffee mug can cost as much as $50, while your Dutch oven will likely cost at least $200. That mid-priced knife is starting to look like a terrific value.
The type of steel used in the knife is the most critical factor [that influences price]. There are three types of steel to be aware of: stainless steel, carbon steel, and high-carbon stainless steel. A home cook can get geeky with metals, especially if you start getting into alloys like tungsten, but there are three knife metals that you should be familiar with: stainless steel, carbon steel, and high-carbon stainless steel. Stainless steel tends to be on the softer side than carbon steel, which makes it more durable. Yes, less rigid metals have a lower risk of breaking. However, these durable knives tend to have blunter edges more quickly, too. So there is a trade-off when you pick among the most popular knife types in the market. Stainless steel also resists staining and rusting, making it easier to maintain. Carbon steel’s most significant advantage is its hardness compared to other metals apart, which allows for a razor-sharp edge. You can eventually break a carbon steel blade, but it tends to be less expensive than its stainless-steel counterparts. Unfortunately, carbon steel is not as corrosion-proof as stainless steel, and there is some risk of staining with continued use.
Your best bet is likely to be somewhere in the middle, which is roughly $50 to $200. Stainless steel with high carbon content is used to make the most accessible and high-quality blades, and they blend the most significant features of both carbon steel and stainless-steel knives.
Do you keep your knives in a safe place? If you do, a chef knife set is the most acceptable option for you. If you don’t, you’ll have to go with one of the other possibilities. There’s something for everyone from large hardwood knife block sets to smaller studio sets, knife rolls, and even magnetic knife strips.
If you choose a wooden knife block, the cost will vary depending on the type of wood utilized. For example, a mahogany knife block will undoubtedly impress you with more than one made of pine wood. Knife rolls and magnetic strips, on the other hand, are available from a variety of brands with varying pricing and quality. However, you will require one type of storage, one way or another.
What Is a Good Knife Set to Buy?
We can now make some solid recommendations for no knife sets by taking all the information from industry experts and expert home cooks. We still recommend buying a knife set with a block because they’re more economical, and it’s not exactly true that you will be getting a lousy knife set just because they’re sold as a set. Lots of things are sold as sets, anyway, and you can get a good bargain in the process.
HENCKELS Statement Kitchen Knife Set with Block (15-Piece)
The HENCKELS Statement Kitchen Knife Set looks like a solid pick for both beginning and seasoned home cooks. This set includes a steak knife, shears, a beautiful knife block, Chef’s knife, bread knife, and the mythically designed hollow-edge santoku knife (plus we like that it includes a serrated utility knife plus a paring knife for apples and veggies). There’s little to dislike from this established brand, as they’ve always taken great pride in detailing their knife sets.
We noticed that these knives are exceptionally lightweight, which means they’re more durable. However, as we have mentioned earlier, the more durable the knife set, the more likely you would have to have it serviced.
To prevent the complete folding of the edges if you are a heavy user, remember that you can use a hone daily and you should probably have your knives professionally sharpened at least once a year (if the edges stay sharp until then).
Other than that, this knife set should work well and precisely when working in your kitchen. This knife set also features a full-tang design for those who want a firmer grip when operating the knives.
Our verdict: a good choice for average to higher-than-average use, and the full-tang design will also ensure the knives’ longevity.
Cuisinart Classic Forged, Triple-Rivet Knife Set with Block (15-Piece)
Cuisinart has always had an edge when getting the pulse of both the beginner’s market and the seasoned market. If their other creations are of any indicator, we’re sure that their 15-piece Classic Forged knife set is going to deliver just as well as other middle-of-the-road offerings on Amazon.
We notice immediately with this knife set that they’ve chosen a flat base for the knives, which complements the strong rivets. Riveting is the most challenging method of multiple binding plates of steel and other materials like plastic and wood, so they also use riveting for stainless steel pans. With that alone, the handles of this knife set are not going away any time soon, even with heavy use.
This is a stainless-steel knife set with lower sharpness than carbon steel but is more durable and less likely to rust and corrode over time. In short, if you are not that mindful about your knives and you need edges that take care of themselves, you need this Classic-Forged set from Cuisinart.
Our verdict: this set is built to last and is best for people who forget to stash their knives properly after use.
The main picture is from Amazon – HENCKELS Store. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
