Food writer Emma Henderson has tested a range of kitchen knife sets, from student-friendly options to professional-grade Damascus steel, to find the best for meal prepping. The core three knives to look for are a chef's knife, a serrated bread knife, and a paring knife.
Top picks at a glance
The Wüsthof Classic 3-piece Starter Knife Set (£319) is the best overall, while the Stellar Classic 5 Piece Knife Block Set (£80) is the best budget buy. The Shark Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block (£199) is best for a built-in sharpener, and the Pro Cook Professional X50 Contour Knife Set (£139) is ideal for beginners. For serious chefs, the HexClad 6 pc Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set (£459) takes the top spot.
How the knives were tested
Henderson used the sets to chop ingredients for meals like vegetable egg-fried rice and aubergine parmigiana, always on a wooden chopping board. She assessed material, cutting ability, weight, balance, comfort, value, and whether the knives were full-tang. Sharpness was tested with a paper-slicing test, and storage was a key consideration.
Standout sets
The Wüsthof set, made in Solingen, Germany, includes a chef's knife, bread knife, and pairing knife, all full-tang and forged from a single piece of stainless steel. The bread knife was noted as the star, gliding through bread with ease. The Stellar set, with a pine block and lifetime guarantee, was praised for its value and hardworking chef's knife. The Shark Ninja set includes an integrated sharpener and scissors, though the block is hefty and the bread knife needed more pressure. The Sous Chef ARC Edge Damascus Steel Knife Trio features 73-layer Damascus steel and a bunka knife that Henderson found nimble for fine chopping. The Katto set, handmade in Sheffield, offers a hammered finish and free sharpening. The Pro Cook set includes a magnetic oak rack, and the Joseph Joseph Elevate set fits in a drawer with a bamboo tray. The HexClad set, the most expensive, includes a sharpener and a double-sided magnetic stand.
For a six-piece option, Sabatier knives are made in France with olive wood handles and include a sharpener that fits inside the block. The best overall remains the Wüsthof set for its quality and balance, while the Stellar set offers excellent value at £16 per knife.
