GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. A good knife block will protect the blade by storing the knives on their side. The lightweight and slimmer size of the Wusthof works particularly well for those with average to smaller-sized hands. Individuals with larger hands may prefer options with a more hefty grip, such as the ZWILLING, Chicago, Tuo, and Dalstrong.
Knives don’t get more solid and reliable than the items in this 15-piece set. Made with premium high-carbon stainless steel, they’re as high on quality as they are on style. The bread knife has a serrated edge on the blade, making it ideal for cutting bread and other foods with a hard surface and soft interior.
She swears by her trusty cast iron skillet and is on a quest to make the perfect ramen bowl. These two bring a wealth of real-world knowledge and expertise to help you find the best set of knives for your home kitchen. It’s hard to ignore just how bulky the storage block is, but this is no surprise, given the multitude of knives. The heavy handles throw off balance slightly, gotham steel cookware sets but those who need more control for precise cuts may find this to their advantage. Considering all these factors, we highly recommend the Chicago for those who need many durable knives for family feasts. Based on my testing, Cuisinart and Calphalon knives perform similarly, while Farberware knives are some of the cheapest, lightest, and lowest quality you can buy.
A riveted handle is one feature to look out for as it adds strength between the handle and the blade. For instance, the Wusthof, Ginsu, and Calphalon bite right into tomato skins and follow through with little resistance. Who among us hasn’t had a knife blade slip off the rounded, slimy skin of an onion? These bulbs were a great proving ground that separated the truly honed blades from the rest.
We reviewed each one with a fine-toothed comb to examine the materials and construction to pinpoint potential problems. Likewise, quality knives deserve quality storage when not in use. For this reason, we also assessed the quality and durability of the included storage block, or sheaths, by closely examining the construction and materials. Cooking at home should be easy and it can be with the professional quality 3 Piece Knife Set from Cuisinart.
In 2020, our process began with research into the top kitchen knife sets. We dug deep to find what others were saying about their performance and which features are essential to a good knife. We selected nine sets and got to work chopping, slicing, dicing, and you better believe — eating! With new products on the market, we headed back to the kitchen to conduct side-by-side tests on the original lineup and some new sharp contenders. Finally, we used the data gathered to select the top performers so we could tell you more about why some knives outshined others. A set is an asset to any kitchen or prep space.
Out of all the sets, the Chicago was the only one that featured a rubber handle. We found this to be a bonus for comfort and slippage prevention. Although it wasn’t our top pick, it performed better than the average models such as the Marco and Cuisinart. Even if a knife manufacturer lists its knives as dishwasher safe, all knives should be hand-washed and dried immediately to prevent rust and keep the blades sharp. We loved peeling cucumbers and pitting olives with the miniature trimming knife in the Wusthof.
We didn’t like how the kitchen shears are stored in the center of the block. They feel crowded and are hard to grab since they’re blocked by the larger handles of all the other knives. The most disappointing thing about the set was that our 8-inch slicing knife came with a slight defect.
Other reviewers have noted rust spots after running these knives through the dishwasher, so we made sure to wash and dry immediately by hand. Any spots that appear can most likely be removed with a stainless steel cleaner, like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Kitchen Warehouse is proud to offer more than just great prices.
Additionally, the steel Cuisinart uses for its blades scores 55 on the Rockwell Scale, which means it’s relatively soft. In general, forged blades are thicker, more durable, easier to sharpen, and better quality . The Marble Style, Nitrogen, and Triple Rivet collections feature forged blades. The Non-stick Edge, ColorCore, ColorPro, Advantage, and Graphix collections are made with stamped blades. As you’ll see in the varied designs, Cuisinart attempts to appeal to a broad market rather than focusing on one style, like premium cutlery brands.