Having a good variety of quality knives is essential for preparing delicious, fresh meals at home, and buying a knife block that has all the tools to cover your requirements is a practical and stylish way to achieve this. So if you’re considering making the investment but are unsure where to begin, what are the best kitchen knife blocks to buy?
To take the guesswork out of choosing a reliable yet affordable kitchen knife block, we've trawled Amazon to bring you what we think are the best carbon, Japanese and stainless steel knife sets to buy online. So if you need to sharpen your edge when it comes to this kitchen essential, chop chop and keep reading to find out more!
Quick List - Top Kitchen Knife Block Sets
Joseph Joseph
Slimline Design Saves Space on Your Kitchen Worktop
Home Hero
Professional Non-Stick Blades Allow You to Work Quicker
Morphy Richards
Ergonomic and Lets You Effortlessly Prepare a Range of Foods
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To get a fantastic kitchen knife block that’s going to work well for you and last a long time, there are a few things you should consider before making your choice. Let’s look at all the different options so you can work out what which work best for you.
There are many different types of kitchen knives available, and each one is designed to deal with different tasks. For effective and safe food preparation, you should make sure that your block contains the knives you need to prep your meals. Here are the different types you should look out for.
There are certain knives that are designed for general use, meaning you can use them to perform most chopping, slicing and dicing tasks in the kitchen.
General use knives are often referred to as chef’s knives or utility knives, and they are of a size and weight that means you can use them to prepare anything from meat and fish to fruit, vegetables and cheese.
Santoku are also becoming more popular as general use knives, as they have grooves in the blades so whatever you’re chopping doesn’t stick to the blade. Paring knives are also important, as they allow you to prepare, chop and peel smaller vegetables easily and safely.
There are also plenty of knives that are meant for cutting and slicing specific foods, and these can be just as useful as general use knives as they make the task easier and safer.
These include boning and filleting knives for prepping meat and fish, carving knives for getting fine slices of cooked meats and cleavers for cutting through large joints of meat and bone. Bread knives are also very handy, of course, as their specially designed blades will cut through both soft and crunchy crusts without ripping it.
Some knife block sets will also come with other tools that can be handy for use in the kitchen. These can include kitchen scissors for snipping veg, cutting herbs or trimming meat, as well as a vegetable peeler.
If you don't already have one, you can also look for sets that include a sharpener to enable you to keep your knives in tip-top condition and help them last longer.
The vast majority of kitchen knives available will be made from some form of stainless steel. Stainless steel is a popular material in kitchenware owing to how easily it can be cleaned, its durability, its lower cost, and that it is mostly rust-resistant. However, it is also softer and will need sharpening more often.
High-carbon stainless steel has less chromium and higher carbon levels meaning that it is stronger, harder and tougher, although it is slightly less resistant to rust and discolouration. Similarly, Japanese steel has been treated to make it harder and stay sharper, but this means it is more brittle and prone to chips and cracks.
Whatever you choose is a matter of personal preference, but bear in mind each material’s strengths and weaknesses before making your decision.
Keeping your knives clean will not only keep them hygienic, but it will also make them last longer and keep them looking like new. How you clean them is bound to have a bearing on how long they will last, so it is wise to pay attention to this.
Most knives are hand wash only, owing to the materials they are made from and the processes that go into making them. If you want knives that can be cleaned in the dishwasher, you should check for sets that are suitable so that you don’t inadvertently cause damage to your lovely new kitchen knives.
Kitchen knife blocks can be a stylish addition to your kitchen worktop, as well as making sure that the knives are to hand whenever you need them. Most blocks sit upright and are fairly compact giving them a smaller overall footprint, while others are angled, which looks fantastic but can take up more space.
If you’re short on worktop space then you should bear in mind how much space your chosen knife block will take up in terms of its dimensions. Similarly, consider whether a certain style and shape would take up more or less room than another, more streamlined design.
Knives are pieces of kitchen equipment that get used day in day out, so having well-made products that you can rely on is the ultimate goal when looking to buy a set of new knives.
Some manufacturers will offer a warranty with the purchase of one of their kitchen knife collections, which can offer added peace of mind. If your knives break or fail, you will be able to have them repaired or replaced as the terms of the warranty dictate.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yabano 16-Piece Knife Block Set | ![]() | Strong, Durable and Precise High-Quality Blades | |
2 | Joseph Joseph 5-Piece Elevate Knife Set With Slimline Bamboo Block | ![]() | Slimline Design Saves Space on Your Kitchen Worktop | |
3 | Home Hero 17 Pcs Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Set | ![]() | Professional Non-Stick Blades Allow You to Work Quicker | |
4 | Morphy Richards Accents 5-Piece Knife Block | ![]() | Ergonomic and Lets You Effortlessly Prepare a Range of Foods | |
5 | Sabatier Original 5 Piece Knife Block Set | ![]() | Made with Exacting Standards for Resilience and Sharpness | |
6 | Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Knives Set | ![]() | Japanese Stainless Steel for Superior Sharpness | |
7 | Toni Sharpe 16 Piece Premium Knife Set | ![]() | Comfortable to Use for Both Right and Left Handed Cooks | |
8 | Velaze Knife Block Set | ![]() | Includes Nearly Every Cutting Utensil You Could Need | |
9 | Prestige 7-Piece Knife Block | ![]() | Serrated Blades That Never Need Sharpening | |
10 | Viners Silhouette Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Block Set | ![]() | A Slimline Block and Durable Non-Stick Blades |
The knives in Yabano's set are made of high-carbon stainless steel making them strong, durable and precise. Every blade is carefully hand-polished and tempered for dexterity and long-lasting sharpness, plus they are dishwasher safe. The block not only looks good in the kitchen but also helps protect the blades so they last longer.
These knives have great balance and feel comfortable to use, and the seamless design means there's less chance of breakage or wear and tear. Their great value belies their amazing quality, and that's why we've chosen this set as our favourite.
These knives feature integrated tool rests to prevent blades from touching the work surface if you put them down as you work, and the top quality Japanese stainless steel blades are hard-wearing and will stay sharp. The slimline block saves space on the countertop, and the knife slots are magnetic to hold the knives securely in place.
Once again this brand has missed out on our top spot due to the high price point, but this is a good option if you're looking for knives to invest in but don't want the block to take up loads of space. They look and feel great to use and are certainly worth the money if you can afford it.
This is an all-in-one professional knife set that will save you time and money and will meet all your chopping needs. The high-quality blades are durable and will enable you to build confidence in the kitchen, and the non-stick coating will help you work quicker and spend less time meal prepping.
Owing to the large number of items included, this is a very large set that will take up quite a bit of worktop space, so if you're short on room, you should take this into account. But if you're not, this set really can't be bettered for value for money and has everything you could ever need!
The fine-edged sharpened blades in this set from Morphy Richards allow you to effortlessly cut, chop, slice and dice through a variety of ingredients. The ergonomic design gives you complete comfort and control as you work, and the 5-year guarantee gives you peace of mind that you're buying a quality product.
Available in several steel block colours to match to your kitchen decor, this set offers great value for money and the knives really are comfortable as well as having a good weight to them. A great buy as a starter set.
Created by one of the world's best-known knife brands, this set has been manufactured to Sabatier’s exacting standards, featuring a bevelled cut that's extraordinarily resilient and easy to sharpen. The knives are dishwasher safe too and feature Sabatier's three rivet signature construction.
While Sabatier is a respected knife brand, these are from their lower-end range which offers more value for money. So if you're expecting top-end Sabatier knives, this set may disappoint you! But even with this taken into account, these are great knives that are sure to last a long time.
Joseph Joseph have used Japanese stainless steel in this knife set, which aims to improve hygiene and minimise mess while remaining super sharp. The weighted handles and integrated knife rests prevent blades from touching the work surface when set down, and the block rotates for easy access and has a non-slip base.
We've marked these down our ranking as they are a high price point for a set with only 5 knives. However, Joseph Joseph are a familiar brand offering quality and reliability, and these knives are no exception in that they stay sharp, are easy to use and look great.
A unique single-piece carbon stainless steel design is used in the knives in this set, making them super easy to clean and much more rust-resistant. There are no wooden or plastic handles to damage or come loose, and they are comfortable to use and offer a secure grip whether you're left or right-handed.
The lightweight design of these knives can make them feel quite flimsy, despite the knives themselves performing quite well. Otherwise, the block is sturdy and looks good, and the set includes a good range of knives including some steak knives which are a great addition!
Velaze's knives have easy-grip, slip-resistant handles with excellent weight and balance, and the high grade polished stainless steel allows you to achieve professional results every time. The set includes nearly every type of cutting utensil you could ever need, and the spinning stand means they're always close to hand, too.
As well as being practical, the stand looks fantastic, and the knives are really lightweight and easy to use. On the downside, the blades on these knives don't seem to stay sharp for very long, although the included sharpener means it's quick and easy to bring them back to life.
Prestige have forged the knives in this set from tough stainless steel, with each one featuring serrated edges that reportedly never need sharpening. The lightweight handles are comfortable to hold and have a stylish matte black finish, and the attractive wooden block looks good keeps your knives safe.
The fact that all the knives in this set have these serrated blades may suit some but won't work for everyone, so you should take this into account. This is a great starter set that lasts really well and the block is sturdy and very solidly built. Another fantastic option as a gift for someone's first home!
Each knife in this set by Viners has a contoured handle for a comfortable grip, and the knife holder itself has a modern slimline design. The durable blades have a non-stick coating for easier cutting, plus, the gift box and 5-year guarantee make it a great idea for a present.
The clear acrylic block looks fantastic, but as you use the knives dirt, dust, and watermarks may end up gathering and the design makes it near impossible to clean. This is a bit of a shame for what is otherwise a fantastic knife set from a well-known flatware brand.
No. 1: Yabano|16-Piece Knife Block Set
No. 2: Joseph Joseph|5-Piece Elevate Knife Set With Slimline Bamboo Block
No. 3: Home Hero|17 Pcs Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Set
No. 4: Morphy Richards|Accents 5-Piece Knife Block
No. 5: Sabatier|Original 5 Piece Knife Block Set
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