Best Knife Sets for Slicing and Dicing (2024)

Our Lab testers love the Wüsthof Classic 9-Piece set for its exceptional durability and precision. “It’s a really good everyday set that will last a long time,” says Papantoniou. Wüsthof is known for its excellent craftsmanship and this set will please cooks of all levels. The high-carbon stainless steel knives are razor-sharp, performing well across a variety of tasks and with strong edge retention. The knives are triple riveted and have full tangs that offer great balance and a comfy grip, though the solid build also makes them heavier than others.

The German-made set includes all the essential knives and a sturdy acacia wood block. However, its premium price may not suit everyone, particularly those on a budget​. The upgraded 15-piece version offers even more pieces, including steak knives and a santoku instead of an Asian utility knife.

The Wusthof Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife is our best overall Chef's knife. The bread knife in this set is great, too, our expert said. It's light and not too long with sharp teeth that can get through the crustiest breads and flaskiest croissants. She said the paring knife tested well as well. It has a 3 1/2-inch blade, which proved to be perfect for peeling apples and coring them.

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Plastic | Block dimensions: 17.2 x 13.66 x 4.96 inches | Includes: 3.5" paring knife, 5" serrated utility knife, 5" Santoku, 6" utility knife, 8" chef’s knife, 9" bread knife, honing steel, kitchen shears, acacia block

RELATED: 4 Best Chef's Knives, Tested by Experts

The Ninja Foodi NeverDull system offers an affordable and convenient solution for everyday cooking. A good variety of knives is suitable for both novices and seasoned cooks. Its built-in sharpener ensures that the knives stay sharp, making maintenance simple.

The heavy stainless steel blades performed well in tests. Lab testers found the plastic stand very light; suction feet on the bottom help keep it secure. Overall, it’s a good value for casual home cooks​, with full tangs and double rivets on each knife.

In our tests, the Chef's knife sliced through ripe tomatoes, hard butternut squash and everthing in between. Our tester's favorite part of the set was the santoku knife that doubled as a great second Chef's knife. It's also a little bit smaller than the Chef's knife (seven inches vs. eight inches) so it might appeal to more people. One consumer tester has been using this knife set at home for a couple of years and has said, "it's still great. No complaints."

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Plastic | Block dimensions: 14.37 x 7.45 x 12.63 inches | Includes: 8" chef’s knife, 8” bread knife, 7" santoku knife, 8” slicing knife, 6” boning knife, 5" utility knife, 3.5" paring knife, 8 steak knives, shears, knife block with sharpener

Shun’s classic set stands out with its exquisite Japanese craftsmanship. It features steel blades that are razor-sharp and lightweight. The knives are ideal for precise cuts and are beautifully balanced. While the set’s premium materials — such as PakkaWood handles for durability — justify the price, the thin blades require careful maintenance, as they are prone to chipping if mishandled.

The Chef's knife is our best overall Japanese knife. It stands out for having a classic design and very sharp blade that that can even cut through hard squashes. Papantoniou had the Chef's knife for years and never sharpened it (she said, "Shh, don't tell anyone that!) and it still worked great. The paring knife is also a Lab favorite with a longer, thinner blade that can peels apples with minimal waste. The bread knife stands out, too. Its serrated teeth are wavy and sharp, and it cuts all sorts of ingredients very gently and precisely.

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Wood | Block dimensions: 17 x 9 x 8 inches | Includes: 8" chef's knife, 6" utility knife, 3.5" paring knife, 9" bread knife, shears, honing steel, bamboo knife block

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The Mac Professional Series delivers extraordinary sharpness and precision, favored by professionals for fine slicing tasks and durability. (Two terms you don't often hear together!) They're sharp, lightweight and sturdy. They're also balanced and hold an edge exceptionally well.

Those who want a wider variety of tools might opt for a larger set, but this one delivers on the three main knives a pro needs. This set doesn't come with knife sheaths or a stand, so they're extra ready for your knife roll.

Testers liked the feel of the knife and how they could slice through foods quickly with the Chef's knife. It's also held up for years in our Test Kitchen. The paring knife has a longer blade than most we tested, transforming it into more of a versatile utility knife.

Blade material: Carbon steel | Handle material: Wood | Block dimensions: N/A | Includes: 8" chef's knife, 5" paring knife, 10.5" serrated bread knife

Material’s minimalist high-carbon stainless steel knives combine Japanese and German influences at a reasonable price. The gorgeous set makes a regular appearance on Good Housekeeping's Kitchen Gear Awards winners list.

The three knives included are well-balanced and sharp, suitable for everyday cooking. The Chef's knife cut through both soft and hard ingredients in our experts' tests, and the bread knife was great for everyday tasks.

The modern magnetic block can fit up to eight knives and is a nice touch for stylish kitchens. There can be a slight learning curve, though. “You need to pull the knives up versus out but I like that you don’t have to get them into a slit,” says Papantoniou. Testers say the blades are a tiny bit thicker than other knives — not as sharp as a Japanese knife, for example — but most people will find this set is great for daily kitchen tasks.

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Plastic | Block dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 4 inches | Includes: 8" knife, serrated 6” knife, 4” paring knife, magnetic wood stand

RELATED: 5 Best Bread Knives, Tested by Kitchen Experts

Designed with BBQ enthusiasts in mind, the Schmidt Bros. portable German-style BBQ set features robust, sturdy high-carbon stainless steel knives that are perfect for slicing through meat. "I'm obsessed with this knife roll set and it's even more gorgeous in person," says Papantoniou, who also tests outdoor grills. "The leather knife roll looks like it will get even nicer as it ages.

"While the heavy-duty knives perform well for meat prep and grilling tasks, their focus on BBQ limits their versatility for regular kitchen use,” says Papantoniou. “It doesn’t have a true Chef’s knife. However, I’m super impressed with all the knives for meat.” The butcher's knife is sturdy with a little flex.

Once cookout season is over, you can take this handy set to a rookie’s Friendsgiving and save the day when the turkey needs carving.

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Wood | Block dimensions: N/A | Includes: 11” brisket (slicing) knife, 10” butcher knife, 8” chef’s knife, 6” bonding knife, 6” carving fork, knife carrying roll, microfiber lined knife sheaths for each knife

RELATED: 7 Best Butcher Knives, According to Cooking Pros

All-Clad’s 12-piece set delivers reliable sharpness and durability, with sleek German stainless steel knives and an acacia wood block that fit modern kitchens. The set won a Kitchen Gear Award. The variety of knives covers most kitchen tasks except for a long serrated knife to slice bread.

This set is ideal for home cooks seeking a comprehensive knife set including two chef's knives and steak knives with unique serrated tips, albeit at a premium price​. The triple-riveted handles and full tang make it easy to get a good grasp on these knives. The knifes are hefty and a little heavy.

Our expert said the knives felt — and performed — like other high-end knives she tested. The variety of knives attracted her to the set most as well as the beautiful knife block.

Blade material: Stainless steel | Handle material: Wood | Block dimensions: N/A | Includes: 8" chef's knife, 8" serrated knife, 7" santoku knife, 5" utility knife, 3.5" paring knife, scissors, 5" steak knives, honing steel, acacia wood block

RELATED: 5 Best Steak Knives, Tested and Reviewed

The team at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested dozens of kitchen knife sets to identify the best ones for home cooks.

Each knife was evaluated for its cutting performance and how well it retained sharpness after slicing through ingredients like onions, whole chickens, steak, carrots and cheddar cheese. We also tried more delicate tasks, such as slicing tomatoes into paper-thin pieces and cutting herbs like basil and parsley without bruising them. The top-performing knives made precision cuts with ease and maintained sharp edges throughout.

We also considered the comfort of each knife's handle and grip. A good knife should rock back and forth smoothly, with minimal pressure needed to cut through tougher ingredients like meat. We paid close attention to weight — heavier knives tend to feel more substantial but can tire your hand during extended use, while lighter knives with larger handles offer more control, especially for making finer, quicker cuts.

✔️ Knife style: German-style knives are known for their durability and heavier weight, while Japanese-style knives are sharper and lighter but often require more maintenance.

✔️ Knives in set: You’ll want a chef’s knife, paring knife and bread knife, at minimum. Other useful additions include a santoku knife, slicing knife, utility knife and steak knives.

✔️ Knife block: Knife blocks vary in materials, from wood to bamboo to stainless steel. Since you’ll be leaving them out on the counter, look for blocks that offer both storage and style.

✔️ Material: The most common material is stainless steel, but it’s often combined with other materials that affect its hardness level and durability. Carbon steel offers sharpness and can stay sharp longer but can rust without special care. Ceramic is lighter and sharp but brittle — not a friend of the Lab testers.

✔️ Knife construction: Forged knives are formed from one piece of metal, making them typically stronger and more balanced than stamped knives, which are cut from a sheet of metal then combined with the handle. Full tang knives extend the blade through the handle, providing better balance and durability. Partial tang knives are less durable but lighter.

✔️ Comfort and handle design: Look for knives with ergonomic handles that feel comfortable to hold for long periods. Wider and thicker handles are usually more comfortable. Thinner handles are considered more advanced, but some have beveled bolsters to allow for a pinch grip, which helps you get a proper hold on the knife. Materials like wood, plastic or composite handles each offer different levels of grip and comfort.

✔️ Maintenance and sharpening tools: Sets with sharpening tools included are ideal, but you’ll want to ensure the sharpener is of good quality. Consider whether you prefer manual sharpening or professional sharpening services.

Perry Santanachote recently sliced the tip of her thumb off with a knife. Still, she knows what she's talking about! She's a contributing writer for Good Housekeeping and has been testing and writing about the best kitchen appliances and cookware for over 10 years. She has even more experience in the food industry, working as a recipe developer, food stylist and cook.

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all the testing that takes place related to kitchen gear. She conducted the most recent side-by-side knife sets test as well as the most recent test for chef’s knives, serrated knives and butcher knives. She's a trained cook and uses one of her three trusty chef's knives almost daily.