Lifestyle Gifts The 20 Best Knife Gifts for Home Cooks From editor-favorite kitchen shears to stylish knife block sets, these picks are practical and versatile. By Laura Denby Laura Denby Expertise: Food, Wine, Kitchen Equipment, Storage and Organization, RecipesLaura Denby is a New York-based food and wine writer who focuses on finding the best kitchen equipment for home cooks. She has a Culinary Arts diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Her work has appeared on leading food publications like Food Network, Taste of Home, and Delish.Experience Laura has worked as a professional chef in restaurants, catering kitchens, and test kitchens for the past six years while contributing to leading food publications along the way. With a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in Journalism from Penn State, Laura relies on her culinary expertise to create thorough product recommendations for publications like Food & Wine, Real Simple, Allrecipes, and Better Homes & Gardens. From nonstick pans to hand mixers, Laura has tested hundreds of pieces of kitchen equipment.She also regularly utilizes her WSET level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust by attending trade tasting events and seminars and has worked in vineyards both on Long Island and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France. Previously, she served as Culinary Moderator for Food Network Kitchen's live cooking platform, where she was responsible for responding to culinary questions during live cooking shows in real time. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 3, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Courtesy of Misen Knives are every chef's most-used kitchen tool. They're easy to store, easy to clean, and incredibly functional. Most chefs would agree that at the most basic level, a sturdy chef's knife is the only tool you really need. Like any commonly used kitchen tool, knives are notorious for taking a beating. With lots of use comes lots of wear and tear, so upgrading your knives is always a good idea. If you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for your favorite home cook, knives are a guaranteed way to please even the pickiest shoppers. Whether you opt for a set of steak knives or a brand new chef's knife, these gifts are both practical and versatile. When shopping for a knife gift, consider how often you'll use it and for what type of tasks. If you want something small and nimble for daily vegetable prep, a sharp paring knife is a great option. If you want a multifunctional workhorse that can tackle any task, it's worth investing in a durable, all-purpose chef's knife. While the style of the knife is important, aesthetics and weight also play a major role. If you plan to use your knife frequently, make sure it is lightweight, easy to store, and easy to clean. Heavy knives can put a strain on your hands and wrists, making simple tasks feel more challenging than they should. Read on for the best knife gifts to give and get this year. Our Top Picks Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch Chef's Knife Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Walmart. A high-quality chef's knife is the best gift a home cook can receive. We put many of the leading models to work in our test kitchen, and the Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch knife wowed us with its sharp blade and slip-free handle, winning it the coveted title of Best Overall. This Japanese-style knife is lightweight and super sharp, but it's also heavy-duty and durable. It easily slices through tough tomato skins and dense vegetables, and it helps achieve precise cuts like brunoise or julienne. Price at time of publish: $144 Togu Knife Subscription Courtesy of Togu Knives View at Togu Knives One of the most challenging parts of caring for a high-quality knife is keeping the blade sharp. That's why we love this subscription service that sends freshly-sharpened knives directly to your home. Once you place an order, you'll receive two knives directly at your doorstep. Use them freely for eight weeks, and then Togu will ship two newly-sharpened knives to your home, along with packaging and a prepaid shipping label to send the used knives back. The service is offered in six-month and one-year options. Price at time of publish: $24 per month Wusthof 4-Piece Steak Knife Set Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Crate & Barrel and Williams Sonoma. Every steak lover needs a trusty set of steak knives, and this editor-loved set from Wusthof is reliable, durable, and sharp. The laser-cut, high-carbon steel blades are sharp enough that they don't need serrations, and the blade itself is resistant to staining and corrosion. A triple-riveted, full tang handle makes them extra sturdy, so you can slice through even tougher cuts of meat. Price at time of publish: $325 Related: 15 Great Steak Knife Sets to Give and Get Right Now Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Maintaining sharp chef's knives is a challenge made easier with a reliable whetstone. Though there are many styles to choose from, our editors love this option because it's functional and affordable. Two grit sizes make it easy to achieve a refined edge, and a nonslip base adds safety and security. An included angle guide helps users maintain the right amount of pressure at the exact angle necessary for sharpening. Price at time of publish: $60 Opinel Mushroom Foraging Knife Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon This handy gadget is the perfect gift for an adventurous home cook. Designed for foraging mushrooms, the folding knife has a sharp blade at one end and a soft brush at the other, meant for dusting dirt off wild mushrooms. Made from stainless steel with a beechwood handle, it's a simple, sturdy, and easy-to-use gift for someone who already has a kitchen full of culinary gadgets. Price at time of publish: $34 Material Kitchen Shears Courtesy of Material Kitchen View at Material Kitchen These kitchen shears are sharp and chic, so they're a great gift for any home cook with a stylish kitchen. They're made from German stainless steel for extra durability, and the blades are micro-serrated to cut through tough pieces of meat. Silicone grippers make them easy and comfortable to hold even during challenging tasks. They're dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up, too. Price at time of publish: $35 Global 5-Piece Teikoku Knife Acrylic Block Set Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Crate & Barrel and Williams Sonoma. Global makes industry-approved knives that chefs love. Thanks to the full-tang blade and textured grip, they're super easy to hold and use, which makes them an approachable option for home cooks, too. This 5-piece set makes a striking knife block, thanks to the acrylic case that holds the knives. This set features all you need to tackle a variety of tasks in the kitchen — a utility knife, a vegetable knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, a bread knife, and a bamboo block. Price at time of publish: $300 Related: The 14 Best Knife Block Sets Worth Buying Laguiole 3-Piece Cheese Knife Set Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Crate & Barrel. Specialty cheeses deserve special knives for cutting and serving. This 3-piece set is chic and elegant, so it'll make a functional and attractive accessory on your cheese board. The stainless steel blades are dishwasher-safe and come encased in a convenient wood block that makes for easier storage. These editor-loved knives come with a 4.5-inch knife and 2.5-inch spreader, both of which are perfect for softer cheeses. Price at time of publish: $48 Shun Kazahana 5-Piece Knife Block Set Courtesy of Williams Sonoma View at Williams Sonoma Shun's Japanese-style knives are beloved by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Thanks to a full-tang blade that's handmade and laser-cut, the sharp edges are long-lasting and easy to maintain. The Pakkawood handles are designed to sit comfortably and securely in your hand so that you can feel safe cutting into dense vegetables and tough cuts of meat. This 5-piece set includes a 3.5-inch-paring knife, a 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, 9-inch honing steel, and a bamboo block. Price at time of publish: $400 Checkered Chef Mezzaluna Knife Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Walmart. Chopped salad-lovers will appreciate this mezzaluna knife ideal for chopping lettuce and herbs. Meant to rock back and forth, it's an easy way to chop greens quickly without putting extra strain on your wrist. It's affordable and dishwasher-safe, and the stainless steel blade comes with a convenient safety cover. A textured, slip-free handle provides stability, even when working with slippery vegetables or herbs. Price at time of publish: $18 5 Pocket Leather Knife Roll Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon For the home cook who treats their chef's knife like a member of the family, treat them to a stylish and functional leather knife roll. Fitted with five pockets, this premium leather roll is hand-cut and expertly stitched for added elegance and stability. It's a stylish way to store and tote knives, and it's the perfect way to accessorize your favorite apron. Price at time of publish: $90 Shun Hikari Carving Set Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma. This gorgeous set deserves to be the center of every special occasion meal. The elegant knife features 71 layers of high-carbon, high-chromium steel to create a "hornet's nest" pattern on the blade, which helps to reduce friction and ensure clean, effortless slicing. Both the knife and fork are made with a birch Pakkawood handle to ensure a steady, sturdy grip and added comfort for both left- and right-handed cooks. Price at time of publish: $450 Shun Classic 19-Piece Knife Block Set Courtesy of Williams Sonoma View at Williams Sonoma For a seriously impressive knife set that will wow both professional cooks and home cooks alike, this 19-piece set from Shun is a showstopper. Equipped with three chef's knives, six steak knives, and everything in between, this all-inclusive option delivers the high-quality, super-sharp knives that Shun is known for. Pakkawood handles are designed to resist moisture and sit comfortably in your hand, while the microclad blade is designed to stay sharper for longer. Price at time of publish: $2,000 Wusthof In Drawer Knife Storage Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Williams Sonoma. Knife blocks are stylish on the countertop, but they can be dangerous if you have young kids in your house. This ingenius knife rack lays horizontally inside your drawer, keeping sharp knives stored safely in an organized, streamlined way. Made from oak, it can accommodate three 10-inch blades and four 6-inch blades. It's an efficient and functional gift for anyone with a messy utensil drawer and could benefit from some organization. Price at time of publish: $40 Related: The Safest Way to Store Knives You've Probably Never Thought of Made In Oyster Shucker Courtesy of Made-In View at Made In This specialty knife is the perfect gift for seafood lovers. There's nothing better than freshly-shucked oysters, and this handy knife lets you tackle the arduous task yourself. Made with a textured walnut wood handle and high carbon stainless steel blade, it feels sturdy in your hand even when handling super-slippery oysters. The blade comes to a small point, which makes it easier to get into tight crevices. Price at time of publish: $49 Related: After Testing Made In's Knife Set, I Finally Understand the Hype Behind the Celebrity Chef-Endorsed Brand Misen Paring Knife Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Misen. Next to a chef's knife, a paring knife is one of the most important tools a cook can have. They're small and nimble, so they're great for tackling tedious tasks like peeling vegetables, coring apples, or mincing garlic. Out of all the paring knives we've tested, our editors love this knife from Misen the best. It's sturdy and sharp, but better yet, it's perfectly affordable. Price at time of publish: $35 Shun Classic Blonde Chef's Knife Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon Also available at Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. If you're at a loss for what to gift your favorite home cook, remember that you can never go wrong with a chef's knife. Shun offers high-quality knives that are lightweight and super sharp. This is an all-purpose knife, which means it's great for a variety of kitchen tasks. It's perfect for slicing vegetables, butchering meat, or dicing fruit. Best of all, the Pakkawood handle is durable and easy to grip for both left- and right-handed cooks. Price at time of publish: $170 Misen Essentials Knife Set Courtesy of Misen View at Misen To equip your favorite home cook with every knife they need all in one convenient gift, look to Misen's Essential Knife set. It comes with a chef's knife, paring knife, and serrated knife, so you can handle any kitchen task, like butchering chicken, slicing bread, or dicing onions. The perfect gift for beginners and advanced cooks alike, these knives are sharp and sturdy, making for an easy way to upgrade your equipment. Price at time of publish: $180 Chef's Choice Pronto Pro Knife Sharpener Courtesy of Amazon View at Amazon The most important thing to remember about any knife is that the sharper it is, the safer and more functional it will be. Maintaining a sharp edge on your kitchen knives is essential to being an efficient cook. Out of all the knife sharpeners we've tested, our editors found this one to be the most versatile and valuable. It works on both straight edge and serrated blades and lets you sharpen at precise angles with more control. Price at time of publish: $70 Zwilling Pro 9-Inch Bread Knife Courtesy of Williams Sonoma View at Williams Sonoma Also available at Zwilling. From sourdough to Challah, bread is notoriously difficult to cut with a standard knife, so having a dedicated bread knife makes slicing into all kinds of loaves much easier. Our editors love this knife more than any other we've tested, thanks to its large blade and comfortable handle. The scalloped serrations promise to slice through tough crusts without crushing the fluffy bread inside. Price at time of publish: $140 Our Expertise Laura Denby is a food and drink writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of experience working in professional kitchens in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Hamptons. She has worked as both a catering chef and private chef, but now she utilizes her professional culinary experience to create thoughtful and informative product reviews that aim to help home cooks become more efficient in the kitchen. You can find more of Laura's writing at FoodNetwork.com, Saveur, Forbes Vetted, and Taste of Home. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit