The 14 Best Knife Block Sets Worth Buying, According to Thousands of Reviewers

The people have spoken: With more than 16,600 reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, this Cuisinart collection is the best-rated block set we found. Shoppers love and respect the brand, which made its name by introducing the world to food processors back in the '70s, but the high carbon stainless steel set stands on its own merits. 

Designed with hollow handles and precision-tapered ground blades, the knives are lightweight and easy to hold. Plus, the tools' fully forged bodies are a breeze to clean. The sturdy, streamlined block contains 15 pieces, including six steak knives, kitchen shears, and a 7-inch Santoku knife. 

Cooks of all stripes rave about this Cuisinart block, with some saying it's a great step up from entry-level sets. "There is a reason these knives are rated so highly," one Amazon user wrote. "They're so sharp right out of the box, and the set includes a sharpener to keep them maintained. I honestly don't think I'll ever need to buy a new set of knives."

To buy: $77 at amazon.com

Mercer-made knives are the perfect middle ground between price and quality. At just under $160, this set is a great deal for all the knives a home cook needs—an 8-inch chef's knife, a bread knife, a boning knife, a utility knife, and a 3.5-inch utility knife—inside a stylish wood and glass block. 

The German-made blades are tough, easy to care for, and extraordinarily sharp. They're designed with a full tang and taper-ground edges for extra stability and feature easy-grip rubbered handles that won't slip when wet. Best of all, they sell for a fraction of what other sets cost. One happy customer wrote, "As a chef and culinary instructor, I have worked with many different expensive German steel forged knives and these are as good or better than knives costing 10 times the price!"

To buy: $156 at amazon.com 

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line block set, this Bob Kramer and Zwilling collaboration is sure to impress. Designed by the first Master Bladesmith to specialize in kitchen cutlery and handcrafted in Seki, Japan, the collection is a true blend of Eastern and Western craftsmanship. 

This set includes five knives, including a classic 8-inch chef's knife as well as a 10-inch honing steel. Each of the ice-hardened blades are formed from a powerful core of Japanese stainless steel that is then covered in 101 Damascus steel layers for compounded strength. That not only makes these knives durable and corrosion-resistant, but also razor-sharp and easy to maintain. Additionally, they feature comfortable black linen Micarta handles outfitted with Kramer's distinctive decorative pin. 

Reviewers at Williams Sonoma gush over the set's beauty and balance, saying it is an heirloom that will last generations. "Treat yourself to the sharpest, most beautiful knife set available," a user wrote. "Bob Kramer is a well known bladesmith and has people waiting years for one of his handmade knives. Now you can have a set that will last a lifetime."  

To buy: $2,000 (originally $2,540) at williams-sonoma.com

One drawback of many block sets is that the beautiful blades are sheathed inside solid wood. That's why this stunning award-winner from Cangshan caught our eye. The sleek stand is pared down to the bare essentials, giving teasing looks at the gorgeous blades inside.

But it's not just the block that makes this set stand out. The knives are stunners, too. Designed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, the high-alloy Swedish steel blades go through a multi-stage heating treatment to ensure stability and durable, keen edges. The set was not only one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2020 but also has excellent reviews on Amazon, with many users saying it makes them feel like a professional chef.

To buy: $200 (originally $300) at amazon.com

Japanese knives are typically thin and delicate, perfect for precise cuts that preserve and enhance a dish's flavor. That's why chefs around the world covet Global's Japanese-steel knives. This handcrafted set includes five blades, notably a 5.5-inch Nakiri knife designed to chop and slice vegetables, nestled inside a bamboo and stainless steel block. 

Global's knives are constructed from a single piece of stainless steel, and the edges are sharpened with a 50/50 symmetrical bevel for extra-thin cuts. The hollow handles are dimpled for easy gripping and filled with sand to keep the knives balanced yet lightweight. 

You'll find tons of happy customers who've left reviews on Sur La Table, including one who said, "I really appreciate the clean lines of the knife block and the great quality of the knives. The handles and balance are wonderful."

To buy: $400 (originally $645) at surlatable.com

Sharp knives are not only easier to use, but they're also safer, too. A dull blade requires more effort to use, making it more likely you'll lose control, slip, and cut yourself. With this self-sharpening set from Calphalon, you don't have to worry about maintaining your blades. Built-in ceramic sharpeners automatically hone the set's straight-edge blades every time you take them in and out of the block. What's more, they have triple-riveted handles for a sturdy grip, while a full-tang construction certifies strength.

Amazon shoppers love how easy the block set is to use and maintain. More than 500 of them have left perfect reviews, including this one, who wrote, "Having the knife sharpener in the block, specifically in the knife slot (not somewhere on the top or side) is very useful to me because the knife is sharpened each time I draw or put away my knives. This keeps them providing the same effortless cutting on day one, 30, and 100!"

To buy: $142 (originally $200) at amazon.com

For the perfect gift for anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, and holidays, opt for Material's Iconics set. The sleek wooden base holds three Japanese steel blades, as well as every cooking utensil a home cook could need: a wooden spoon, large metal spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, whisk, and pair of tongs. Plus, every tool is designed with Material's characteristic form-meets-function sensibility.  

Users love their Material Iconics set for its versatility and high-quality build, saying it's a "game changer." It's no wonder it's earned an avid following in record time. "It not only looks great on my counter but I use every single piece that came with it," one satisfied customer wrote. "I can tell each piece was carefully selected. As a home cook (who has gotten even better during these social distancing days) I appreciate that very much!"

To buy: $245 at materialkitchen.com