The 14 Best Knife Block Sets That’ll Look Gorgeous on Your Countertop
Super sharp kitchen knives are non-negotiable for cooking. There are the essentials for ingredient prep—the chef’s knife, the serrated knife, and the paring knife—as well as specialized blades that make tasks like de-boning, filleting, and carving painless. But we often look at knife block sets as more of a luxury.
A quality knife block set eliminates the effort and guesswork involved in researching and picking each blade one by one. All celebrated cutlery brands offer versions of a block set, from German-made Zwilling and Wüsthof to Japan’s Global and Shun. What’s more, the wooden, glass, and metal stands are not only a safer place to store our slicers but also a gorgeous statement on the countertop.
From blade materials to cost to personal cooking style, there are tons of factors to consider when selecting a block set. So to help you find the best one for your needs, we’ve done the research and combed through thousands of reviews from real shoppers who have tested out these sets for themselves. No matter if you’re looking for a compact collection for small spaces or a professional-level block filled with beautiful blades, these best-selling options have near-perfect ratings and rave reviews describing why they’re so great.
Here are the 14 best knife block sets, according to customer reviews:
- Best Rated: Cuisinart 15-Piece Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Block Set
- Best Quality: Shun Classic 6-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
- Best Value: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
- Best Affordable: AmazonBasics Premium 18-Piece Block Set
- Best Splurge: Bob Kramer Meiji 7-Piece Block Set
- Best Durable: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 8-Piece Knife Block Set
- Best Looking: Cangshan 6-Piece Tai Knife Block Set
- Best German Steel Set: Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
- Best Japanese Steel Set: Global 6-Piece Block Set
- Best with Magnetic Block: Material The Trio of Knives
- Best with Built-In Sharpener: Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set
- Best for Steak Knives: Laguiole Jean Dubost 6-Piece Steak Knife Block Set
- Best for Gifting: Material The Iconics
- Best for Small Kitchens: Joseph Joseph DoorStore Elevate Knife Set
Read on to discover more about these top-rated block sets. Then get ready to revel in the ease of chopping, slicing, and dicing in the kitchen with your new collection of blades.
Best Rated: Cuisinart 15-Piece Stainless Steel Hollow Handle Block Set
The people have spoken: With more than 7,000 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: $60; amazon.com
Best Quality: Shun Classic 6-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
Shun knives are renowned for their stunning design, as well as their surgical-level precision. The blades are handcrafted in Japan with VG-Max "super” steel, clad with 34 layers of stainless steel. The result is a durable, razor-sharp edge that gives cooks incredible control. This set’s eight-slot wooden block includes Shun’s celebrated chef’s and santoku knives, as well as versatile kitchen shears and 9-inch honing steel.
Users love Shun knives for looks and performance, saying they are worth the cost. It’s no wonder they’ve earned a 4.8-star rating on Amazon. “These knives are the finest cutlery I have ever seen or used,” raved one shopper. “Beautifully crafted and absurdly sharp, these blades will last a lifetime with proper care.”
To buy: $400 (originally $430); amazon.com
Best Value: Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
Mercer-made knives are the perfect middle ground between price and quality. Retailing for just $150, this set includes 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 streamlined 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: $149; amazon.com
Best Affordable: AmazonBasics Premium 18-Piece Block Set
For a budget-friendly set, check out AmazonBasics’s Premium 18-piece knife block that breaks down to just over $4 per blade. But don’t let the low price fool you; the knives are made from professional-quality stainless steel and feature a full bolster to protect fingers while slicing and dicing. The set boasts a wide variety of blades, like a 6-inch boning knife for breaking down poultry, a 7-inch Santoku for mincing, and eight micro-serrated table knives for slicing steaks.
The AmazonBasics Premium Block Set is so popular that it’s earned an excellent 4.6-star rating from more than 2,300 reviewers who say it’s durable and a great price. “Absolute steal for the price,” said a user. “These knives are some of the sharpest I’ve ever used. Construction is very sturdy with full tang. Excellent assortment of knives and a very solid knife block.”
To buy: $70; amazon.com
Best Splurge: Bob Kramer Meiji 7-Piece Block Set
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line block set, this Bob Kramer and Meiji collaboration is sure to impress. Designed by the first Master Bladesmith to specialize in kitchen cutlery, the collection is a true blend of Eastern and Western craftsmanship. It requires a rigorous month-long manufacturing process with dozens of artisans.
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 is formed from a powerful core of FC61 steel that is then covered in 100 layers of nickel and stainless Damascus. That not only makes these knives durable and corrosion-resistant but also razor-sharp and easy to maintain. Additionally, they feature comfortable D-shaped Pakkawood handles outfitted with a decorative pin handcrafted in Kramer’s Washington workshop.
Reviewers on the manufacturer’s site gush over the set’s beauty and balance, saying it is an heirloom that will last generations. “They make such a statement on the counter,” a user wrote. “The one-of-a-kind Damascus detail on the incredibly sharp blades paired with the unique comfortable handles are like no other.”
To buy: $1,500 (originally $1,975); zwilling.com
Best Durable: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Four Star 8-Piece Knife Block Set
As one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of cutlery and cookware, Zwilling is famous for its classic designs and razor-sharp edges. Part of the brand’s success comes from its proprietary Sigmaforge process, in which each blade is precision-forged from a single piece of ice-hardened stainless steel. The edges are exceptionally long-lasting, resisting corrosion and dulling.
This block set is part of Zwilling's Four-Star line, which was designed in collaboration with professional chefs to bring expert-level tools into home kitchens. The German-made knives also have virtually indestructible handles with just enough texture to guarantee a stable grip. It includes every blade you’d need in the kitchen, from an 8-inch bread knife for slicing crusty loaves to a 5.5-inch prep knife for precise cuts, as well as a beautiful beechwood block.
The Four-Star block is Sur La Table’s best-reviewed block set, with users saying the blades last for years. “I bought my first four-star knives over 30 years ago in Europe,” one said. “I use them every day. They get professionally sharpened once a year. They are just as good now as the day I bought them.”
To buy: $330 (originally $604); surlatable.com
Best Looking: Cangshan 6-Piece Tai Knife Block Set
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. Made from high-alloy Swedish steel, the full-tang blades go through a multi-stage heating treatment to ensure stability and durable, keen edges. “These knives are sharp, quality, and chop amazingly well,” a user described. “The wood block has gotten many compliments. Love this set!”
To buy: $300; crateandbarrel.com
Best German Steel Set: Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
For tough kitchen workhorses, grab German-forged steel. While slightly softer than its Japanese counterpart, it holds its edge longer and is easy to sharpen. That makes the Western-style knives ideal for heavy-duty tasks like splitting bone-in chicken breasts or hacking through a squash.
Wüsthof is our German go-to. For more than 200 years, the brand has produced durable and dependable cutlery, and this set is no exception. Outfitted with five hand-honed high-carbon steel blades and precisely balanced handles, the knives undergo the brand’s unique sharpening process for an even longer-lasting edge. You can also choose five different block finishes, such as bamboo, acacia, and walnut.
This Wüsthof block set is popular with Amazon shoppers, earning a 4.8-star rating and reviews saying how sharp and well balanced its knives are. “We never knew how much difference a quality knife can make, but now I apologize to my wife constantly for not buying these sooner,” a customer wrote. “Perfect selection for most uses and all amazingly sharp. Well balanced and feel great in the hand. Looks great on the counter too.”
To buy: $400; amazon.com
Best Japanese Steel Set: Global 6-Piece Block Set
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); surlatable.com
Best with Magnetic Block: Material The Trio of Knives
Direct-to-retailer brand Material set out to create quality cookware that’s also beautiful and affordable. Its Trio of Knives more than delivers. Made from resilient Japanese steel, the 8-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch serrated knife, and almost-4-inch paring knife are razor-sharp for easy chopping, slicing, and dicing. The stain-resistant composite handles come in four different colors—Blue Grey, Almost Black, Blush, and Cool Neutral—and feature a matte finish for a little extra grip.
The brand’s knife block exudes minimalism elegance, but it isn’t just for looks. Outfitted with powerful magnets, the stand holds up to eight blades. Plus, it keeps knives within reach without dulling the tips. “We got these to replace an inexpensive six-piece set we bought years ago, and they’re a serious upgrade,” one user said. “Between the three, they handle any task—fruits and veg, breads, cheeses, anything. They also look beautiful on the magnetic stand.”
To buy: $230; materialkitchen.com
Best with Built-In Sharpener: Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set
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: $180 (originally $220); amazon.com
Best for Steak Knives: Laguiole Jean Dubost 6-Piece Steak Knife Block Set
Whether you’re cutting into seared steak, roasted vegetables, or comforting baked pasta, a sharp table knife is essential. And the Dubost family has been crafting fine cutlery for generations. The French brand’s timeless design is not only chic but comfortable to hold. What’s more, each knife is hand-polished for an extra shine before heading out of the factory.
This stainless steel set comes in a beechwood box and features slightly curved blades with serrated edges to cut effortlessly through meat. It’s the perfect buy for entertaining, or even as a holiday gift to your favorite steak lover. “These look great with most place settings, but are also super knives,” a user gushed about the brand. “I spent quite a bit of time comparing the available sets of steak knives and I’m so happy I settled on these.”
To buy: $100; williams-sonoma.com
Best for Gifting: Material The Iconics
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 a cult following in just over a year. “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; materialkitchen.com
Best for Small Kitchens: Joseph Joseph DoorStore Elevate Knife Set
No matter if you’re tight on kitchen space or don’t want to clutter your countertop, this streamlined block set is a great get. The Joseph Joseph DoorStore Elevate Knife Set holds four blades and attaches to walls, backsplashes, or cabinet doors without any special tools. Additionally, the stainless steel slicers have a nonstick silicone coating for easy cleaning and are designed with weighted handles to keep the blades from touching your work surface.
Many users say the small-but-mighty block set is not only perfect for tiny kitchens, but also keeps little hands safe from cuts. “Love having these attached to the inside of a kitchen cupboard,” one said. “Always on hand, and with a toddler running around (and the aid of magnetic catches on the doors) always safely out of reach of those who should use them!! For the grown ups, they’re a great set, incredibly sharp, and the rest keeping the knife blade off the side is such a simple yet incredible feature.”
To buy: $40; amazon.com