Did you know?
The
Soon, our ancestors figured out that placing a piece of metal in heat and hammering it to a thin edge results in a more efficient device.
The process of forging swords, machetes, sabers, or any cutting implement may have undergone improvements but the most rudimentary technique is practically the same.
And there is no doubt that this is still the best way to create the toughest, sharpest knives that can last a lifetime.
A bit more resolute about getting the best forged
Best Forged Knife Sets (Updated List)
* Featured Product *
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Buying Guide
Buying a
It also doesn’t help that there are numerous options to choose from nowadays.
So here are some factors you need to consider to make the selection process easier for you
Make sure they are actually forged
There are two quick ways to ascertain a forged blade.
First, it should be hard and heavy.
Japanese forged knives are thinner and lighter than Germans but it still has a substantial weight to it.
Admittedly, it’s hard to judge this when you’re shopping online, so try the second trait to look for: the bolster.
This is the thick mound at the junction of the blade and the handle, serving to balance the
Know the type of steel used
Whether the blade is high-carbon, stainless steel, or some almost-perfect blend of both, it would benefit you to know what this precisely is.
Top cutlery companies are always forthright about the materials they use and their manufacturing process.
Premium raw materials plus well-developed production mean superb end products.
If the company is quite vague about the type of steel (they only advertise ‘made from Japan’, ‘German steel’, etc.), move on to your next option.
Check for important design features
Aside from the bolster, forged
The handles, made from high-quality material, should be riveted to the tangs.
Save up on cash
Here’s the (slightly) bitter truth about the best forged
You might find discounted blocks with knives at a hundred or a couple of hundred bucks but do expect to pay more.
Then again, these are more than just ‘decent’ knives.
A real investment, you can even pass this on to your children when they’re older.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Product Reviews
Allwin-Houseware 8-Piece Premium Chef Knife Set (Best Overall)
This company is not the first name that will come to mind when discussing forged knives.
However, this 8-Piece Chef’s set is such a wonder, you need to give this not-too-familiar brand a chance.
Double-forged using high-carbon steel from Germany, this set is one of Allwin-Houseware’s best.
The blades are manually given a 15-degree edge, making this incredibly sharp.
The black polymer material is asymmetrically wrapped around the handle, showcasing the complete tang and the thick, full bolster.
Three oblique slits near the butt distinguish this as an Allwin-Houseware item.
The square-ish front-slanting block is made of natural rubberwood and finished with a dark stain – truly a chic addition to any kitchen.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Contains all the basic kitchen knives
- The steel used is made in Germany
- The addition of the honing rod is a plus
- One of the most affordable forged sets
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Shears do not come apart
- Some have complained about the rusting on the handles
- The
knife is assembled in China – this is a turn-off for some
Dalstrong 18-Piece Gladiator Series Collection (2nd Runner-up)
Although it is relatively new in the cutlery industry, Dalstrong has proven that it can match the quality of legendary brands with long histories of
Their 18-piece Gladiator variant – complete with classic western and traditional eastern blades – is proof of that.
All the blades in this Dalstrong set are made from high-carbon German-style steel (HRC 56), forged from tip-to-tang, and then hand-polished at 14-16-degrees on both sides.
The black ABS polymer handles have a luxurious look and feel with its triple rivets, the middle one slightly larger and engraved with the Dalstrong logo.
The rectangular, front-slanting walnut woodblock is interestingly unique and will suit both traditional and modern-looking kitchens.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Has all the essential kitchen knives
- Has three of the most basic Asian-style knives
- Comes with 100% satisfaction or money-back guarantee
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- A bit too pricey
- Dalstrong’s whole manufacturing process (from steel manufacture to assembly) is in China
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Set (Best for Durability)
When it comes to kitchen knives, this brand has almost perfected it all.
And this 6-piece collection is proof of that.
Fully forged from premium X50CrMoV15 stainless steel from Germany, this is one of Mercer’s pride and joy.
It has full tangs, wide up-to-the-heel bolsters, and exceedingly sharp edges – reasons why professional chefs love this brand.
The black Santoprene handle feels smooth and soft but won’t slip from your hands easily.
They embellished this with the recognizable Mercer logo in silver.
The most interesting element here is, without a doubt, the tempered glass block that allows you to see the
It is unobtrusive in size but visually stunning by design.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9.5/10
Pros:
- Consists only of the essentials – and that’s a good thing
- Precision-forged from real German-made steel
- Relatively affordable for its amazing quality
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The ultra-modern
knife block may not suit all kitchen interiors, in terms of design
Cuisinart C77TR-15P (15-Piece Triple Riveted) Collection (Best for Beginners)
When it comes to kitchen appliances for home and professional use, Cuisinart is the go-to brand.
You’ll be glad to know that they have complete cutlery sets now as well!
All the knives in this set are forged using a high-carbon stainless steel blend from tip to tang.
The thick bolster provides balance for the blade and protection for the user while the black handle is triple-riveted, ensuring that this won’t just come off.
The block, finished with a light wood stain, has that traditional slanted design that anyone will like.
Cuisinart is not that well-known for their knives but, with this set, they are proving that they can successfully branch out and be a worthy competition to older, more familiar brands.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Has all the essential pieces and a bonus blade that is the Santoku
- This is another low-cost forged set
Cons:
- No specifics about the raw materials used (blade’s steel, polymer handle, etc.)
KitchenAid KKFSS14BO (14-Piece) Classic Forged Series (Best for Home Cooks)
KitchenAid, another popular kitchen appliance manufacturer, also has a cutlery line!
And this remarkable array of forged blades is just as wonderful as the brand’s other offerings.
Except for the steak knives (made from 3CR13) and the shears (made from Japanese high-grade stainless steel), all the pieces in this set are forged from premier stainless steel made in Germany.
The handle (brushed silver) and the blade (not just the tang) are forged as one so expect that this will last you a long time.
The light-colored bamboo block will look perfect in any kitchen.
But the best part is the #600 Diamond grit sharpener attached to the upper right part of the block.
With this, sharpening the blades are faster and easier.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Includes the basics. The Santoku is a great addition!
- Revealed all the types of steel used for the different tools in the set
- The integrated sharpener is a smart idea
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Knife manufacture is not Cuisinart’s specialty
Calphalon Classic 15-Piece Self-Sharpening Set (Best Design)
This set from Calphalon almost has it all – the basic blades, steak knives, kitchen shears, and even a Santoku.
And although it doesn’t have a bread
The Classic knives are fully forged from high-carbon, no-stain steel from the tip to the tang, with hefty bolsters running from its spine to the sharp edge.
However, the steak knives do not have bolsters.
And compared to the Chef’s and Santokus, these smaller ones aren’t labeled.
The sleeker and narrower handles are triple-riveted to the tangs.
The steak knives have the same design.
The best part of this set is its block since it features a steel plate with ceramic sharpeners inside the individual partitions.
This edges the
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Has an extra Asian-style
knife - Has the SharpIN technology
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Lacks the serrated
knife for bread - A bit pricey although this is the most affordable Calphalon
knife set.
J.A Henckels International Self-Sharpening 20-Piece Set (Best for Multipurpose)
One of the most well-known cutlery companies in the world, J.A. Henckels is under the bigger umbrella of Zwilling J.A. Henckels that has deep roots in Germany’s City of Blades – Solingen.
This particular set is, without a doubt, one of their best.
With 18 knives (inclusive of all the essentials plus a few Japanese basics) and a pair of shears, this collection may be considered more than complete.
Fully forged using their very own blend of German steel, all the knives have full tangs, full bolsters, and incredibly sharp edges.
The handles, also made from stainless steel, are given a satiny, mirror-like finish.
The block, made from quality hardwood, a beauty.
But it’s also very functional, thanks to the integration of ceramic rods inside the slots for quick sharpening.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Has all the knives which you may need in the kitchen
- Innovative self-sharpening tool in the block
- Dishwasher-safe
- Authentic German steel, made in Solingen
- Offered with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- A bit pricey
FAQ’s
Is a complete set of knives really necessary?
Definitely. While a Chef’s knife or a Santoku is considered versatile, it really can’t function well for paring, filleting, slicing bread, and so on.
Are the knives dishwasher safe?
Some of the knives in the list like J.A. Henckels are advertised as safe to put in the dishwasher. However, it’s best to manually wash and dry your blades just to be safe.
Do these require daily honing and/or sharpening?
Honing your blades right before use always helps straighten the edge and give you accurate slices. Sharpening doesn’t have to be done often if your
Are the blocks easy to clean?
Yes. But try not to get the whole thing wet. The narrow slots are difficult to dry and may harbor bacteria that will transfer to your
Where is the company based?
Some are US-made, one is from China, and another is from Germany. Nowadays, it doesn’t matter where your
Can I return damaged blades for repair or replacement?
If that is part of the warranty deal, then yes. It’s best to go over the fine print before purchasing anything; especially now that most shop online and can’t see the item firsthand.
Can I get a refund if I’m not happy with the set?
Some manufacturers of the aforementioned sets do offer “100% satisfaction or your money back”. Again, always review the fine print so you won’t feel cheated when you think things didn’t go your way.
Conclusion
Owning a fully forged and hand-finished
Imagine preparing a feast at home with ease and not worrying about lacking the right tools for the job.
And imagine doing that every day for the rest of your life! See, that’s how long honest to goodness decent knives will last.
Lucky for you (and us all), some forged
If you can’t swipe your card for a Zwilling or a Mercer yet, try the more affordable ones first.
You can always save on and graduate to those brands in a year or two.
Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
