When studying to be a professional chef, it’s very important that you have the right set of tools.
And a great place to start is a quality
But with all the options out there, making the right choice can be really tough.
That’s why we’re here.
In this article, we’re taking a look at some of the best
So read on to learn more!
Best Knife Sets For Culinary Students (Updated List)
- Shun 5-Piece Student Set includes knives from the Sora Series, a unique line of cutlery with contemporary, sleek designs and ultra-premium steel blades at an amazing price
- Set includes three essential knives, 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 8-inch Chef’s Knife and 9-inch Bread Knife; knives are made using Shun’s proprietary Composite Blade technology for high-performance at an affordable price
- Stylish black nylon knife roll is fully zippered and allows room for an expanding collection with 8 knife slots; an included shoulder pad increases carrying convenience
What To Look For When Buying
Pieces Included
If you’re taking the culinary arts seriously, it’s important to make sure your tool kit has everything you need.
For starters, you are going to need a chef knife or santoku, paring
From there, it might be nice to have some extras such as a carving, slicing, and utility knives, but they aren’t exactly necessary, at least not yet.
Another important thing any culinary student would need in their set is a carrying case and honing steel as this will allow you to carry your tools with you to class or to work and also maintain the sharp edge of your blades.
Construction
Next up, you’re going to have to take a look at the construction of the blades.
The most important requirement for any
Ideally, you would want a full-tang
And if you’re a culinary student, it might also be important for you to get forged blades.
These are blades made out of a single piece of stainless steel that are generally tougher, harder, and sharper than most other blades out there.
Materials Used
Lastly, it’s important to take a close look at what materials were used in building the knives.
For starters, make sure that the blade is made out of high-carbon stainless steel as this material has great edge retention but isn’t too hard that the blade will become brittle.
Ceramic blades and other materials are viable options for home kitchens, but may not be durable or precise enough to be used by culinary students.
Next, it would also be great to have a comfortable yet durable handle made out of synthetic materials such as PakkaWood, resin, stainless steel, or PP.
Wooden handles are also a good option, but if they aren’t treated properly, they could be susceptible to water damage and lack overall durability, so make sure to put that into consideration when looking for a set.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Product Reviews
1. Shun Sora 5-Piece Student Set (Best Overall)
- Shun 5-Piece Student Set includes knives from the Sora Series, a unique line of cutlery with contemporary, sleek designs and ultra-premium steel blades at an amazing price
- Set includes three essential knives, 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 8-inch Chef’s Knife and 9-inch Bread Knife; knives are made using Shun’s proprietary Composite Blade technology for high-performance at an affordable price
- Stylish black nylon knife roll is fully zippered and allows room for an expanding collection with 8 knife slots; an included shoulder pad increases carrying convenience
First up is a great first set for any student out there because the knives are high-quality.
It comes with a carrying case, is made by a reputable brand, and is also very affordable.
It comes with the three essentials, a carrying case, and honing steel so you’ll have a basic tool kit that would be great for anyone entering culinary school.
On top of that, they come with Shun’s composite blade technology which allows them to provide students with top-tier knives at an affordable price.
They come with textured TPE handles that are very comfortable to grip and will last you a long while in the kitchen.
So if you’ve been looking for a reliable set on a budget this might be the right one for you.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Comes with the essentials
- Comes with a carrying case and honing steel
- Razor-sharp right out of the box
- Full-tang
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not the most premium Shun set out there
2. Mercer Culinary Partners in Education 13-Piece Kit (2nd Best)
- Ergonomic handle -- a combination of Santoprene for comfort and polypropylene for durability. Textured finger points provide slip resistance, grip, and safety with a protective finger guard
- The highest quality Japanese steel offers easy edge maintenance and rapid sharpening for a razor-sharp edge
- One-piece high carbon, stain-resistant Japanese steel
Next up, we have a more complete set designed for those in culinary school.
It comes with the three essentials and even includes a basic slicer, carving fork, honing steel, and a sleek
The blades are made out of Japanese steel that is very easy to sharpen and maintain, which could be a great feature for beginners.
The blades are connected to Santoprene handles that are comfortable to grip and won’t strain your hand even if you end up using the blades for hours on end.
So if you’ve been looking for a very complete set that will last you throughout your entire schooling, this might be the pick for you.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great value for the money
- Comes with the essentials and more
- Sleek
knife roll - Full-tang
Cons:
- The
knife guards could be better
3. Mercer Culinary Genesis 10-Piece Set (Best for Versatility)
- Ergonomic Santoprene handle offers superior comfort and a non-slip grip, even with wet hands. Will not break down from exposure to kitchen oils and is able to withstand hot and cold temperatures.
- Bolster strengthens the knife, adds durability, and provides excellent balance for better handling when cutting food. Available in short bolster.
- High-carbon, no-stain German cutlery steel resists rust, corrosion, and discoloration. Precision forged construction for better strength and durability.
Next up is a more toned-down set that is also more affordable coming from the same brand
But while it doesn’t have as many pieces as the previous entry, it still comes with a lot of useful tools that any student would love.
The blades are made of high-carbon German steel that is resistant to corrosion and has great edge retention.
The handles are made of Santoprene and offer a very comfortable grip and a lot of control.
It also comes with a very sleek
On top of that, the blades have a taper-ground edge that is very easy to maintain and sharpen, which is best for those who are just starting to learn how to properly sharpen their knives.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Comes packed with useful tools
- Easy to maintain
- Comes with a
knife roll and honing steel - Comfortable handles
- Full-tang
Cons:
- Not the most durable
knife roll
4. Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Set (Best for Comfort)
- 4 Piece Cutlery Set Perfect for Culinary Students by Shun
- Set features a Shun knife roll for storage and transport and 3 must-have Shun Classic knife styles: a 3 1/2-inch paring knife, 6-inch utility knife, and 8-inch chef's knife
This Slitzer Germany set has a very sleek look to it which would make it a great pick for any chef, home cook, or culinary student out there.
It comes with a
The blades are made of high-quality steel that is very durable and since it has a V-Grind edge, it will be very sharp right out of the box.
On top of that, it has a very ergonomic and modern handle design that will fit very comfortably in the hand and give chefs a lot of control when slicing.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Sleek and modern look
- Full-tang
- Durable
- Comfortable handles
- Razor-sharp right out of the box
Cons:
- Doesn’t have the best edge-retention
5. Shun DMS0499 4-Piece Classic Student Set (Premium Choice)
Next up is another great student set from Shun.
The set comes with three essential knives for any culinary novice and includes a carrying case for easier transport.
The blades are made out of high-carbon steel and are forged in construction, which makes them very durable.
On top of that, they have wooden Japanese-style octagonal handles that offer a unique ergonomic and functional grip.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Very sharp blades
- Great edge retention
- Comes with a carrying case
- Beautiful finish
- Comfortable handles
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a serrated blade
6. HQY 9-Piece Set (Best for Design)
- 9 Piece professional chefs knife set, Get set of knives.for not only chefs! These were a gift for a chef.
- The knives come in a heavy duty zip up carry case ideal for storing or transporting the chefs knives
- Perfect the professional chef , College student and the home kitchen as a Kitchen Knife Set
- 9 Piece professional chefs knife set, Get set of knives.for not only chefs! These were a gift for a chef.
- The knives come in a heavy duty zip up carry case ideal for storing or transporting the chefs knives
- Perfect the professional chef , College student and the home kitchen as a Kitchen Knife Set
This is a very complete set that would be fit for any budding chef.
It comes with a beautiful carrying case that will allow you to organize the knives very easily.
All the blades are very sharp and have a sleek and modern look to them, mainly because of the stainless steel handles.
And while the handles are comfortable for simple home use, using them for too long might strain the wrist, which is why it isn’t recommended if you start doing long-haul shifts in the kitchen.
But for a starter set, this is a great affordable pick.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Sharp blades
- Sleek design
- Comes with a carrying case
- Easy to sharpen
- Comes with all the essentials
Cons:
- Handles aren’t too comfortable
7. Ross Henery Set (Best for Stability)
Last up on the list we have another complete collection with triple-hardened blades.
This means that the edges wills stay sharp for a very long time and won’t require too much maintenance.
On top of that, they have an all-stainless steel design that is very modern and sleek.
Included in the set is a carrying case and honing steel, which covers just about all the basic tools you’ll need as a culinary student.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Comes with all you’ll need in the kitchen
- Comes with a carrying case
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Great edge-retention
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Not the most durable set
FAQ’s
1. What Is The Best Knife Set For Culinary Students?
Our pick on this list is the Shun Sora 5-piece set as it has just about all the essentials you’ll need for school and is made by one of the most trusted brands on the market.
On top of that, all the blades are very sharp and made out of very high-quality steel.
2. What Is The Best Knife For Chopping?
For chopping fruits or vegetables, the best blades are either a chef
3. What Knives Do You Need For Culinary School?
For starters, it’s best to at least have a chef
From there, you can slowly build and add to your collection as time goes by.
4. What Kind Of Knife Can Cut Through Bone?
Heavy-duty meat cleavers are one of the best tools one can use to cut through bone as they are hefty and sharp enough to do the job.
5. What Three Knives Are Essential For Chefs?
The three most essential kitchen knives are the chef
6. How Often Should I Have My Knives Sharpened?
Ideally, it would be best to have your blades sharpened at least once a year, depending on how much you use them.
7. Is It Worth It To Sharpen Cheap Knives?
Yes, if you own a cheap set of blades, one of the best ways to make the most out of them is to have them sharpened.
This will instantly make them more functional and safer to use in the kitchen.
Conclusion
And there you have it.
If you’re about to start your career in culinary school, you’ll need to have top-quality blades, and that’s exactly what we featured in this list.
Some are more premium or have more pieces than others, but that’s because all chefs have different needs or preferences.
So if you think the one for you was featured on this list, then it’s about time you got your hands on one yourself!
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!