When considering which knife set to buy, you’ll have to ask yourself how true to your recipe and quality cut you want to be. If you’ve ever used a poor-quality steak knife, you know the outcome. The craftsmanship of fine kitchen knife manufacturers, such as Shun from Japanese craftsmanship to Wusthof with their German know-how, shows that one knife just isn’t enough. The way the knife cuts, the tang, handle, and bolster are all pivotal parts of forging quality cutlery. Shape, length, and weight also hold a vital role in producing excellent knives. 

At Williams Food Equipment, we emphasize quality in our curated range of professional-grade knives. Here, we will explain the differences between a few of our knives and why bundling them into a beautiful set is the best way to go.  

Why Do You Need a Knife Set?

Why would you need a knife set? Well, just one knife can’t perform all the tasks required for a kitchen. A knife set gives you the versatility and professional quality you need for your home-cooked meals. There are over ten knives that are commonly used in restaurant kitchens. The reasons are vast. Meats, seafood, veggies, fruits, pastries, and breads all have specific knives used exclusively for their culinary purposes. 

Best Unique Knife Set - Shun

Let’s start with the fine artistry of Shun, which keeps the mastery of the ancient Japanese samurai swords’ hamon by creating a hammered tsuchime finish. This rippling line produces less friction. Shun’s attention to detail makes these Asian styled knives some of the best in the world!

Japanese knives differ from their German counterparts in weight and agility. Both are great knives! The Shun line is excellent for delicate work. Fine dicing, chopping, and slicing are easily performed with its proprietary VG-MAX cutting core. 34 layers of stainless steel adorn each side of the blade with these knives.

One of Shun’s most unique knife sets is the Shun Premier 3 Piece Starter Set. This set includes:

• 8" Chef's Knife
• 6.5" Utility Knife
• 4" Paring Knife

8” Chef's Knife

The 8-inch Chef's Knife is a versatile and essential tool for any kitchen. With its VG-MAX core steel and 34 layers of stainless Damascus cladding, it offers exceptional sharpness and durability. The hammered tsuchime finish reduces drag and aids in food release, while the razor-sharp 16° edge ensures precise cuts. Its Pakkawood handle provides a comfortable, moisture-resistant grip, making it easy to use for both left- and right-handed users. Ideal for chopping, slicing, and dicing, this knife is perfect for everyday cooking tasks.

6.5” Utility Knife

The 6.5-inch Utility Knife is perfect for smaller tasks that require precision and control. Made from VG-MAX core steel with Damascus cladding, this knife offers a fine, long-lasting edge. The 16° hand-sharpened cutting angle ensures a smooth, easy cut through various ingredients, while the hammered tsuchime finish helps release food effortlessly. Its Pakkawood handle is both durable and moisture-resistant, with an ambidextrous design for comfort and ease of use by all. This knife excels at trimming, slicing, and cutting through smaller fruits, vegetables, and meats.

4” Paring Knife

The 4-inch Paring Knife is designed for detailed tasks like peeling, trimming, and precision cutting. Its VG-MAX steel core delivers excellent sharpness and edge retention, while the 16° cutting edge enables fine, controlled cuts. The double-bevel and flat grind design make food release easier, and the hammered tsuchime finish minimizes drag. The Pakkawood handle offers a durable, moisture-resistant grip, making it comfortable for both left- and right-handed users. Ideal for intricate kitchen tasks, this knife is a must-have for any cook looking to improve their prep.

Best German Knife Set - Wusthof 

Next, here come the German knives! Wusthof has been an industry leader in cutlery since 1814. Super sharp and sturdy in the hand, this is one of the preferred brands of many, many famous chefs. In 2010, Wusthof invented the Precision Edge Technology (PEtec). Lasers sharpen the blade to an unreal 28°!  Thinner equals sharper!

The Wusthof 6 Piece Classic Cook’s Starter Set has (almost) everything included to start your own restaurant:

• A Boning Knife
• A Paring Knife
• A Cook’s Knife
• A Kitchen Fork
• A Sharpening Steel

All these knives are forged from one piece of high-carbon, special alloyed steel. This creates one of the strongest knives known to man. The triple riveted handle also adds to the beauty and strength of these Western-style knives. According to Wusthof, these extremely sharp knives are suitable for the professional as well as the home cook. And, best of all, they come in a knife roll for easy protection and travel.

Best Japanese Knife Set - Shun Kanso

Shun has another great set! The Shun Kanso 6 Piece Block Set includes:

• An 8” Chef’s Knife
• A 6” Utility Knife
• A 3.5” Paring Knife
• A 5.5” Santoku Knife
• A Combo Honing Steel
• An 8 Slot Wood Block

Kanso means “simplicity” in Zen philosophy. Simple, yet pure, perfect, sharp lines equal high-performance cutting and chopping. This set is gorgeous, simple, and true to your kitchen needs. Additional slots are included in the wood box for more Shun cutlery. Holding these magnificent handles and feeling the ideal balance is a Zen-like feeling!

Best High-End Kitchen Knife Set - Global

Japan has another great knife manufacturer: Global, created by Komin Yamada in 1985. Like Shun, the ancient Japanese techniques of the samurai sword are evident in the design of Global knives. The best supplies and production allow the brand to bring fine cutlery to the professional and home cook at a great value for the quality. 

Global - 3 Pc Knife Set (G-2, GS-5, GS-15) - 71G2515

Global’s first series contained over 140 knives! This company is dedicated to manufacturing the best cutlery available! Global has implemented a 3-ply design with CHROMOVA18 steel, which provides you with a quicker cut down. The brand is a hybrid of German and Japanese workmanship with their Ni series with a thicker blade, a longer handle, and a pinch grip. These knives boast true excellence through and through that will last you decades.

Best Knife Set for Durability - Victorinox Executive Culinary Set

Ever heard of Victorinox? Or maybe the Swiss Army Knife is a name you are familiar hearing? This brand has been in business since 1884. Knives were Victorinox's first passion. Their attention to detail is second to none!

The Victorinox 12 Piece Executive Culinary Set with Slip-Resistant Fibrox Handles is a great set to start your cooking career. This set includes:

• A 3.25” Paring Knife
• A 6” Curved Boning Knife
• An 8” Bread Knife
• A 10” Chef’s knife
• A 12” Slicing knife
• A 4” Offset Spatula
• An 11” Carving Fork
• A Vegetable Peeler
• A Melon Baller
• A 12” Honing Steel
• A Polyester Roll

This set rolls up to only 19” long! Great for travelling to the cabin. Mastering culinary techniques will be a joy with all this fine assortment. Best of all, this set is so affordable that it makes a great gift. Those who need new knives or those who wish to grow in their culinary world will truly love this knife set. 

Caring For Your Knife Set

Always maintain your knives with proper care. Higher-end ones do not stay wet or go in the dishwasher.  Others are dishwasher safe. Read the manufacturer's owner's guide upon purchase to maintain an extra-sharp and safe knife. Feel free to ask us for knife-handling safety tips or go online to research how the culinary masters sharpen their blades in their own kitchens. Many of our Williams Food Equipment knife sets include a sharpening steel and knife block. This keeps your knives sharp as well as displayed to adorn your beautiful kitchen. The honing steel is paramount to keeping all your knife edges sharp and true!

Final Note

Depending on your skill set and needs, Williams Food Equipment has lots of knife sets under different manufacturers. We try very hard to research and find the finest knives with the greatest value to our customers. Now that you know about some of our favorites, it’s time to think about your kitchen needs and which one is the perfect one for you.