A quality knife set is as essential to your kitchen as fresh ingredients or solid cookware. A knife set can transform the look of your kitchen, standing as a feature on your benchtop and making the knives easier to grab. They also tend to provide great value for money as sets are often more affordable than purchasing each knife individually. For this reason, many of our customers purchase knife sets either for themselves or as gifts.
Choosing the right Knife Set
When deciding on what knife set you need for your kitchen, we recommend that you consider the following:
Size - Do you have a big kitchen or a small one? If you have a smaller kitchen, we recommend looking at compact Knife Block sets where the knives are stored vertically, like the Global Ikasu or Teikoku.
Amount - The number of knives in the set is important. Make sure to check what knives are included and if they will meet your needs. We recommend choosing a set that combines the knives you use every day or week. Selecting a set with more knives than you use weekly may be cumbersome and take up more space (including on your budget).
Material - The knife block material should complement the design of your kitchen, not clash with it. Is your kitchen modern or classic in style? If it's modern, choose one that is minimalistic in shape, with a stainless steel body. Many of our knife blocks are made from wood in various shades. We recommend contrasting the tone with your benchtop to make it stand out. A kitchen with dark cupboards or benchtops will suit a light wood, while a light benchtop could suit a dark wooden block.
Brand - If you're purchasing a knife set for someone, it's important to get an idea of the kind of knives they currently use. You may wish to complement the knives they already have by purchasing from the same brand. It's also important to know whether they prefer Japanese or European knives, as they tend to differ. Japanese knives like Shun have a narrower edge for incredible sharpness, but can be more delicate. German or Swiss knives like Wusthof or Victorinox have wider edges, making them more resilient and stronger but less precise.
Why should I consider a knife set?
If you already have a knife block or prefer to purchase individual knives, a smaller set may be more suitable. These often include the 2 or 3 essential kitchen knives:
- A Chef's Knife, a staple for most food preparation
- A Utility Knife for smaller ingredients
- A Paring Knife for the smallest and most delicate tasks
Purchasing these knives as a set will provide great value for money. If you're looking to buy knives for a chef to use in a commercial kitchen, we recommend investing in a quality set, allowing you to put most of your budget into top-quality knives that can be carried in a knife bag or case.
Need help deciding? We pride ourselves on our selection of knives and expertise. Contact us via phone or live chat Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM (Sydney).
