The Best Home Knife Sets

A quality knife set will enhance your kitchen.

A good set of knives is essential in every kitchen, whether you're a chef or an amateur cook. With dozens of knife manufacturers offering different types of knives and different configurations of knife sets, deciding which set is best for you can be overwhelming. Armed with some basic knife knowledge, however, you can choose a kitchen knife set that will meet your needs.

Function

The first thing to consider when purchasing a knife set for your home is what you will be using the knives for. In your kitchen do you tend to prepare basic foods or do you prepare complicated dishes? Do you frequently venture into other cuisines? Answering these questions will determine whether you need a simple knife set or a more extensive set.

Features

According to Consumer Reports, every kitchen needs a knife set with a minimum of four types of knives; a chef's knife, a slicer, a utility knife and a parer. A chef's knife is roughly 8 inches long and is used for chopping, dicing and slicing all sorts of foods. At 4 to 6 inches long, a utility knife is basically a smaller version of the chef's knife for a more convenient grip when chopping smaller foods. The slicer is used to cut cooked meat and is longer and thinner than the chef's knife. The parer is used for peeling and coring and is 3 or 4 inches long. Some basic knife sets do not come with a bread slicer, so keep that in mind when making your decision.

Blade

Knife blades shouldn't be flimsy or bend easily. Strong blades mean longer-lasting knives. Forged knives, which are thicker toward the handle, are generally sturdier than stamped knives, which are the same thickness throughout. Forged knives tend to cost more and last longer than stamped knives.

Maintenance

Higher-quality knife sets require regular sharpening and need to be washed by hand. Putting knives in the dishwasher, submerging them in water for extended periods of time and leaving them sitting in the sink will lead to corrosion of the blade. If you or other members of your household are unwilling to wash and dry knives immediately after use, look for knife sets that are described as not prone to corrosion. Similarly, if you aren't looking to maintain the knife blades, purchase a set that specifically does not require sharpening.

Comfort

The fanciest knife set in the world won't be much use to you if the knives aren't comfortable to hold and cut with. If you can, go to a kitchen store and hold several different types and brands of knives. Check that the knives feel balanced and that they are not too heavy or too light for you. Opt for bare-wood handles or handles made from rubber or textured plastic; Consumer Research notes that these materials are the best for gripping when your hands are wet.

Tags: chef knife, knife sets, inches long, basic knife, different types, every kitchen, Forged knives