Why every kitchen needs a quality knife set
Every kitchen needs a good knife set. Buying a set of knives is not only convenient and economical, it means that the tools you use every day will match. Your blades should be sharp and robust while the handles are comfortable to grip. Beyond that, it’s also important to consider having the right type of knife set. You don’t want to be using only one out of the five knives you have in your set. The right knife set will essentially offer you everything you need for your kitchen tasks.
When looking for a set of knives, it is better to invest in high-quality, sharp knives so you don’t have to worry about replacing them every year. Crucially, a knife set should centre on knives you will actually use on a daily basis. Every home kitchen should have at least three knives: a chef's knife, a paring knife and a bread knife (or serrated knife). A chef’s knife is an all-purpose kitchen knife that’s versatile for cutting, slicing, dicing, mincing, and chopping meat and vegetables. A paring knife—a thin, sharp blade with an easy-grip handle—ideally suitable for performing smaller and more delicate tasks like peeling fruits and veggies. The bread knife features a long blade with serrated edges to cut through crusty bread easily and slice tall cakes effortlessly.
What to look for when choosing a set of knives
Number of pieces
When it comes to picking the right set of knives, think about how often you prep your meals in the kitchen. Kitchen knife sets come in different configurations and styles. Knife sets can include anywhere from two-piece sets to over 8.
For most household kitchen owners, we would recommend owning the essential pieces: a chef's knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife. Some sets come with a utility knife—constructed like a longer paring knife but a narrower version of a chef’s knife—this can also be your secondary chef's knife as it's also a great all-purpose knife. Boning knives are sometimes included in sets, which are ideal for those who often prep meals with fish and chicken multiple days a week.
Japanese- or German-style knives
There are two types of styles that you should be aware of before purchasing any knife set: a German-style knife and a Japanese-style knife. German-style knives are typically heavier and feature a thicker, curved blade allowing them to be more robust in chores like chopping through chunky meat and tough bones. Japanese-style knives are designed to be lighter and thinner with a straighter edge to facilitate more precise cutting and making clean slices. So consider these factors before deciding on a German knife set or a Japanese knife set.
Material
Generally, most quality knives designed for home kitchens are made from stainless steel as its incredibly durable and corrosion-resistant. There are also knives made from carbon steel, which is a harder material and stays sharper longer compared to stainless steel. However, carbon steel knives require proper care as they are prone to discolouring, chipping and rusting. Carbon steel isn’t superior to stainless steel—it just needs a little extra maintenance.
When it comes to the handle material, it really depends on personal preference. Go for a rubber grip or silicone handle if you prefer safety and comfort in grip. Knife handles made from fine wood with gorgeous grains bring an aesthetic appeal to your kitchen but require a little extra care. There are also knife handles made completely from stainless steel like Global knives, which feature a solid hollow handle that is filled with just the right amount of sand for precise balance. You can also find a range of Global knife sets available for purchase.
Types of knife sets to choose from
There are various knife sets available to suit different kitchen tasks and preferences:
Chef knife set—includes various chef knives in different sizes. This set is designed for all matters of food preparation.
Carving knife set—typically includes a carving knife and fork so you can slice and cut your cooked roast or ham with ease.
Cheese knife set—comes in a set of 2 to 4 pieces or more, typically use for cutting, slicing and serving a variety of hard or soft cheeses.
Three-piece knife set—comes in various combinations, depending on what types of food you’re handling on a daily basis.
Two-piece knife set—can be a combination of a chefs knife and paring knife / a chefs knife and utility knife / a chefs knife and santoku knife
The most common knives in a kitchen knife set
Chefs knife—the all-purpose kitchen knife for cutting, dicing and slicing.
Paring knife—short, slightly curved blade—for precision slicing or peeling and cutting fruits
Bread knife—serrated long blade cuts through crusty bread or flaky pastry effortlessly
Santoku Knife—the Asian chefs knife—features a straight edge designed for slicing, dicing and chopping
The best knife sets in Australia
Everten offers a wide range of knife sets suitable for all your needs so whether you’re a professional chef or a foodie at home, there is a knife set suitable for all. As one of the first online knife retailers in Australia, we stock only the best knife brands loved by professionals, butchers, and home cooks. We offer original, brand-new knives at competitive prices and offer full product warranties. Trust us when we say that you can find the best knife set sales compared to retail knife stores in Australia. If you find that your knives are defective during the warranty period, you can contact our customer service to assist you with any warranty claims. If you’re not fully happy with your online knife purchase, you can simply exchange or get a refund within 90 days of purchase based on the terms and conditions.
Choose from a wide range of kitchen knife sets here at Everten. The number of knives included in a set ranges from two to eight, with some including a knife sharpener, kitchen scissors or a cutting board. If you intend to buy a knife set as a wedding or housewarming gift, choose one in an attractive case or knife bag, but if you are treating yourself, you may be happy with just the knives themselves.
Knife Set Brands we know and love
Global Knife Set
Scanpan
Victorinox
Shun
Wusthof
Furi
Taking care of your knives set
Your knives are meant to last, so with proper maintenance, your knife set will last you for years to come.
After use, hand wash all knives immediately and dry them to prolong its shelf life.
Although some knives are dishwasher safe, it is still recommended to wash them by hand as prolonged water exposure will wear the knives down faster.
Avoid placing your knives anywhere where the blades are exposed to other objects to prevent your blades from going dull or chipping easily.
The best way to ensure your knives are safely stored is to place them in a knife block or a knife guard.
Use a knife sharpening steel or knife sharpener if you prefer to hone your knives (except serrated knives). Choosing the right knife sharpener will help maintain your knives' edges and make them as good as the day you first bought them.
Additional kitchen accessories to consider when purchasing a kitchen knife set
The two most common non-knife tools are kitchen shears for trimming herbs or cutting meat, and knife sharpening steels to maintain your knife’s edge. With these tools, you can easily maintain a well-equipped kitchen.
Knife block—to store and organise all your knives while protecting your knife blades from damage.
Magnetic knife holder— to organise your stainless steel knives and to add an aesthetic appeal to your kitchen.
Knife bags and knife guards—to protect individual knives—ideal for those who don’t own many kitchen knives.
Knife sharpener—to maintain your blade’s edge
Whetstones- a popular type of knife sharpener to easily maintain your knife’s edge
Chopping board—as a protective surface when cutting food and prevents cross-contamination
Frequently Asked Questions when shopping for Knife Sets
What are the most important knives I need when selecting a knife set?
Usually knife sets come in a set of the three most used knives in a kitchen while offering the greatest versatility to perform most kitchen tasks. The most common will be a Chefs knife or sometimes a Santoku knife as these types of knives can handle most prepping tasks from chopping to filleting. A utility knife is frequently featured as these knives have more slender blades, allowing for more control and precision when deboning and performing cutting tasks with smaller ingredients. Lastly, a paring knife is found in most knife sets as they are great for small preparation tasks like cutting fruit, slicing tomatoes or vegetables and chopping herbs which is extra handy, especially if preparing sandwiches or small dishes.
When should I consider a knife set over a knife block set?
This is a question many of our customers tend to ask, particularly when buying a knife set for a gift. Usually, budget is a strong determining factor when a knife set should be selected over a knife block set as we recommend that it is better to buy fewer knives from a higher quality knife brand than a similarly priced knife block set with more knives from a more affordable brand. Another reason to consider a knife set from a knife block set could be if you already have a selection of good knives at home or are limited in space, as a knife block can become cumbersome in smaller kitchens. Should the need for a knife block arise in future, you can always purchase an empty knife block set to store your knives.
