8 Most Popular Knife Sets Under $500 in 2023

You will find something special in a premium quality knife set for under $500. Because those block sets come with some premium knives and tools that you will never find in a cheaper model. They will give you the last longer performance that will make you happy every day in your kitchen.

However, in this article, I have reviewed 8 block sets that come from different brands. I hope this complete guide will help you to choose a set of knives that you are looking for many days. So without delay let’s open the box and see what’s inside there!

Comparison of My Favorite Picks

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01. Dalstrong 18-piece Premium Block Set

As compared to other block sets under $500, the DALSTRONG 18 Pc set will give you the best value for your money. It is equipped with fantastic features to make your kitchen work swift and convenient.

To start with, the set is forged from a one-piece high-carbon material which means that it is resistant to wear and corrosion. It also boasts a Rockwell hardness of 56+ meaning that the blades are extremely sharp.

The edges are hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees on each side which enables them to maintain their edge for a longer time. The set is precisely tapered to enhance durability, flexibility, and hardness.

It comes with different knives including a 9-inch bread knife, a 9-inch slicer knife, an 8.5-inch Kirituse Chef’s Knife, a 7-inch Nakiri knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, (6) 5-inch steak knives, 2.75-inch bird’s beak paring knife, a 6-inch boning knife, a 6-inch serrated utility knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch chef knife, 10-inch gladiator series honing steel and a homemade acacia wooden block.

The hand-polished blades contain a satin finish which gives the set a stylish look. It also features a polished spine which gives you a comfortable grip.

Also Read: 7 Most Sold Knife Sets Under $100 in 2022

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Multiple knives and tools
Full-tang design
Strong ABS polymer handles
Stainless steel end-caps
Easy to clean
It comes with a protective bolster[/i2pros][i2cons]Heavy and big block[/i2cons][/i2pc]

02. Wusthof Gourmet 16-piece Set

This set is made in Solingen Germany by one of the best brands which have been on the market for more than 200 years. The set boasts a high-carbon stainless steel construction meaning that it is highly resistant to corrosion and dulling.

Apart from that, it has incredible edge retention which means that you do not need to re-sharpen it frequently. It also comes with all the tools you might require to prepare different foods.

The tools included are a 2.5-inch paring knife, a 2.75-inch trimming knife, a 4.5-inch utility knife, a 2.25-inch peeling knife, a 3-inch spear point paring knife, a 5-inch spreader, an 8-inch bread knife, a 9-inch honing steel, (4) 4.5-inch steak knives, a 5-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch cook’s knife, kitchen shears, hollow edge and a 15-slot Acacia block.

In terms of design, these knives are very stylish and are also easy to maintain. If you are always interested in a premium quality block set this one would be a great collection for your every penny.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Excellent edge retention
Durable construction
They are very sharp
Made by a reputable brand
Stylish design[/i2pros][i2cons]This is not beginner friendly[/i2cons][/i2pc]

03. Shun Classic 6-piece Japanese Set

In terms of performance, the Shun Classic 6-Piece Japanese knife set is among the most reliable options you should consider.

One of the most outstanding things about it is that it features an advanced VG-MAX Cutting Core which contains up to 34 layers. It also boasts a Rockwell hardness of 60-61 which means that the blades are extremely sharp.

These blades are hand-sharpened and they also have a Japanese double-bevel of 16 degrees on each side. As a result, they provide a better cutting performance than most of their competitors.

Apart from that, they also have durable Damascus stainless steel cladding to enhance their appearance.

The set comes with a 3.5-inch paring knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 9-inch combination honing steel, 8-slot slim design wooden block, and multi-purpose kitchen shears.

In order to enhance comfort, the knives are equipped with a D-shaped Pakkawood handle which is strong, durable, and moisture resistant.

If you always love Japanese knives you should look for this set, because they are one of the most popular Japanese knife manufacturers.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Comfortable handle
VG-MAX core for edge retention
Durable and resistant to corrosion
Damascus stainless steel cladding
Sturdy and moisture-resistant D-shaped handles
Easy to clean[/i2pros][i2cons]Limited tools[/i2cons][/i2pc]

04. Global Takshi 7-piece Block Set

If you are searching for a stylish knife block set under $500, this global knife set will be a great choice. It comes with ergonomic and stainless steel handles which gives it an outstanding appearance.

The unit comes with an 8.5-inch bread knife, 8-inch chef knife, 5.5-inch vegetable knife, 4.25-inch utility knife, 3-inch peeler, and 8.5-inch ceramic sharpening rod.

All the knives contain sand-filled hollow handles which provide an excellent weight balance as well as control. You will find that the stainless handles feature a signature dimple pattern which provides a non-slip grip and comfort.

The set is made in Japan meaning that it has an outstanding quality. If you love cooking, these knives will give you superior performance when slicing and chopping different ingredients.

You also need to be careful when using them because the blades are extremely sharp. When it comes to maintenance, these knives are very easy to clean since you only need to hand-wash them after use.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Razor sharpness
Well balanced
Unique design
Non-slip stainless steel handles
Great edge retention[/i2pros][i2cons]It has no steak and paring knife[/i2cons][/i2pc]

05. Zwilling Dishwasher Safe Block Set 19-piece

Zwilling J. A Henckels Twin Signature 19-piece knife set is made in Germany. The set includes a 5-inch serrated knife, 2.5-inch peeling knife, 4-inch utility/paring knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 4.5-inch utility knife, 9-inch sharpening steel, 6-inch sandwich/utility knife, (8) 4.5-inch steak knives, 7-inch santoku knife, kitchen shears, and a block.

All the knives are precision-stamped from one-piece and top-quality German steel. This makes the knives durable, lightweight, and sharp.

It also makes them resistant to stains and chipping. They are also made from ice-hardened materials which provide incredible sharpness and performance all the time.

In order to give you an excellent cutting angle, they feature a laser-controlled edge which also ensures that they don’t lose their sharpness. Apart from that, they come with triple-riveted and ergonomic handles which makes them easy to use.

The polymer-based handles have a full-tang design to give you maximum control when cutting. They are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, but hand washing can extend the blade performance.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]One-piece stamped construction
Razor-sharp and ice-hardened blades
Rockwell hardness of 57
Triple-riveted handles
Laser-controlled edge
Dishwasher safe[/i2pros][i2cons]They are not forged[/i2cons][/i2pc]

06. Cangshan TS Series 17-piece Set

As compared to many commercial block sets under $500, this Cangshan knife set will give you the best value for your money.

It comes with a 6-inch boning knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 5-inch tomato knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 2.75-inch peeling knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife 8-inch honing knife, 9-inch 2-piece shears. (6) 5-inch straight-edge steak knives and a solid walnut block.

These knives are made of high-alloy Swedish Sandvik 14C28N steel which holds an edge 5 times better than the German X50CRMOV15 Steel.

This material provides unmatched edge retention and is highly resistant to stains and corrosion. It also contains ice-hardened blades for long-lasting sharpness.

In addition, it goes through a multi-step ULTRA 6 heat treatment process to ensure that it meets the highest standard in terms of quality. All the knives have an elegant design which gives your kitchen an amazing look.

Another great thing about this set is that it is “NSF Certified” and it also comes with a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturer defects.

Also Read: Enjoy My 6 Favorite Knife Sets That Never Needs Sharpening

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Unmatched edge retention
Highly resistant to stains and corrosion
Full-tang and patented design
Ice-hardened blades
Durable construction
NSF Certified
Lifetime warranty[/i2pros][i2cons]Steak knives are not serrated[/i2cons][/i2pc]

07. TUO 17-piece Kitchen Knife Set

The TUO knife block set is one of the most useful tools that will give you great performance in your kitchen.

It is very versatile meaning that you can use it for slicing, chopping, mincing, cutting, and dicing and you can also use it to process different ingredients such as cheese, bread, fruits, fish, vegetable, meat, etc.

In terms of construction, it is forged from German high-carbon stainless steel using advanced technology, which gives it an exceptional hardness of HRC56±2.

All the blades are hand-polished for sharpness and edge retention. As a result, you can use the set to cut both soft and hard ingredients.

However, it comes with a 10-inch chef’s knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 12-inch slicing knife, 6.5-inch meat cleaver knife, 8-inch bread knife, 7-inch boning knife, 8-inch steak knife, 5-inch utility knife, 6.5-inch Nakiri knife, 2.75-inch bird beak paring knife, straight blade steak knife set, 8-inch sharpening steel, kitchen shears, and an 8-inch tomato knife. The set has a practical and functional design which makes it ideal for home and restaurant use.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Razor-sharp edge
Comfortable and ergonomic handle
Beautiful craftsmanship
Highly efficient and convenient
Ideal for cutting all types of ingredients
Incredible weight balance[/i2pros][i2cons]Not dishwasher safe[/i2cons][/i2pc]

08. XINZUO He Series 5-piece Damascus Steel Set

This knife set consists of 67 layers of high-carbon Damascus steel plus 10 CR core. The 10CR core makes the blade strong and stable which means that they are built to last.

These blades have a hardness of 62 HRC meaning that they are super sharp. Their razor-sharp edge can last for many months meaning that you don’t need to sharpen them frequently even when using them every day.

Apart from that, they have strong anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties to enhance durability.  For easier use, all the knives are equipped with ergonomic handles which are very comfortable to hold. These handles have a luxurious finish to enhance aesthetics.

As compared to other knife sets I have reviewed in this article, this one is the cheapest, meaning that it is the best for those who are searching for an affordable model. The set comes with a utility knife, santoku knife, paring knife, Nakiri knife, and a chef knife.

[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Ergonomic handle
Made of durable material
Unique Damascus steel blade pattern
Rockwell hardness of 62HRC
Budget-friendly
Lifetime warranty against defect[/i2pros][i2cons]Lacks important tools like bread knife[/i2cons][/i2pc]

Key Things to Consider

Below are some of the features you should check when searching for the best quality block set under $500.

Total Pieces

The first thing you need to check is the number of items available in the set. If you want to get the best value for your money, you should consider a block set with many pieces.

You also need to check if it has all the important knives you may require every day in your kitchen like a chef knife, santoku knife, fillet knife, boning knife, bread knife, slicer, cleaver, nakiri or deba knife.

Blade Construction

The quality of the blade is determined by the materials used in the construction. Most blades are made of carbon steel and stainless steel.

Carbon steel blades are easy to sharpen and they also have better edge retention than stainless steel blades.

On the other hand, stainless steel blades are resistant to corrosion, but they dull easily and are not easy to sharpen.

Handle Design and Comfort

You may have a block set with very sharp blades but if the handle is not comfortable, the set might be of no use.

Therefore, you need to ensure that the handle has a non-slip and ergonomic design. A set with triple-riveted handles will be a great option.

Full-Tang and Half Tang

A full-tang blade extends up to the end of the handle while a half-tang blade stops at the middle of where the handle starts.

Full-tang blades provide a balanced weight meaning that they give you better control than the half-tang blade knives.

Weight

Lightweight knives are easier to handle than heavier ones. However, you need to ensure that they are sturdy enough before buying. Nowadays, you can easily find a lightweight model that has all the features of heavier knife sets.

Balance

You need to ensure that the set you have chosen has an excellent weight distribution between the blade and the handle. A well-balanced knife will give you maximum control when cutting.

With such a knife, you don’t need to apply a lot of effort when cutting. A balanced knife will also prevent your wrist, hand, and forearm from straining.

Storage Block

A storage block allows you to store your knives in a convenient manner since they contain slots for every knife. As a result, they protect the blades from rust and corrosion issues.

However, some blocks might be too big meaning that they may take up much of your kitchen space.

Apart from the size, you also need to check the design of the storage block and the material used in its construction. Make sure that the storage block is stylish and sturdy.

Easy to Clean

Since you will need to clean the knives frequently when cutting food items, you need a set that is easy to clean.

A dishwasher-safe knife set will be a good option but you need to be careful since the quality and durability of the knives can be affected when cleaning in a dishwasher.

Price

Knife sets come at different prices but the best features are usually the expensive ones. Some even cost over $1000 but you don’t need to go for very expensive ones when you can still find excellent models under $500.

Warranty

When buying an expensive knife set, you need to ensure that it will give you the best value for your money. In this regard, you should look for a model with a lifetime warranty.

Wrapping Up

There are so many knife sets on the market but if you are searching for the best knife set under $500, the Wusthof Gourmet and  DALSTRONG block set will give you unmatched value for your money.

Unlike other sets under $500, these two models are also classy, sharp, comfortable, and durable which means that they are indeed the best. They also come with many tools to enhance versatility in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best chef’s knife for most cooks in 2023 for a home or a restaurant?

From my experience and continuous knife market research, I’ve found that the most versatile, highly recommended chef’s knife in 2023 is undoubtedly the Misen Chef’s Knife. This 8-inch wonder strikes a balance between performance, durability, and value for money. It features a light construct that doesn’t sacrifice strength, making it a delight to both experienced chefs and novices learning the ropes. Its maneuverability is especially endearing, giving users of all skill levels greater control while chopping, slicing, or dicing, thereby minimizing accidents significantly. So whether you’re just starting to explore culinary arts or a seasoned kitchen maestro looking for a reliable backup, the Misen Chef’s Knife is a compelling choice.

What is the best knife set that won’t break the bank?

Answer Pending…

What are the 3 most common knives?

Culinary experts agree that there are three critical knives that any kitchen shouldn’t be without. The chef’s knife, a favorite for its versatility, should always be at your fingertips. It’s designed for an array of kitchen tasks, including chopping vegetables, slicing meat and fine mincing. Next, the serrated knife (bread knife) is a must-have. Its serrated edges effortlessly slice through baked goods without squishing them – perfect for bread, tomatoes, and delicate cakes. Lastly, the small but mighty paring knife is equipped for more precise, intricate tasks such as deseeding peppers or peeling fruit.

What is a good price for a knife set?

Buying a knife set is more of a long-term investment and not just another kitchen expenditure. You are purchasing a tool that, if chosen wisely, will serve you for many years to come. For a high-quality knife set that also includes a storage solution, you should be prepared to shell out anywhere between $100 and $700. Naturally, the price will significantly be influenced by the number of pieces in the set, the material, the brand, and other add-on features.