What to Buy Gift Guides The 25 Best Knife Gifts for Home Cooks, Tested and Reviewed From editor-favorite kitchen shears to stylish block sets, these top picks are practical and versatile. By Laura Denby Laura Denby Laura Denby is a food writer and chef with six years of professional culinary experience. Find her work in Real Simple, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 23, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Dera Burreson Knives are every chef's most-used kitchen tool. They're easy to store, easy to clean, and incredibly functional. Most chefs would agree that at the most basic level, a sturdy chef's knife is the only tool you really need. But like any commonly used kitchen tool, knives are notorious for taking a beating. With lots of use comes lots of wear and tear, so upgrading your knives is always a good idea. And if you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for your favorite home cook, knives are a guaranteed way to please even the pickiest shoppers. Whether you opt for a set of steak knives or a brand-new chef's knife, these gifts are both practical and versatile. When shopping for a knife gift, consider how often you'll use it and for what type of tasks. If you want something small and nimble for daily vegetable prep, a sharp paring knife is a great option. If you want a multifunctional workhorse that can tackle any task, it's worth investing in a durable, all-purpose chef's knife. While the style of the knife is important, aesthetics and weight also play major roles. If you plan to use your knife frequently, make sure it is lightweight, easy to store, and easy to clean. Heavy knives can put a strain on your hands and wrists, making simple tasks feel more challenging than they should. Read on for the best knife gifts to give and get this year. Mac Knife 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef's Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Cutleryandmore.com A high-quality chef's knife is the best gift a home cook can receive. We put many of the leading models to work in our test kitchen, and the Mac Mighty Professional 8-inch knife wowed us with its sharp blade and slip-free handle, winning it the coveted title of Best Overall. This Japanese-style knife is lightweight and super sharp, but it's also heavy-duty and durable. It easily slices through tough tomato skins and dense vegetables, and it helps achieve precise cuts like brunoise or julienne. Price at time of publish: $140 Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Saveur Selects 2-Piece Santoku and Paring Knife Set, Forged German Steel Amazon View On Amazon View On Cangshancutlery.com For Japanese knife enthusiasts, a good Santoku knife is an essential tool to have in your kitchen arsenal. This versatile, multipurpose knife will serve any home cook well in a variety of kitchen tasks, from mincing and chopping to slicing and dicing. We love this 2-piece set from Saveur Selects for its sleek, hand-crafted design. It's forged from German steel with an ergonomic, full tang handle, and it's made in partnership with Cangshan Cutlery, so you can rest easy knowing it's of the highest quality. Price at time of publish: $60 Wüsthof Gourmet Steak Knife Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table Every steak lover needs a trusty set of steak knives, and this editor-loved set from Wusthof is reliable, durable, and sharp. The laser-cut, high-carbon steel blades are sharp enough that they don't need serrations, and the blade itself is resistant to staining and corrosion. A triple-riveted, full tang handle makes them extra sturdy, so you can slice through even tougher cuts of meat. Price at time of publish: $285 We Tested and Found the 6 Best Steak Knife Sets for Better Dining Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Maintaining sharp chef's knives is a challenge made easier with a reliable whetstone. Though there are many styles to choose from, our editors love this option because it's functional and affordable. Two grit sizes make it easy to achieve a refined edge, and a nonslip base adds safety and security. An included angle guide helps users maintain the right amount of pressure at the exact angle necessary for sharpening. Price at time of publish: $40 Opinel No. 08 Stainless Steel Mushroom Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On REI This handy gadget is the perfect knife gift for an adventurous home cook. Designed for foraging mushrooms, the folding knife has a sharp blade at one end and a soft brush at the other, meant for dusting dirt off wild mushrooms. Made from stainless steel with a beechwood handle, it's a simple, sturdy, and easy-to-use gift for someone who already has a kitchen full of culinary gadgets. Price at time of publish: $34 Material The Good Shears Material Kitchen View On Anthropologie View On Materialkitchen.com These kitchen shears are sharp and chic, so they're a great gift for any home cook with a stylish kitchen. They're made from German stainless steel for extra durability, and the blades are micro-serrated to cut through tough pieces of meat. Silicone grippers make them easy and comfortable to hold even during challenging tasks. They're dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, too. Price at time of publish: $35 Global 5-Piece Teikoku Knife Acrylic Block Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Crate & Barrel Global makes industry-approved knives that chefs love. Thanks to the full-tang blade and textured grip, they're super easy to hold and use, which makes them an approachable option for home cooks, too. This five-piece set makes a striking knife block, thanks to the acrylic case that holds the knives. This set features all you need to tackle a variety of tasks in the kitchen — a utility knife, a vegetable knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, a bread knife, and a bamboo block. Price at time of publish: $250 The 7 Best Knife Sets for 2023, According to Our Tests Laguiole 3-Piece Cheese Knife Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Crate & Barrel Specialty cheeses deserve special knives for cutting and serving. This 3-piece set is chic and elegant, so it'll make a functional and attractive accessory on your cheese board. The stainless steel blades are dishwasher-safe and come encased in a convenient wood block that makes for easier storage. These editor-loved knives come with a 4.5-inch knife and a 2.5-inch spreader, both of which are perfect for softer cheeses. Price at time of publish: $48 Shun Kazahana 5-Piece Knife Block Set Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Shun's Japanese-style knives are beloved by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Thanks to a full-tang blade that's handmade and laser-cut, the sharp edges are long-lasting and easy to maintain. The Pakkawood handles are designed to sit comfortably and securely in your hand so that you can feel safe cutting into dense vegetables and tough cuts of meat. This five-piece set includes a 3.5-inch-paring knife, a 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, 9-inch honing steel, and a bamboo block. Price at time of publish: $370 Checkered Chef Mezzaluna Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Chopped salad lovers will appreciate this mezzaluna knife, ideal for chopping lettuce and herbs. Meant to rock back and forth, it's an easy way to chop greens quickly without putting extra strain on your wrist. It's affordable and dishwasher-safe, and the stainless steel blade comes with a convenient safety cover. A textured, slip-free handle provides stability, even when working with slippery vegetables or herbs. Price at time of publish: $13 Hide & Drink 5 Pocket Leather Knife Roll Amazon View On Amazon For the home cook who treats their chef's knife like a member of the family, treat them to a stylish and functional leather knife roll. Fitted with five pockets, this premium leather roll is hand-cut and expertly stitched for added elegance and stability. It's a stylish way to store and tote knives, and it's the perfect way to accessorize your favorite apron. Price at time of publish: $65 Shun Hikari Carving Set Sur la table View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table This gorgeous set deserves to be the center of every special-occasion meal. The elegant knife features 71 layers of high-carbon, high-chromium steel to create a "hornet's nest" pattern on the blade, which helps to reduce friction and ensure clean, effortless slicing. Both the knife and fork are made with a birch Pakkawood handle to ensure a steady, sturdy grip and added comfort for both left- and right-handed cooks. Price at time of publish: $330 Shun Classic 19-Piece Knife Block Set Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma For a seriously impressive knife set that will wow both professional cooks and home cooks alike, this 19-piece set from Shun is a showstopper. Equipped with three chef's knives, six steak knives, and everything in between, this all-inclusive option delivers the high-quality, super-sharp knives that Shun is known for. Pakkawood handles are designed to resist moisture and sit comfortably in your hand, while the microclad blade is designed to stay sharper for longer. Price at time of publish: $2,000 Wüsthof In-Drawer 7-Slot Knife Storage Amazon View On Amazon View On Crate & Barrel Knife blocks are stylish on the countertop, but they can be dangerous if you have young kids in your house. This ingenious knife rack lays horizontally inside your drawer, keeping sharp knives stored safely in an organized, streamlined way. Made from oak, it can accommodate three 10-inch blades and four 6-inch blades. It's an efficient and functional knife gift for anyone who has a messy utensil drawer and could benefit from some organization. Price at time of publish: $40 Made In Oyster Shucker Courtesy of Made In View On Madeincookware.com This specialty knife is the perfect gift for seafood lovers. There's nothing better than freshly-shucked oysters, and this handy knife lets you tackle the arduous task yourself. Made with a textured walnut wood handle and high carbon stainless steel blade, it feels sturdy in your hand even when handling super-slippery oysters. The blade comes to a small point, which makes it easier to get into tight crevices. Price at time of publish: $49 Misen Paring Knife Misen View On Amazon View On Misen.co Next to a chef's knife, a paring knife is one of the most important tools a cook can have. They're small and nimble, so they're great for tackling tedious tasks like peeling vegetables, coring apples, or mincing garlic. Out of all the paring knives we've tested, our editors love this knife from Misen the best. It's sturdy and sharp, but better yet, it's perfectly affordable. Price at time of publish: $35 Shun Classic Chef's 8-Inch Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table If you're at a loss for what to gift your favorite home cook, remember that you can never go wrong with a chef's knife. Shun offers high-quality knives that are lightweight and super sharp. This is an all-purpose knife, which means it's great for a variety of kitchen tasks. It's perfect for slicing vegetables, butchering meat, or dicing fruit. Best of all, the Pakkawood handle is durable and easy to grip for both left- and right-handed cooks. Price at time of publish: $170 Misen Essentials Knife Set Courtesy of Misen View On Misen.com To equip your favorite home cook with every knife they need all in one convenient gift, look to Misen's Essential Knife set. It comes with a chef's knife, paring knife, and serrated knife, so you can handle any kitchen task, like butchering chicken, slicing bread, or dicing onions. The perfect gift for beginners and advanced cooks alike, these knives are sharp and sturdy, making for an easy way to upgrade your equipment. Price at time of publish: $230 The Three Kitchen Knives You Actually Need Chef'sChoice ProntoPro Manual Knife Sharpener Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart The most important thing to remember about any knife is that the sharper it is, the safer and more functional it will be. Maintaining a sharp edge on your kitchen knives is essential to being an efficient cook. Out of all the knife sharpeners we've tested, our editors found this one to be the most versatile and valuable. It works on both straight-edge and serrated blades and lets you sharpen at precise angles with more control. Price at time of publish: $32 Zwilling Pro 9-inch Bread Knife Z15 Serration Zwilling View On Amazon View On Sur La Table View On Williams-Sonoma From sourdough to challah, bread is notoriously difficult to cut with a standard knife, so having a dedicated bread knife makes slicing into all kinds of loaves much easier. Our editors love this knife more than any other we've tested, thanks to its large blade and comfortable handle. The scalloped serrations promise to slice through tough crusts without crushing the fluffy bread inside. Price at time of publish: $140 Dalstrong Butcher's Breaking Cimitar Knife - Gladiator Series 10-Inch Slicer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Dalstrong.com For any home chef who's looking to take their butchering to the next level, this Dalstrong cimitar-style breaking knife would make a great gift. It's ideal for a number of meat-prepping tasks, including breaking, sectioning, and portioning. Chefs love it for its sharp and durable blade whose wide, curved shape makes it easy to make cuts close to the bone. And it even serves well for effortlessly trimming the fat from all your favorite cuts. Price at time of publish: $90 Aomiesen Home Kitchen Magnetic Knife Block Holder Amazon View On Amazon Traditional knife blocks take up quite a bit of counter space. And for the knife enthusiast with a large collection of cutlery and limited square footage, you'd be surprised just how quickly it can run out. This attractive magnetic knife block is double-sided and allows you to store your knives flat, saving valuable kitchen space and looking good while doing it. It's made of solid acacia wood and treated with natural vegetable oil, so it's a durable, space-saving pick that would fit in well with any kitchen aesthetic. Price at time of publish: $40 KastKing 9-Inch Fillet Knife Amazon View On Amazon For the home cook who loves their seafood and frequently breaks down whole fish at home, it's essential to have a good fillet knife on hand. This 9-inch knife by KastKing will make easy work of larger fish like tuna and salmon, which typically require added blade length for extra-precise cuts, and its polymer-coated handle will help you maintain a firm grip as you slice. It even comes with a protective sheath, which makes it great for taking on the go and will also ensure that its sleek black finish stays in pristine condition. Price at time of publish: $30 Wusthof 10-Inch Sharpening Steel Amazon View On Amazon View On Sur La Table Keeping your knives from going dull requires regular maintenance and upkeep, which is where a good honing steel comes into play. This tool will keep your knives in good shape in between more in-depth sharpening by realigning the blade for safer, clean cuts. This sharpening steel by Wusthof is lightweight and made of alloy steel for quick and effortless conditioning of all your favorite cutting tools. And we think it would make a perfect knife gift for any home chef. Price at time of publish: $37 Waring WEK200 Cordless Rechargeable Electric Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair It's easy to underestimate the utility of a good electric knife. While they may not always come in handy for everyday use, they're great to have on hand for more in-depth tasks like carving large cuts of meat or cutting through delicate loaves of artisan bread. This cordless electric knife by Waring would be great for both beginner home chefs and pros alike, and its cord-free build and sturdy carrying case make it ideal for bringing along to make quick work of carving the ham and turkey at your next holiday gathering. Price at time of publish: $245 Our Expertise Laura Denby is a food and drink writer with a degree in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of experience working in professional kitchens in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Hamptons. She has worked as both a catering chef and private chef, but now she utilizes her professional culinary experience to create thoughtful and informative product reviews that aim to help home cooks become more efficient in the kitchen. You can find more of Laura's writing at FoodNetwork.com, Saveur, Forbes Vetted, and Taste of Home. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit