When it comes to the production of top-quality knives, Japanese knife sets are undoubtedly the best.
Unlike other models, these ones have unique designs and unmatched craftsmanship. Their blades are made of premium material to enhance precision and accuracy.
Apart from that, they are super sharp, lightweight, and able to maintain their edge for a longer time than their competitors.
I have done detailed research and identified the 7 best Japanese knife block sets that provide better performance all the time from professional hands to home chefs.
A Quick Glance at My Favorites
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best choice
|
|
Shun Classic |
|
Check Price |
Best design
|
|
Global |
|
Check Price |
Best Premium
|
|
Enso |
|
Check Price |
|
Imarku |
|
Check Price | |
|
Dfito |
|
Check Price | |
|
Kessaku |
|
Check Price | |
|
|
Check Price |
01. Shun Classic Japanese 6-piece Slim Knife Set
The Shun Classic 6-piece set comes first on the list as the best Japanese block set on the market.
The set includes a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, multipurpose kitchen shears, 9-inch honing steel, and an 8-slot slim design wooden block.
Each knife contains a VG MAX Cutting Core on each side with 34 layers of stainless steel Damascus Cladding steel. Due to this, the blades are highly durable and they also have excellent edge retention.
These blades have been sharpened at 16 degrees angle on each side to enhance their performance.
They also have a hollow-ground indentation which creates small air pockets to minimize drag to ensure that food is released easily.
Another noticeable feature of the set is the unique waved pattern design. They contain attractive Damascus-clad blades, which feature D-shaped Pakkawood handles. These handles are designed to fit in your hands perfectly.
Their design also prevents the blade from turning. Additionally, they are strong, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant.
02. Global 7-piece Ikasu Japanese Cutlery Set
The Global 7-Piece Japanese block set comes with very advanced features that you can rarely find in other premium knife sets. The most outstanding thing about the set is that all the knives have excellent edge retention.
The blades are made from CROMOVA 18 Stainless steel which is among the finest forms of steel.
This material is hardened and ice-tempered to a Rockwell Hardness of 56 to 58. As a result, the blades retain their sharpness for a long time than other types of steel.
Apart from that, this material is highly rustproof, stain-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. All the blades feature a dimpled handle, which is filled with sand to create the proper balance and safe grip.
In addition, each side of the blade edge is grounded to provide long-lasting razor-sharp performance.
The set contains, (a 4.5-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch Chef’s Utility, and Prep knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5.5-inch Nakiri knife, and a Bamboo/Acrylic knife block). It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
03. Enso 7-piece Japanese Knife Set with Block
Here is another premium Japanese cutlery set on my list is the Enso, which also comes with amazing features to make your cutting job easier.
To start with, the set consists of an (8-inch chef’s knife for dicing, cutting, and slicing vegetables, fruits, etc.
You will also find a 9-inch bread knife, which is sharp enough to cut through tough crusts. This knife features a scalloped edge which enables it to cut crusty cakes and bread very easily.
In addition, there is a 6.5-inch Santoku knife, which you can use to chop, dice, or slice vegetables, or fruits.
It also comes with a 3.25-inch paring knife which is suitable for small tasks such as trimming, peeling, decorating, and chopping small food items like ginger or garlic cloves among other simple tasks.
Other things you will find in this set include a 6-inch utility knife, stainless steel shears, and a 6-slot knife block.
All the knives are handcrafted using Japanese VG 10 37-layer stainless steel to enhance durability.
You will also find that all the knives feature a Sashimi or hammered finish to enhance their design.
For easier use, they all are equipped with a black canvas micarta handle which contains 3 stainless steel rivets.
04. Imarku 16-piece Japanese Kitchen Knife Set
In case you would like to enhance versatility in your kitchen, the Imarku 16-piece kitchen knife set will be worth your money.
Because they are very stylish and have higher durability and any beginner can start cooking with these knives.
The set includes an 8-inch Chef’s knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 5-inch utility knife, a 6-inch chef’s knife, a 3-inch paring knife, (6) 5-inch steak knives, 5.5- inch kitchen scissors, an 8-inch knife sharpener, 8 -inch utility knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch slicing knife, and a wooden knife block. This means that it comes with all tools you would need for cutting in your kitchen.
All the knives in this set are made of top-quality 3CR13MOV high-carbon stainless steel blades to enhance accuracy and precision. This material is highly durable and also resistant to rust, corrosion, and stains.
In order to enhance control and stability, a sturdy bolster is included. Moreover, the handles are made of top-quality Pakkawood which is not only comfortable but also sturdy.
The block features well-carved slots which allow you to retrieve the knives easily.
05. Dfito 10-piece Japanese Kitchen Knives
This multipurpose 10-piece knife set includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch slicer knife, 8-inch utility knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 5-inch Santoku knife, 8-inch bread knife, 7.5-inch cleaver knife, 6-inch boning knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, and 7-inch cleaver knife.
One of the major selling points of these knives is that their blades are laser-tested for sharpness. As a result, they are great for slicing, mincing, and dicing fruits, fish, vegetables, and meat.
In order to enhance durability, this set is made of high-carbon forged stainless steel which contains over 54 Rockwell Hardness. Due to this, all the knives are highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
Again, the blades are hard sharpened to 13-15⁰ on each side. This enables them to maintain their sharpness for a longer time.
In terms of design, this set has an original wooden texture plus a waved laser-etched pattern which gives the knives a stylish and shiny finish.
Unlike other Japanese kitchen knives, this set comes with a protective sheath to enhance your safety.
And each knife features a sturdy bolster to enhance stability and control. Finally, I would say it’s a great knife set under $200 that is less expensive and professional-grade than other expensive models.
06. Kessaku 4-piece Japanese Chefs Knife Set
This set has been specially designed to serve you for many years. It comes with a lifetime warranty which proves its reliability.
It is made from formulated high-carbon 7CR17MOV stainless steel. This material is nonstick and corrosion-resistant meaning that your knives will last for a long time.
The set also features precision-forged blades which are hand-sharpened and handcrafted using a traditional 3-stage Honbazuke method.
These blades have a Rockwell Hardness of 58 to enhance strength, blade edge durability, and flexibility. This also enables them to provide clean and precise cuts.
To make your work easier when cutting, the set is equipped with Pakkawood handles which provide superior grip.
The handles also have an ergonomic design and are well-balanced to ensure that you are very comfortable.
Another outstanding thing about this set is that it has been redesigned using the latest technology to enhance precision and maneuverability.
07. Ginsu 14-piece Traditional Japanese Knife Set
In case you are searching for an affordable and dishwasher-safe knife set, the Ginsu will be an excellent choice for you.
Unlike other sets, this one comes with Purple composite handles which give your dinner table or countertop a fashionable appearance. These handles are very comfortable to hold and easy to clean.
Apart from the stylish design, all the knives are super sharp to make your work easier in the kitchen.
You will also find that all the blades are well-polished to a mirror finish which makes them safe to clean in a dishwasher.
Apart from that, they have a serrated pattern to ensure that they remain sharp forever. These knives are perfect for slicing, dicing, and chopping.
However, this set includes an 8-inch chef knife, (6) 4.5-inch steak knives, a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 4.5-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 5-inch boning knife, a slicer plus a natural wood block. This block allows you to keep your knives sharp and organized.
Things You Should Consider Before Buying
Check out these features when buying a Japanese kitchen knife set. These considerations mean you will get a perfect block set that will give you last longer performance. These are;
Total Knives and Tools
Before you purchase any Japanese block set, you need to think of the cutting tasks you normally do in your kitchen. Since they come as a set of different pieces, you need to check the type of knives available.
This will help you to choose a reliable set that matches your cooking tasks. In order to enhance versatility and productivity in your kitchen, you should consider a set with many pieces of knives and tools including a block.
Good Storage Block
Most knife sets come with a block for storage. This block should be stylish and you should also be able to retrieve your knives easily from it.
You should also check the material used in its construction to ensure that it won’t fade or break down after some time.
Price Range
When it comes to price, Japanese cutlery sets are very expensive. The price range totally depends on the brands and models, but the regular price range can be between $100 to $500 for the best quality Japanese kitchen knife set.
However, if you are on a budget, you can consider cheaper models like the Ginsu Kiso Dishwasher Safe 14 Piece Set, although expensive models are the best.
Blade Materials
Japanese blades are made of different materials which means that you need to check the quality before buying.
The best blades are those made from high-carbon stainless steel. Unlike other types of steel, this material is highly rust and corrosion-resistant due to the presence of stainless steel.
On the other hand, carbon material enhances the durability and strength of the blade.
However, these blades may still rust if exposed to water for a long time which means that you need to be careful on how you store them after cleaning.
Handle Materials and Comfort
The best Japanese knives should be very comfortable to use even for longer periods. Sets that are made of Pakkawood tend to be more stylish and the most comfortable.
This material is a type of human-engineered wood but it is also partially made using plastic resin. Due to the resin material, it is more resistant to water than natural wood.
Weight and Balance
The weight and balance of the knife will determine how well you will be able to control it. The weight of the blade and the handle should be well balanced in such a way that you can use the knife comfortably even for a long time without wrist or hand fatigue.
Easy Cleaning
You don’t need a set that is too difficult to clean. Therefore, you should ensure that the handles and the blades are rust and stain-resistant.
Some models are dishwasher safe although cleaning a Japanese knife set in a dishwasher is a bad idea. You should always hand wash the knives using mild soap and dry them quickly for the best performance.
Final Thoughts
If you are searching for a quality knife set that will give you incredible performance in your kitchen, Japanese knife sets are undoubtedly the best among others.
These ones are well crafted to make your work easier when cutting different food items.
Since they are so many on the market, searching for the best may take you some time.
However, I have already done comprehensive research and identified the best quality Japanese block sets that will give you the best value for your money.
I have built kniveswow.com because as a home chef I know how important kitchen knives are. I use different kitchen knives every day and they always save my time. Here I share my thoughts, experience and knife maintenance tips with you. You can find more info about me.