Finding the best knife block set can be a challenge. Finding one that is under 200 dollars and still good quality is even harder. The price point can allow you to get some forged knives which are superior or more carbon steel knives which are still respectable. We found the best knife block set in this price range to be the J.A. Henckels 35344-016 16 piece knife block set. It comes primarily with high quality forged knives although the steak knives are simply stamped metal. The workhorse knives are high caliber and about the best that can be found in this price point. We didn’t stop once we found this set however. We have a couple additional recommendations worth considering. Continue reading to learn about a couple of knife sets that we consider a little lower quality but a better bang for the buck.
Our Number One Pick:
J.A. Henckels 35344-016 International CLASSIC 16-pc Knife Block Set
The J.A. Henckles 35344-016 Knife Block Set is our pick for the best knife block set that still slides under the 200 dollars limit. As of the writing of this review the price is just under 200 dollars but retails for hundreds more. If you’re thinking of purchasing soon you may want to go ahead and pull the trigger on this set. These blades are forged and not stamped metal making them incredibly durable. They have riveted handles for better durability. The handles are ergonomically designed and made of a higher quality material than some similar knife sets.
The knife block has slots for 19 total knives although there are only 16 knives included allowing you to expand your knife set. It should be noted that the steak knives included with the set are not forged and stamped. They obviously aren’t the same quality but they are reasonably good for eating with. This is a compromise for getting the price point of this set down below 200 dollars.
Set includes:
- 4″ Parer/Utility Knife
- 5″ Serrated Utility Knife
- 7″ Fork
- 8″ Carving Knife
- 8″ Chef’s Knife
- 8 x 4″ Steak Knives (stamped)
- 9″ Sharpening Steel
- Kitchen Shears
Runner Up:
Wusthof Gourmet 18 Piece Acacia Knife Cutlery Block Set 9718-6
The Wusthof Gourmet 18 Piece Acacia Knife Cutlery Block Set is more complete than the J.A. Henckels with 2 more knives but the compromise here is the knife quality isn’t quite as good. While only the steak knives in the J.A. Henckels set were stamped, the entire Wusthof set is stamped. They are made of a high carbon stainless steel which is better than plain stainless steel at holding a sharp edge. Not quite as good as forged steel but still quality knives none the less. If you’re more interested in a more well rounded set than having forged knives this set is a great alternative to our number one pick. Like our number one pick however, the handles are high quality material and riveted.
Set includes:
- peeling knife
- paring knife
- trimming knife
- spear point paring knife
- utility knife
- six steak knives
- spreader
- santoku
- bread knife
- cook’s knife
- sharpening steal
- kitchen shears
Worth Considering:
Victorinox Forschner Swiss Classic 14-piece Walnut Swivel Knife Block Set
The classic Swiss Made Victorinox Forschner Classic 14-piece knife block set comes with a walnut knife block on a swivel base which is a nice differentiator. Like the Wusthof knives, the blades are stamped from high carbon stainless steel. The handles of these knives are not riveted like the Wusthof or J.A. Henckles but are designed to be more slip resistant. This set unfortunately only comes with 14 knives but they are classic Swiss Victorinox quality.
Set Includes:
- 3.25-inch Paring Knife
- 4.5-inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8.25-inch Bread Knife
- 10-inch Sharpening Steel
- Six 4.5-inch Serrated Steak Knives
- Come-Apart Kitchen Shears
Additional Information:
Things To Keep In Mind
What is the difference between forged and stamped knives?
Forged knives made from single blocks of metal and pounded into the proper shape. This creates a denser and heavier knife. The process also makes a knife that will hold its edge better. Stamped knives are simply pressed out of a sheet of metal and then heat treated to increase edge durability.
How knives should be stored?
Knives should be stored in a way that not only protects you from accidentally cutting yourself but also protects the sharpness of the blade so that it doesn’t prematurely dull and require sharpening. A knife block is an excellent method for storing knifes to protect both you and the blade edge.
How should you wash knives?
Carefully hand wash knives with soap and water. Never leave them in the bottom of your sink full of water to prevent you from accidentally cutting yourself. Never was your knives in the dishwasher as the jostling around can wear and dull the knife edge.
Other Resources:
Helpful Links
Wrapping Up:
Best Knife Set For The Money - Knife Block Sets Under $200
While we picked the J.A. Henckles Knife Block Set as the best knife block set that was able to be purchased for under 200 dollars. We should point out that the Wusthof knife block set is the best bang for the buck. None of the knives are forged steel but they are high carbon content stainless steel which is very respectable. The Wusthof set comes with more knives for the same price. Given that it comes with a sharpening rod, it should be more than adequate for the average home chef. You’ll just need to keep the sharpening rod a little more handy than you would with the J.A. Henckles set. If either of these sets don’t appeal to you for one reason or the other, happen to be sold out, or one of your bigger concerns are non slip knife handles then the Victorinox knife block set is an excellent alternative. They’re also high carbon content stainless steel knives but not forged and the number of knives is low compared to the others but this is still a high quality knife set. Good luck and happy slicing.