Lisa
Block or Not?
Now that you understand knife basics, anatomy, what is essential, storage, and maintenance, it's time to decide what you need and what is best for your budget and needs.
Every home cook knows that a good knife can make or break the cooking experience. But when it comes time to invest, the biggest question is: should you buy a complete knife block set or build your collection one knife at a time?
While a shiny set on the counter looks impressive, not all block sets deliver on value or performance. On the flip side, handpicking individual knives gives you more control but requires a little more patience and know-how.
Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can choose the best option for your kitchen and cooking style.
Knife Block Sets: What to Look For
Useful Knives – Buying a block set is the quickest way to fill your counter with knives. But not all sets are created equal. Many include a dozen or more pieces, but half of them may be steak knives or specialty blades you’ll rarely touch. Instead of chasing quantity, focus on the essentials: a chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated bread knife. A utility or santoku knife is a nice bonus.
Materials – Look for high-carbon stainless steel blades that hold their edge, and pay attention to balance and comfort in the handle. These are tools you’ll use daily. Some blocks even include built-in sharpeners, which can be a timesaver. A good block keeps everything safe, sharp, and within reach, but don’t be lured in by filler knives you’ll never use.
Price – Knife block sets can vary widely in cost. On the budget end, you can find starter sets for as little as $50–$100, though these often use lower-grade steel and may not stay sharp for long. Mid-range sets from reputable brands typically fall in the $150–$300 range and balance quality with value. High-end sets, especially those from premium makers like Wüsthof, Shun, or Global, can run $400 to thousands of dollars, depending on the number of knives included and the craftsmanship.
Cuisinart Stainless Steel Hollow Handle 15-Piece Cutlery Block Set
Original price was: $99.95.$79.95Current price is: $79.95. -20%
Wüsthof Gourmet 11-Piece Knife Block Set, Beech Wood
Original price was: $450.00.$249.00Current price is: $249.00. -45%
Build a Collection One at a Time
Buy What You Use Most – If you’d rather go the custom route, start with the basics. A quality chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated bread knife will cover nearly every task. From there, you can add specialty knives, like a boning knife, santoku, or nakiri, if and when your cooking style demands them.
Flexible Spending – Buying individually allows you to invest more money in the knives you use every day and save on the ones that rarely leave the drawer. It also opens the door to mixing and matching different brands.
Henckels Forged Accent, Hollow Edge Santoku Knife 5 Inch
Original price was: $34.99.$31.99Current price is: $31.99. -9%
One Brand vs. Mix and Match
- Stick with one brand if you like consistency. Knives from the same maker typically share the same handle design, blade angle, and balance, making switching between them seamless. Plus, they look sharp (pun intended) lined up together, and some brands offer warranties or sharpening perks if you buy a full set.
- Mix and match if you want the best of each type. Different makers shine in different categories—Wüsthof for chef’s knives, Victorinox for bread knives, Shun for santokus. This approach also gives you flexibility to spend more on your daily workhorse knives while saving on others.
There’s no wrong choice. It all comes down to your cooking habits and budget. If you want an instant, cohesive set that looks great on your counter, a well-chosen block set can be perfect. But if you’d rather build a personalized collection that gives you the best of each category, mixing and matching individual knives is a smart move.
Either way, remember: a sharp, comfortable knife you actually use will always be more valuable than a dozen dull ones sitting in a block.
Read More
Part 1: The Basics
Part 2: The Essentials
Part 3: Spend Wisely
Part 4: Storage Matters
Part 5: Dull = Danger
Part 6: Sharpening 101
Part 7: Professional Sharpening
Part 9: Knife Skills
