“how to find the best cheap products” — kiplinger
Home » Kitchen » Kitchen Knives » Kitchen Knives Review
Subscribe

Kitchen Knives Review

Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$20
$50
$200
...+
In this review:
  1. Best Kitchen Knives, Cheap Kitchen Knives Sets
  2. Kitchen Knives Review
  3. Discount Kitchen Knives Features Comparison Table

Kitchen Knife Sets Performance

Although there's consensus among home cooks about the value and usefulness of discount cutlery sets, there's also some divergence in users' experience. For any given set of knives, the majority of consumers may rave about sharp edges and ease of cutting, while a few find the knives dull and hard to work with -- or the reverse.

Likewise with other performance characteristics, such as durability and tendency to rust. Overall, users are satisfied with the variety offered in the sets and the high quality/price ratio.

Inexpensive Knife Sets Cutting.

The knives contained in the Ginsu International Traditions set attract scads of positive user comments, many attesting to their quality and cutting edge precision. Ginsu International Traditions reviews on Amazon, for example, stress the sharpness of the serrated blades and their ability to cut most anything, from tomatoes to poultry, although one dissenter gripes that the serrated edges are useless for paring and the big butcher's knife has a comparatively dull, rough edge that can't cut through raw meat. The Miracle Blade III 11-piece set also wins kudos for its outstanding cutting performance; one user mentions in a knife sets review on Target that the knives cut through a piece of steak as if it were a sheet of paper. Cutlery set reviews on Walmart similarly praise the Ronco Rocker Showtime set for the sharpness of its blades, although a few consumers comment that the blades are flimsy and dull. Chicago Cutlery's Santoku knife and paring knife get shout outs in cheap cutlery reviews on Amazon for their light weight and sharp blades that easily cut, chop, and peel vegetables.

Discount Cutlery Sets Durability/Lifespan.

The durability of stainless steel knives largely depends on how clean you keep your knife set. Most kitchen experts and many home cooks urge consumers to hand wash knives rather than putting them in the dishwasher. Many consumer reviewers of low-cost knife sets send up flares about cleaning cheap knives; almost every discount cutlery set has at least one review complaining about rusting, often due to dishwasher cleaning, which can also leave unsightly splotching and dull the edges. Some Ginsu Traditions International users comment on Amazon that knives started rusting after going through the dishwasher, but one cook says she's been committing this sin for well over a year and hasn't noticed any deterioration. Still, it's probably a good idea to avoid the dishwasher altogether no matter which cheap cutlery set you choose.

Review continues below

It's impossible to predict how long a blade will hold its edge. Obviously, the more you use it, the faster it will dull. The cutting surface also matters: hard glass and granite, for example, quickly take their toll on knives while softer surfaces, such as bamboo and some of the newer synthetic and recycled materials, are more forgiving. One satisfied owner of Ronco's cheap knife set notes in a cutlery sets review on Walmart that the set is still in great shape after three years of use. The Ginsu knives are cutting cleanly and easily after months and years of usage, report consumers in knife set reviews on Amazon, although the Only-cookware.com blog says they tend to dull quickly. Consumers also seem satisfied with the durability of the blades in the Chicago Cutlery set, according to knife set reviews on Amazon.

One Final Note: In the kitchen, a knife is essentially an extension of a cook's fingers. Before buying knives, experts recommend picking up/holding knives to see if they're a good fit for your hands. Knives can be superbly crafted and receive rave reviews, but if it feels too small, too large, or in some way uncomfortable in your hand, it won't be very useful regardless of other cooks' experience.

Back to top »
Read user comments below

Best Cheap Kitchen Knives

Ginsu 14 Piece
Gold Medal

Ginsu 14 Piece

 The Ginsu International Traditions 14- piece stainless steel knife set comes with six serrated kitchen knives, six serrated steak knives, kitchen shears, and a natural hardwood storage block. The b lades are commercial-quality Japanese 420J2 stainless steel that extend, full-tang, into triple-riveted Bakelite handles. Users tout these Ginsu knives for their sharpness and precision performance on the cutting board. Read more »
Kitchen Knives Deals
Miracle Blade III
Gold Medal

Miracle Blade III

 Blades in this 11-piece set are stainless steel, rust-resistant, and ergonomically designed to cut through bone, grizzle and cartilage; the set includes a filet knife, boning knife, curved chopper , steak knives, scissors, a wood storage block and wood cutting board. Users like the light weight of the knives and durability of their sharp edges. Read more »
Kitchen Knives Deals

Good Discount Kitchen Knives

Ronco Rocker
Gold Medal

Ronco Rocker

 The Ronco Rocker Showtime Stainless Steel Stamped 20-Piece Knife Set is a full-tang cutlery set made of high carbon 420J2 stainless steel. It includes among other knives, six steak knives, two paring knives, a cheese knife, a utlity knife, as well as kitchen shears and a wooden storage block that includes a sharpener. Satisfied consumers describe these knives as sturdy, sharp, and durable. Read more »
Kitchen Knives Deals
Chicago Cutlery Cabrera
Gold Medal

Chicago Cutlery Cabrera

 Chicago Cutlery Cabrera 12-Piece Knife Set with Block is a full-tang knives set featuring four steak knives, utility knife, Partoku knife, Santoku knife, kitchen shears, and a sharpening steel; the handles are white polymer. Users give these knives points for their handsome appearance and the weight and strength of the forged, high-carbon stainless steel blades, and particularly like the light weight of the Santoku and Partoku knives. Read more »
Kitchen Knives Deals
 
 
Cheapism.com on Facebook
 

Don't Bother Cheap Kitchen Knives

Henckels Everedge 13

The stamped, micro-serrated blades in the stainless steel J.A. Henckels International Everedge 13-Piece knife Set with bonus cheese knife include a chef's knife, tomato knife, six steak knives, and cheese knife with pronged end; the handles are polypropylene and the set also comes with a wood storage block. Many home cooks complain that these knives are flimsy, hard to clean, and not up to Henckels' usual standard. Read more »

Sunbeam 13- Piece Knife Set

The paring knife, utility knife, fruit/vegetable knife, chef's knife and six steak knives in this set have stainless steel, serrated blades that should be hand-washed; the set also features kitchen shears and a pinewood block for storage. Users slam this set for its unappealing appearance, short life span, and poor design. Read more »

 
High Class, Low Cost: Cheap but Fancy Romantic Dinners

Cooking dinner with your loved one is a fun date idea with an additional benefit: You save money on a romantic meal for two.

February 8th Daily Deals - External Hard Drive Deal, Valentine's Day Gifts, and more.

Today we have some great tech deals in addition to our Valentine's day deals.

Cheap Date Ideas for Valentine's Day

Here's our Valentine's Day gift to you: eight romantic date ideas that are fun, creative, and, truth be told, cheap.