Amazon Basics 18 Pieces Premium High-Carbon Stainless Steel Blades with Pine Wood Knife Block Set,Kitchen, Black

It was past time to replace my dollar store chef knife with a decent set with a bread knife and no steak knives. I first looked at Wüsthof as I always liked that brand, but never owned any. I used a borrowed paring knife for a while and was impressed with the quality. My line cooking time is over and though I would have liked to have a set of forged Wüsthofs, the price was too much for occasional use. My favorite chef knife was a 10" wide Victorinox/Forschner until it got stolen. I replaced it with an 8" version, but it was not wide and felt very different. Still my first choice for stamped high-carbon stainless steel blades. Again, the price for a set was a bit high for use once in a while.I spotted the Amazon Basics 9-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Block Set. Wait. A forged high carbon stainless steel knife set for that price? I read through all the reviews even the one with the picture of the broken knife, the set seems to be a good buy. Certainly better than a dollar-store knife and a few dollars more than an empty knife block.While I haven't given them a good workout on food yet, I can tell they are very good given the price. I would have liked the chef's knife to be a bit wider, but I can live with it as is. I tried the index finger and thumb holding test on the chef knife and it was comfortable, but not so much on the Santoku knife. I am new to the Santoku Knife. I guess I would hold and use it more like a cleaver. The knives all feel pretty sharp out of the box, though like nearly all new knives, they need some fine-tuning to be really sharp.Sure they are not a top-name branded knife set and if I was still a working line cook I would choose a different set, but as a casual home cook, I like these very much.

To start, I am an avid home cook. My partner and I cook 6/7 nights of the week, chopping, dicing, cutting and getting all fancy. I purchased this set in Oct 2017 as a "hold-over" set -- we just bought a new home, and I needed something quick to use in the kitchen. I had every intention of researching higher quality sets and replacing this set within a year once we got settled.Fast forward to this month (Dec 2024), and I am still using this same set of knives -- I never replaced them with the higher quality set because they just kept going and going and going. The edges always sharpen nice, the weight is perfect, and they are comfortable to handle, even for those who have small hands (and mine are pretty tiny). Unfortunately, after 7 years, they have developed some notching are they are nearing the end of their life.This time around, I researched lots of sets and was about to settle on the ever popular "W" brand Classic set, which is arguably the pinnacle of sets for most home chefs. But then I thought, "I have been cooking daily, flawlessly, with this affordable set of knives, why change it up?" So, I just ordered a second these to replace the old ones. I am in no way saying these are equal or better quality the the "W" brand Classic set, but I am saying for a little over $50, this knife set is one of the BEST kitchen investments I've made. They do everything I need to do with ease.Some things to consider:• I will note that I feel the shears are garbage; those broke within a year of having them, but I didn't care because I have another pair of higher quality shears I use.• I did not have an issue with the steel on these being "flexible."• DO NOT PUT IN DISHWASHER. This is what causes the "rust" complaints you see in other reviews. You need to handwash them and ensure they are dry before returning them to the block. As a general rule, you should never be putting your knives in the dishwasher expect for butter knives.• The block height may be frustrating for you if you have lower cabinets. I myself have to pull to block forward completely to be able to remove the knives from the block. However, I have lower set cabinets, so that's the be expected. If this is going to be annoying for you, you'll want to seek out an alternative set with shorter knife blades to accommodate this.Price is what you pay, value is what you get. The price on these makes them incredibly affordable for what you get, and the value is outstanding, considering you can get tons of longevity out of these as long as you follow simple care instructions. Highly recommended for both beginning and advanced home chefs! 5/5 Stars

I invested in the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Comfort Grip Knife Set, and my kitchen experience has been nothing short of wonderful. This 18-piece set is a complete arsenal for all your culinary adventures. With each knife designed for a specific task, it's like having a professional kitchen right on your countertop.The first thing that caught my eye was the sleek design and the comfort grip handles. These knives not only look gorgeous on my kitchen counter, but the grip is so ergonomic that chopping has become a less tedious task. The brushed stainless steel handles offer a secure and comfortable grip, making the knives easy to control even during demanding tasks.The high carbon stainless steel blades are the stars of the show. They are stain, rust, and pit resistant, which is a testament to their durability. With a satin finish, they glide through ingredients with ease. The variety of knives in this set is impressive, catering to all kinds of food prep tasks like chopping, cutting, slicing, peeling, and much more.Now, while the knives are sharp and ready to use out of the box, I did notice that they might need frequent sharpening with heavy use. The good news is that the set includes a sharpening steel, so keeping the blades sharp and ready is not a chore.The rubber wood block that houses the knives is compact and stylish, fitting well in any kitchen setting. The set includes a chef's knife, bread knife, ham knife, santoku knife, utility knife, vegetable knife, paring knife, sharpening steel, and eight steak knives, all neatly organized in a rubber wood block.The affordability of this set is a cherry on top. It's a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality or functionality. The Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Comfort Grip Knife Set is indeed a valuable addition to any kitchen. The quality, the range of knives, and the price point make it a commendable choice. I highly recommend this set to anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen game without breaking the bank.