--- title: "Best Knife Sets UK 2026" description: "Ten knife sets for UK kitchens compared, from budget blocks to forged steel. See which set suits your cooking, storage space and how you sharpen." canonical: https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/ published: 2026-11-09 updated: 2026-11-09 category: "Kitchen" language: "en-GB" --- # The 10 Best Knife Sets of 2026, Ranked > **Our verdict:** The best knife set in 2026 is the Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK. It tops our ranking with 9.5 out of 10. Updated November 2026 · 25 models compared · [How we rank](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) ## Our knife set picks - **Best Choice:** [Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#ninja-foodi-staysharp-k32006uk), 9.5 out of 10. A block with a lever sharpener built in: slide the lever up and down ten times for each knife and the edge is restored. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WYZ4CNS) - **Best Premium:** [ZWILLING Gourmet 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 36133-000-0](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#zwilling-gourmet-7-pcs-knife-block-set-36133-000-0), 9.1 out of 10. German knives in an ash block with ceramic stones in the slots. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C1SBHTF) - **Value for Money:** [Tefal EverSharp Pro 6-Piece Knife Block Set K297S744](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#tefal-eversharp-pro-6-piece-knife-set-k297s744), 8.7 out of 10. A newer self-sharpening block in German stainless steel, with a sharpening slot for each knife. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCSS2FY9) - **Best Budget:** [Tower Rose Gold 5 Piece Knife Set T81532RD](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#tower-rose-gold-5-piece-knife-set-t81532rd), 8.7 out of 10. The cheapest here, and the one to buy for the look. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075JHDL5Q) ## All 10 knife sets, compared We compared 25 knife sets sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. These ten range from budget acrylic and beech blocks and a clear-block Swiss set to an in-drawer tray and German sets with self-sharpening blocks. Every product links to its full review below. | No. | Product | Score | Badge | | ---: | --- | ---: | --- | | 1 | [Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#ninja-foodi-staysharp-k32006uk) | 9.5 | Best Choice | | 2 | [ZWILLING Gourmet 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 36133-000-0](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#zwilling-gourmet-7-pcs-knife-block-set-36133-000-0) | 9.1 | Best Premium | | 3 | [ZWILLING Four Star 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 35145-000-0](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#zwilling-four-star-7-pcs-knife-block-set-35145-000-0) | 8.9 | | | 4 | [Tefal EverSharp Pro 6-Piece Knife Block Set K297S744](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#tefal-eversharp-pro-6-piece-knife-set-k297s744) | 8.7 | Value for Money | | 5 | [Tower Rose Gold 5 Piece Knife Set T81532RD](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#tower-rose-gold-5-piece-knife-set-t81532rd) | 8.7 | Best Budget | | 6 | [Ninja StaySharp 13-Piece Knife Block Set & Removable Sharpener](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#ninja-staysharp-13-piece-nk32013euuk) | 8.5 | | | 7 | [Viners Assure 6 Pce Knife Block Set 0305.217](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#viners-assure-6-piece-knife-block-set-0305-217) | 8.4 | | | 8 | [Joseph Joseph Steel Knives In-drawer Bamboo Set](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#joseph-joseph-elevate-steel-knives-in-drawer-bamboo-set) | 8.3 | | | 9 | [Kuhn Rikon COLORI+ Knife & Block 7pc Set 24263](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#kuhn-rikon-colori-knife-and-block-7pc-set-24263) | 8.1 | | | 10 | [Stellar Classic 5 Piece Knife Block Set, Beechwood IS60](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/#stellar-classic-5-piece-knife-block-set-is60) | 8.1 | | ### Why No. 1 beats No. 2 The Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK (9.5) beats the ZWILLING Gourmet 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 36133-000-0 (9.1) because it leaves owners a little happier and is the newer design. ## The full knife set reviews ### 1. Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK 9.5 out of 10 · Best Choice A block with a lever sharpener built in: slide the lever up and down ten times for each knife and the edge is restored. It covers the everyday jobs with three 20cm knives, a utility, a paring knife and scissors. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 1st of 10 - How many rated it: 2nd of 10 - How new it is: 4th of 10 Why it's here: - Integrated sharpener in the block, so keeping an edge needs no separate steel or stone - Three 20cm knives (chef's, bread, slicing) plus utility, paring and scissors - Owners report the knives arrive very sharp and cut cleanly through tomatoes and meat - 10-year edge guarantee when registered and used with the sharpener Keep in mind: - Hand wash only, so it cannot go in the dishwasher - Owners say the block feels lighter and less well made than the knives, and the slots hold blades loosely - The sharpener is not for the serrated bread knife - The sharpener takes metal off the blade each time, so edges wear down over the years [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WYZ4CNS) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/ninja-foodi-staysharp-k32006uk/) ### 2. ZWILLING Gourmet 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 36133-000-0 9.1 out of 10 · Best Premium German knives in an ash block with ceramic stones in the slots. Each knife is honed a little every time it is pulled out. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 2nd of 10 - How many rated it: 4th of 10 - How new it is: 8th of 10 Why it's here: - Ice-hardened German steel blades, with 20cm chef's and bread knives - Ceramic stones in the block hone smooth-edged knives as you draw them - Riveted full-tang handles that owners find comfortable and balanced - Lifetime warranty from ZWILLING Keep in mind: - The carving knife is a short 16cm, so it suits small joints better than a Sunday roast - Slot sharpening only maintains an edge. It does not replace a proper sharpen every year or two - Hand washing is recommended by ZWILLING - Cheaper block sets cover similar tasks for less money [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C1SBHTF) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/zwilling-gourmet-7-pcs-knife-block-set-36133-000-0/) ### 3. ZWILLING Four Star 7-pcs Knife block set with KiS technology 35145-000-0 8.9 out of 10 The step up from the Gourmet: a full-size 20cm carving knife in place of its 16cm one, and a classic handle shape that has been a fixture in UK kitchens for years. One-piece forged blades and the same self-honing block. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 3rd of 10 - How many rated it: 1st of 10 - How new it is: 8th of 10 Why it's here: - Full-size 20cm chef's, carving and bread knives plus utility, paring and shears - Forged one-piece blades with ice-hardened edges - Self-honing ceramic slots keep the edge up between proper sharpens - Rounded, smooth-sided handle that owners find easy to hold for long prep sessions Keep in mind: - One of the dearest sets here - The block is large and needs a good stretch of worktop - Owners say the paring knife does not sit fully down in its slot - Heavier than stamped sets, which some smaller hands find tiring [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CBN3ZHT) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/zwilling-four-star-7-pcs-knife-block-set-35145-000-0/) ### 4. Tefal EverSharp Pro 6-Piece Knife Block Set K297S744 8.7 out of 10 · Value for Money A newer self-sharpening block in German stainless steel, with a sharpening slot for each knife. It has a 10-year guarantee on the blades and sharpening mechanism. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 5th of 10 - How many rated it: 6th of 10 - How new it is: 2nd of 10 Why it's here: - Each knife has its own sharpening slot, so there is no lever to work - German stainless steel blades - 10-year guarantee on the blades and the sharpening mechanism - Chef's, santoku, bread, utility and paring knives plus scissors Keep in mind: - Hand wash only, per Tefal - Newer than most sets here, so there is less long-term feedback on how the sharpening wears - Slot sharpening shaves a little steel off each time - The serrated bread knife does not get sharpened in the block [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCSS2FY9) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/tefal-eversharp-pro-6-piece-knife-set-k297s744/) ### 5. Tower Rose Gold 5 Piece Knife Set T81532RD 8.7 out of 10 · Best Budget The cheapest here, and the one to buy for the look. Rose-gold coated stainless blades with black soft-grip handles on an acrylic stand, with chef's, slicer, bread, utility and paring knives. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 4th of 10 - How many rated it: 3rd of 10 - How new it is: 8th of 10 Why it's here: - The cheapest set in this guide, with chef's, slicer, bread, utility and paring knives - Rose-gold coated blades and black handles look striking on the worktop - Acrylic stand is light and wipes clean - Five-year guarantee when registered with Tower online Keep in mind: - The rose-gold finish is a coating, so it can wear with hard use - Edges need sharpening sooner than on forged sets, and no sharpener is included - Hand wash only - Colour options come and go, so a matching replacement can be hard to find [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075JHDL5Q) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/tower-rose-gold-5-piece-knife-set-t81532rd/) ### 6. Ninja StaySharp 13-Piece Knife Block Set & Removable Sharpener 8.5 out of 10 The bigger Ninja for households that want steak knives and a full range in one block. The ceramic sharpener lifts out of the block, so it can be used on or off it. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 8th of 10 - How many rated it: 10th of 10 - How new it is: 1st of 10 Why it's here: - Includes six steak knives, a santoku, scissors and a removable sharpener - Sharpener works on or off the block, which saves worktop space - German stainless blades that owners describe as very sharp out of the box - 10-year edge guarantee on registration Keep in mind: - Few owner ratings so far, because the set is new - Owners say the block is less sturdy than the knives - The scissors are ordinary kitchen scissors, not heavy-duty shears - Large for a small kitchen [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GS6KB7NN) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/ninja-staysharp-13-piece-nk32013euuk/) ### 7. Viners Assure 6 Pce Knife Block Set 0305.217 8.4 out of 10 A low-cost starter block with the knives most kitchens use daily and a 10-year guarantee. The squared tips and non-stick coating suit a first home or a student kitchen. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 6th of 10 - How many rated it: 5th of 10 - How new it is: 6th of 10 Why it's here: - Five knives: 20cm chef's, 20cm carving, 15cm santoku, 12.5cm utility and 9cm paring - A budget price for a full block - Squared tips and soft handles that feel safe for new cooks - 10-year guarantee Keep in mind: - Hand wash only - Soft steel and a non-stick coating that dulls and scuffs sooner than forged knives - No bread knife, steel or sharpener - Light, stamped build with little weight behind the cut [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08G4Q5KK8) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/viners-assure-6-piece-knife-block-set-0305-217/) ### 8. Joseph Joseph Steel Knives In-drawer Bamboo Set 8.3 out of 10 Five Japanese stainless knives in a bamboo tray that sits in a drawer, with nothing on the worktop. Weighted handles with tool rests keep the blade off the surface. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 10th of 10 - How many rated it: 7th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - In-drawer tray frees the worktop completely - Weighted steel handles with integrated rests that lift the blade off the board - Japanese stainless steel blades with a keen factory edge - Five knives from paring to bread, each with its own slot in the tray, so the right one is easy to find Keep in mind: - Needs a drawer deep enough for the tray - Hand wash only, and the tray should be wiped rather than soaked - Weighted handles put the balance towards the handle, which some cooks find odd - Dearer than block sets with the same number of knives [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9QRZBYZ) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/joseph-joseph-elevate-steel-knives-in-drawer-bamboo-set/) ### 9. Kuhn Rikon COLORI+ Knife & Block 7pc Set 24263 8.1 out of 10 Six light, brightly coloured Japanese-steel knives in a clear block. The coloured non-stick coating and low weight make it an easy set to live with, at a budget price. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 9th of 10 - How many rated it: 9th of 10 - How new it is: 5th of 10 Why it's here: - Six knives: 20cm bread, 17cm chef's, 15cm santoku, 12.5cm utility and two 9.5cm paring knives - Light handles suit smaller hands and anyone who finds forged knives heavy - Clear block with a removable inlay and base that go in the dishwasher - Cheerful colours make it a popular gift Keep in mind: - The non-stick coating can mark with hard use, and blades need hand washing to last - Thin blades flex more than a forged chef's knife on hard squash - No sharpener or shears in the set - The block gives little protection for the edges compared with a wooden slot block [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09441C16H) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/kuhn-rikon-colori-knife-and-block-7pc-set-24263/) ### 10. Stellar Classic 5 Piece Knife Block Set, Beechwood IS60 8.1 out of 10 A plain, solid beech block of full-tang, riveted knives in X50 CroMov15 steel. The sort of set that gets handed down. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 7th of 10 - How many rated it: 8th of 10 - How new it is: 7th of 10 Why it's here: - Full-tang riveted handles and X50 CroMov15 steel - Beech block with a proper slot for each knife protects the edges - Dishwasher safe, though hand washing keeps the edge longer - Stellar lifetime guarantee Keep in mind: - Owners find the knives on the small side, so big vegetables take more effort - No shears, steel or sharpener in the box - Only five knives, and the cook's knife is a compact 15cm - Blades arrive sharp but dull faster than harder steels [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079SR9YLQ) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/stellar-classic-5-piece-knife-block-set-is60/) ## Before you buy a knife set ### Is a knife block set worth buying or should I buy single knives? A set is worth it if you are starting a kitchen or replacing a drawer of mismatched knives. Most people use a chef's knife, a bread knife and a paring knife daily, so a three-knife set or one good chef's knife plus two cheap ones can serve you better. A 13-piece block often pads the count with steak knives and scissors you may never need. ### How many knives do I actually need in a set? Three do most of the work: a 20cm chef's knife, a serrated bread knife and a 9cm paring knife. Add a utility knife (12 to 15cm) for sandwiches and fruit, and a carving or slicing knife if you roast joints. Five or six well-chosen knives cover nearly everything, and extra pieces are usually filler. ### What is the difference between forged and stamped knives? Forged knives are shaped from a single piece of heated steel. They are heavier, have a thick bolster and tend to hold an edge longer, and they cost more. Stamped knives are cut from a sheet, so they are lighter and cheaper, with a thinner spine. Forged suits those who like weight behind the cut. Stamped suits smaller hands and tight budgets. ### Are self-sharpening knife blocks any good? They keep an edge going between proper sharpens, which suits people who never pick up a whetstone. Each pull through a ceramic slot or wheel removes a little steel, so a block does not replace a sharpen by a professional every year or two. Ninja, Tefal and ZWILLING all use some form of it. Expect it to hold up for a few years of home use. ### Can I put knife sets in the dishwasher? Some are listed as dishwasher safe, such as the Stellar knives and the Kuhn Rikon block parts, but most makers still advise hand washing. Dishwashers knock blades against other items, and the heat and hard water dull and spot the steel. Ninja, Tefal, Tower, Viners and Joseph Joseph say hand wash only. A quick wash and dry after use keeps an edge longest. ### How often should I sharpen kitchen knives? For daily cooking, hone the edge every few weeks and sharpen properly once or twice a year, depending on steel and use. Softer stamped blades go dull sooner than harder forged steel. Self-sharpening blocks handle the honing. A whetstone gives the best result for those willing to learn it. A set with a plain, symmetrical edge suits left-handed and right-handed cooks alike. ## How we ranked these ten knife sets Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 25 models for this guide before settling on these ten. Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026. [How we rank, in full](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) ## Our No. 1 knife set **Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener K32006UK**: A block with a lever sharpener built in: slide the lever up and down ten times for each knife and the edge is restored. 9.5 out of 10. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WYZ4CNS) ## More kitchen rankings - [Pizza Ovens](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/pizza-ovens/): No. 1 Gozney Roccbox - [Coffee Grinders](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/coffee-grinders/): No. 1 KINGrinder K6 - [Electric Grills](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/electric-grills/): No. 1 Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker OG701UK - [Juicers](https://vettedten.com/kitchen/juicers/): No. 1 Ninja Cold Press Juicer JC151UK --- Canonical page: https://vettedten.com/kitchen/knife-sets/ · Every guide: https://vettedten.com/llms.txt · For AI agents: https://vettedten.com/agents.md