Ergonomic and sharp, Enso is great for cooks that need quality knives to stand up to daily use. If you don’t cook a lot, or your meal prep isn’t very complicated, you can absolutely get away with a three-piece set. We also tested a similar set, the Cuisinart C77SS-15PK Stainless Steel Hollow Handle 15-Piece Cutlery Block Set , expecting it to be similar. Unfortunately, their performance fell far short of this set, unbalanced and not as sharp.
Get the latest reviews, deals, giveaways, and exclusive content. Join our free newsletter and get the latest reviews, deals, giveaways, and exclusive content. Both brands are relatively affordable, but Cuisinart knives are exceptionally cheap. Henckels knives are sharper with a 30-degree cutting angle, while Cuisinart’s are sharpened to 44 degrees. Henckels blades are hardened to 57 on the Rockwell scale, while Cuisinart’s steel is softer, scoring 55.
You either have to memorize which color is which blade, keep the package handy, or take a photo to identify the different knife edges. Ceramic blades tend to stay sharp longer — which is good because they’re difficult to sharpen. Most household knives are made from stainless steel, which is rust-resistant and durable. Their edges are not as sharp as carbon steel, though, and they are harder to sharpen. Many purists prefer knives made from carbon steel, which makes for very strong blades and edges that stay sharper longer. However, these need to be seasoned to prevent rust and to make them more resistant to acidic compounds like those found in lemons.
All of its products are designed with that mantra in mind. Although Henckels knives are manufactured in China, Thailand, Spain, and India, every knife is designed in Germany and carries the prestige of the centuries-old parent company. Henckels has been making quality cutlery for over two centuries, while Cuisinart is best known for its small kitchen appliances — cutlery is just one product line in its extensive kitchenware portfolio. Shop your favorite products and we’ll find the best deal with a single click.
I even know a chef who only buys inexpensive ceramic knives and replaces them every three months when they get dull. While we loved the handle design and grip, the knives are heavy and not particularly well-balanced, so they wore out our hands after extended use. Our major complaint, though, is the price-to-value ratio on this set.
The Wüsthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Knife Set almost rivals our top pick, but it only comes with four knives plus shears. The utility knife’s long, semi-flexible Cookware Sets blade makes it stand out in a set we already love. If you don’t need any of the extra knives, you really can’t go wrong with this one.