Premium Kitchen Knives VS Standard Kitchen Knife Sets

When it comes to equipping your kitchen with the right tools, kitchen knives are one of the most essential components you are going to require. However, there are so many different options on the market, and it can be challenging to find the right kitchen knives to suit your cooking needs.

While standard kitchen knife sets are widely available and cater to the needs of most cooking enthusiasts, premium kitchen knives are a step up in terms of quality, performance and design.

In this blog, we’ll compare the characteristics of a standard kitchen knife and a premium kitchen knife, and help you to determine which one is the best fit for your kitchen.

The Importance of a Good Quality Kitchen Knife

Having a high-quality kitchen knife is important for so many reasons, and it’s important to consider these factors when choosing the perfect set too.

A sharp and well-made knife will make cutting, slicing and chopping tasks much easier and sometimes even quicker, therefore efficiency is key. This means you’ll be able to prepare your meals more efficiently and with less effort. If you choose to use a dull or poor-quality knife it can be dangerous and will lead to slips, accidents and even injuries. High-quality knives are designed with safety in mind, and their sharpness can prevent any slips or accidents whilst in use.

Having a precise knife allows for finer cutting and greater control over the food, which is particularly important for intricate tasks such as fileting, carving and mincing. A well-made kitchen knife will last much longer than a cheaper one, as it will be more resistant to wear and tear. Investing in a premium-quality knife means you won’t have to replace it as often, which will save you money in the long run.

Standard vs Premium

Heinnie Haynes is famous for selling a wide range of quality products for all budgets. Everything that we sell is good - you won’t find any junk. In this section, we look at some of the kitchen knife options available to purchase from our stock which is held in our UK warehouse.

Standard Kitchen Knives

Standard kitchen knives are great if you’re looking for something ideal for everyday use, which will easily shrug off the knocks of the daily grind.Standard sets usually include a wide variety of knives, making them a good choice for beginners or casual cooks who want a basic set of knives. As standard kitchen knives are usually available in Heinnie Haynes’ stock, it is easy to replace them if they become damaged or dull.

Premium Kitchen Knives

With premium kitchen knives, you tend to pay a little bit more but get higher quality in return - this really is a case of “you get what you pay for”. Premium kitchen knives are often made with high-quality materials such as high-carbon stainless steel, which makes them durable, sharp and long-lasting. Designed with precision and performance in mind, this makes premium kitchen knives ideal for professional chefs and those proficient in advanced cooking techniques. When you enter the world of premium kitchen knives, you’re unlocking a wide range of blade styles, each suited to a specific culinary task. Additionally, the enhanced ergonomics of these knivescan make them more comfortable to use for prolonged periods of time.

What To Look For When Choosing A Kitchen Knife

Here are some of the aspects of knives that we’d recommend considering when you’re choosing a kitchen knife.

Material - blade material plays a significant role in the performance and durability of the knife. Knives made of high-quality materials like stainless steel, carbon steel, or Damascus steel are the ones to look out for, as they offer excellent sharpness and corrosion resistance.

Construction - keep in mind the construction of the blade, making sure it’s durable and offers balance and control.

Blade Type - different blades will serve different purposes, common blade types include chef’s utility, paring, serrated and boning. It’s important that you choose blades based on your specific cooking needs and preferences.

Handle - the handle of your knife should be comfortable to hold and provide a secure grip. We’d recommend looking for ergonomic handles made of materials like wood, plastic, or composite materials. Consider the size and weight of the handle to ensure it suits your hand size and grip style. For example, do you want a knife that can go in the dishwasher? If so, be sure to select one with a polymer handle, rather than one with wood or micarta.

Sharpness - as we mentioned previously, a sharp knife is crucial for efficient and safe cutting. Look for knives with a razor-sharp edge known for easy maintenance and sharpening, and browse our range of knife sharpeners, suitable for every budget.

Personal Preference - choosing a knife that feels comfortable and suits your cooking style is important as well as considering factors like aesthetics and overall design too.

Our Top Recommendations

Opinel Parallele 5-Piece Knife Block Set

The Opinel Parallele 5-Piece Knife Block Set includes 5 Parallele knives; paring knife, chef’s knife, santoku, carving knife and bread knife, all presented and stored in an attractive Beechwood Block made from the same wood as the famous Opinel handles. This knife block set features a simple, pure design guaranteed to keep your kitchen knives safe and clean when not in use.

Victorinox Cutlery Block 11 Piece Set

Every piece required in any kitchen is included in this 11-piece set, which combines the exceptional quality expected of Victorinox blades with the timeless elegance of natural wood.

Part of the Victorinox Wood line, for which each handle is made of highly robust wood carefully hand-polished for a smooth, comfortable-to-hold surface, the eight knives come accompanied by a carving fork, a potato peeler and a sharpening steel to keep everything in efficient working order for longer. Multifunctional, natural and stylish, this block fulfills the needs of every cooking job.

Samura H-Kiri Super Set of 5 Kitchen Knives

Master your surroundings in the kitchen with the Samura H-Kiri Super Set. The set includes a 5 piece knife collection with sharpening steel, kitchen scissors and magnetic holder for the ultimate in convenience. This set of kitchen knives include a paring knife, utility knife, slicing knife, two sided saw knife, chef’s knife, sharpening steel, plastic magnetic holder and multifunctional scissors.

Boker Forge Wood Set 2.0

The Boker Forge Wood kitchen knife line really is something special, which combines innovative designs with a classic material selection, at a premium quality.

The attractive, eye-catching design distinguishes this series significantly from the masses of average kitchen knives, without being too flashy. The Boker Forge series seals the deal at a very attractive price..In conclusion, the choice between premium and standard kitchen knives ultimately depends on your cooking needs, preferences and budget. To make the best choice, consider your cooking frequency, skill level, and the specific tasks you perform in the kitchen. If you're an occasional cook or have budget constraints, a standard kitchen knife set may suffice. However, if you're passionate about cooking, require specialized techniques, and seek long-term investment, then premium quality knives are for you.

Discover the finest quality kitchen knives here