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Is a Japanese Knife Set Worth It? Shun, Global and Miyabi Sets vs Buying One Knife at a Time

Kitchen

A 9- or 15-piece knife block set feels like good value: lots of knives for less than they'd cost one by one. In practice, most home cooks reach for the same two or three knives every day, and the rest sit in the block. With Japanese knives, where one good chef's knife can cost as much as a whole budget set, that matters even more. This guide explains which knives you'll actually use, when a small Japanese set is a smart buy, and when you're better off building your own.

The knives you'll actually use. Core, used by most home cooks every week: a chef's knife or santoku, which does most of the work; a paring knife for peeling, trimming and small jobs; and a bread knife for bread, tomatoes and cake. Add later if you cook a lot of one thing: nakiri for vegetables, sujihiki for roasts, a boning knife for chicken. Often wasted in big block sets: steak knives, which are a separate purchase; two or three utility knives that overlap with the core; and a giant block that takes counter space for unused slots. A 3-piece set with a chef's and paring knife, plus a separate bread knife, covers most kitchens.

Set or one at a time?

Set or one at a time? Q1 Do you like one brand's look and want matching knives? Yes: a small 3-piece starter set, Shun Classic or Kanso, with an 8-inch chef's, 6-inch utility and 3.5-inch paring knife; add a bread knife. No: Q2 Do you want the knives on the wall, not in a block? Yes: the Global 5-piece magnetic bar set, with chef's, vegetable, utility and paring knives on a wall magnet. No: buy the best chef's knife you can afford, then a paring knife, then specialists; usually the best value.

The case for a small set is simple: if you already know you like a brand, a 3-piece starter set gives you the core knives in a matching style, often for less than buying them separately. The case against a big set is that you pay for knives you won't use and a block that eats counter space. Check the contents line by line before you buy any set.

Small sets worth buying

Shun Classic 3-Piece Starter Set. An 8-inch chef's knife, a 6-inch utility knife and a 3.5-inch paring knife from Shun's Classic line, with the same VG-MAX steel and Damascus cladding as the Shun Classic chef's knife. Shun's free lifetime sharpening covers all three. Prices and stock on Amazon change often, so check the listing.

Shun Kanso 3-Piece Starter Set. The same three sizes in Shun's simpler Kanso line: AUS10A steel without Damascus, and tagayasan wood handles. A good choice if you like a plain, sturdy look.

Global 5-Piece Magnetic Bar Set. Global's listing says it includes the G-2 8" chef's knife, the GS-5 5.5" vegetable knife, the GS-11 6" flexible utility knife, the GS-38 3.5" paring knife and a 16" wall-mounted magnetic holder. The knives are Global's one-piece CROMOVA 18 stainless with a convex edge and hollow, sand-filled handles for balance. The wall magnet keeps the edges from rubbing in a block slot and frees up the counter. See Global vs Shun vs Wüsthof for how Global compares.

Building your own, one knife at a time

  1. Start with the best chef's knife or santoku you can afford. It does most of the work. See your first Japanese knife, by budget.
  2. Add a paring knife for peeling and small jobs. Tojiro makes an inexpensive 3.5-inch DP paring knife.
  3. Add a bread knife from any brand; a serrated edge doesn't need Japanese steel.
  4. Then add specialists only for what you cook most: see knives for meat, fish and vegetables.

Storage matters more with Japanese knives

Thin, hard Japanese edges chip when they knock against other utensils, so don't keep them loose in a drawer. A wall magnet, a block with slots that fit the blades, or blade guards (*saya*) all work. Whatever you choose, put the knife away clean and completely dry; see carbon vs stainless for a care routine.

Which one suits you?

  • You want matching knives and know you like Shun: Shun Classic 3-Piece Starter Set.
  • The same, with a plainer look: Shun Kanso 3-Piece Starter Set.
  • You want knives on the wall and a light, all-steel style: Global 5-piece magnetic bar set.
  • You want the best value: one great chef's knife now, a paring knife next.
  • Thinking about a 9-piece or bigger block: check the list of knives first; you may be paying for knives you won't use.

Source: Shun Classic 3 Piece Starter Set (Amazon listing)