# Best Knife Set Needs Just Three Knives

> The best knife set has only three essentials: a chef’s knife, bread knife, and paring knife.
- Title: Best Knife Set Needs Just Three Knives · Bon Appétit
- Summary: The best knife set has only three essentials: a chef’s knife, bread knife, and paring knife.
- Keywords: chef knife, bread knife, paring knife, knife set, mac professional, shun classic, mercier culinary, hedley and bennett, wüsthof classic, global knife set, Bon Appétit
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/best-knife-sets
- Author: Jesse Raub
- Published: 2025-03-14T15:48:32.041+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: chef knife, bread knife, paring knife, knife set, mac professional, shun classic, mercier culinary, hedley and bennett, wüsthof classic, global knife set, food, lifestyle
## The best knife set needs just three knives
The best knife set really only needs three essentials: a chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife.
## Mac Professional Series 3-Piece Knife Set
The Mac Professional Series 3-Piece Knife Set costs $435 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 10.5" bread knife, and 5" petty knife.
## Shun Classic Damascus 3-Piece Knife Set
The Shun Classic Damascus 3-Piece Knife Set costs $370 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 9" bread knife, and 3.5" paring knife.
## Mercer Culinary Renaissance 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set
The Mercer Culinary Renaissance 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set costs $181 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 8" bread knife, 3.5" paring knife, and a 5" utility knife.
## Hedley & Bennett Chef’s Knife Set
The Hedley & Bennett Chef’s Knife Set costs $225 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 8.6" bread knife, and 5.6" utility knife.
## Wüsthof Classic 3-Piece Starter Set
The Wüsthof Classic 3-Piece Starter Set costs $340 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 8" bread knife, and 3.5" paring knife.
## Shun Classic 7-Piece Essential Block Set
The Shun Classic 7-Piece Essential Block Set costs $680 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 9" bread knife, 6" utility knife, 3.5" paring knife, 9" honing steel, herb shears, and 11-slot storage block.
## Global 11-Piece Knife Set
The Global 11-Piece Knife Set costs $600 and includes an 8" chef’s knife, 8.5" bread knife, 7" hollow-edge Asian chef’s knife, 6" serrated utility knife, 5" petty knife, 3.5" paring knife, and four 4.
## How we picked the best knife sets
We tested knives for years and found that the same brands tend to come out on top across each knife category.
## FAQ: How many knives do you need?
We firmly believe that three knives are all you really need: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife.
## FAQ: Which is the best brand?
Mac has come out on top of our knife testing across the three core knives, chef’s, serrated, and paring, but the question itself is sort of like asking 'who is the best guitar player.'
## FAQ: Are expensive knife sets worth it?
For most home cooks, it’s worth investing at least $150, $200 in a chef’s knife since it’s the blade you’ll reach for every day.
## FAQ: Is it better to buy knives individually or as a set?
The great part about a knife set is that it’s a one-and-done purchase.You get the three essentials and can trust that each knife in the set has been tested to perform at a high level.
## FAQ: Is it cheaper to buy knives in a set?
In general, yes, most manufacturers will offer at least some discount when you buy knives as a set rather than one at a time.
## FAQ: What’s the best way to store your knives?
Proper storage is just as important as proper sharpening when it comes to keeping your knives in good shape.
## The story ends
The best knife set has only three essentials: a chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife.
## Key takeaway

The best knife set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, and paring knife for most home cooks.