If we think about high-quality knives, Calphalon is always a good brand of choice. However, Calphalon offers a variety of knives which can make you feel confused whenever you decide to buy one. If you don’t what specific Calphalon knife to buy, we offer you an honest Calphalon knives review of five knife sets that are popular on the market today.
In buying the best knife set, it’s imperative that you know what features to look for so you don’t buy anything that you might regret at the end. Lucky for you, we also provide a buyer’s guideline to help you choose the best knife set for you. To check these buyer’s guideline and knife set reviews, keep on reading.
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Knife Set Vs Individual Knife
You may purchase a whole set of Calphalon knives or you can buy each knife separately. If you like to get the best value for your money, you can spend big time and get the whole set which usually comes with kitchen shears, knife block, and sometimes diamond steel. As compared to buying knife individually, it is cheaper plus you get the same design for aesthetic value.
If you decide to buy knives separately, you have the freedom to choose what you really need, unlike a knife set which sometimes includes other knives that you may not need.
However, you need to buy a knife block that can store all your knives, other accessories, like honing steel. So if you like to get the complete package, choosing a knife set is more practical.
What To Look For
1. Forged Blade
A Knives can either be stamped or forged. If you want durability, then you shouldn’t be discouraged with the high price of forged steel knives.
Since this type of knife is less flexible, they don’t break over time. Stamp knives may be cheaper than forged knives, but their flexibility can bend the knife over time.
Unlike forged knives, stamp knives don’t have a heel and a bolster. Although they can be lightweight, they don’t hold a sharp edge very long.
2. Comfortable, Non-Slip Handles
For comfort, the handles should be ergonomically designed, have a good grip, and not slippery even when wet. The handle should be balanced and neither too large nor too small.
Most chefs prefer a balanced weight between the handle and blade. It’s actually a matter of preference, so before buying, hold the handle to get the feel of the knife.
3. Full Tang
A full tang, along with a bolster, are indicators of a high-quality knife. If you want a durable knife with a good balance, look for a full tang feature. You can tell that the knife has a full tang if the blade extends all the way up to the handle.
4. Lots Of Pieces
To get the best bang for your buck, choose a knife set that offers a lot of pieces. More cutlery pieces offered, the better. Calphalon knife sets offer a range of 12-17 pieces of cutlery. Some models offer a sharpening knife block while others even include a diamond steel.
5. High-Carbon Steel Blade
A knife made from high-carbon, stain-free steel is much desired because of its durability. In fact, most chefs prefer this type of blade material because it can resist rust and has a very sharp edge. Unlike stainless steel, high-carbon steel is more reliable on precision cuts and can hold a sharp edge longer.
Our Top 5 Picks
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Via Amazon.com
The Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery Knife Block Set features 12 pieces of cutlery, which compose of the following: 8-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch utility knife, 5-inch Santoku.knife, 4.5-inch paring knife, six steak knives, and kitchen shears.
The best piece of Classic knife block set is its sharpening knife block which is built with ceramic sharpeners. Now, you can sharpen knives with each use.
The handles are triple riveted for durability and contoured for a secure grip. All the knives are constructed from high-carbon, stain-free forged steel, making it very sharp and long lasting. So if you want to sharpen your knives conveniently, then the Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening Cutlery might be your best choice.
Pros
- Convenient built-in ceramic sharpener slots on the storage block
- Durable and sharp forged high-carbon, stain-free steel
- Great labeled handles for simple identification in the block
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Full bolster and tang for balance and durability
- Good price for its value
Cons
- Rust may form on the knives after several months
- It would have been perfect if it includes a bread knife
- The sharpeners seem to be barely secured to the storage block
Via Amazon.com
The Simply Calphalon Cutlery Set features 16 pieces of cutlery, which includes the following: 8-inch chef knife, 5-inch Santoku knife, 6-inch utility, 4-1/2-inch tomato bagel, 3-1/2-inch paring knife, eight steak knives, kitchen shears, storage block, and 8-inch sharpening steel
All blades are forged with high-carbon, stain-free steel to last for a very long time. Every knife is balanced for ease and efficiency.
You can determine each type of knife by the labels marked at the end of each handle. The full tang design offers balance while the bolster secures the durability of each knife.
If you want a knife for tomato or a bagel and more steak knives, then this 16-piece cutlery set might be your best option.
Pros
- Features a great variety of blades
- Supported by a lifetime warranty
- Very durable, yet lightweight
- Bolster keeps the knives well balanced
Cons
- Still rust even if cared properly
- The steak knives are flimsy because they’re made of stamped steel
- Easily lose their edges
Via Amazon.com
The Contemporary Cutlery Set features 17 pieces of cutlery such as 4-1/2-inch paring knife, 6-inch utility, 7-inch Santoku, 8-inch slicer, 8-inch Chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, eight steak knives, 10-inch sharpening steel, kitchen shears, and storage block.
The handle is made with an ergonomic grip handle which is distinctly contoured to fit all size of hands. You can expect nothing but durability because the blade is forged with a bolster and a full tang.
Just like any other Calphalon products, the Contemporary cutlery set comes with a full lifetime warranty and made of high-carbon, stain-free steel. Except for the steak knives, all knives are labeled accordingly at the bottom of the handle for easy identification.
So if you like to include bread knife and a longer Santoku knife in your collection, then the 17-piece cutlery set might be perfect for you.
Pros
- Offers a complete set of cutting knives, including bread knife and a slicing knife
- Has a longer Santoku knife (7-inch) for versatility
- Made of durable high-carbon, stain-free German steel
- Full tang and bolster offer balance and sturdiness
- Ergonomically designed handles
- Backed by a full lifetime warranty
Cons
- The knives immediately lose their sharpness
- May easily rust with constant contact with water
Via Amazon.com
The Calphalon Precious Series features 16 pieces of cutlery which are the following: 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 6-inch Santoku, 6-inch utility knife, 3-1/2-inch paring knife, eight steak knives, kitchen shears, honing steel and wood block.
All knives are made of high-carbon, German steel that promises excellent edge retention. Just like any other Calphalon knife sets, the Precision series have clear identification marks at the bottom of the handle.
As compared to Calphalon Contemporary cutlery, the Precision series can remain sharp for 20% longer. It also features a bolster and full tang for better balance and stability. So if you want knives that can hold a sharp edge longer, then the Precision series might be a nice option.
Pros
- Provides a wide variety of knives, including a bread knife
- Can keep their sharp edges longer
- Offers a lifetime warranty
- Made of fully forged high-carbon, stain-free German steel
- Bar riveted handles are easy to grip
Cons
- The handles seem to have a dirty look
- It would have been perfect if it includes a self-sharpening feature
Via Amazon.com
The Katana Cutlery offers 14 pieces of cutlery which includes the following: 3.5-inch paring knife, 5.5-inch utility knife, 7-inch Santoku, 7-inch slicer, 8-inch Chef’s knife, six steak knives, kitchen shears, diamond steel, and bamboo knife block.
All knives are made of VG-1 Japanese steel, which is known to be lightweight and sharp. The bolster offers a comfortable grip while the ergonomically designed handles are made with balance and accuracy.
Pros
- Lightweight and razor sharp
- Ergonomic handles offer a secure grip
- Provides a full lifetime warranty
- Nice looking blades
Cons
- The Japanese steel blades may not be as durable as German steell
- Can be a bit pricey
- Can’t hold a sharp edge for very long
Verdict
Based on the Calphalon knives review above, the Calphalon Precision Series 16-Piece Cutlery Set is the best knife set because it meets most of the features that we’re looking for. It has a full tang, a durable high-carbon stain-free German steel construction, and secured grip handle. Although the Contemporary cutlery is one piece more superior, the Precision series can keep a sharp edge 20% longer.
Have you tried buying any Calphalon knife? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below. If you find this post helpful don’t forget to share it by all means.
