The Well-Equipped Kitchen: Discover the Best Kitchen Knives for Slicing, Dicing, and More!  

There’s nothing worse than trying to cut vegetables or slice meat with a dull knife. Having a quality kitchen knife, honing steel or knife sharpening whetstones, and a solid, handcrafted cutting board will make your life so much easier in the kitchen. These high-quality kitchen tools will get the job done for you quicker and easier as you prepare meals. In fact, they will make cooking for your friends and family a joy! And the best part is, they don’t come with the sticker shock of a premium price tag. 

1. Misen 8” Chef’s Knife

Misen makes high-quality cookware and kitchen utensils at affordable prices. Named for the culinary term “mise en place” which means “to put in place,” Misen knives are premium grade kitchen knives at unbeatable prices. Comparable to much more expensive chef’s knives, Misen knives are made with professional grade high carbon Japanese stainless steel, with the 2x the carbon content of other “premium” knives. Durable, and versatile enough for multiple uses, including slicing vegetables, meats, fileting fish, even slicing soft foods like breads or a vine-ripe tomato, your Misen knives will become your most-used kitchen knives.  

Razor sharp, and set with a 15-degree blade angle that helps it slice effortlessly through tough foods like hard skin squashes, Misen knives are the equivalent of a $200 or $300 knife for a fraction of the price. And your Misen knives will stay sharp for months before they need sharpening, even with daily use! The ergonomic shape is comfortable for all-day cooking and the handle is both heat and slip resistant. Misen knives are premium quality knives without the premium price tag.

2. Global 8” Chef’s Knife

One of life’s great pleasures in the kitchen is feeling the heft of a sturdy, sharp knife in your hand. On that level, Global delivers. Made in Japan, from the finest stainless steel called Cromova 18 (Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium), with a wider blade and a hollow handle filled with sand, this Global Chef’s Knife delivers the perfect balance, and optimal control. 

The ergonomic, stainless steel, dimpled handle is slip resistant and offers a perfect pinch grip, for precise chopping, making food prep a breeze. You’ll be inviting friends over for dinner just so you can use your Global Chef’s Knife. It will hold its razor-sharp edge longer than any other steel, and it has a lifetime warranty. What more could you want in a kitchen knife? Reviewers say this knife is an excellent value for the money, and we think you’ll agree.

 3. Boos Cutting Board

Sure, there are cheaper cutting boards, but once you have experienced the beauty and ease of a gorgeous American-made John Boos butcher block, you won’t go back to those cheap cutting boards again. This 20 x 14-inch handcrafted American Maple cutting board is ideal for all your kitchen prep needs, from chopping fruits and veggies, to slicing meat. The juice groove will catch all those delicious drippings, and the quality craftsmanship from hand-selected American maple hardwood, is built to last. 

It’s not only high-quality, but beautiful to look at, and makes a great presentation for charcuterie boards, fruit and cheese boards, and more. Just don’t put your Boos Cutting Board in the dishwasher. Hand wash with warm water and let it dry completely, then treat with a food-grade vegetable oil. Boos also makes a quality butcher block oil you can purchase separately. Make sure you oil it well before your first use, with at least three coats of oil. Boos is another brand that makes high-quality kitchen products used by chefs and restaurateurs worldwide.

4. Henckels Honing Steel

You’ll want a quality sharpening steel to keep your most used kitchen knives razor sharp, and Henckels has you covered. This simple-to-use honing steel is sturdy and does the job with just a few quick strokes on each side of your knives. It works on everything from small paring knives to full size chef’s knives, and is not too big or unwieldy to use. It will leave your knives with a fine edge, even sharper than when you first bought them. 

The smooth handle allows you a comfortable grip, and makes it easy to hold while you glide the blade across the honing steel. Don’t overdo it — just five or so strokes on each side should do it. Be sure to rinse your knife blade after honing to remove any tiny metal metal filings after honing. Wipe your knife dry and now you are ready to cook! 

Henckels is another quality brand, and to prove it, their honing steel comes with a lifetime guarantee. It may even outlast your knives!

5. Sharp Pebble Knife Sharpening Whetstones

Another option for sharpening your kitchen knives is a whetstone. This set of sharpening whetstones from Sharp Pebble is a complete kit that gives you three different grit whetstones: 400-grit, 1000, and 6000, along with a nonslip bamboo base to set them on, and a flattening stone, to serve as a leveler for all three whetstones. The oversized whetstones are 8” x 2 ¾ “ which gives you plenty of surface area to use for sharpening. The 400-grit will take your dullest knives to a sharper edge. Follow with the 1000-grit or use that one on your less dull knives. The 6000-grit will give your knives a polished edge that will slice through anything like it’s hot butter! 

Soak the stones in water before use for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10 or 15 minutes if you have time. Use the leveling block on your whetstones first, to ensure you have a flat surface. The leveling block should be used on each of the whetstones to keep a flat edge on them as they become uneven with repeated use over time. With regular use, your kitchen knives will keep their razor sharp edge. These whetstones give you precision knife sharpening for any blade in your kitchen, from your chef’s knives to cleavers, steak knives, and more. And with proper care and use, this whetstone set should last you a lifetime! 

Now, you are ready to stock your kitchen with these high-quality kitchen knives and essentials. Cooking in your kitchen and preparing meals will be a breeze with these. You’ll save time and money when you have these kitchen knives on hand. Create your own well-equipped kitchen with these quality products. We think you will find them to be your most used kitchen knives and tools in your kitchen!