8 Best Kitchen Knife Set Without Steak Knives (November 2026)
The best kitchen knife sets without steak knives include the Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block for cooks who sharpen at the block, the Astercook Knife Set for campers and small kitchens, and the Amazon Basics 14-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel for a traditional full-tang feel.
On this page (4 sections)
The best kitchen knife set without steak knives for most cooks is the Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block, a 15-piece set with chef, slicing, santoku and bread knives and a sharpener built into the block. It still includes six steak knives, so the truly steak-free picks here are the hecef 5-piece and the Yatoshi 6-piece.
That sounds like a contradiction, so here is the reasoning. Most buyers searching for a set without steak knives want the cooking blades, not a drawer full of serrated steak knives they never touch.
The Astercook set earns the top score on the strength of its core knives and its built-in sharpener, and the extra steak knives are the price of getting that block.
If you want no steak knives at all, go straight to the hecef or Yatoshi entries. Both leave them out, and both store the knives without a block.
Our picks at a glance
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1
Best for cooks who sharpen at the blockAstercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for a traditional full-tang feelAmazon Basics 14-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel
9.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itMasterChef Knife Set with Block
Best for small counters - 5
Check itCAROTE 14-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block
Best for a full set in a wood block - 6
Check ithecef Silver Kitchen knife set
Best for drawer storage without a block - 7
Best for a full-tang set with a sharpenerCheck it - 8
Check itYatoshi 67-Layer VG-10 Magnetic Block Set
Best for Japanese steel lovers
How we compared these sets without steak knives
We scored each set on the blades you actually cook with, not on piece count. A 15-piece set with six steak knives gives you nine useful pieces, and that changes how a set looks next to a leaner one.
Four of the eight sets here carry steak knives, which is why we weight the cooking knives so heavily.
We checked the steel type, the edge angle, the handle build and what the block or sheath does for storage. The Astercook 13-piece, for example, states a 15 degree edge, while the Yatoshi states 16 degrees per side on its double bevel.
That difference matters when you decide how often to hone.
We also weighed whether the set includes a sharpener or shears, since those are the extras cooks use most. A sharpener built into the block saves a separate purchase and a spot in the drawer.
A set with sheaths but no sharpener asks you to supply both.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. Every set here earns its place on the cooking knives first and its storage second.
Piece count comes last, because a set with steak knives only helps if you serve steak.
The best kitchen knife sets without steak knives
The Astercook 15-piece set leads on the strength of its cooking blades and built-in sharpener. The other picks each win a named need: travel, a traditional handle, a small counter or Japanese steel.
Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block: Best for cooks who sharpen at the block
- 15 pieces including 6 steak knives
- Built-in knife sharpener in the block
- 1.4116 high-carbon German stainless steel
- Black non-stick and anti-rust coating
A 15-piece set that puts chef, slicing, santoku and bread knives on the counter with a sharpener built into the block. It still ships steak knives, so it fits buyers who entertain.
Pros
- Built-in sharpener keeps an edge within reach
- Forged German steel blades
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Includes six steak knives
- Black coating hides the steel
This set suits a cook who wants the block to do the sharpening. Its 15 pieces put an 8 inch chef knife, an 8 inch slicing knife, a 7 inch santoku and an 8 inch serrated bread knife within reach, and the block holds a one-hand sharpener.
The blades are forged from 1.4116 high-carbon German stainless steel with a tapered edge grind. Astercook coats them in black to block oxidation, which also means you can't see the steel or judge the edge by eye.
The tapered grind is designed to keep the edge precise and easy to resharpen.
The trade-off is the six serrated steak knives. They add count and fill block slots, and a cook who never serves whole cuts gets little from them.
If you entertain, this set is easy to justify. If not, you're paying for knives you skip.
The set weighs 3.3 kg and measures 7 by 4.5 by 8.5 inches, so the block fits under most upper cabinets without crowding the work area.
The lifetime warranty covers the set, and Astercook marks it dishwasher safe. The handle is polypropylene, which shrugs off water and stays grippy when wet.
The block's sharpener is the real daily advantage here, because you can restore an edge without pulling out a stone. For a cook who wants the block to handle maintenance, that single feature carries the set.
Astercook Knife Set: Best for campers and small kitchens
- 13 pieces with 6 blade guards
- 15 degree edge angle
- Anti-rust coating
- Kitchen shears included
Six core knives plus shears and blade guards, with no block and no steak knives. The guards make it easy to store in a drawer or pack for a trip.
Pros
- No steak knives and no block
- Blade guards for drawer storage and travel
- 15 degree edge angle
Cons
- No built-in sharpener
- Blades are serrated-edged
Buyers who move between a kitchen, an RV and a campsite get more from this set than from a block. Its 13 pieces are six core knives, kitchen shears and six blade guards, and each blade has a vented guard for storage.
That puts the count in a different light: the six knives and shears are the working kit, and the guards are what you store them in.
The 15 degree edge angle is the sharpest in this group. That angle slices cleanly but needs more frequent honing, so plan to keep a rod or stone nearby.
Astercook marks the set dishwasher safe. The blades are forged carbon steel with an anti-rust coating, and the ergonomic handle is built to stay secure when your hands are slick.
The trade-off against the 15-piece set is storage. Blade guards suit a drawer or a duffel bag, but there's no block to hold a sharpener, so you'll buy and store one separately.
The guards do protect edges better in a crowded drawer than loose knives do. At 1.7 pounds the whole set packs light, which matters if it rides in a camper or a picnic basket.
The set arrives in a gift box with a manual, so it also works as a present for a new cook who has no block yet. For a compact kitchen with little counter space, or for travel, this is the set to take.
Amazon Basics 14-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel: Best for a traditional full-tang feel
- Full tang, triple-riveted handles
- Separate 8 inch sharpener
- High carbon stainless steel blades
- Pinewood block
A familiar set with full tang handles and a separate sharpener rod. Six steak knives are in the box, so it suits a household that serves steak.
Pros
- Full tang construction
- Sharpener rod included
- High carbon stainless steel
Cons
- Six steak knives included
- Blades should be hand washed
This set suits a cook who likes a heavy handle and a visible rivet line. Its 14 pieces include a full tang chef knife with triple-riveted ergonomic handles, a separate 8 inch sharpener rod and a pinewood block.
The rest of the set is a slicing knife, a bread knife, a utility, a paring knife, six steak knives and kitchen scissors.
Full tang construction runs the steel through the handle, which gives the knife a balanced feel in the hand. The high carbon stainless blades hold an edge well and are easy to realign with the rod.
The block itself is 7.87 by 4.45 by 14.21 inches and weighs 5 pounds, so it sits stable on the counter but takes a real footprint.
The catch is the six steak knives and the care routine. Amazon Basics asks you to hand wash and dry the knives and to wipe the block monthly.
That's more upkeep than the coated Astercook sets need. The block also has to air dry upside down once a month, which is one more chore to remember.
If you want a traditional set with a rod and a wood block, this is a solid value. The full tang handles and the separate sharpener make it the most familiar-feeling set here.
If you want zero steak knives, keep reading.
MasterChef Knife Set with Block: Best for small counters
- 7 pieces: 6 knives and a block
- Hand sharpened blades
- Non-stick coated blades
- Flexible spaghetti-style block interior
Six essential knives and a compact block with a soft interior that grips each blade. There are no steak knives and no shears, so it fits a tight counter.
Pros
- No steak knives
- Compact 7-piece count
- Soft block interior protects edges
Cons
- No kitchen shears
- Blades are coated rather than bare steel
This set fits a small counter. Its 7 pieces are six knives and a block: paring, utility, santoku, bread, carving and chef.
That's a short list, and every knife on it does real work.
The blades are hand sharpened and coated with a non-stick plating that adds corrosion resistance and a matte finish. The block's interior uses a soft, flexible structure that grips each blade and protects the edge.
The carving knife is the piece most small sets leave out, and it earns its slot when a roast or a whole bird lands on the board.
The trade-off is what's missing. There are no shears and no sharpener, so you'll need a rod or stone.
The set weighs 1.78 kg and runs 13 inches long, so it tucks into a corner better than the block sets. The coated blades also hide the edge, so you judge sharpness by feel.
It earns its place for tight kitchens and simple cooking, and the licensed MasterChef branding adds appeal for fans of the show. If you mostly chop vegetables and slice bread, six knives is plenty.
The chef and santoku cover most prep, and the carving knife steps up when a larger cut needs slicing thin.
CAROTE 14-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block: Best for a full set in a wood block
- 14 pieces in a hardwood block
- Forged full tang with bolsters
- Triple-riveted plastic handles
- Sharpening steel included
A forged set with a 13-slot hardwood block, shears and a sharpening steel. It includes a six-piece steak knife set, so buyers who skip steak knives should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Full tang forged construction
- Hardwood block with nonslip feet
- Sharpening steel included
Cons
- Includes six steak knives
- Block takes up counter space
This set suits a cook who wants the look and feel of forged knives in a wood block. Its 14 pieces include an 8 inch chef, an 8 inch bread, a 7 inch santoku, utility and paring knives, plus shears, a sharpening steel and a 13-slot hardwood block with nonslip feet.
The last six pieces are the steak knives.
Each blade is forged from a single piece of stainless steel with full tangs and wide bolsters. The triple-riveted plastic handles give a secure grip, and the sharpening steel keeps edges aligned between honings.
Lasers set the edge angle on each blade before it ships, which keeps the grind consistent from knife to knife. The full tangs and bolsters add balance in the hand, and that weight helps on long chopping jobs.
The steak knives are the trade-off. A six-piece set fills six of the 13 slots, which leaves less room for the knives you add later.
The block is also large at 7.5 by 5 by 16.5 inches, so measure your counter before you commit. The cream finish looks lighter than the black sets, which helps in a small or dark kitchen.
Buy it for the forged feel and the full kit. Skip it if a steak-free set is the whole point.
hecef Silver Kitchen knife set: Best for drawer storage without a block
- 5 essential knives
- Matching sheaths with air vent
- All-metal stainless handles
- Satin finish blades
Five cooking knives with fitted sheaths, so nothing sits on the counter. It is the leanest set here for buyers who want no steak knives and no block.
Pros
- No steak knives and no block
- Sheaths protect blades in a drawer
- All-metal handles
Cons
- Only five pieces
- No shears or sharpener
This is the leanest set here. Its 5 pieces are an 8 inch chef, an 8 inch bread, an 8 inch santoku, a 5 inch utility and a 3.5 inch paring knife, each with a matching sheath.
The taper-ground edge gives stability and long-lasting sharpness. The all-metal stainless handles and satin finish blades are built for weight and balance, and the sheaths have an air vent so a blade slides out easily.
The set weighs 0.71 kg, light enough to carry in a bag or move between drawers without effort.
The trade-off is the short list. There's no block, no shears and no sharpener, so this set assumes you already own the extras.
It's the best fit for a drawer-only kitchen or a rental where you don't want to mount a block. The satin finish resists rust, and the all-metal build means there are no plastic seams to loosen over time.
Buy it if you want five good knives and nothing else. The sheaths also keep edges covered when the drawer gets crowded.
Astercook Knife Set: Best for a full-tang set with a sharpener
- 14 pieces with built-in sharpener
- Full tang stainless handles
- High carbon stainless steel
- 99-year warranty
A cream-white full-tang set with a sharpener in the block and a long warranty. Six steak knives are included, so it works best for households that use them.
Pros
- Full tang construction
- Built-in sharpener
- 99-year warranty
Cons
- Includes six steak knives
- Heaviest set in this group
This set suits a cook who wants full tang construction and a sharpener in the block without the black finish. Its 14 pieces include a chef, slicing, bread, utility and paring knife, shears, and a hardwood block with a built-in sharpener.
The full tang handle runs the steel through the grip, and Astercook says independent lab tests found lower fatigue than partial-tang knives. The cream-white finish stands out on a counter.
The handle is stainless steel rather than plastic, so it should hold its finish longer in a busy kitchen. The blade is high carbon stainless steel with a partial serrated edge, which bites into bread and tougher skins.
The trade-off is weight and the steak knives. At 14 pieces with six steak knives, this set is the heaviest here at 3.66 kg, so a cook who moves the block often will feel it.
The 99-year warranty is unusually long for the price tier. The block and sharpener are included, so there's no separate rod to store.
Buy it for the full tang feel and the light color, and accept the steak knives as part of the package. The stainless handles make it the easiest of the block sets to keep clean.
Yatoshi 67-Layer VG-10 Magnetic Block Set: Best for Japanese steel lovers
- VG-10 core with 67-layer Damascus cladding
- 60-61 Rockwell hardness
- 16 degree double-bevel edge
- Double-sided magnetic walnut block
Five Japanese Damascus knives on a magnetic walnut block. It carries no steak knives and no shears, and the steel rewards buyers who hand wash and hone.
Pros
- No steak knives
- Magnetic block saves drawer space
- Hard 60-61 Rockwell steel
Cons
- No shears or sharpener
- Damascus steel needs careful washing
This set suits a cook who wants Japanese steel and a magnetic block. Its 6 pieces are an 8 inch chef, an 8 inch bread, a 7 inch santoku, a 5 inch utility and a 3.5 inch paring knife, held on a double-sided magnetic walnut block.
The blade is a VG-10 core wrapped in 67 layers of Damascus cladding, hardened to 60-61 Rockwell and ground to a 16 degree double-bevel edge. The G10 fiberglass handle gives a secure grip, and the sloped bolster lets you pinch the blade for control.
The magnetic block holds knives flat and saves drawer space. The block measures 9.5 by 4 by 15 inches and has an anti-skid pad so it stays put on the counter.
The trade-off is care. Hard steel holds an edge longer but chips more easily, so hand wash and dry these and keep them off the dishwasher.
There's also no sharpener or shears. At 7 pounds the set is heavier than its piece count suggests, mostly because of the wood block.
The five knives carry the set, and the magnetic block is as much display piece as storage.
Buy it if you'll treat the steel right. Otherwise the Astercook 15-piece is the easier set to live with.
Which kitchen knife set fits your cooking?
The best set without steak knives depends on how you store knives and what you already own. Here is how the choices shake out.
Should you buy a set with steak knives or add them later?
Add them later. A steak-free set gives you more room and money for the chef, santoku and bread knives you use daily.
Buy a six-pack of steak knives when you start serving whole cuts.
The Astercook 15-piece and the Amazon Basics set both include steak knives, so treat those as sets for households that entertain. If you rarely serve steak, skip them and put the savings toward a better chef knife.
The hecef and Yatoshi sets leave steak knives out entirely, which makes them the cleaner starting point.
Is a block set or a drawer set better without steak knives?
A drawer set wins on space. The hecef 5-piece and the Astercook 13-piece both store in a drawer, and the 13-piece adds blade guards for travel.
Neither needs counter room.
A block set wins on reach. The Astercook 15-piece and the MasterChef keep knives upright and often hold a sharpener.
Pick the block if your counter has room and the drawer if it doesn't. Measure the block first, because the Astercook 15-piece block is compact while the CAROTE block runs over 16 inches wide.
What steel should you look for in a steak-free set?
German stainless is the safe default. The 1.4116 steel in the Astercook 15-piece and the high carbon stainless in the Amazon Basics set both resist rust and hold an edge through daily prep.
The Astercook 13-piece adds an anti-rust coating over its carbon steel, which matters if you tend to leave knives in the sink.
Japanese VG-10 in the Yatoshi set is harder and holds an edge longer, but it chips more easily and needs hand washing. For most cooks, the German steel is the easier steel to live with.
Rockwell hardness tells you a lot: the Yatoshi's 60-61 is hard enough to hold an edge but brittle enough to chip if you twist the blade. Softer steel rolls at the edge instead, which you can fix with a rod.
How many knives do you actually need without steak knives?
Five knives cover most cooking: chef, santoku or slicing, bread, utility and paring. That's exactly what the hecef set gives you.
Everything past that is shears, a sharpener or spare blades.
If you break down whole chickens or large roasts, add a carving knife. The MasterChef set includes one, which makes its 7-piece count more useful than it looks.
The Astercook 13-piece adds shears, which matter more than a second bread knife for most home cooks. A bread knife is hard to substitute, so make sure your set has one whatever the count.
Which set is the best value if you skip steak knives?
The Astercook 13-piece is the best value for a steak-free buyer. It pairs six core knives and shears with blade guards and a 15 degree edge, and it leaves out the block and the steak knives that raise the price of fuller sets.
If you want a block anyway, the MasterChef 7-piece costs less than the larger sets and still gives you six working knives. Compare more budget options in our roundup of the best affordable kitchen knife sets.
Are coated blades a problem?
No, but they change the care routine. The black coating on the Astercook sets blocks oxidation and hides scratches.
It also hides the edge, so you judge sharpness by feel rather than sight. The coating helps on the two Astercook sets marked dishwasher safe, since it adds a layer against water and detergent.
The MasterChef blades use a similar non-stick plating over stainless steel.
Bare steel in the Amazon Basics and hecef sets lets you see the edge and hone it by eye. Neither choice is better; they just suit different habits.
Our guide to the best knife sets for the money covers both finishes in more depth.
Verdict
For most cooks, buy the Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block. Its chef, slicing, santoku and bread knives cover daily prep, and the sharpener in the block keeps them working without a separate stone.
The six steak knives are the only reason to hesitate.
If steak knives are the deal-breaker, pick the hecef 5-piece for a drawer-only kitchen or the Yatoshi 6-piece for Japanese steel. For a small counter with six good knives and no steak knives, the MasterChef set is the simplest buy.
Whichever set you choose, match the storage to your kitchen first. A block you can't fit becomes a drawer problem, and a drawer set with no guards scatters knives.
Check the block dimensions against your counter and the drawer depth against the sheaths before you order. If you're still weighing brands, read our Astercook review in the Astercook knife set review and our look at whether Martha Stewart knives are good.
| Product | Best for | Material | Pieces | Block | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block | cooks who sharpen at the block | 1.4116 German stainless steel | 15 | Black hardwood with sharpener | 9.7 |
| Astercook Knife Set | campers and small kitchens | High carbon stainless steel | 13 | 9.6 | |
| Amazon Basics 14-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel | a traditional full-tang feel | High carbon stainless steel | 14 | Pinewood | 9.4 |
| MasterChef Knife Set with Block | small counters | Stainless steel | 7 | Universal with soft interior | 8.9 |
| CAROTE 14-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block | a full set in a wood block | Stainless steel | 14 | 13-slot hardwood with nonslip feet | 8.7 |
| hecef Silver Kitchen knife set | drawer storage without a block | Stainless steel | 5 | 8.5 | |
| Astercook Knife Set | a full-tang set with a sharpener | High carbon stainless steel | 14 | Hardwood with sharpener | 8.2 |
| Yatoshi 67-Layer VG-10 Magnetic Block Set | Japanese steel lovers | VG-10 Damascus steel | 6 | Magnetic walnut | 8.0 |
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for cooks who sharpen at the block
Astercook Knife Set for Kitchen with Block
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for a traditional full-tang feel
Amazon Basics 14-Piece High Carbon Stainless Steel
9.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Why buy a set without steak knives?
Steak knives add count and cost to a block you may never use. A set without them gives you more room and money for the chef, santoku and bread knives you reach for daily, plus shears or a sharpener.
Do these sets include kitchen shears?
Some do. The Astercook 15-piece, the Amazon Basics 14-piece and the CAROTE 14-piece all include kitchen shears.
The hecef 5-piece and the Yatoshi 6-piece do not.
Are these sets dishwasher safe?
The two Astercook sets with coating are marked dishwasher safe. Amazon Basics asks for hand washing and immediate drying.
For the rest, hand wash and dry right away to protect the edge and finish.
