# Best Japanese knife sets built around a gyuto or santoku Source: https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-japanese-knife-sets Publisher: Edge & Haft. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://edgeandhaft.com/how-we-pick Most cooks use one main knife for nearly everything, so a Japanese knife set is only as good as the chef knife, gyuto or santoku inside it. The rest of the set should fill real gaps: a paring or petty knife for small work, and a bread knife or slicer if you bake or roast. Big block sets add pieces you may never use, while a well-chosen two or three piece starter often covers more of your cooking for less. Steel and edge angle still matter, because every piece in a set shares the same steel and care needs. This guide compares eight sets from Shun, Miyabi, MAC, Global, Enso and Yoshihiro by what each listing states: steel, hardness, the pieces included, edge angle and handle. Each summary notes what the main knife is and what each extra piece is for. ## Picks ### 1. Global 7-piece Ikasu Knife Block Set Pieces: 7; Chef knife: 8 in chef's; Steel: Cromova 18 high carbon stainless; Hardness (HRC): 58; Edge angle: 15 degrees; Block: Bamboo and acrylic Six knives plus a bamboo and acrylic block, including a nakiri for vegetables. A complete Global kitchen for cooks who like the steel handle. What the listing offers: - The listing states a symmetrical 50/50 bevel at 15 degrees on each side. - Includes a 5.5 in nakiri, useful for heavy vegetable prep. - Made in Japan with a limited lifetime warranty, per the listing. Limits to know: - No slicer or honing steel is included in the set. - Hand washing is recommended, which adds up across six knives. ### 2. Shun Classic 3 Piece Starter Set, Includes 8" Chef, 3.5" Paring & 6" Utility Knives, Handcrafted Japanese Knife Set, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle Steel: VG-MAX, 68-layer Damascus cladding; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; What's included: 8 in chef, 6 in utility, 3.5 in paring; Edge angle: 16 degrees; Handle: D-shaped Pakkawood Shun's Classic starter: an 8 inch chef for main prep, a 6 inch utility for sandwiches and trimming, and a paring knife for in-hand work. A strong default Japanese set. What the listing offers: - The listing states VG-MAX steel and a 16-degree edge across the set. - Three pieces cover main prep, mid-size tasks and detail work without filler. - Listing says it is supported by free sharpening and honing; check the current terms. Limits to know: - No block or storage is included, so budget for a block or magnetic strip. - HRC is not stated in the listing, so hardness cannot be compared. ### 3. Mac Knife set Professional series 3-piece PRO-31, MTH-80 Pro series 8" Chef's knife w/dimples, PKF-50 Pro series 5" Paring knife, MSB-105 Pro series 10.5" Bread/Roast slicer, made in Japan Series: Professional; Pieces: 3; Main knife: MTH-80 8 in dimpled chef's; Steel: Sub-zero tempered alloy (chef's); molybdenum alloy (paring, bread); Handle: Bolstered Pakka wood A set built around the MTH-80 Pro chef knife, plus a paring knife and a 10.5 inch bread and roast slicer. Good for cooks who want the MTH-80 and a long slicer. What the listing offers: - Includes the MTH-80 Pro 8 in chef, which the listing calls MAC's best-selling knife. - The chef knife's sub-zero tempered alloy is said to hold an edge about 10-15% longer. - Bolstered Pakka wood handles with knuckle clearance, per the listing. Limits to know: - HRC and edge angle are not stated in the listing. - The highest-priced three-piece set in this guide. ### 4. Enso Knife Set - Made in Japan - HD Series - VG10 Hammered Damascus Japanese Stainless Steel with Birch Knife Block - 7 Piece Steel: VG10, 37-layer hammered Damascus; Hardness (HRC): 61; What's included: 4 in paring, 6 in utility, 6.5 in santoku, 8 in chef, 9 in bread, shears, 6-slot birch block; Edge angle: About 12 degrees; Handle: Black canvas micarta, three rivets A full VG10 block set with chef, santoku, bread and utility knives plus shears. A complete Japanese set at a mid-level block price. What the listing offers: - The listing states 61 HRC and hand-ground edges of about 12 degrees. - Five knives plus take-apart shears and a 6-slot birch block. - Handcrafted in Seki City with a lifetime warranty, per the listing. Limits to know: - A 6-slot block leaves no room for extra knives later. - No honing steel is included in this set. ### 5. Miyabi Koh 7-pc Knife Block Set Pieces: 7; Chef knife: 8 in chef's; Steel: FC61 fine carbide stainless; Hardness (HRC): 61; Edge angle: 9.5 to 12 degrees; Block: 10-slot bamboo A full block set with an 8 inch chef, a 5.5 inch santoku for quick jobs, a bread knife and shears. Good for a full kitchen setup with room to grow. What the listing offers: - The listing states FC61 stainless at 61 HRC with FRIODURx2 hardening. - Includes a bread knife, shears and a sharpening steel, plus a 10-slot block. - Handcrafted in Seki, Japan, with a 9.5 to 12 degree edge. Limits to know: - The set listing does not describe the handle material. - A small 5.5 in santoku alongside the chef knife overlaps for many cooks. ### 6. Miyabi Kaizen II Japanese 2-pc Knife Set, 6" Chef's and 3.5" Paring Kitchen Knife Set, Black Pakkawood Handle, 48-Layer Flower Damascus Pattern, Handcrafted in Seki, Japan Steel: FC61 core, 48-layer Damascus; Hardness (HRC): 61; What's included: 6 in chef, 3.5 in paring; Edge angle: 9.5-12 degrees; Handle: Black Pakkawood A compact pair: a 6 inch chef knife for everyday prep and a paring knife for small work. Suits small kitchens or cooks with smaller hands. What the listing offers: - The listing states FC61 steel at 61 HRC with double ice hardening. - A thin 9.5 to 12 degree Honbazuke edge on both knives. - Black Pakkawood handles with mosaic pin and Miyabi end cap, per the listing. Limits to know: - A 6 inch chef knife is short for large vegetables and roasts. - Only two pieces, with no bread knife or storage. ### 7. Shun Sora 3 Piece Starter Set Series: Sora; Steel: VG10 edge, 420J upper (san mai); Blade length: 8 in chef, 6 in utility, 3.5 in paring; Edge angle: 16 degrees; Handle: PP/TPE polymer, full tang; Pieces: 3 The lowest-priced set here, with Shun's composite blade: a VG10 cutting edge joined to a 420J stainless upper. A budget-minded entry to Japanese knives. What the listing offers: - Same 8 in, 6 in and 3.5 in lineup as the Shun Classic starter for less money. - The listing states VG10 at the edge with a 16-degree angle. - Full-tang polymer handle with a textured grip, per the listing. Limits to know: - Only the edge section is VG10; the upper blade is 420J stainless. - No block or storage, and HRC is not stated. ### 8. Yoshihiro 46 Layers Hammered Damascus Gyuto Chef Knife and Petty Utility Knife SET (Gyuto 8.25'' (210mm) & Petty 6'' (150mm), Ambrosia Handle) Steel: VG-10 core, 46-layer hammered Damascus; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; What's included: 210 mm gyuto, 150 mm petty, saya; Edge angle: Not stated; Handle: Octagonal wa (Ambrosia) A traditional pairing of a 210 mm gyuto and a 150 mm petty with wa handles and saya. For cooks who want the classic two-knife Japanese setup. What the listing offers: - The listing pairs an all-purpose gyuto with a petty for work that needs more dexterity. - The listing states a VG-10 core with 46-layer hammered Damascus. - Octagonal wa handles and protective wooden saya, per the listing. Limits to know: - The listing says sharpening should be done only with water whetstones. - HRC and edge angle are not stated in this set's listing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.