Don’t Waste Money on Flimsy Knives – Our Chef Says These 6 Pro Brands are the Smartest Black Friday Upgrades

Our expert edit of the best prices on Wüsthof, Global, Zwilling, and more Black Friday knife deals with up to 70% off

Global 40th Anniversary Knife Set
(Image credit: Sur La Table)

As a trained cook and product tester, I spend my life testing kitchen tools to ensure style doesn't forgo substance. I review the best cookware, and lately I’ve really geeked out on knives, testing the top brands to answer the question: 'Are Japanese knives are worth the money?'

It might be tempting to snap up flashy Black Friday knife deals with jaw-droppingly cheap price tags – but I’m here to tell you: don’t.

I’ve got a knack for spotting the best Black Friday deals on kitchen knives, and not all discounts are worth their salt. Once you know the best knife set brands, the dupes lurking online, and how price drops really work, you’ll be able to shop smart. This guide will help you avoid low-quality knockoffs and score the best knife deals that perform well for years to come.

Deal of the Day: Best Black Friday Knives

Global has the best deal of the day. This a huge discount on a sleek maple wood set, which shows off the knives while keeping them organized and ventilated.

Global Hashira 5-Piece Knife Block Set
DEAL OF THE DAY
Save 71%
Global Hashira 5-Piece Knife Block Set: was $700 now $199.96 at Sur La Table

There is 71% off this Japanese knife set. I use Global knives at home, and it is the first brand I look for in the sales. Each knife is sharpened to a precise 15° angle. They feel perfectly balanced, stay sharp thanks to the high-carbon stainless steel, and the dimpled handles give me a secure, comfortable grip.

Best Black Friday Knife Deals Right Now

I've spent hours scrolling through knife set sales. These are the only Black Friday knife deals worth considering, in my opinion. I've tried and tested these brands, so I know you'll be getting value for money.

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Wood Glass Knife Block Set
BEST BARGAIN KNIFE SET
Save 23%
Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Wood Glass Knife Block Set: was $179.95 now $138.45 at Amazon

Mercer offers some of the best bang-for-your-buck blades out there, and I think this is the best knife set on Amazon. They are often used by restaurant chefs, who need affordable knives that are sharp, lightweight, and comfortable to use over long periods of time. This glass block is beautiful, too.

Ninja Foodi NeverDull Premium 12 Piece Knife Block Set with Built-in Sharpener
BEST VARIETY FOR HOME COOKS
Save 33%
Ninja Foodi NeverDull Premium 12 Piece Knife Block Set with Built-in Sharpener: was $298.99 now $201 at Amazon

This Ninja set contains every single knife you'll ever need, plus a set of kitchen scissors. The best part is, the knife block has a built-in sharpener that keeps your blades in shape. Speaking of blades, they are made from German stainless steel, tapered to a fine edge, so the knife cleanly glides through ingredients. It's one of the best knife sets for home cooks

Global G-835 6 Piece Knife Set with Block
JAPANESE SET
Save 20%
Global G-835 6 Piece Knife Set with Block: was $449 now $359.95 at Amazon

Another fantastic deal from Global; my favorite knife brand that I can’t recommend enough. The Japanese-style blades are thin and precision-engineered, making them perfect for delicate slicing and fine work. The stainless-steel block looks sleek, professional, and adds a polished touch to any kitchen.

HexClad 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
SUPERIOR STEAK KNIVES
Save 23%
HexClad 4-Piece Steak Knife Set : was $229.99 now $178 at Amazon

If you're looking for new steak knives in the sales, these are a real treat. I tested HexClad's Damascus steel blades for my HexClad knife set review, I was impressed. The blades slice through meat like butter. The handles are weighty and beautiful.

Zwilling Pro 10 Piece Knife Block Set
PREMIUM PICK
Save 20%
Zwilling Pro 10 Piece Knife Block Set: was $699.90 now $559.99 at Amazon

Zwilling is famed for its German-engineered, ultra-resilient knives. If you don't want to regularly sharpen and carefully maintain your knives, I'd plump for these over a Japanese set; German steel is slightly softer, thicker, and hardier. The set containts everything you could possibly need for a lifetime of chopping (even a pair of highly-rated kitchen shears) and the wooden knife block is beautiful, too.

Wüsthof Gourmet 4-Piece Chef's Knife Set
Save 46%
Wüsthof Gourmet 4-Piece Chef's Knife Set: was $185 now $99 at Amazon

If you're hunting for Black Friday Chef knife deals, this trio is a great price. The brand is renowned for making lightweight, sharp, durable, and German chef 's knives (even favored by Ina Garten). This set comes in under $100 with a sharpening rod included, but there's no knife block for storage.

How Can You Tell You've Found Good Black Friday Knife Deals?

Black Friday Knife Deals: Damascus steel knife set

The HexClad Damascus steel knife set in my kitchen at home

(Image credit: Future)

When hunting for Black Friday knife deals, it can be easy to fall into some perilous traps. Here's my advice for staying on track.

First, consider your needs: Most home cooks only need a few knives: an excellent chef’s knife for chopping, dicing, and slicing; a paring knife for peeling and delicate work; and a serrated knife for bread and cakes. You can always expand your collection later if your cooking style demands it.

Don’t be swayed by large, 'complete' sets: Fifteen-piece knife sets often look super professional and tempting, but they might include knives you’ll never touch. When weighing up knife set deals, think about which extras are really worth it to you. A slightly pricier bundle that comes with kitchen shears or steak knives might offer more value, if that's your thing.

Verify brand names: I'd advise being a little careful, especially when shopping affordable cookware on Amazon. For example, not all Sabatier knife sets are authentic, since the name isn't trademarked. Some are made in France, others are dupes from China. Do check the origin and seller carefully. Stick to knives from verified brands, with clear provenance (ie, genuine French, Japanese, or German makers) to avoid low-quality knockoffs.

Maintain a skeptical eye for deals that seem too good to be true: Read reviews, verify materials, and consider return policies. The best deal isn’t always the cheapest – it’s the knife that fits your cooking style, is comfortable in your hand, and will last for years with proper care. I also use price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to see the price history.

Consider storage and maintenance: Knife blocks, sharpening tools, and magnetic display boards are really useful additions to get in a Black Friday knife deal. In fact, they are essential for keeping your knives in top condition for years, so it's a huge plus if you find one discounted in a bundle (read a pro-chef's tips on how to sharpen knives to get ahead of the game).


I’ll be refreshing this page every day as I track the Black Friday knife deals that sell out. Over Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday, I’ll be keeping a close eye on prices in case any flash sales arise on the knife brands I trust.

If you're enjoy finding the best offers without endless scrolling, we've got you covered at Homes & Gardens. We're tracking the Walmart sales and spotlighting the best Black Friday Home deals, too.

Lydia Hayman
Kitchen Editor

Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from air fryers and mixers to juicers and coffee machines. She trained in Culinary Arts at Leiths School of Food & Wine and previously served as the Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef.



You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.