Don’t Waste Money on Flimsy Knives – Our Chef Says These 5 Pro Brands Are the Smartest Upgrades (Up to $500 Off Today, Before They Sell Out)

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 worth the money?'

If you've been biding your time to shop Cyber Monday knife deals, you're in luck, because most of the deals are still up online this weekend. I've seen some jaw-droppingly cheap price tags; I was wary at first, but some of them are the real deal. Sur La Table has knocked $500 off the best Global Chef knives – these blades are so premium, and I use them on personal chef jobs; I'm a tad surprised they haven't sold out already.

However, 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 this Cyber Monday and score the best knife deals that will perform well for years to come.

Discount of the Day: Best Knife Set Deal

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

DEAL OF THE DAY

Save 71%

Global Hashira 5-Piece Knife Block Set: was $700 now $199.96 at surlatable.com

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.

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Best Cyber Monday Knife Deals, Recommended by a Chef

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

BEST VARIETY FOR HOME COOKS

Save 50%

Ninja Foodi NeverDull Premium 12 Piece Knife Block Set with Built-in Sharpener: was $298.99 now $149.50 at SharkNinja

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 the 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 (even better if you already own some of the best Ninja appliances; these will match pretty nicely).

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Premium 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. This set includes six Japanese-style blades, which are thin and precision-engineered. From a versatile chef's knife to a small paring knife for delicate slicing and shaping. The stainless-steel block adds a polished, professional touch to any kitchen. It's a tad more expensive than the other deals, but I don't think you'll ever regret the investment if you're a keen cook.

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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.

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BUDGET KNIFE SET

Save 10%

Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Wood Glass Knife Block Set: was $139 now $125.10 at Amazon

I think this is the best knife set on Amazon. They are affordable and lightweight, and often used by restaurant chefs who need a comfortable grip for long prep sessions. This glass block is nice looking, too. The discount is pretty small today, but the overall price is still low and definitely worth mentioning.

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Under $100

Save 46%

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

If you're hunting for Cyber Monday 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, which is praise indeed). This set comes in under $100 with a sharpening rod included, but there's no knife block for storage.

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How Can You Tell You've Found a Good Cyber Monday Knife Deal?

When hunting for Cyber Monday knife deals, it can be easy to fall into deal 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 Cyber Monday 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 throughout the day as I track the Cyber Monday knife deals, in case they sell out.

If you 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 Cyber Monday Home deals, too.