Yes, chef! A set of HexClad knives turns any home cook into a professional.
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As Taste of Home’s Senior Shopping Editor, I’ve tested 100s of products for the kitchen and home. Some of my favorite gadgets solve a simple problem with a high-tech solution. (Hello, LARQ water pitcher.) Other top-notch tools are purely utilitarian. (Looking at you, Baratza burr coffee grinder.) And, well, some beloved items are just plain fun. (Shoutout to my porch goose!)
Needless to say, as someone who has dedicated her life to finding the best products available, it’s pretty rare for me to claim an item is “life-changing.” But after months of daily use, this 7-piece HexClad knife set earns that status. Here’s why.
What are HexClad Knives?
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
First things first: What is HexClad? Made popular by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and social media, this viral brand lives up to the hype. They’re best known for their hybrid cookware that blends the durability of stainless steel with the ease of nonstick. Our experts have extensively tested HexClad products in our home kitchens—putting the hybrid pan, wok and Dutch oven through the paces—and each piece earned our stamp of approval. In addition to cookware and knives, the brand sells accessories like pepper mills, aprons and cutting boards.
Now, onto the HexClad knives. HexClad uses Japanese Damascus steel and a green pakkawood handle. The 7-piece set includes an 8-inch Chef’s knife, 7-inch Santoku knife, 5-inch utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 8-inch serrated knife, 9-honing steel and a magnetic walnut knife block. Each piece is not only aesthetic (truly, they’re some of the prettiest knives I’ve seen) but strong and sturdy for a lifetime of use.
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This essential knife set will speed up your prep work and level up your cooking prowess.
HexClad Knife Set Features
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Includes seven pieces:
Magnetic walnut knife block
8-inch Chef’s knife
7-inch Santoku knife
5-inch utility knife
3.5-inch paring knife
8-inch serrated knife
9-inch honing steel
Blade features 67 layers of Damascus steel
Handle made of green pakkawood
Sharp right out of the box
Suitable for a wide variety of cooking tasks
How We Tested It
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
I’ve tested the HexClad 7-piece knife set in my home kitchen since September 2023. And I’ve used them every. single. day.
Packaging
When the HexClad knives first arrived, I was immediately impressed with the packaging. A sleek, white cardboard sleeve gave way to a hinged black box lined with velvety packing material. Each knife had a protective plastic sleeve and a little sheath tip and was nestled in an indented area. They were incredibly secure. The box also included a polishing cloth, care and use instructions and a little card with a Gordon Ramsay quote.
Washing
I washed the knives in warm, soapy water and then immediately dried them with a towel. Next, I arranged them on the magnetic bamboo block. As someone who has used both traditional knife blocks and plastic sheath-covered knives, the magnetic storage method is the way to go. It’s so convenient to keep knives out in the open. Plus, it’s perfectly safe. The magnet is strong and requires a little bit of force to pull away, so there are no accidental slips. (Albeit I don’t have kids, so there’s no risk of little hands pulling at the blades.)
Once washed, it was time to start experimenting. As I said, I’ve used these knives every day for five months. I’ve performed pretty much every cooking task—from chopping onions to slicing homemade bread to chiffonading fresh basil—and have yet to be disappointed.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Cutting
One notable experience? Cutting through a squash. While they’re one of my all-time favorite fall veggies, I’d be lying if I said I looked forward to the prep. Before HexClad, I would spend at least five minutes wrestling and rocking with my knives to cut through the dense, slippery flesh. But with the help of the 8-inch Chef’s knife, I cut through the thickest portion with one simple swipe. Truly, I was amazed. It was like cutting through butter. Plus, they stay sharp for a long time. Even after several months of consistent use, they cut with ease.
As for downsides, the list is pretty short. The walnut block could be a touch wider. It fits all the knives, but I would love a little more wiggle room. Professional chefs may also notice that the Santoku knife lacks divots on the blade that traditionally help prevent sticking when slicing meats and vegetables.
Some reviewers also mention that the knives are bulky or cumbersome—especially for smaller hands. Truthfully, as a fairly petite woman, I never had an issue. I found the handles comfortable for even long-term chopping marathons.
Pros
Incredibly sharp, durable knives
Heirloom-quality
Beautiful green handle
Assortment of blades for any cooking task
Cons
Magnetic block could be a little wider
Recommended hand wash
Pricey (Although there are frequent HexClad sales!)
FAQ
Are HexClad knives real Damascus?
Yes. They are made with 67 layers of Damascus steel.
Do HexClad knives rust?
In my experience, no. I only hand-wash the knives, but not always immediately after cooking. I also sometimes put them on the drying rack rather than towel-drying them immediately after washing. Even with this less-than-ideal care, the knives are still in excellent condition with no rust in sight.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only one trading in dull, unsafe knives for the super-sharp HexClad set. Here’s what other reviewers had to say.
“I really don’t know what I was doing prior to purchasing this knife set,” shares five-star Amazon reviewer, Danielle N. “I love cooking; however mincing and cutting has been burdensome in the past with other cutlery utensils. Not anymore!”
“This will be the last knife set I buy!” shares five-star HexClad reviewer, Cody M. “Been in the market for knives for a while and am glad I spent the money and went with a high-class cutting utensil. Definitely recommend over buying cheap knife sets every year that don’t last!”
Final Verdict
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
If you’re looking for a new knife set that will last a lifetime, HexClad is the way to go. The 7-piece set has everything I need to prep all my favorite dishes—and to look good while doing it. I love the sharp, durable blades and ergonomic handles. After months of daily use, they’re still incredibly sharp. And, with proper care, they should last for years. Just like HexClad cookware, the brand’s knives get our universal stamp of approval.
Next: Read up on the difference between HexClad and All-Clad.
Where to Buy HexClad Knives
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The knife set includes a magnetic walnut knife block, Chef’s knife, Santoku knife, utility knife, paring knife, serrated bread knife and honing steel.
You can buy HexClad knives directly from the brand’s website or Amazon. The set retails for $599 but is frequently on sale for less. And, if you don’t need all seven pieces, you can buy each item individually.
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