Grilling has been practiced way before our time in cultures all around the world.
Whether you use old or new BBQ tools and techniques, one thing’s for sure: you need a reliable set of knives.
Sometimes, even the best utility knife is not enough to handle the task.
To make sure your meats are the perfect cut for grilling, you need the best BBQ knife set.
Here are top picks that grill masters of any skill level swear by.
Comparison Chart
Best BBQ Knife Set Reviews
1. Master Maison BBQ Knife Set
Master Maison came about because of the struggle that two lifelong cooks had to endure finding professional-quality yet affordable knives.
They collaborated with various professional chefs in designing rust- and stain-resistant knives with budget-friendly price points.
Product Highlights
This 15-piece professional-quality BBQ knife set offers professional performance without breaking the bank.
- Set Inclusions
Before checking out what features you’d get from these knives, here’s what’s included in this pitmaster BBQ set.
For slicing meats, you get a 12-inch Granton slicer knife, a nine-inch Scimitar knife, and an eight-inch executive chef knife.
You also get a six-inch cleaver, six-inch fillet knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, and a honing rod.
If you’re not fond of using a honing rod, the set includes a three-stage knife sharpener too.
Each knife comes with an edge guard cover, and you can keep the entire set in a canvas carrying case.
- High-Quality Stainless-Steel Blade
All knives from Master Maison come with a fully exposed tang for added strength, and each is forged from a lone steel sheet.
The blade offers exceptional sharpness and a 52+ Rockwell hardness rating.
That’s not surprising, too, since it is made using premium quality high carbon German stainless steel.
This material offers rust and stain resistance, ensuring that the knives last long and are safe for food.
- Ergonomic and Sleek Design
These knives feature triple rivets for maximum durability, while the ergonomic handles minimize fatigue.
Perfecting the innovative design of the knives is the reinforced endcap, which helps you attain a balanced weight and precise cutting performance.
- Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
The manufacturer recommends hand washing and drying these knives right after use to maintain their glossiness and sharpness.
Thanks to their stainless-steel build, the blades have excellent edge retention, so they don’t need constant resharpening.
What We Like
In addition to six knives, the set also includes a sharpener and a honing rod.
That said, what is more exciting is the carrying case where you can put everything in for convenience.
The set comes with an unlimited warranty for an entire year, allowing you to contact the manufacturer for product-related concerns.
The knives come with sufficient weight, indicative of a well-made product.
What We Don’t Like
Some may find it frustrating that these knives require hand washing. You might also notice staining if the knives are not cleaned right away.
Others believe the blades are a bit thicker, especially compared to knives from other brands.
Pros:
- Razor-sharp blade
- Sleek design
- Has individual blade covers
- Comfortable to hold
- Easy to grip
Cons:
- Slots on the case don’t match the knives
- May stain quickly
2. Wanbasion Kitchen Knife Set
One of the most affordable kitchen knife sets today is these six-piece stainless-steel knives from Wanbasion.
You will love them for their Damascus-style finish with matte black titanium coating.
Product Highlights
This Wanbasion kitchen knife set has what you need for all your cutting tasks.
- Set Inclusions
If you are curious about what you will get from this kitchen knife set, here are the included knives and their functionalities.
First is the seven-inch Santoku knife, perfect for dicing, mincing, and slicing.
It has a dimpled edge to help reduce friction, allowing you to cut faster and with more accurate results.
Next is the eight-inch carving knife, which has a thinner and more flexible blade for slicing ham, roasts, and turkey.
The eight-inch chef knife is the most versatile and, therefore, the most used blade from the set.
It has a slightly curved blade ideal for chopping, mincing, and other cutting tasks.
For removing the skins of vegetables and fruits, you can rely on the 3.5-inch straight-edge paring knife.
It’s just the right size to make decorative cuts.
The set also comes with an eight-inch bread knife.
Its serrated blade makes it the perfect cutting tool for food items with a firm exterior and soft interior.
Lastly, there’s the five-inch utility knife, which size is in between the chef’s and paring knives.
You use this for mincing vegetables and fruits.
- Sharp and Durable Blades
All the knives in this Wanbasion kitchen knife set boast a durable stainless-steel blade.
The material is covered with titanium coating for added strength and hardness.
This same coating provides the knife with excellent resistance to rust, stains, and scratches.
The stainless-steel blade arrives razor-sharp out of the box and has superb edge retention capabilities.
Also, each knife comes with a plastic edge guard for extra protection.
- Ergonomic Handle
For your convenience, each blade is paired with an ergonomic handle made with durable plastic.
Not only is the handle non-slip but also easy to hold and maneuver.
What We Like
The stainless-steel blades’ titanium plating gives the knives a sleek-looking Damascus finish.
More than that, it offers extra protection and improved resistance to stains and corrosion.
You get six pieces of lightweight knives along with a protective plastic cover for each one.
All these knives come out sharp straight from the box.
What We Don’t Like
As with any knife, you will need to sharpen the blade over time, especially if you use it regularly.
Some are concerned about the titanium plating coming off when it’s time to sharpen the knives.
Another observation involves the hard edges on the backside of the long knife.
While not sharp enough to cut your finger, you can still feel the sharpness.
Pros:
- Has sharp blade
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Comfortable to hold
- Sleek look
Cons:
- Poor edge retention
- Gets dull quick
3. Mercer Culinary M21820 Millennia Knife Roll Set
Mercer Culinary is a well-known brand in the foodservice industry and has been around for decades.
Among its best collection yet is the Millenia M21820, a knife set made with durable Japanese steel.
Product Highlights
Whether you’re a culinary pro or just someone who enjoys cooking, you’ll appreciate this knife set from Mercer Culinary.
Here’s what makes the Millennia M21820 stand out from its competitors:
- Set Inclusions
This Mercer Culinary Millennia M21820 set has everything you’re looking for in a complete kitchen knife set.
You will get a 3.5-inch paring knife for peeling fruits and vegetables or cutting ingredients into small pieces.
Then, there’s the six-inch boning knife with its flexible blade and sharp tip.
This combination allows you to pierce through the meat and remove bones easily.
To make slicing more manageable, use the seven-inch Granton edge Santoku knife.
It has grooves that create tiny air gaps between the blade and the food to eliminate sticking.
The eight-inch blade of the bread knife helps you cut through tougher outer skin while protecting the softer interior.
Like the Santoku knife, the 11-inch Granton edge slicer also prevents food from sticking to the blade as you slice.
This is thanks to the dimples along the side of the blade.
Of course, the set also comes with the all-purpose kitchen cutting tool you can use for almost anything—the eight-inch chef’s knife.
Knife edges get dull over time, so Mercer Culinary included a 10-inch steel honing rod in the set.
Use it to fill knife edges or remove burrs to ensure excellent cutting performance at all times.
Lastly, you will also receive a heavy-duty let lightweight carrying bag.
It is a convenient storage solution for this BBQ set knife, making it almost effortless to bring along anywhere.
- Razor-Sharp Blades
The knives’ blades are made from stain-free high-carbon Japanese steel.
As such, you can expect that it will only require quick sharpening and has easy edge maintenance.
- Ergonomic Knife Handle
The ergonomic handle combines the impressive elements of Santoprene and polypropylene.
As a result, you get a knife handle that is durable and comfortable to hold even for longer periods.
It also has textured finger points to ensure safety, grip, and slip resistance.
- Warranty
The Mercer Culinary Millennia M21820 set is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
The company has excellent customer service you can get in touch with if you have issues with your purchase.
What We Like
Six sharp knives and a steel honing rod stored in a heavy-duty carrying bag make this set perfect for professionals and culinary students.
Plus, it also boasts NSF certification, which means the knives passed meticulous testing for public health protection.
For a reasonable price, you get lightweight and thinner knives with hard steel blades that can hold an edge for a long time.
What We Don’t Like
Some have observed that the knives rust or stain after several uses.
Although they can coordinate with the manufacturer, consumers find it a hassle to have this issue.
Others don’t like the knife’s lightweight build, especially if they need to do some heavy-duty tasks.
Pros:
- Razor-sharp blades
- Sleek styling
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable to hold and use
- Easy to sharpen
Cons:
- Rusts quickly
- Blade warps
4. Bolexino Professional Knife Set
The Bolexino Professional Knife Set is made from high-quality materials using excellent craftsmanship.
Despite being professional-grade, it’s surprisingly affordable even for beginners.
Product Highlights
This portable knife roll set is a must-have for anyone who enjoys BBQ, especially if you consider the following features it offers.
- Set Inclusions
The Bolexino Professional Knife Set comes complete with nine tools and a carrying case.
You’ll get a four-inch paring knife for carving, cutting, and peeling fruits and other smaller ingredients.
To make precise slices and ensure your fingers are safe, the set includes a six-inch carving fork to hold meats steady.
Then, use the six-inch boning knife to remove the bone and cut the meat into thinner slices.
If you enjoy making sandwiches, you’ll appreciate the inclusion of the nine-inch sandwich slicer, perfect for cutting bread, ham, sausage, toast, and more.
No knife set is complete without a Santoku knife. For this set, you get an eight-inch Santoku knife for cutting fish, meat, and even vegetables.
Another important inclusion is the nine-inch chef’s knife, which is a professional chef’s preferred cutting tool.
You can use it to cut and slice fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Once the meats are cooked perfectly, you will need a reliable cutting tool to make precise slices.
For that, you can rely on the 12-inch carving/slicing knife. It can slice cooked meat into thin slices, including bacon, beef, ham, sausage, turkey, and more.
Then, use the 12-inch oval sharpening steel to make sure all of your cutting tools perform excellently at all times.
After cleaning the knives, store them in the easy-to-clean 300D cationic cloth bag to keep them safe from scratches.
- Japanese Stainless-Steel Blade
These Bolexino knives are made with premium quality Japanese stainless steel.
This material produces razor-sharp blades to ensure you get a flawless cutting experience.
- Polypropylene Handle
As for the handle, the polypropylene material offers excellent balance and a firm, tight grip, making it comfortable to use during food prep.
- Carrying Roll Bag
The Bolex roll bag measures 19.96 x 6.06 x 3.15 inches, weighs 4.39 pounds, and has eight pockets for each of the tools in the set.
What We Like
What we like the most about the Bolexino Professional Knife Set is the carrying case that comes with it.
The slots for each knife ensure everything stays in place, making it safe and convenient to transport the tools.
Also, everything is easy to clean and maintain, including the carrying bag, which is another convenience for the users.
What We Don’t Like
Some think that the lack of protective cover and how the knives are stored inside the bag make it dangerous for users if they are not careful.
Pros:
- Sharp blades
- Handy carrying bag
- Reasonably priced
- Quality knives
- Comfortable grip
Cons:
- No blade covers
- Not dishwasher-safe
5. Ross Henery Professional Knife Set
The Ross Henery Professional Knife Set is perfect for anyone who loves cooking.
Whether you’re a home cook or a chef by profession, adding this to your arsenal will surely make food prep quicker and easier.
Product Highlights
The impressive features of these knives will allow you to perform all your kitchen tasks with ease and professionalism.
- Set Inclusions
The Ross Henery Professional Knife Set comes with several knives to accommodate your food preparation needs.
You will get a four-inch paring knife, a six-inch boning knife, a seven-inch cleaver, and an eight-inch bread knife to put to good use.
Plus, it also comes with an eight-inch chef’s knife, an eight-inch filleting knife, a 10-inch meat fork, and a 10-inch carving knife.
Keep the blades in their best condition using the 12-inch sharpening steel and the included roll-up carry case.
- Blade Material
All the knives in this set are made from high-carbon stainless steel, ensuring long-lasting, razor-sharp blades.
They are hand-sharpened before leaving the factory, and the sharpening steel rod will help you maintain the sharpness.
The blades’ design follows the narrow cutting angles of Japanese edges, allowing you to make precise cuts and slices.
- Full-Tang Design
These well-balanced full-tang knives have coarse handles, ensuring a non-slip grip and maximum control during food preps.
- Safe and Secure
Each knife comes with a protective sheath to ensure everyone’s safety and prevent the blades from damaging the carrying case.
Furthermore, they have their own designated slots in the bag, keeping them secured during travel.
You only need to unroll the bag and choose the blade you need for the task.
What We Like
What’s impressive about this Ross Henery Professional Knife Set is the individual protective covers for each blade.
Not only do they ensure your safety but also prevent damage to the edges.
Plus, the carrying case with designated knife slots keeps your cutting tools organized and secured during travels.
What We Don’t Like
The knife set may be sleek-looking, but some say it is better for domestic use than professional settings.
Additionally, others complain that it’s too much hassle to unroll the bag only to use a knife or two from the set.
Pros:
- Sharp blades
- Sleek design
- Has edge retention
- Lightweight
- Well-balanced
Cons:
- Stains easily
- Sharpening rod designed differently
Buyer’s Guide
If you are looking for a BBQ knife set for the first time, there are factors worth considering to ensure you find the right one.
Once you know what you need to look for, you will feel confident that your next grilling session will succeed.
1. Blade
The two most common blade materials used on knives are carbon and stainless steel.
It’s worth checking the Rockwell Hardness Rating of the blade to determine its quality.
Knives made from carbon steel have better edge retention but are more prone to stain and rust.
As a consequence, they need more maintenance to maintain their quality.
On the other hand, stainless-steel blades are easier to sharpen and offer excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.
The problem is, they have poor edge retention.
Choosing the best depends on your preference and willingness to care for your knife.
2. Handle
Most knives use plastic or wood for their handles. They can feel smooth or textured, depending on the manufacturer’s design.
Some prefer traditional designs and use wood for knife handles. However, wooden knife handles may require extra care and maintenance to last longer.
Again, it will depend on your material preference. You need to focus on how comfortable it feels while performing your task.
3. Weight and Balance
A well-balanced knife is crucial for your comfort to prevent hand fatigue. The goal is to be able to do all your meal preparations effortlessly.
Using unbalanced knives is not only dangerous but will require you to work harder and less efficiently, affecting your productivity.
BBQ Knife Set FAQs
1. What knives do the BBQ pitmasters use?
While there are plenty of all-purpose chef’s knives around, nothing beats the ease of using the right knife for a specific task.
Pitmasters and BBQ lovers know this for a fact. They need the proper knives to enjoy and succeed with their cooking experience.
All BBQ chefs must have the following essential knives in their possessions:
Chef’s Knives
All cooks, professional or otherwise, have a chef’s knife in their arsenal. This knife variety can practically do most of the tasks of other blades.
Chef’s knives come in different lengths, but most chefs prefer the 10-inch variety for comfort even on extended use.
This knife can perform at least 90 percent of your food prep tasks.
Boning Knife
A boning knife is your perfect choice for working with ribs, helping you get in the bone and around it.
It’s also an excellent tool for trimming the fat on briskets or removing delicate bones from fish or chicken.
For most pitmasters, the boning knife is an essential part of their cooking tools.
Carving or Slicing Knife
This knife variety often comes with grooves, allowing you to make uniform cuts of grilled meat for better presentation.
Generally, pitmasters partner their slicing knives with carving forks for better-looking slices.
2. What is a good BBQ knife?
A good BBQ knife should have a heavy-duty blade made of premium quality materials, like carbon or stainless steel.
Also, it must have an edge with a hardness rating of 52-60 and a comfortable, non-slip handle.
3. What other cutting tools should a pitmaster have?
Although the three knives we mentioned will get you through a grilling session, other cutting tools can also prove helpful.
A cleaver is ideal for breaking up meat fibers through a chopping motion with its thick and heavy blade.
You can also use this knife variety when chopping thick slabs of meat.
As heavy-duty scissors, kitchen shears are perfect for trimming fat or chicken.
4. Why do grilling enthusiasts need a BBQ knife set?
Professional chefs use a specific set of knives for each task. The same goes for BBQ lovers.
Using the appropriate blades before and after grilling ensures your safety.
A BBQ knife set makes it easier to prepare your ingredients, resulting in tasty and presentable grilled food.
5. What is the best way to care for your BBQ knife set?
As with other knives, it is better to handwash your tools with mild detergent and warm water, wiping them dry with a soft cloth right after.
Refrain from tossing them in the dishwasher or leaving them wet or dirty for a long time to prevent rusting.
Which Is the Best Knife Set?
While each pitmaster has a different preference when it comes to cutting tools, it won’t hurt to pick the best BBQ knife set.
For this list, we recommend the Mercer Culinary Millennia for its high-quality material and overall performance.
Also, it is the only knife set from these choices that boast an NSF certification.