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The Chicago Cutlery 18-piece Insignia Steel Knife Set is One of the Most Affordable Knife Sets You Will Find on Amazon
What We Like
- 18 pieces per set
- Affordable set
- High carbon steel blades
- Beautiful designs
- Razor-sharp edges
- In-block sharpener
- Finger bolster
- Lifetime warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Not rust-resistant enough
- Low-quality sharpener
Bottom Line
The Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Set is great for anyone who isn’t a fan of owning just one general-purpose knife.
It comes with all the types of kitchen knives you can think of using either professionally or at home. The knife set is manufactured by one of the best cookware manufacturers in the world.
All the knives in the set are made of stainless steel and they are affordable. However, despite all the good features, they are all prone to rust.
If you’re the kind of person who loves to pay attention to details in the kitchen, you’re going to benefit a great deal from having a set of knives. A complete set of knives has different knives for unique purposes.
A typical knives set includes a chef’s knife, carving knife, paring knife, bread knife, and many others. Getting a set of solid knives isn’t usually cheap so we must commend the Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knives. As you’ll see, it is one of the most affordable sets you’ll find on Amazon. With just $299 to $330, you can buy a full set of 18 knives.
At the surface, the price seems fair for the knife. However, there are many other factors other than price that you need to consider before you purchase either a single knife or an entire set of knives.
This is what our Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Block Set review will help you see.
Related article: Chicago Cutlery Buying Guide
Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Features
Set of 18 Knives
The Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Block Set is one of the most extensive sets you will find. There are 18 unique knives in the set.
There are the 8 inches general purpose chef’s knife, 3 inches paring knife, 8 inches slicer, 3 ½ inches paring knife for processing small food types, and peeling vegetables.
The 8 inches bread knife can be used for other flour-based produce. The 6 inches boning knife should meet all your boning needs and the 5 inches utility knife can be used outside the kitchen.
The set also contains kitchen shears for opening packages and snipping herbs. For steak lovers, there are 8 x 4 inches steak knives, and a 7 inches Santoku.
Keep in mind that there are smaller sets in this knives series for those who don’t need 18 pieces. There is a set of 12, 4, and even as little as 3. These sets are cheaper than the 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife.
Block and In-block Sharpener
To make storage easier, the set of knives comes in a wood block where they can be safely kept after use. Each piece has a place in the block and the complete set on the block is a beautiful sight to behold.
The block is made of durable wood that will last for a long time and placing each knife in the block after use will help you keep track of every piece. It is easy to lose cutleries, especially small cutleries when there is no defined storage area.
Also, there is a knife sharpener attached to the block. If you even have a problem with dull edges, you can quickly sharpen the affected knife without paying for professional help.
This saves time and money. However, it is vital to note that the quality of the knife sharpener is not the best in the market. A regular homeowner may not notice but a professional chef will see the difference.
Related reading: Chicago Cutlery Belmont 16-Piece Knife Block Set
Affordable Set of High Carbon Steel
Several luxury knives cost more than $300 per piece. For around the same amount, you can get 17 different sharp knives and one kitchen shear. All the knives are made of high carbon stainless steel.
High-carbon stainless steel is strong, durable, and great when it comes to retaining sharpness. So, even the smallest knives in the set will not break in half with ease. Let’s not forget about the block and the In-block sharpener that come with the set.
Buying a block and a sharpener on Amazon can cost as much as what it would take to buy the Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife. The only disadvantage of high carbon steel is that it makes the knife more prone to rust than other forms of steel.
The prize you have to pay for durability is rusting. To minimize this, try as much as possible not to soak the knife in water. Don’t even use the dishwasher. Use your hands to wash it, dry it, and put it right back on the block.
Razor Sharp Edges and Lifetime Warranty
The Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Block Set comes with knives that have razor edges. They also do a great job retaining the sharpness as well. To protect your fingers when you’re slicing, each knife comes with a bolster.
If you’re not satisfied, you can sharpen the knives yourself. There is a lifetime warranty card attached to the purchase. So, if any knife is defective when the order gets to you, you can return the entire set and request for a replacement.
Make sure that you read all the terms of the warranty before you make a purchase.
Related reading: Kitchen Knives Buying Guide
Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Set Review The Verdict
Our Chicago Cutlery 18-Piece Insignia Steel Knife Set review shows that you don’t need to break the bank to buy all the knives you need in your kitchen. All the knives in the set are full metal tang and well-balanced promoting precision for every cut, slice, or dice.
The block and In-block sharpeners are bonuses too. They are all beautifully designed and they have comfortable stainless steel handles. However, without proper care, the knives may be prone to rust.
