Best Hampton Forge knife set is the perfect compromise between an expensive knife like the Shun from KAI Group and a cheaper option like a Ginsu knife. For those getting into the culinary arts, a proper knife set is not just a fancy kitchen accessory but an actual need. Hampton Forge knife blades come in three forms: forged, resin-coated, and titanium-coated.
These knife sets come in five lines: Tomodachi, Argent Orfe’vres, Hampton Forge, Skandia, and Signature. The Skandia line features very dynamic designs, resulting in casual elegance, while the signature line offers more classic traditional designs. The Tomodachi line is fun and vibrant with bursts of color on every knife set, tempering the conservative look of the Hampton Forge line. The Argent Orfe’vres have an excellent line of cutlery with gold satin finishes as well as traditional stainless steel.
Now, you are probably wondering what is the difference between the forged, resin coated, and titanium coated blades found on Hampton Forge knives? Let’s take a look.
Top Hampton Forge Knife Sets
Here are the best knife sets from the different Hampton Forge lines.
Hampton Forge Tomodachi 10-piece knife set
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A Hampton Forge knife set from the Tomodachi line brings playfulness and a sense of fun to your kitchen. The word Tomodachi means “friend.” This friendly Hampton forge knife set comes with an assortment of colors within the same set, adding splashes of bright colors that liven your cooking space.
The blades are titanium-plated, so they are rust-proof and anti-bacterial. Their edges are razor sharp and have good sharpness retention. The handles are a comfortable fit in your hand since they are designed with a gentle curve. Don’t let the colored blades fool you — they are also strong and cut with excellent precision.
The blades in the set:
Blue chef knife (8 in.) |
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Purple bread knife (8 in.) |
Orange all-purpose knife (6 in.) |
Yellow paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Red tomato cheese knife (4 in.) |
Four steak knives in green, purple, red, and orange (4.5 in) |
Storage block |
Because of the titanium coating, these blades are non-stick. This means not only do food particles fall off after cutting, but they also do not hold odors. The customer rating for this knife set is 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon. You can also buy from the Hampton Forge website.
Hampton Forge Skandia Cutlery 12-piece block set
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The Skandia line of knives has amazing sets of beautifully designed and crafted knives. This particular Hampton Forge knife set features titanium plating for incredible strength, sharpness, and a shiny clean aesthetic. It also remains abrasion-resistant during use.
The titanium plating is highly resistant to rust and bacteria and is also non-stick. Plus, it prevents the blade from transferring food odors when cutting different foods. The knives have a perfect balance due to the presence of a bolster on each knife and an easy-to-use soft-grip hygienic handle.
The blades in the set:
Chef knife (8 in.) |
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Santoku knife (7 in.) |
Slicing knife (6 in.) |
Serrated utility knife (5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Bird’s beak knife (3 in) |
Hand washing these knives is recommended to ensure they retain their edge. The set comes with a two-tiered wooden block for easy storage and organizing. The knives have a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Hampton Forge HMC01E550S Rainbow Titanium
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The blades in this knife set are high-quality rust-proof stainless steel. It is also resistant to bacteria and maintains a super sharp edge. The optics of this knife set are incredibly sleek and elegant. It is a great fit for a kitchen with a minimalist look.
The soft fit handles are non-slip for added safety and are designed for an ergonomic fit. They come with stainless steel accents for better durability, but that also adds to their elegance and aesthetic appeal. The set comes with a 25-year limited warranty, which is great.
The blades in the set:
Santoku Knife (7 in.) |
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Slicer Knife (8 in.) |
Boning Knife (6 in.) |
Utility Knife (4.5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Six steak Knives (4.5 in) |
Offset bread knife |
The black coated block is a nice departure from the warm wood option. The customer rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. You can also buy it from the Hampton Forge website.
Hampton Forge Kobe Cutlery 13-piece block set
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If you prefer a Hampton Forge knife set that features all-stainless steel construction, then you will appreciate this set. The blades are hand-honed for ultimate sharpness, and they retain their edge effectively. The handles are fully contoured stainless steel designed for easy and firm gripping.
The blades in the set:
Santoku Knife (7 in.) |
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Slicer Knife (8 in.) |
Boning Knife (7 in.) |
Utility Knife (4.5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Six steak Knives (4.5 in) |
This set comes with a bonus Santoku knife. The wooden block comes in black and complements most kitchens in addition to providing safe knife storage. It has a customer rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon, and you can also purchase it from the Hampton Forge website.
Hampton Forge Claridge 15-piece cutlery block set
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Here is a knife set that brings elegance to your kitchen while remaining practical. The design is an elegant, edgy, and contemporary look. The knife blades are stainless steel, which is rust-proof and has very low maintenance. Knives in the set retain sharpness well, and they have a bolster that safeguards your fingers and brings balance to the whole knife.
The knives are full tang with a triple rivet, non-slip plastic handle featuring stainless steel accents.
The blades in the set:
Bird’s beak knife (3 in.) |
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Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Serrated utility knife (6 in.) |
Santoku knife (7 in.) |
Slicer knife (8 in.) |
Six steak knives (4.5 in) |
Kitchen shears |
Chef knife (8 in.) |
With predominantly black handles and shiny steel blades paired with a black-coated wooden storage block, the contrast on this Hampton Forge knife set is eye-catching for any kitchen counter. Customers rate this product 3.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. It is also available on the Hampton Forge website.
Hampton Forge Continental 15-piece cutlery block set
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This knife set features a forged blade that holds its edge extremely well thanks to a taper-ground precision edge design. The bolster and full tang blade provide counterbalance so using this knife is comfortable even during difficult tasks. The handle has traditional triple rivets for maximum durability. The riveting also eliminates any play in the knife.
The blades in the set:
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
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Six steak knives (4.5 in.) |
Serrated utility knife (6 in.) |
Santoku knife (5.5 in.) |
Chef knife (8 in.) |
Bread knife (8 in) |
Carving knife (8 in.) |
Kitchen shears |
Hampton Forge 13-Piece Norwood block set
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The dark-stained wooden block with neatly arranged sleek black knives makes for rich contrast on your kitchen counter. Their craftsmanship includes modern oversized riveted handles on a full tang blade, which is sharp stainless steel. These knives provide precision and efficiency when at work. The sharpness of the blades is due to a hollow ground blade edge design.
The Pakkawood handles are longer than most by design. Not only do they give the knives a unique look, but they are also comfortable when working for a longer time prepping ingredients for a big meal.
The blades in the set:
Chef’s knife (8 in.) |
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Carving knife (8 in.) |
Bread knife (8 in.) |
Utility knife (8 in.) |
Six steak knives (4.5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in) |
Bird’s beak knife (3 in.) |
Storage block |
This is a statement piece for your kitchen. Consumers love the look and efficiency of this knife set, rating it 4 out of 5 stars on Target.com. You can also buy this knife from the Hampton Forge website.
Chicago Cutlery Fusion-Forged 18-piece knife block set
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Aesthetically this knife set scores pretty high, as it looks amazing. It clearly shows off the craftsmanship that has gone into forging it.
Forged from high carbon stainless steel, the blades utilize taper-ground edge technology for a brilliant, sharp edge that stays sharp for longer. The handles have a seamless design that fits well and is easy to grip. The presence of a bolster provides a good balance for the knife, while the steel plate accent at the end of the handle is a nifty addition that accentuates the design.
The blades in the set:
Peeling knife (3 in.) |
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Utility knife (5 in.) |
Chef knife (7.75 in.) |
Carving knife (8 in.) |
Bread knife (7.75 in.) |
Partoku knife (5 in) |
Santoku knife (7 in.) |
Paring knife (3.25 in.) |
Eight steak knives (4.25 in.) |
Like most of the Hampton Forge offerings, hand washing is best for this knife set. The handsomely stained pine wood block adds character to your counter while providing safe and organized storage. The knives hold their edge well, and with the taper ground edge technology, they do so better than most Hampton forge knives.
Customer ratings for this knife set stand at 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Cangshan S1 Series 59663 six-piece knife set
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The knife blades are a German steel alloy. They boast superior edge retention and their superb craftsmanship gels with the forward-thinking design for superb performance. They have ergonomic handles for a comfortable grip, and the handles have hard textures, so they remain firm even when wet.
Some Cangshan knife sets come with colored handles, but the Tomodachi’s line of vibrant color makes them look very basic by comparison. Their knives also have a titanium coating for more durability.
The blades in the set:
Chef’s knife (8 in.) |
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Bread knife (8 in.) |
Santoku knife (7 in.) |
Serrated utility knife (5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
All the knives have bolsters for finger protection, as well as for good balance across the whole knife. The handle also has triple rivets for durability. While these are features found on and off Hampton Forge knife sets, they are a standard for the Cangshan brand of knives. This gives Cangshan knives a distinct safety and balances advantage over Hampton Forge knives. The set is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by customers on Amazon.
Mercer Culinary Genesis six-piece knife set
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The blades on this set are forged from high carbon German steel that is stainless and highly rust-resistant. A taper-ground technology ensures you have a sharp edge for fine cutting. The full tang and bolster ensure perfect balance.
Their ergonomic handles are made from Santoprene and are both light and stylish. Despite being single riveted the handles are firm and secure.
The blades in the set:
Chef’s knife (8 in.) |
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Bread knife (8 in.) |
Boning knife (6 in.) |
Utility knife (5 in.) |
Paring knife (3.5 in.) |
Knife holder |
Those with an eclectic taste will find this knife holder unconventional but stylish with a slim build. The aesthetics are at par with Hampton Forge offerings like the Hampton Forge Majestic 15 piece block knife set. They have colorful handles with their Millennia-colored handles but are no match for the Tomodachi rainbow-colored effect. This product rates at 4.7 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
How Do Other Brands Compare?
Hampton Forge knives have a lot of good competitors on the market. Let’s take a look at other brands in the same knife space to see how they fare against Hampton Forge offerings.
The Difference
Forged blades come from a single solid steel ingot, which is heated before a trained knife artisan pounds it into shape. Forging creates blades that are heavier and sturdier in construction. The resin-coated blade is stamped, meaning it comes from a stamped sheet of steel. Then it receives treatment for durability and honing for sharpness. The blade then gets coated with an insoluble polymer, like Ceratokek, which protects the blade from corrosion and also prevents food from sticking to it.
Titanium-coated blades get stamped, too. They are very are corrosion-resistant because the coating does not oxidize. The coating is supposed to extend the life of the blade but can be a clogging agent when the knife is being sharpened, which is a downside. Titanium-coated blades tend to feature softer steel on the inside that can bend. So, on some knives, the coating is put on one side allowing the other side to sharpen. The titanium coating helps hold the edge on the other side. This way the coating does not affect the knife sharpener.
Forged Knives: Why People Love Them
A forged knife is more durable and retains sharpness better than other knives. A bolster at the end of the hilt and the beginning of the knife handle are common features in these knives. This helps to balance the knife at the center. Forged knives will also tend to have a full tang, which is exceptionally strong. “Full tang” indicates that the portion of metal that extends into the handle is the same width as the blade itself.
You will also notice a traditional triple-rivet handle on most forged knives. These handles are durable and allow no room for the blade to move. Forged knives also have a very custom look to them because of the forging process. Overall, the reason people love forged knives is that they bring tradition and modern technology together, resulting in a hardy and dependable knife.
Hampton Forge Knife Set: The Common Specifications to Expect
Despite the differences in the various lines of Hampton Forge knives, they all have certain traits in common.
Ergonomically designed handles
The handles on any Hampton Forge knife set are built with the user in mind. They are either textured or come with grips to allow you to comfortably use the knives. They come from durable handle materials like Zytel. A Hampton Forge knife set is always easy to use.
Essential blades in the knife set
A Hampton Forge knife set comes with essential blades like the chef’s knife, paring knife, bread knife, and utility knife, among others. The brand does not bloat their blocks with slight variations of the same knife, charging you for the unnecessary extras. Their knife sets offer you value for money.
Storage blocks and blade guards
Every Hampton Forge knife set comes with either a storage block or blade guards. This ensures two things: Your safety and convenience when handling the knives, and proper storage. Also, the storage blocks are high-quality materials that can last as long as the knives — or even outlive them.
Warranty
Any Hampton Forge knife set you choose comes with a warranty. This ensures that you can return the product if it has any defects from the manufacturing side. With that said, you must ensure that you use the knife sets as stipulated.
How We Reviewed: What to Look for in a Hampton Forge Knife Set
In this review, we will look at the materials used on the knives from the blade to the handle. We will also review the balance of the knives by checking for the presence of a bolster, and looking at the general feel and efficiency of each knife when in use. Finally, we will review any technologies used for blade strengthening and retention of blade sharpness. We’ve also consulted customer reviews to get a sense of how satisfied people are with their purchase, and compared to competing products.
Which Set Should You Take Home?
Choosing among quality products can be hard, and it often comes down to personal preferences. The Tomodachi offering has a beautiful element of playfulness and vibrant colors that you don’t see every day in a kitchen. The classic look of the Hampton Forge Majestic line brings elegance to the kitchen. However, the Continental 15-piece cutlery block set offers more regarding the quality of blades, the overall aesthetic, and safety and balance brought by the bolster. This Hampton Forge knife set is probably the one for your home.
Do you own any of these knife sets? What was your experience? Let us know!
Jen Lin-Liu is the founder of Black Sesame Kitchen. A Chinese-American writer and a nationally certified Chinese chef in Beijing. Jen is the author of two memoirs, Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China and On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome with Love and Pasta.