Best Kitchen Knife Sets Under $200
By Raimundo Oliveira, founder & editor · Published · Updated · Products hand-picked and curated, updated daily
Three well-chosen knives cover most cooking. The Matsato Takana 3-Piece Set ($89.99) is our top pick, and the Osuren 5-Piece Set ($185.42) adds a bread and paring knife; none include a knife block.
Our picks at a glance
- Best three-piece set: Matsato Takana 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set — Chef, santoku and utility knives with octagonal handles. (USD 89.99, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best complete kit: Matsato Osuren 5-Piece Knife Set — Chef, long chef, cleaver, bread and paring knives. (USD 185.42, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best hammered set: Matsato 3-Knife Kitchen Set with Hammered Blades — Kitchen knife, small chef knife and cleaver in one look. (USD 89.99, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best for barbecue fans: Matsato 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Cleaver — Includes a 4 mm cleaver, which many sets skip. (USD 89.99, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best two-piece set: Matsato Kitchen Knife & Chef Knife Set with Hammered Blades — A main knife plus a smaller backup for quick tasks. (USD 64.99, reference 2026-11-12)
- Best small-kitchen pair: Matsato Cleaver & Chef Knife Set with Hammered Blades — Cleaver and small chef knife for under $70. (USD 67.99, reference 2026-11-12)
Matsato Takana 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
A chef, santoku and utility knife set in 420J2 stainless steel with a 15° edge and rivet-free octagonal handles.
Matsato 3-Knife Kitchen Set with Hammered Blades
The 6.3 in kitchen knife, 4.53 in chef knife and 5.8 in cleaver together, with hammered blades and wood handles.
Matsato 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Cleaver
A cleaver, a 6.3 in kitchen knife and a universal chef knife in 3CR13 steel with carbonized beech wood handles.
Matsato Osuren 5-Piece Knife Set
The complete Osuren collection: chef, long chef, cleaver, serrated bread and paring knives in 1.4116 Japanese steel.
Matsato Kitchen Knife & Chef Knife Set with Hammered Blades
A two-knife bundle: the 6.3 in Matsato kitchen knife and a 4.53 in chef knife with hammered blades and wood handles.
Matsato Cleaver & Chef Knife Set with Hammered Blades
A two-knife bundle with a 5.8 in cleaver and a 4.53 in chef knife, both hammered 3CR13 steel with finger-hole grips.
You do not need a 15-piece block to cook well. Three well-chosen knives cover almost every task. This guide compares six Matsato sets under $200, with reference prices checked on November 12, 2026.
How we chose
We compared the pieces in each set, the listed steel and hardness, handle style and price. We have not tested these sets, and none of them include a storage block.
The three shapes that matter
- A chef knife or santoku for most cutting
- A small utility or paring knife for detail work
- A bread knife or a cleaver, depending on what you cook
Two-piece vs three-piece vs five-piece
Two-piece sets (about $65–$68) suit small kitchens. Three-piece sets (about $90) cover most cooks. The five-piece Osuren set adds a bread and paring knife for a full kit.
Steel to expect at this price
The Takana set lists 420J2 steel at 52 HRC with a 15° edge, which is easy to re-sharpen but needs frequent honing. The Osuren set lists 1.4116 steel at 56.
Frequently asked questions
How many knives do I really need?
Most home cooks need three: a chef knife, a small utility or paring knife and a bread knife or cleaver.
Do these sets come with a knife block?
No. None of the Matsato sets in this guide include a block; plan for a magnetic strip, drawer insert or sheaths.
What is the best knife set for a first apartment?
The Matsato Takana 3-Piece Set covers the core shapes for about $90 (reference price, November 12, 2026).
General shopping guidance. Verify exact specifications and retailer terms before buying. Our editorial policy