Picture this: you’re on your way to the kitchen on a Friday night to slice up some tomatoes for a toasted sandwich. You grab a trusty knife from the drawer and… nothing happens.
The blade’s completely dull and has to be re-sharpened. How do you avoid this? Well, you use ceramic knives instead of steel ones!
Ceramic blades are made of zirconium dioxide, the heat treat on these blades makes them harder than your usual steel blades. They have a much sharper edge and can keep that edge for a while – longer than a steel blade.
The trade-off, however, is that these blades are much more brittle than steel blades and tend to break easily. With that in mind, and considering the sheer variety of options, here’s a list of the best of the best when it comes to ceramic blades.
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1. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Knife
Beautifully made, this set from Kyocera is sharp, and easily maintained with a non-slip handle ensuring you have total control of the blade while in use. The only downsides are that you have to use special sharpeners to sharpen the blades when they go dull and they’re not very durable.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
With that said, they are an affordable option and if you’d like to pick up a set for yourself, you can click here.
2. Takiup Ceramic Knife
Brightly colored, each knife has a different colored handle which helps to avoid cross contaminating your food (important if you’re a chef). The manufacturers even include a list of what each blade can be used on. The plastic handles are contoured to allow for comfortable, prolonged use.
That said, the handles aren’t very durable, and a special sharpening system is needed when you need to sharpen your blades.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
3. WACOOL 3-Piece Ceramic Knife Set
This set from WACOOL comes with three knives and sheaths in which to store them. The knives are razor sharp and have great edge retention. They’re also easy to maintain which is an added bonus.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
If you’re cash-strapped this set is very affordable.
4. Cuisinart Advantage Ceramic Knife Set
Six ceramic kitchen knives with sheaths – the title is a bit misleading – and a variety of color options, this set from Cuisinart is razor sharp and the ergonomics of the handles allow you to work with them comfortably.
The blades also have a non-stick coating which prevents food from sticking to your knives while you work.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
If you’d like to get this set for yourself, you can do it here.
5. Wolf War Ceramic Knife Set
Apart from being super stylish, the Wolf War set is super lightweight and ergonomic. It’s great for when you need quick, precise cuts and is well-balanced.
Unfortunately, the downside is that the blade does tend to snap at the handle if you apply too much pressure.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
Still, it’s a good set to have and if you’d like one for yourself or to gift to a friend.
6. Vos 4-Piece Ceramic Knives Set
Vos, like Kyocera, is a popular brand and this set of ceramic knives is razor sharp allowing for very, very thin slices. The handles are comfortable to hold onto and don’t limit your range of motion.
The slight curve in the handle adds extra security to your grip and the blades are very versatile; the only real problem with these blades is that they tend to chip easily.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
7. Kyocera Revolution Ceramic Knife Set
Kyocera returns to the list with their Revolution set. Made of Japanese ceramic, these blades are perfect for slicing up fruits, veggies, and boneless meats.
They’re lightweight and easy to clean and maintain but you can’t use them on frozen foods.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
You can get a set for yourself here.
8. Quellence Ceramic Knife Set
Lightweight, stylish, and super sharp, this set from Quellence is an elegant-looking addition to any kitchen. These are ten times lighter than regular kitchen knives and are perfect for moderate use (slicing up fresh foods – fruit, veggies, etc. and boneless meats).
They’re easy to clean and hold an edge well. The handles are ergonomic, allowing for a secure, comfortable grip. These are NOT dishwasher safe; the high-water pressure may lead to chipping in the blade so keep that in mind.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
You can get this set here.
9. Farberware Ceramic Knife Set
This two-piece set from Farberware has comfortable, ergonomic handles which ensure a secure grip while you’re working. These are perfect for slicing, dicing, and paring soft foods. The blades are corrosion resistant and easy to clean.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
If you want to get this set, you can find it here.
10. Gayle’s Kitchen Ceramic Knife Set
This 5-piece set from Gayle’s Kitchen comes in a variety of colors and arrives in a snazzy-looking box (just a quick note: some of the pictures on Amazon show four pieces not five).
The handles are injection-molded onto the knives – meaning the handles are molded directly to the tang of the blade rather than being glued onto it later. This makes the knives super comfortable in-hand.
The blades themselves are razor sharp and will stay sharp 15 times longer than your regular, steel blades. It also doesn’t hurt that these are super lightweight and easy to work with.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
11. Knendet Ceramic Kitchen Knife Set
This versatile set from Knendet comes with four blades between 3 and 6-inches in length. The handles are made of non-slip plastic and are super comfortable to hold onto.
The blades are razor sharp, and the heat-treat that they’re given ensures a long-lasting, sturdy knife.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean / maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
12. Guanci Chef’s Knife Set
This knife set reminds me of a movie I saw as a kid, Cats & Dogs. What? You’ve never seen Cats & Dogs?
Basic premise is cats are evil and trying to take over the world and dogs are trying to stop them. Yes, this is a movie that was made and it’s a lot of fun to watch – albeit a bit dated now.
What does this film have to do with a set of ceramic chef’s knives? Well, at one point a Russian Blue kitten infiltrates the main hero dog’s house and is – after a crazy fight scene – captured and interrogated. We subsequently get this line: “I may look cute and cuddly, but inside, granite!”
This knife set has a rather cute design that hides its true usefulness. The blades are razor sharp and the grips are both comfortable and secure but they’re also very small. This may be a little awkward for people with larger hands.
Pros:
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Good edge retention
- ✅ Ergonomic grips
- ✅ Easy to clean/maintain
- ✅ Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- ❌ Blades are easily chipped and/or broken
- ❌ Can be difficult to sharpen as they may require special sharpening tools
- ❌ Not suitable for use on hard or frozen foods
- ❌ The grips are small which makes these knives awkward for larger hands
Just a Few Things Before I Go
Just a few things about ceramic knives in general before I go. First off, obviously, don’t play around with them. As I said at the start of the article, ceramic blades are harder than steel ones, and they hold an edge for longer.
Of course, the trade-off is that they’re more brittle than steel blades and as such are more prone to chipping or breaking. Maintenance-wise, DON’T PUT THEM IN YOUR DISHWASHER!
Even if the listing says it’s dishwasher safe, your dishwasher uses a very high-water pressure which can cause damage to your blade. It’s best to wash it by hand and dry it off properly before putting it away.
With that said, I hope you enjoyed the article and found it informative. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you in the next one! Take care!
Greg spent much of his younger years camping and hiking. Greg grew up on a small farm with lots of livestock such as cows, horses and chickens. He’s good with a bow and arrow, is a huge knife enthusiast, and has a blackbelt in Taekwondo.