The Best Direct-to-Consumer Knife Brands to Shop in 2021
Of All the Kitchen Knives I've Tested, These 3 DTC Brands Are My Favourite
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A kitchen knife might seem like something that doesn't need much thought, but having the right one can really make all the difference. If you're a self-proclaimed home chef, then you know exactly what I mean. For years, I used an old knife-block set that someone bought me in college, and to my knowledge that's just how I thought knives worked. Then I tried a professional-grade one, and truly was blown away at how well it slid through just about anything.
Since then, my knife game has really improved. Being a shop editor, I've had the chance to test a number of cool brands, three of which happen to be my favourites. I'm a big believer in smaller direct-to-consumer brands, and these ones are all from great impressive brands that know exactly what they're doing. If you're on the lookout to upgrade your collection, then you'll want to keep reading. I tested them all in several sizes and rounded up my top picks ahead. Take a look to shop them all and even the full sets.
Hast 6 Inch Kitchen Utility Knife
The Knife: Hast 6 Inch Kitchen Utility Knife ($89)
The Specs: Made from matrix powder steel, with a Japanese style blade this is a more lightweight choice. The sleek silhouette is sharp and easy to maneuver.
My Favourite Feature: As someone who loves anything sleek and minimal, this brand definitely caught my eye. I have it in gold, which is fun, but it also comes in a few other finishes too. Hands down though, the lightweight design is what really sold me. It feels durable and sharp, yet it has this weightless quality feel that truly makes me feel like I'm using something much more expensive.
Convinced? You can buy the entire set here: Hast 4P Kitchen Knife Set ($299, originally $316)
Misen Paring Knife
The Knife: Misen Paring Knife ($30)
The Specs: The small but mighty design of this paring knife is made with premium AUS-10 steel, it has a special sloped bolster made for the perfect "pinch grip" control, and cuts smoothly.
My Favourite Feature: Of all the knives I tried, this one was the sharpest to me. I actually felt it was so sharp I needed to be careful using it, but that was still a plus in my book. It truly cuts my apples and other hard fruits or veggies quickly and precisely. This is the one I find myself reaching for again and again. The only downside for me, is that I wish it was dishwasher-friendly.
Convinced? You can buy the entire set here: Misen Essentials Knife Set ($130, originally $155)
Material the 8' Knife
The Knife: Material the 8' Knife ($75)
The Specs: Made with three-laters of Japanese steel, the larger knife has a 26 degree edge that is cryogenically tempered to withstand time and a lot of use.
My Favourite Feature: The larger knife is truly one that does it all. While every set has a chef's knife this size, this one was my favourite of the bunch. Not only does it cut great, but I liked the comfy (and cute) grip that is stain-resistant and feels good and secure on my hand. I put this one in the dishwasher from time to time, and it's held up great.
Convinced? You can buy the entire set here: Material The Trio of Knives ($155)
