HexClad Knife Set Review

About the HexClad Knives

The HexClad Essential Damascus Steel Knife Six-Piece Set is a standout product in the cutlery space. Each knife is forged from 67 layers of premium Japanese Damascus steel, giving it an ultra hard blade and a razor sharp edge for effortless slicing. In addition to serving up superior performance, the knives are incredibly stylish, featuring a gorgeous Damascus wave pattern and unique forest green pakkawood handles, making this knife set as beautiful as it is practical.

HexClad Knife Set: What’s Included

The six-piece set includes five ergonomically designed Damascus steel knives, each meticulously crafted to serve one or more specific functions in the kitchen, and a useful honing tool to keep your knives sharp and strong for years to come. Here’s an overview of what’s included:

Eight-Inch Chef’s Knife

• Powerful and versatile
• Ultra sharp cutting edge that tapers to a precision tip
• Ergonomic handle and perfectly balanced
• Great for everything from slicing hard vegetables & trimming proteins

Eight-Inch Serrated Bread Knife

• Slices through crusts without crushing them 
• Preserves delicate inside
• Wide serrations provide grip and smooth cutting action
• Versatile enough to slice through a thick loaf or a soft cake

Seven-Inch Santoku Knife

• Versatile knife perfect for chopping, dicing and mincing
• Shorter blade ideal for fast, precision cuts
• Wide face and point-less sheepsfoot design means it can also scoop ingredients

Five-Inch Utility Knife

• Incredibly sharp edge on a small, convenient body
• Kitchen workhorse easy for beginners to handle and experts to master
• Multifunctional, perfect for slicing proteins, herbs or a sandwich

3.5-Inch Paring Knife

• Short blade great for precise cutting needs
• Peel and cut small fruits and vegetables or devein shrimp easily 

Nine-Inch Honing Steel

• Honing tool helps realign microscopic ‘teeth’ of knife edge to optimize performance

Damascus Steel: About the HexClad Knife Materials 

The HexClad knives are forged from 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel. Damascus steel knives are known for their exceptional hardness and distinctive wavy pattern. They are sharp, strong and durable.

The handles are made of green pakkawood, a durable engineered wood and plastic composite that lends a unique elegance to the cutlery.

Price

The HexClad Knife Set is a top-of-the-line product featuring premium materials and expert craftmanship—and the prices reflect that. This six-piece set typically retails for around $349.99, though prices can vary depending on the retailer and available promotions.

When considering the price, it’s important to factor in the longevity and performance of these knives. While the initial investment is significant, the durability of Damascus steel means these knives are likely to last much longer than cheaper alternatives. Additionally, the lifetime warranty provided by HexClad adds significant value, ensuring that your investment is protected against defects.

Care & Cleaning

HexClad recommends hand-washing your knives with a gentle dish soap that is free of bleach or citrus extracts, then rinsing and towel drying them immediately. To maximize the lifespan of the knives, you’ll want to store them in a wooden block, or in an in-drawer knife tray, sheath or knife case.

How HexClad Compares to Other Premium Knife Sets

Here’s how the HexClad Knife Set stacks up against other top picks on the market today:

HexClad vs. Cutco

In the cutlery business for more than 75 years, Cutco is widely known for its expansive selection of knife sets. Like HexClad, Cutco’s knives are lauded for their exceptional craftsmanship and precise performance. But there are a number of differences between these two popular picks. For starters, the blades of the Cutco knives are made of high carbon, stainless steel. Stainless steel is commonly used in knife blades because it is durable enough to withstand everyday use. However, it tends to be less sharp and less strong than the Japanese Damascus steel used in the HexClad knives. Another major difference between the two brands is their prices. HexClad’s Essential Damascus Steel Knife Six-Piece Set typically retails for less than $350. This is almost $300 less than Cutco’s similarly sized All Knife Set with Tray. Cutco does offer a choice of three handle colors; HexClad serves up just one. But the elegant wave pattern on the blade and the striking green pakkawood handles of the HexClad knives gives them a level of sophistication that is unmatched by any of the three Cutco color options.

HexClad vs. All-Clad

All-Clad is another well-known brand in the kitchenware industry. Like HexClad, All-Clad sells knife sets that are highly rated by customers for their performance, durability and versatility. The main difference between them lies in their materials. HexClad’s knives are comprised of 67 layers of Japanese Damascus steel, which makes them super sharp and strong, with an ultra hard blade. All-Clad’s knives feature German stainless steel blades, which makes them extremely durable, but not quite as sharp and strong as HexClad’s. The better option for you really boils down to personal preference. Fortunately, both brands offer a generous return policy, so investing in either is entirely risk-free.

Caraway vs. HexClad

Caraway may be best known for its nontoxic, eco-friendly cookware, but the brand sells other premium kitchen essentials, including cutlery and knife sets. Like HexClad’s knives, Caraway’s have been praised for their precision, ease of use and aesthetics. Also like HexClad’s knives, Caraway’s knives feature an ergonomic design, balanced weight and they come with a 30-day trial period. With that said, there are a few notable differences between these two sets. For starters, HexClad’s set includes five knives and a honing tool, which makes it easy to preserve their sharpness and maximize their lifespan; Caraway’s set only includes four knives and while it does come with a pair of shears, it does not include a honing tool. This means that if you want to sharpen your knives, you’ll need to purchase one of these tools separately. In addition, while the HexClad knives are forged from Japanese Damascus steel, Caraway’s knives are comprised of German Stainless Steel. This is an important distinction, since Damascus steel tends to be sharper, stronger and harder. Caraway does win out in color selection, offering a choice of six stylish colors, but if performance and versatility are your priorities, HexClad is the superior choice.

Bottom Line: Why We Love It

Knives are the unsung heroes of the kitchen—a quality set of knives can make meal prep easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. And the HexClad Essential Damascus Steel Knife Set, which includes five super sharp and versatile knives as well as a helpful honing tool, does exactly that. Featuring 67-layer Japanese Damascus steel and an ergonomic design, this set offers both performance, durability and ease of use. And, with their distinctive wavy pattern and striking green pakkawood handles, the knives are as beautiful as they are practical. While the price may be on the higher end of the spectrum, the quality, performance and durability of these knives justifies that cost. For those who prioritize quality and are willing to invest in top-tier kitchen tools, the HexClad Knife Set offers excellent value for money. The combination of superior materials, innovative design, and long-term durability makes it a worthwhile purchase for serious home cooks and professional chefs alike.