Comparison: Best Chicago Cutlery Malden (Updated | Nov 10th)
If you’re in the market for sharp style and solid performance in the kitchen, you’ve probably heard of Chicago Cutlery’s Malden line. But is it really the best choice for your everyday chopping, slicing, and dicing? We’ve put the Malden collection to the test—comparing balance, edge retention, comfort, and value—so you don’t have to guess. Whether you’re a home cook or a weekend warrior in the kitchen, finding the right knife set matters. Let’s dive into what makes the Malden stand out (or fall short) among the competition.
- Best for sharpener block set: Chicago Cutlery Malden (16-PC) Kitchen Knife Block Set With Wooden Block & Built-In Sharpener
- Best for guided grip pro: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Guided Grip 18-Piece knife set with block
- Best for polymer grip set: Chicago Cutlery Avondale (12-PC) Built-In Sharpener Kitchen Knife Block Set with Steak Knives
- Best for classic block set: Chicago Cutlery® Burling 14-piece Block Set
- Best for espresso block elegance: Chicago Cutlery Armitage (13-PC) Kitchen Knife Block Set with Steak Knives and Wooden Block
- Best for modular block set: Chicago Cutlery Halsted (3-PC) Cutlery & Wooden Block Set
- Best for precision cut set: Chicago Cutlery 15pc Precision Cut Knife Block Set
- Best for boning knife pro: Chicago Cutlery 5-Inch Boning Knife with Ultra-Sharp Stainless Steel Blades
- Best for essential paring: Chicago Cutlery Paring Knife
- Best for steel guided trio: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 3-Piece Knife Set With Guided Grip
Product Comparison: Best Chicago Cutlery Malden
Chicago Cutlery Malden (16-PC) Kitchen Knife Block Set With Wooden Block & Built-In Sharpener, Contoured Handles and Sharp Stainless Steel Professional Chef Knife Set & Scissors
- 16 PIECES: Set includes: (1) 8″ Chef Knife, (1) 6.75″ Serrated Bread Knife, (1) 6″ Santoku Knife, (1) 4.75″ Utility Knife, (8) 4.5″ Steak Knives, (1) 3.25″ Paring Knife, (1) Shears / Scissors With Opener, (1) Block.
- BUILT IN SHARPENER: With a unique built-in sharpener in the acacia wood block, the Insignia knife set makes it easy to keep your knives sharp and ready for any cutting task.
- 27 DEGREE TAPER: The signature blades on all the knives are made with a 26 degree taper grind edge, providing optimal sharpness and precision for effortless cutting through meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
- CONTOURED HANDLES: Each handle comes with a well-balanced contoured handle that is designed to sit comfortably in the hand. The stainless steel handles perfectly match the stainless steel blades and allow for effortless cleaning.
- STRONG & STURDY: Excellent craftsmanship in each knife, which provides added strength and durability to the knife’s construction, ensuring it can handle even the toughest cutting tasks with ease.
Chicago Cutlery Insignia Guided Grip 18-Piece knife set with block
- Patented Guided Grip design naturally encourages pinch grip used by professional chefs. Contoured stainless-steel handles are sleek and contemporary, and fit comfortably in the hand
- High-carbon stainless steel creates stronger, harder blades to resist stains, rust and pitting. Signature 26-Degree Taper Grind edge for optimum sharpness, precise cutting and easy sharpening
- Forged design for increased weight and balance. Full metal tang provides added strength, balance, and control
- Block has built-in sharpener for simple, convenient sharpening. Natural Acacia wood block keeps knives secure
- Hand wash and dry immediately to keep in best condition. Full lifetime warranty
Chicago Cutlery Avondale (12-PC) Built-In Sharpener Kitchen Knife Block Set with Steak Knives, Ergonomic Handles and Sharp Stainless Steel Professional Chef Knife Set
- 12 PIECES: The Chicago Cutlery Avondale set features (1) 8-inch chef knife, (1) 8-inch bread knife, (1) 5.5-inch utility knife, (1) 3.5-inch pairing knife, (6) 4.5-inch steak knives, (1) pair of scissors/shears, (1) Built-in sharpener
- BUILT-IN SHARPENER: Featuring a beautiful stained wooden block with a built-in sharpener to conveniently keep your knife collections sharp, neat, and clean
- 26 DEGREE TAPER: The blades on all the knives are made with a 26 degree taper grind edge, providing optimal sharpness and precision for effortless cutting through meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
- STRONG & STURDY: Excellent craftsmanship in each knife, which provides added strength and durability to the knife’s construction, ensuring it can handle even the toughest cutting tasks with ease.
- POLYMER HANDLES: Each handle comes with a curve-optimized handle that is ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable gripping, even during extended use. The handles provide a secure, slip-resistant grip, making the knives safe and easy to use.
Chicago Cutlery® Burling 14-piece Block Set
- Sharp knives should never be stored loose in a drawer because contact with hard objects can dull the blade. Many CHICAGO CUTLERY sets are sold with a hardwood block for safe, convenient storage.
Chicago Cutlery Armitage (13-PC) Kitchen Knife Block Set with Steak Knives and Wooden Block, Black Ergonomic Handles and Sharp Stainless Steel Professional Chef Knife Set
- 13 PIECES: The Chicago Cutlery Armitage set features (1) 8-inch chef knife, (1) 8-inch serrated bread knife, (1) 4.75-inch Santoku knife, (1) 3.5-inch pairing knife, (6) 4.5-inch steak knives, (1) pair of scissors/shears, (1) sharpening steel
- WOODEN BLOCK: Featuring a beautiful espresso stained wooden block to keep your knife collections neat and clean, while providng a beautiful rustic aesthetic to your kitchen counter.
- 26 DEGREE TAPER: The blades on all the knives are made with a 26 degree taper grind edge, providing optimal sharpness and precision for effortless cutting through meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
- STRONG & STURDY: Excellent craftsmanship in each knife, which provides added strength and durability to the knife’s construction, ensuring it can handle even the toughest cutting tasks with ease.
- ERGONOMIC HANDLES: Each handle comes with a curve-optimized handle that is ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable gripping, even during extended use. The handles provide a secure, slip-resistant grip, making the knives safe and easy to use.
Chicago Cutlery Halsted (3-PC) Cutlery & Wooden Block Set, Ergonomic Handles and Sharp Stainless Steel Professional Chef Cutlery Set
- 3 PIECES: Set includes (1) 8″ Chef knife, (1) 5.5″ Utility knife, (1) 3.5″ Paring knife, (1) compact modular wooden block
- MODULAR BLOCK: Featuring a compact wooden block that you can combine and mix with other PrepSystem Lite sets for your very own collection!
- ERGONOMIC HANDLES: Each handle comes with a curve-optimized handle that is ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable gripping, even during extended use. The handles provide a secure, slip-resistant grip, making the knives safe and easy to use.
- 26 DEGREE TAPER: The signature blades on all the knives are made with a 26 degree taper grind edge, providing optimal sharpness and precision for effortless cutting through meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
- STRONG & STURDY: Excellent craftsmanship in each knife, which provides added strength and durability to the knife’s construction, ensuring it can handle even the toughest cutting tasks with ease.
Chicago Cutlery 15pc Precision Cut Knife Block Set
- Included: (1) Chicago Cutlery 15pc Precision Cut Knife Block Set
- Material Quality: Stainless-steel blades with triple-rivet wood handles for strength, balance, and stain resistance.
- Versatile Use: Includes chef, bread, utility, paring, and steak knives plus shears and sharpening steel for all cooking needs.
- Compatibility: Features a 14-slot walnut-stained block to securely hold knives, shears, and steel in one place.
- Easy Maintenance: Recommended handwash and immediate drying to maintain sharpness and extend product life.
Chicago Cutlery 5-Inch Boning Knife with Ultra-Sharp Stainless Steel Blades, Utility Knife for Meal Prep and General Cooking, Walnut Tradition Handle Kitchen Knife
- TIMELESS CLASSIC: Classic styling, walnut tradition handle that blends with any home decor and adds a rustic touch.
- STAINLESS STEEL BLADE: Stainless steel blade resists rust, stains, and pitting, an industry standard amongst beginner and professional chefs.
- SAFE HANDLING: Triple brass rivets on walnut handle and full metal tang provide added strength, balance, and control for safe handling during meal preparation. Handle gives a firmer grip to avoid instability or slipping.
- OPTIMUM SHARPNESS: Exclusive 25 Degree Taper Grind edge grants optimum sharpness for precise cutting right out of the box and easy re-sharpening. This hassle-free knife will give you a peace of mind with every use.
- LIMITED WARRANTY: Limited Warranty. Hand wash and Dry Immediately to keep in best condition.
- CHICAGO CUTLERY: Quality kitchen tools for aspiring cooks looking to challenge themselves. Chicago Cutlery provides great tools to sharpen your skills with Chicago grit and authenticity.
- CHICAGO CUTLERY: Quality kitchen tools for aspiring cooks looking to challenge themselves. Chicago Cutlery provides great tools to sharpen your skills with Chicago grit and authenticity.
Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 3-Piece Knife Set With Guided Grip, Stainless Steel Blades and Handles For Home Kitchen and Professional Use
- 3 PIECES: Set includes: (1) 8″ Chef Knife, (1) 5″ Utility Knife, (1) 3.25″ Parer Knife.
- STAINLESS STEEL: Made with durable, high quality stainless steel blades that resist stains and corrosion, ensuring they remain sharp and ready to use for years to come.
- 26 DEGREE TAPER: The signature blades on all the knives are made with a 26 degree taper grind edge, providing optimal sharpness and precision for effortless cutting through meats, vegetables, fruits and more.
- CONTOURED HANDLES: Each handle comes with a well-balanced contoured handle that is designed to sit comfortably in the hand. The stainless steel handles perfectly match the stainless steel blades and allow for effortless cleaning, making it a must-have addition to your kitchen arsenal.
- STRONG & STURDY: Excellent craftsmanship in each knife, which provides added strength and durability to the knife’s construction, ensuring it can handle even the toughest cutting tasks with ease.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
How do I decide which Chicago Cutlery set size is right for my kitchen?
Consider the number of tasks you perform regularly; larger sets like the Insignia Guided Grip 18‑piece provide a dedicated knife for almost every job, while a 3‑piece Halsted set covers only the basics. If you often entertain or need multiple steak knives, a set with six or more steak knives (e.g., Malden or Armitage) adds convenience. Smaller sets are usually less expensive and take up less counter space, making them ideal for starter kitchens.
What does the 26‑degree taper grind mean, and how does it affect performance?
A 26‑degree taper grind creates a finer, sharper edge that slices through vegetables, meat, and fruit with less effort than a broader grind. Most Chicago Cutlery knives, including the Malden, Insignia, and Avondale lines, use this angle for consistent precision. The slightly steeper 27‑degree taper on the Malden set still offers excellent sharpness but may retain its edge a bit longer under heavy use.
Which sets include a built‑in sharpener, and why is that useful?
The Malden, Insignia Guided Grip, and Avondale collections all feature a wooden block with an integrated sharpener, allowing quick touch‑ups without a separate stone. This convenience helps maintain optimal edge performance between professional sharpening sessions. If you prefer a minimalist block, the Burling and Precision Cut sets omit the sharpener but still provide a sturdy storage solution.
How do the handle materials differ across the product line?
Chicago Cutlery uses several handle styles: contoured stainless‑steel handles (Malden, Insignia) offer a sleek, easy‑to‑clean surface; polymer or resin handles (Avondale) provide a slip‑resistant grip and lighter weight; wooden and ergonomic polymer handles (Armitage, Halsted) give a classic look with comfortable ergonomics. Choose stainless for a modern aesthetic and dishwasher‑friendly feel, or wood/polymer for a traditional, tactile experience.
Is the Guided Grip design worth the extra cost?
The Guided Grip patented shape encourages a pinch grip, which professional chefs use for better control and reduced fatigue. Users report improved precision on fine tasks like mincing herbs. While it adds a modest premium, the ergonomic advantage can be significant for frequent cooks who value comfort over price.
What value does a larger set provide compared to a smaller one?
Larger sets bundle a wider variety of knives, extra steak knives, and often a sharpening steel, delivering a lower per‑piece cost than buying items individually. They also future‑proof your kitchen as you expand cooking techniques. However, if you rarely need a dedicated santoku or bread knife, a smaller set saves money and reduces clutter.
Are Chicago Cutlery knives dishwasher safe?
All the knives in these collections are made from high‑carbon stainless steel, which resists rust, but manufacturers recommend hand‑washing and immediate drying to preserve the edge and prevent handle damage. Dishwashers can cause corrosion on the blades and dull the polish over time. Hand‑washing also extends the life of the wooden blocks and ergonomic grips.
What warranty coverage can I expect with these knives?
The Insignia Guided Grip set includes a full lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects, while most other sets like Malden, Avondale, and Armitage offer a limited warranty typically ranging from one to two years. Single knives such as the Boning Knife also come with a limited warranty. Always register your purchase to ensure you can take advantage of the warranty if needed.