Comparison: Best Chicago Cutlery Pro Hold (Updated | Nov 10th)
If you’re in the market for kitchen knives that feel great in your hand and deliver clean, precise cuts every time, you’ve probably heard of Chicago Cutlery’s Pro Hold line. But with so many options out there, is it really the best choice for home cooks and pros alike? In this honest comparison, we’ll break down what sets the Pro Hold series apart—from grip comfort to blade sharpness—and see how it stacks up against the competition. Spoiler: it might just be the upgrade your kitchen’s been missing.
- Best for precision boning: Chicago Cutlery 5-Inch Boning Knife with Ultra-Sharp Stainless Steel Blades
- Best for all-in-one set: Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17 Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Wooden Storage Block
- Best for slicing power: Chicago Cutlery 8 Inch Slicing and Carving Knife Sharp Stainless Steel Blade that Resists Rust
- Best for walnut trio: Chicago Cutlery B42 Walnut Tradition 3pc Parer
- Best for modular block: Chicago Cutlery Halsted (3-PC) Cutlery & Wooden Block Set
- Best for compact utility: Chicago Cutlery 15.2 cm Stainless Steel Walnut Tradition Utility Knife with Wooden Handle
- Best for essential trio: Chicago Cutlery Essentials 3-Piece Kitchen Chef Knife Set With Stainless Steel Blades For Home Kitchen
- Best for guided grip pro: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Guided Grip 18-Piece knife set with block
- Best for steel precision: Chicago Cutlery Insignia Steel 3-Piece Knife Set With Guided Grip
- Best for block storage: Chicago Cutlery® Burling 14-piece Block Set
Product Comparison: Best Chicago Cutlery Pro Hold
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 Fusion 17 Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Wooden Storage Block, Cushion-Grip Handles with Stainless Steel Blades that Resists Stains, Rust, and Pitting
- ALL IN ONE: The 17 Piece set includes a 7-3/4″ Chef knife, 7-3/4″ Serrated bread knife, 7″ Santoku knife, 5″ Santoku knife, 5″ Utility knife, 3-1/4″ Paring knife, 4. 5″ Steak knives (8) , sharpening steel, chop assist and a honey maple-stain wood block.
- MADE TO LAST: Long-lasting sharpness perfect for frequent cooking and peace of mind.
- SAFE HANDLING: Asian-influenced, cushion-grip handles provide a sturdy, non-slip grip.
- STAINLESS STEEL: High-quality stainless steel creates stronger, harder blades to resist stains, rust and pitting.
- LONG-LASTING SHARPNESS: Signature 26-Degree taper grind edge for optimum sharpness, precise cutting and easy sharpening.
Chicago Cutlery 8 Inch Slicing and Carving Knife Sharp Stainless Steel Blade that Resists Rust, Stains and Pitting Walnut Tradition Slicing Knife
- CHICAGO-STYLE CLASS: Chicago Cutlery’s 6-inch Utility Knife adds a classic styling to your kitchen while regaling you with amazing cutting and slicing performance, a must-have in every kitchen.
- STAINLESS STEEL BLADE: Stainless steel blade resists rust, stains, and pitting. Perfect for the cooking enthusiast or the professional chef, this stainless steel blade helps make cooking an easy and gratifying experience.
- FULL METAL TANG ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Triple brass rivets on walnut handle and full metal tang provide added strength, balance, and control for safe handling during meal preparation. The handle gives a firmer grip to avoid instability.
- MADE TO LAST: Simple yet effective design make this household essential a gift that keeps on giving. The utility knife has a plain edge that makes for a precise, clean cut, and retains its sharpness for a long time.
- 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.
Chicago Cutlery B42 Walnut Tradition 3pc Parer, Utility and Chef Knife Set
- Used for cutting, slicing, and chopping
- Safe for dishwasher, Recommended for handwashing
- Includes: (1) 8” chef knife, (1) 5” boning/utility knife, and (1) 3” parer knife
- Taper Grind edge technology for optimum sharpness and greater ease of sharpening
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 15.2 cm Stainless Steel Walnut Tradition Utility Knife with Wooden Handle, Brown
- 6-inch blade for cutting sandwiches, slicing small cuts of meat, and other light jobs
- Stamped high-carbon stainless steel blade features exceptional sharpness and rust and stain resistance
- Full tang for balance and strength; exclusive Taper Grind edge
- Comfortable wood handle secured with triple-brass rivets
- Hand wash for best results; lifetime guarantee.Blade dimension: 15.2cm: Grip dimension: 12cm
Chicago Cutlery Essentials 3-Piece Kitchen Chef Knife Set With Stainless Steel Blades For Home Kitchen
- 3 PIECES: Set includes: (1) 8″ Chef Knife, (1) 4.75″ Serrated Utility Knife, (1) 3.5″ 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.
- EASY TO CLEAN: The blade of this paring knife is easy to clean and maintain whether by dishwasher or by hand, ensuring that it will last for years to come with proper care.
- METAL TANG: Each knife features a metal tang, 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 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.
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.
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Buying Guide
FAQs
What are the key differences between the Chicago Cutlery 5‑Inch Boning Knife and the 5‑Inch Utility Knife?
Both knives feature a stainless‑steel blade and a walnut handle with triple‑brass rivets, but the boning knife is tapered for precision work on meat, while the utility knife has a slightly wider profile for general slicing and chopping. The boning knife’s 25‑degree taper grind offers a finer edge for delicate tasks, whereas the utility knife’s 25‑degree grind provides a sturdier edge for everyday use.
How does the 26‑degree taper grind compare to the 25‑degree taper grind in terms of sharpness and maintenance?
A 25‑degree taper grind produces a sharper, more acute edge ideal for fine slicing, but it can require more frequent honing. The 26‑degree grind is a bit more robust, offering excellent sharpness while being slightly easier to maintain and less prone to chipping during heavy use.
Which Chicago Cutlery set offers the best value for a beginner home cook?
The Fusion 17‑Piece Knife Set delivers a comprehensive collection—including a chef, santoku, bread, and steak knives—at a price that covers most kitchen needs, making it a strong value proposition. For those who prefer a smaller investment, the 3‑Piece Walnut Tradition set provides essential knives with premium walnut handles at a lower cost.
Are the walnut handles on the traditional sets durable and dishwasher‑safe?
Walnut handles are sturdy and provide a classic look, but they are not dishwasher‑safe; prolonged exposure to water can cause swelling or cracking. Hand‑washing, drying immediately, and occasional oiling will keep the wood in good condition for years.
How important is a full metal tang for balance and safety?
A full metal tang extends the blade’s steel through the entire handle, giving the knife superior balance, strength, and control during cutting. This construction reduces the risk of the handle loosening over time and enhances safety by preventing the blade from wobbling.
What should I consider when choosing between a 17‑piece set and a smaller 3‑piece set?
Consider the variety of tasks you perform: a larger set offers specialized knives for bread, steak, and santoku cuts, which can streamline prep work. If kitchen space is limited or you only need core tools, a 3‑piece set provides the essential chef, utility, and paring knives without excess bulk.
Do the guided‑grip knives provide a real ergonomic advantage over standard handles?
Guided‑grip knives are designed to encourage a pinch grip, reducing wrist strain and improving control, especially during long prep sessions. Users often report a more comfortable feel compared to traditional rounded handles, though personal hand size and preference still play a role.
How does the included storage block affect blade longevity and convenience?
A hardwood block keeps knives separated, preventing blade‑to‑blade contact that can dull edges, and offers a tidy, accessible storage solution. Some blocks also feature built‑in sharpeners, allowing quick touch‑ups without needing a separate honing tool.