Cuisinart knives are good budget knives, and the Classic Triple Rivet line is the one worth seeking out. It’s forged, full tang and covered by a lifetime warranty against defects, which is a lot to get from a brand most people know for food processors. Buy Cuisinart if you’re stocking a first kitchen, replacing a junk block, or want a set you won’t worry about.
Skip it if you want a knife that holds an edge for months or feels special in the hand. The steel is soft, unnamed “high-carbon stainless” that dulls quickly, so a honing steel is part of the deal. My pick for most kitchens is the Cuisinart Classic Forged Triple Rivet 15-Piece Block Set; to try the brand first, the Graphix 8″ chef’s knife costs very little.
My Top 6 Cuisinart Picks
The set I’d point most first-time buyers to. Forged, full-tang knives with a wide bolster, a honing steel in the block and Cuisinart’s lifetime warranty behind all of it.
One knife to find out if you like Cuisinart before buying a block. Light, with a textured steel handle that stays put when your hands are wet.
The three knives you actually use (chef’s, utility, paring) from the forged Triple Rivet line, without paying for a block and six steak knives.
All stainless, blade to handle end, so there’s no wood or plastic to crack and no seam where gunk collects. The cleanest-looking Cuisinart block on a counter.
Six coated knives in different colors, each with its own blade guard. Made for drawers, dorms and anyone who wants raw meat and salad knives kept apart.
Six forged steak knives that match the Triple Rivet blocks. A sensible table set if you’d rather not spend premium money on knives guests use twice a year.
What Cuisinart Does Well
Forged, full-tang knives at a budget price
The Classic Triple Rivet knives are forged, with the tang running through the handle and three stainless rivets holding it together. Most budget sets are stamped from sheet steel with a plastic handle, so this is the main reason Cuisinart stands out among cheap sets.
A real lifetime warranty
Cuisinart warrants its cutlery against defects in material and workmanship for the original buyer’s lifetime, in the US and Canada. It won’t cover a chipped tip or dishwasher damage, but a loose rivet or cracked handle is covered, which few budget brands promise. Emojoy is another budget brand that promises a lifetime warranty, though only on its listings and through the seller; I cover it in my Emojoy knife set review.
A line for every kind of kitchen
Riveted forged knives, all-steel hollow handles, textured Graphix handles and coated color knives: Cuisinart has a different look and handle for almost any taste, and most lines come as single knives too, so you can replace one knife without buying a whole block.
What Cuisinart Does Badly
Soft steel that dulls fast
Cuisinart only calls its steel “superior high-carbon stainless” and doesn’t publish a grade or hardness. Owners keep reporting the same pattern: razor sharp out of the box, noticeably duller within weeks. Hone them every few uses and sharpen a few times a year.
Too many look-alike sets
The same 15-piece block shows up in different colors, finishes and model numbers (C77TR, C77WTR, C77BTR, C77SS), and listings mix line names freely. Check the model number in the title before you buy so you know which line you’re getting.
Coated knives wear
The Advantage color knives have a nonstick coating over stainless steel. It looks great at first, but coatings scratch with time and sharpening exposes bare steel at the edge. Treat them as cheap, cheerful knives, not ones to keep for a decade.
Cuisinart Lines Compared
| Line | Construction | Handle | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Triple Rivet | Forged, full tang, wide bolster | Riveted (black or white) | Lifetime | Most kitchens, a first real set |
| Graphix | Precision-tapered blade | Textured stainless steel | Lifetime | Trying a single knife, wet hands |
| Stainless hollow handle | One-piece stainless look, bolster | Hollow stainless steel | Lifetime (C77SS sets) | Easy cleaning, modern kitchens |
| Advantage | Stainless with nonstick color coating | Molded, color matched | Limited | Drawers, dorms, color coding |
| ColorCore | Stainless, colored rivets | Riveted, with guards | Lifetime | A colorful set with a classic shape |
1. Cuisinart Classic Forged Triple Rivet 15-Piece Block Set: Best Overall
Who it’s for: anyone setting up a kitchen who wants forged knives, a block and a warranty without spending premium money.
This is the set that earns Cuisinart its reputation. Every knife is forged with a full tang, an extra-wide bolster and stainless rivets, and the block holds an 8″ chef’s knife, an 8″ slicer, a 7″ santoku, a utility knife, a paring knife, a bird’s beak, six steak knives, a sharpening steel and shears.
I like it because the knives that matter are good enough to keep for years. The chef’s knife has real weight, the bolster keeps fingers off the edge, and the included steel means the set arrives with the tool it needs most.
My reservations: there’s no bread knife, and the bird’s beak is a niche shape most cooks never touch. I name this line the best set in my knife sets under $100 guide, and this white-handled version suits a light kitchen.
Key specs
- Pieces: 8″ chef’s, 8″ slicing, 7″ santoku, 5.5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, 2.75″ bird’s beak, six 4.5″ steak knives, 8″ sharpening steel, shears, block
- Blades: high-carbon stainless steel, forged, full tang
- Handle: stainless steel triple rivets, extra-wide safety bolster
- Warranty: lifetime against defects (original purchaser)
Pros
- Forged, full-tang knives are rare at this level
- Honing steel included
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- No bread knife
- Soft steel needs frequent honing
- Heavy bolster makes sharpening the heel harder
My verdict: the Cuisinart block to buy. Add a serrated bread knife and it covers a whole kitchen.
2. Cuisinart Graphix 8″ Chef’s Knife: Best Single Knife
Who it’s for: someone who wants one decent chef’s knife, or a spare, without committing to a set.
Graphix is Cuisinart’s stainless-handled line, and the textured pattern on the handle is the point: bare steel handles turn slippery with wet or oily hands, and this texture gives your fingers something to hold.
It’s also a low-risk test of how Cuisinart knives cut before you spend on a block. The blade is precision tapered to a fine edge, light enough for long prep sessions, and the steel handle means no rivets or wood to worry about.
The catch is the same soft steel as the rest of the brand, and a steel handle is colder and harder in the hand than a riveted one. If you prefer a fuller grip, the Triple Rivet chef’s knife in the 3-piece set suits you better.
Key specs
- Blade: 8″, high-carbon stainless steel, precision-tapered ground
- Handle: textured stainless steel
- Warranty: lifetime
Pros
- Costs very little
- Textured handle grips better than smooth steel
- Easy to clean, nothing to crack or swell
Cons
- Light blade feels flimsy to fans of forged knives
- Edge needs regular honing
My verdict: a smart first step or spare knife. If it’s your only knife and you like weight, choose the Triple Rivet trio.
3. Cuisinart Triple Rivet 3-Piece Knife Set: Best Starter Trio
Who it’s for: cooks who already have steak knives and a block (or a magnetic strip) and only need the core knives.
Piece counts on knife blocks are mostly filler, and this trio cuts straight to what gets used: an 8″ chef’s knife, a 5.5″ utility knife and a 3.5″ paring knife, all from the forged Triple Rivet line in my top pick.
That makes it the better buy for a small kitchen or a couple moving in together. You get the same forged, full-tang build and wide bolster as the 15-piece set, and you keep counter space free.
What you give up is storage and a honing steel. Budget for a cheap steel or a pull-through sharpener, because these knives need regular touch-ups.
Key specs
- Pieces: 8″ chef’s, 5.5″ utility, 3.5″ paring
- Blades: high-carbon stainless steel, precision-tapered ground
- Build: forged, full tang, extra-wide safety bolster, stainless rivets
- Warranty: lifetime
Pros
- Only the knives you’ll use
- Same forged build as the full block
- Easy to store in a drawer with guards or on a strip
Cons
- No block, no honing steel
- No bread knife
My verdict: the best Cuisinart buy for small kitchens. Need storage and steak knives too? Go for the 15-piece block.
4. Cuisinart German Steel Hollow Handle 15-Piece Block Set: Best Easy-Clean Block
Who it’s for: people who like a sleek steel look and hate scrubbing around rivets and handle seams.
Hollow handle knives are stainless from tip to end, with the handle formed from steel rather than wood or plastic. Cuisinart says this set’s blades are made with German steel, and each knife has a bolster for a steadier grip.
I like this style for busy, messy kitchens. There’s no handle material to crack, fade or swell, and the matching steel look suits a modern counter better than black riveted handles.
The downsides are grip and weight. Smooth steel handles get slippery when wet, and hollow handles feel lighter at the back than forged knives. If grip worries you, the Triple Rivet set is the safer choice.
Key specs
- Pieces: 15, with block
- Blades: stainless steel, made with German steel per Cuisinart
- Handle: hollow stainless steel, ergonomic shape, bolster
Pros
- Nothing to crack, rot or come loose
- Clean, matching steel look
- Bolster helps control
Cons
- Smooth handles slip when wet or greasy
- Lighter, less balanced feel than forged knives
My verdict: the Cuisinart block for easy cleaning and good looks. For the best grip, stick with the Triple Rivet line.
5. Cuisinart Advantage 12-Piece Color Knife Set: Best for Drawers
Who it’s for: students, renters, RVs and households that want knives stored safely in a drawer.
This is the Cuisinart set I’d buy for a drawer. Six coated knives (chef’s, slicer, bread, santoku, utility and paring) each come with a matching guard, so they go loose in a drawer without dulling each other or cutting fingers.
The colors are useful beyond looks: give raw meat one knife and vegetables another, and cross contamination gets easier to avoid. It’s also the only set here with a bread knife.
The coating is the weak point. It scratches and wears with time, the knives are light and stamped, and the warranty is limited rather than lifetime. Buy it as a cheerful starter set or second set, not as your forever knives.
Key specs
- Pieces: 8″ chef’s, 8″ slicing, 8″ serrated bread, 7″ santoku, 6.5″ utility, paring, plus 6 blade guards
- Blades: stainless steel with nonstick color coating
- Handle: ergonomic, color matched
- Warranty: limited
Pros
- Guards make drawer storage safe
- Color coding for meat and produce
- Includes a bread knife
Cons
- Coating wears and scratches
- Light, thin knives
- Limited warranty
My verdict: perfect for a dorm, a rental or a camper. For a main kitchen, the forged Triple Rivet knives last longer.
6. Cuisinart Triple Rivet 6-Piece Steak Knife Set: Best Steak Knives
Who it’s for: anyone who bought kitchen knives without steak knives, or wants a matching table set.
Steak knives are where expensive brands make the least sense: they cut cooked meat on a plate and get used a few times a month. These six Triple Rivet knives are forged and full tang with the same bolster and rivets as the block set, and cost much less than premium steak sets.
They match the black Triple Rivet knives, so they’re a natural add-on to the 3-piece trio. Cuisinart recommends hand washing, and I’d follow that: dishwashers dull edges and loosen handles over time.
The 4.5″ blades are on the short side for a thick ribeye, and soft steel means they’ll need a sharpener eventually.
Key specs
- Pieces: six 4.5″ steak knives
- Blades: high-carbon stainless steel
- Build: forged, full tang, extra-wide bolster, stainless rivets
- Care: hand wash recommended
Pros
- Forged build for a table set
- Matches the Triple Rivet kitchen knives
- Easy to replace a lost one
Cons
- Short blades
- Hand wash only for best results
My verdict: the steak knives I’d buy to go with Cuisinart kitchen knives. Already own the 15-piece block? It comes with six steak knives.
Cuisinart vs Other Brands
Cuisinart vs Calphalon
Both make forged budget blocks. Calphalon’s best-known sets add self-sharpening slots to the block, while Cuisinart includes a plain honing steel. Choose Calphalon if you know you’ll never sharpen; choose Cuisinart for the lower price and lifetime warranty. My Calphalon vs Cuisinart comparison goes deeper.
Cuisinart vs HENCKELS
HENCKELS Solution and Statement sets are light and stamped, made by the company behind ZWILLING. They feel less substantial than Cuisinart’s forged Triple Rivet, but the steel and finish are more consistent. Pick HENCKELS for lighter knives, Cuisinart for forged weight.
Cuisinart vs Hampton Forge
Hampton Forge is the closer rival on price, with comfortable soft-grip handles and lots of colors but no published steel and mostly stamped knives. Cuisinart’s Triple Rivet knives are the better made of the two; my Hampton Forge review explains where that brand fits.
FAQ
Are Cuisinart knives good quality?
Good for the money, yes. The Classic Triple Rivet knives are forged, full tang and covered by a lifetime warranty; the steel is soft and dulls faster than better brands. My short answer is in are Cuisinart knives worth it?
Is Cuisinart a good brand of knives?
It’s a good budget brand. Cuisinart is best known for kitchen appliances, but its forged knife sets are among the better choices under $100. It isn’t in the same league as Wüsthof or Shun for steel and finish.
What steel do Cuisinart knives use?
Cuisinart only says “high-carbon stainless steel” (and “German steel” on some stainless sets) and doesn’t publish a grade or hardness. Like most budget stainless, it resists rust well and is easy to sharpen, but needs frequent honing.
Where are Cuisinart knives made?
Cuisinart is an American brand owned by Conair, and the warranty and instruction booklets that come with its knife sets say they are made in China.
Are Cuisinart knives dishwasher safe?
Some listings say so, but hand wash them anyway. Dishwashers dull edges, loosen riveted handles and wear the coatings on Advantage knives, and the warranty excludes damage from misuse.
How do I sharpen Cuisinart knives?
Hone them on the included steel every few uses, then sharpen a few times a year on a whetstone or a simple pull-through sharpener. My guide on how to sharpen Cuisinart knives covers each method.
Final Verdict
Cuisinart makes honest budget knives, and its forged Triple Rivet line is the reason to buy the brand. Most kitchens should get the Classic Forged Triple Rivet 15-Piece Block Set. Small kitchens do better with the Triple Rivet 3-piece trio, and the Advantage color set is the one for drawers, dorms and campers.
Want to compare Cuisinart with other blocks? My best knife sets guide puts budget and premium sets side by side.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.