Are Hampton Forge knives good? For what they cost, yes: they’re fair budget sets for a first apartment, a dorm, a rental or a spare kitchen. Don’t expect them to cut like a forged German knife or stay sharp for months, and don’t expect the listings to tell you much about the steel.
The set I’d buy is the Hampton Forge Epicure Cool Grey 15-Piece Knife Set, which covers every everyday job with soft-grip handles. If you’d rather have heavier forged knives, look at the Continental 15-piece.
My Top 5 Hampton Forge Picks
Hampton Forge’s best seller for good reason: a chef’s knife, a bread knife, two santokus, steak knives and shears in a pinewood block, all with grippy soft handles.
The one Hampton set with forged, full tang, triple-rivet knives. It feels more like a classic German block and includes a sharpener.
Copper-toned knives in a wood block, made for kitchens where the set sits on display. Pick it for the look and the soft-grip handles.
A natural acacia block and warm-toned handles with an 8″ chef’s knife, a santoku and six steak knives. The Hampton set I’d pick for a farmhouse-style kitchen.
If you only need a bread knife, this one costs very little and comes with a blade guard for the drawer.
What Hampton Forge Does Well
Complete sets that cost very little
This is Hampton Forge’s whole point. A block with a chef’s knife, bread knife, paring knife, steak knives and shears costs less than one good chef’s knife from the big German brands. For someone who needs a working kitchen tomorrow, that matters more than steel grades.
Soft-grip handles that don’t slip
The Epicure, Raintree and Harvest lines use soft-grip, contoured handles. Grip is the one thing a cheap knife can get completely right, and these hold well even with wet hands, which I think is underrated in a starter set.
Lots of styles and colors
Epicure alone comes in black, cool grey, aqua and pistachio, and there are copper, wood-tone and rainbow titanium sets on top. If you want the knives to match the kitchen, Hampton Forge has more choice than almost anyone in this price range.
What Hampton Forge Does Badly
No real steel information
The listings say “stainless steel” and little more: no grade, no hardness, no edge angle. Apart from the Continental, they don’t call the blades forged either, so I treat them as stamped knives. That’s fine for a budget set, but it means you can’t compare them with better brands on paper.
Edges dull quickly
The common thread in owner feedback on cheap sets like these is that they arrive sharp and dull fast. Plan to hone often, and use a simple pull-through sharpener every few weeks. Only the Continental set includes one.
Coatings can wear
The colored and “titanium” sets look great new. Coated blades can scratch or wear along the edge with use and sharpening, and hand washing is a must if you want them to keep their color.
Hand wash only
Hampton Forge recommends hand washing its sets. Cheap blades and wood blocks don’t hold up well to the dishwasher, so factor in a minute of washing and drying after each use.
Hampton Forge Lines Compared
| Line | Construction | Handle | Block | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epicure | Stainless steel, not stated as forged | Soft grip, contoured | Pinewood (15-piece) | First kitchens, color choice |
| Hampton Signature Continental | Forged, full tang, triple rivet | Counterbalanced, riveted | Wood, with sharpener | A heavier, classic feel |
| Raintree (Tomodachi) | Titanium-finished blades | Soft grip, contoured | Wood | Display kitchens |
| Harvest (Tomodachi) | Stainless steel | Natural wood tone | Acacia | Warm, wood-style kitchens |
| Titanium / Rainbow | Coated, colored blades | Plastic, with blade guards | None (guards instead) | Drawer storage, color coding |
1. Hampton Forge Epicure Cool Grey 15-Piece Knife Set: Best Overall
Who it’s for: anyone setting up a first kitchen who wants every basic knife at once.
Epicure is Hampton Forge’s best-selling line, and the 15-piece block shows why. Inside you get an 8″ chef’s knife, an 8″ slicing knife, an 8″ bread knife, a 7″ and a 5.5″ santoku, a 5″ utility knife, a 3.5″ paring knife, six 4.5″ steak knives and kitchen shears. The chef’s, paring and bread knives are the ones I’d judge any cheap set by, and they’re all here.
The soft-grip handles are what I like most. They’re contoured, slip resistant and comfortable for people who’ve never held a “proper” knife. The grey finish also looks more grown-up than most budget sets.
Two santokus is more than anyone needs, and there’s no honing steel or sharpener. Budget for a cheap sharpener with this set, because the edges won’t last long without one.
Key specs
- Knives: 8″ chef’s, 8″ slicing, 8″ bread, 7″ and 5.5″ santoku, 5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, six 4.5″ steak knives
- Also: kitchen shears, natural pinewood block
- Blades: stainless steel
- Handles: soft grip, contoured, slip resistant
Pros
- Covers every everyday job
- Comfortable, grippy handles
- Shears included
Cons
- No sharpener or honing steel
- Steel grade not stated
- Duplicate santokus pad the piece count
My verdict: the Hampton Forge set to buy for a first kitchen. If you’ll keep it for years, spend a little more on one of the forged sets I recommend below.
2. Hampton Signature Continental 15-Piece Knife Block Set: Best Forged Set
Who it’s for: cooks who like the weight and look of a classic German-style block on a small budget.
Continental is sold under the Hampton Signature name, and it’s built differently from the rest. The knives are forged with a full tang and three rivets, and each has a bolster and a counterbalanced handle. That gives them more heft than the stamped Epicure knives.
The set includes an 8″ chef’s knife, 8″ bread knife, 8″ slicer, 6″ utility knife, 5.5″ santoku, 3.5″ paring knife, six 4.5″ steak knives, shears and a sharpener in the block. The sharpener is a real plus at this level, since a cheap edge is only as good as how often you touch it up.
My hesitation is the steel. Forging makes a knife feel solid, but it doesn’t tell you how good the steel is, and Hampton doesn’t say. Expect a tough, softer edge that needs regular honing.
Key specs
- Forged, full tang, triple rivet
- Knives: 8″ chef’s, 8″ bread, 8″ slicing, 6″ utility, 5.5″ santoku, 3.5″ paring, six 4.5″ steak knives
- Also: shears, sharpener, wood block
- Handles: counterbalanced, ergonomic
Pros
- Only forged, full tang Hampton set
- Sharpener included
- Classic block look
Cons
- Heavier than the Epicure knives
- Steel not specified
My verdict: the Hampton set for people who want riveted, forged knives. If forged is the priority and you can stretch, the Cuisinart Classic is a better-known option.
3. Hampton Forge Raintree Copper 13-Piece Block Set: Best Looking Block
Who it’s for: kitchens where the knife block is part of the decor.
Raintree comes from Tomodachi, Hampton Forge’s colorful coated-knife line, and the Copper version is the one people search for most. The copper tone against the wood block looks warmer than plain steel, and the soft-grip contoured handles are the same comfortable shape as Epicure.
Hampton Forge sells the blades as titanium for a more durable edge. At this level, a “titanium” kitchen knife is a stainless blade with a titanium finish, so I’d see it as a looks and rust-resistance feature, not a sharper knife.
The set has an 8″ chef’s knife, 8″ bread knife, 8″ slicer, 5″ utility knife, 3.5″ paring knife, 3″ bird’s beak knife and six steak knives. The bird’s beak, a small curved peeling knife, is something few home cooks reach for.
Key specs
- 13 pieces: chef’s, bread, slicing, utility, paring and bird’s beak knives, six steak knives, wood block
- Blades: titanium finish
- Handles: soft grip, contoured
- Hand wash; made in China
Pros
- Distinctive copper look
- Comfortable soft-grip handles
- Core knives all included
Cons
- Finish can wear along the edge
- No shears or sharpener
My verdict: buy it because you love the look. If you only care about cutting, the Epicure set does the same jobs for less.
4. Hampton Forge Harvest 13-Piece Kitchen Knife Set: Best Wood Block
Who it’s for: anyone who prefers natural wood tones to colored or metallic sets.
Harvest is another Tomodachi set, built around a natural grain acacia block that looks much nicer than the usual painted pine. The handles have a natural tone to match.
The lineup is sensible: an 8″ chef’s knife, 8″ bread knife, 7″ santoku, 5″ utility knife, 3.5″ paring knife, 3″ bird’s beak knife and six 4.5″ steak knives. You get the chef’s knife and the santoku, so you can find out which shape you prefer before spending real money on one.
Acacia blocks vary in color, so yours may be darker or lighter than the photos. Like all the sets here, it needs hand washing.
Key specs
- Knives: 8″ chef’s, 8″ bread, 7″ santoku, 5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, 3″ bird’s beak, six 4.5″ steak knives
- Block: natural grain acacia wood
- Blades: stainless steel
- Hand wash recommended
Pros
- Attractive acacia block
- Both chef’s knife and santoku
- Sensible lineup for a starter set
Cons
- No shears or sharpener
- Bird’s beak is a niche knife
My verdict: the nicest-looking natural block from Hampton Forge. Choose Epicure if you want shears in the box.
5. Hampton Forge Epicure 8″ Bread Knife: Best Single Knife
Who it’s for: anyone who has a good chef’s knife but no bread knife.
A bread knife is the one place where a cheap knife makes complete sense. The serrations do the cutting, it rarely needs sharpening, and you use it on soft food. This Epicure bread knife has a serrated, hollow-ground edge and comes with a matching blade guard, so it can live safely in a drawer.
It’s light and short of heft, and at 8″ it’s on the short side for a big round sourdough loaf. For sandwich bread, bagels and baguettes it’s all most people need.
Key specs
- Blade: 8″ stainless steel, serrated hollow-ground edge
- Includes matching blade guard
- Handle: Epicure soft grip
- Hand wash recommended
Pros
- Costs very little
- Blade guard for drawer storage
- Serrations stay useful for a long time
Cons
- Short for large loaves
- Light, flexible feel
My verdict: an easy, low-risk add-on. Big-loaf bakers should get a 10″ bread knife instead.
Hampton Forge vs Other Budget Brands
Hampton Forge vs HENCKELS
HENCKELS is the better knife maker: its budget Solution and Statement lines have better-known steel and a long track record. Hampton Forge sets usually include more pieces and more color for less. If you plan to keep the knives for years, I’d pick HENCKELS.
Hampton Forge vs Cuisinart
Cuisinart’s Classic forged sets are the step up I’d suggest for anyone who wants forged knives and a lifetime warranty at a low price. I cover them in my Cuisinart knives review. Hampton Forge wins on style options.
Hampton Forge vs Schmidt Brothers
Schmidt Brothers is the design-led brand one level up, with German steel and magnetic blocks; Hampton Forge is the cheaper, more casual choice. My Schmidt Brothers knives review explains what the extra money buys.
FAQ
Are Hampton Forge knives good quality?
They’re decent budget knives. The handles are comfortable and the sets are complete, but the steel isn’t specified and the edges dull faster than better brands. They suit starter kitchens, not keen cooks.
Is Hampton Forge better than HENCKELS?
No. HENCKELS makes better knives with a longer track record. Hampton Forge sets are cheaper and come in more colors and styles.
Where are Hampton Forge knives made?
The Raintree listing gives China as the country of origin. Hampton Forge doesn’t make a point of where each line is made, so check the listing of the set you want.
Are Hampton Forge knives dishwasher safe?
Hampton Forge recommends hand washing. The dishwasher dulls edges, wears coatings and damages wood blocks. If you need machine-safe knives, see my dishwasher-safe knife sets.
Which Hampton Forge set should I buy?
The Epicure 15-piece for most people, the Continental 15-piece if you want forged knives, and Raintree Copper or Harvest if looks come first.
Final Verdict
Hampton Forge makes honest budget knife sets: comfortable, complete and stylish, with steel that needs regular sharpening. The Epicure Cool Grey 15-Piece Knife Set is my pick for most buyers. The Continental 15-piece is the one for forged, riveted knives, and the Raintree Copper set is the one to buy for looks.
For more options at this level, see my best knife sets under $100, or step up with my best knife sets under $200.
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.