Hedley & Bennett Knife Set Review

About the Hedley & Bennett knife set

Hedley & Bennett, a staple in the chef wearables space for aprons and other gear, offers a chef-designed-and-tested three-piece knife set.

A quality set of essential knives in the kitchen is indispensable for home cooks and professional chefs alike. These are the backbone of a culinary toolkit, and typically include a chef's knife, a paring or utility knife, and a serrated bread knife—hence why we’ve done lots of testing to determine the best knives on the market.

Composed of an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 5.6-inch utility knife, and an 8.6-inch serrated bread knife, this knife set features all the basics. Each knife is forged from Japanese stainless steel, boasts an HRC (Rockwell hardness test, which measures the hardness of metal using an indentation test) of 60, and has been sharpened to an edge of 11.5 degrees on both sides.

Priced at an affordable $195 for a bundle of all three knives, it comes at a great value for its high quality design.

How we tested the Hedley & Bennett Knife Set

In our testing, we put the Hedley & Bennett knives through a range of culinary scenarios to gauge how dependable and multifunctional they would be in a busy kitchen.

We used the serrated bread knife to slice a seeded sourdough loaf into croutons to measure precision, as well as thin-skinned ingredients like tomatoes to see if it could achieve these cuts without causing any squishing.

For the utility knife, we scrutinized its ability to stand in for both a utility and a paring knife. We used it to fillet a jumbo branzino, as well as break down a whole chicken, deboning the thighs and removing the skin. Then, we segmented grapefruit and removed the skin from several Fuyu persimmons as if it were a paring knife.

For the chef's knife, we subjected it to a battery of tests to evaluate its versatility: dicing squash, mincing garlic, chopping onions, slicing thin strips of collard greens, and even cutting yuba sheets into noodles.

What we like

Knives are lightweight and well-balanced

One of the standout qualities of these knives is their ability to maintain hand comfort, even during extended periods of prep.

Notably, the chef's knife weighs a mere 6.4 oz or 185 grams, significantly reducing hand fatigue across long hours of kitchen work. (Compare this to something like the Hexclad's chef's knife, which weighs a whopping 9.9 oz or 280 grams.) This emphasis on lightweight and balance expands the knives' suitability for a wide range of users, from professionals to home cooks, who are looking for a sensible partner in the kitchen for a wide range of tasks.

Speaking of a wide range of tasks, we found the Hedley & Bennett knives able to tackle a range of kitchen jobs with great results.

From delicate precision work like slicing thin strips of collard greens or preparing a chiffonade of basil without bruising, to more robust tasks like cutting through dense squash or removing watermelon rinds, the blades proved themselves capable. Thin yet sturdy, with a thoughtfully designed build that complemented the natural movement of our arms, each blade enhanced our cutting efforts, rather than hindering them.

The knives are delightfully ergonomic—for all hands

The knives in this set are exceptionally ergonomic, providing a truly delightful fit for hands of all sizes. The design stands out as a rarity in the mass-market knife segment, defying the typically exclusionary nature of many "one-size-fits-all" claims.

These knives felt like a seamless extension of our arms throughout testing. From deboning chicken and filleting fish to peeling persimmons and segmenting grapefruit, they demonstrate remarkable ease of maneuverability.

Notably, the Hedley & Bennett chef's knife deviates slightly from the highly curved shape commonly found in chef's knives, which we found to be more user-friendly. As a result, it quickly became the go-to choice for a wide range of kitchen tasks.

The three knife sizes are sufficient for everyday cooking

Less really is more. These three Hedley & Bennett knives offer a comprehensive solution for a wide spectrum of kitchen tasks.

The chef's knife excels across standard kitchen duties, from substantial tasks like cutting dense squash to finer assignments like mincing kimchi. The utility knife showcases its versatility by serving as both a utility and paring knife, adeptly breaking down proteins and excelling in functions like peeling and trimming.

Notably, the serrated bread knife sets itself apart with its fine-tipped design compared to most market competitors. This distinctive feature not only makes it an excellent choice for cutting various bread types, but also for slicing through delicate, thin-skinned ingredients like tomatoes.

The set comes with a lifetime warranty

The inclusion of a lifetime warranty for all the Hedley & Bennett knives offers consumers important peace of mind with their purchase.

It underscores the manufacturer's commitment to customer satisfaction and its belief in the long-lasting performance of the knives. Per the website, this means all Hedley & Bennett knives are guarded against any type of product failure within their intended use in the kitchen.

What we don’t like

No sheaths are included

Somewhat surprisingly, the Hedley & Bennett Chef's Knife Set lacks included sheaths, even plastic ones. (Wooden sheaths, priced at $50 for all three, are available as an add-on.)

Instead, the knives arrive in secure packaging with a small tip protector, which, while functional, could present an inconvenience for those looking for a ready-to-travel knife set.

The knives are (unsurprisingly) not dishwasher-safe

No premium knife makers will recommend dishwashing machines for their knives, as the high temperature and moisture of a dishwasher can easily damage the knife. And the Hedley & Bennett set is no exception.

What owners are saying

Hedley & Bennett's knife set has garnered enthusiastic reviews across the internet, with reviewers praising the set for its remarkable comfort, describing it as a “workhorse” that makes even long stints of knife work enjoyable.

Others laud the set's accessible price point and lifetime warranty, which sets their mind at ease if future issues were to arise. Professional review sites have also consistently given high scores to the knife set, with some mentioning that they haven't needed to sharpen the knives for extended periods while maintaining their sharpness.

However, lower-starred reviews questioned the construction quality of the knives, citing early experiences with chipping. Other reviewers are uncertain when and where to use the utility knife, which feels inaccessible to them as beginners in the kitchen.

Should you buy the Hedley & Bennett knife set?

Yes, absolutely!

Hedley & Bennett's Chef's Knife Set truly impressed us during our series of testing. This thoughtfully designed collection is a perfect fit for home and professional kitchens alike.

We particularly love the chef’s knife, with its exceptionally ergonomic handle for chefs with hands of any size. It seamlessly becomes an extension of your arm, offering the perfect balance of weight for robust tasks, while maintaining the lightness, thinness, and precision required for delicate slicing and mincing.

The utility knife is also impressively versatile, seamlessly switching between paring and utility functions. The comfortable handle and sharp blade makes even challenging tasks, like deboning chicken thighs, a breeze. And the serrated knife excels at navigating through various bread textures, from rustic sourdough to delicate brioche loaves. Its lightweight and thin construction makes it easy to slice bread precisely without compromising the structure.

Overall, we enthusiastically recommend the Hedley & Bennett Chef's Knife Set as an excellent addition for any cooking enthusiast, as it is clearly designed with culinary professionals in mind. Priced at $195, the set does not include sheaths or a knife organizer, but the affordable price point leaves plenty of room to add on ad hoc accessories.'