Bombay Knife Set: What It Is and What You Should Know

"Bombay knife set" is a search term that leads to a few different things. Most commonly, it refers to knife sets sold through Bombay Outdoors (a hunting/outdoor brand) or, less commonly, knife sets from the former Bombay Company (a home goods retailer that closed in 2007 and was revived as an online brand). If you've seen a Bombay knife set and are trying to figure out what you're buying, this guide clarifies the different possibilities and whether any of them are worth purchasing.

The Different "Bombay" Knife Brands

Bombay Outdoors

Bombay Outdoors is an outdoor and sporting goods company that sells hunting knives, field dressing sets, and outdoor blades. Their knife sets are designed for hunting and outdoor use, not kitchen cooking. If you're looking at a Bombay Outdoors knife set, you're looking at:

Field dressing sets: Multi-piece knife sets for game processing. Typically includes a gut hook knife, skinner, boning knife, and similar tools for processing deer or other game.

Hunting knife sets: Fixed-blade hunting knives in various configurations.

Steel: Hunting knives typically use stainless or high-carbon steel at varying quality levels. Bombay Outdoors products are in the budget-to-mid range for outdoor knives.

These are not kitchen knives for culinary use. They're designed for field work and game processing, which has different requirements (portability, rust resistance in outdoor conditions, durability for rough use) than kitchen prep.

Bombay Company (Home Goods)

The original Bombay Company was a home furnishings and decor retailer that operated from 1972 to 2007 when it declared bankruptcy. The brand has since been revived as an online lifestyle brand. They sell home goods including some kitchen products.

Any "Bombay Company knife set" you find is a home goods brand product, not a knife manufacturer. Quality would depend on the specific manufacturer they contract with, which isn't typically disclosed.

What to Actually Buy Instead

If you searched for "Bombay knife set" looking for a general kitchen knife set, the name itself doesn't lead to the best options. Here's what to buy for home kitchen use:

For a first kitchen knife set ($45-75): - Victorinox Fibrox 8-inch chef's knife ($45) plus paring knife ($20) covers 90% of home cooking with properly documented Swiss steel - Mercer Culinary 5-piece Genesis ($65-75) provides a complete set with forged German steel and culinary school track record

For a complete mid-range set ($80-150): - Wüsthof Gourmet sets use German X50CrMoV15 steel at 58 HRC with proper Solingen manufacturing - Victorinox Swiss Classic 4-piece sets provide the same steel in a complete entry

For outdoor/hunting knife sets specifically: - Buck Knives and Benchmade are the quality standards for hunting and field dressing knives - Outdoor Edge sets are well-regarded for deer processing - Gerber hunting sets at various price points

For a comprehensive overview of quality kitchen knife options across price tiers, the Best Kitchen Knives roundup covers the full range.

What Makes Kitchen Knife Sets Worth Buying

Since "Bombay knife set" likely landed you on this page because you're researching knife sets generally, here's what actually matters in a purchase:

Steel specification: The alloy and hardness matter more than the brand name. X50CrMoV15 at 58 HRC (German standard) or VG-10 at 60-61 HRC (Japanese standard) are the benchmarks. "Stainless steel" without specifics tells you nothing useful.

Hardness (HRC): German-standard 58 HRC is the practical minimum for a knife that holds an edge decently. Budget knives run 54-56 HRC and dull faster. Japanese steel at 60+ HRC stays sharp longer but requires more careful maintenance.

Construction type: Forged vs. Stamped. Forged knives are made from a single heated piece of steel that's hammered into shape. Stamped knives are cut from a sheet. Forged is more durable and better-balanced. Mercer Culinary Genesis, Wüsthof Classic, and similar quality brands use forged construction.

Country of origin: German (Solingen), Japanese (Sakai, Seki), and Swiss manufacturing indicate quality traditions. Unspecified or undisclosed origin is harder to evaluate.

Full tang: The steel should run the full length of the handle. Full-tang construction is more durable than partial tang.

When You Actually Want Outdoor/Hunting Knives

If you're looking at Bombay Outdoors products for actual hunting or field dressing use:

For deer processing: A gut hook knife + skinner + boning knife combination covers the full process. Outdoor Edge Razor Pro drop point sets are among the most popular for value. Havalon zipper sets use replaceable blades that are always sharp.

For general hunting use: A single fixed-blade knife in 3-4 inch length covers most field tasks. Buck 110 is a classic. Mora Companion at $15-20 is one of the best value field knives made.

Steel for outdoor use: High-carbon steel takes a sharper edge and resharpens easily but needs maintenance to prevent rust. 1095 high carbon, D2, and similar steels are common in hunting knives. Stainless options like 440C and 154CM resist rust but may require more sharpening effort.

For cooking knife comparisons and recommendations, the Top Kitchen Knives guide covers what's worth buying for kitchen use.

FAQ

Is Bombay Company still in business?

The original Bombay Company closed in 2007 after bankruptcy. A revived online brand uses the Bombay Company name and sells home goods. The current brand is not the same company as the original.

Are Bombay Outdoors knife sets good quality?

Mid-range quality for outdoor use. They're functional for hunting and field dressing tasks, priced accessibly. Not the best outdoor knife brands (Buck, Benchmade, Havalon) but adequate for casual hunters.

What should I look for in a kitchen knife set?

Named steel (X50CrMoV15 or VG-10), disclosed HRC (58+ for German, 60+ for Japanese), forged construction when possible, full tang, and a known manufacturer with track record. Most brand-name sets at $80+ from Victorinox, Wüsthof, Mercer, or Henckels Pro meet these criteria.

How much should I spend on a decent kitchen knife set?

A meaningful step up from budget: $80-120 for a 3-5 piece set from Victorinox, Mercer, or Henckels Pro. For a complete long-term set: $150-250 from Wüsthof or ZWILLING. For Japanese steel: $150-300 from Shun or Miyabi.

Bottom Line

"Bombay knife set" as a search term leads to niche products (Bombay Outdoors hunting knives) or a defunct home goods brand rather than quality kitchen knives. If you're looking for kitchen knives, skip the brand name and focus on the specification: steel alloy, HRC, construction type, and country of manufacture. Victorinox at $45-75 for individual quality knives, or Wüsthof and Mercer Culinary for complete sets at $80-150, deliver what you actually want. If you specifically need hunting or field dressing knives, Outdoor Edge and Buck Knives are the quality standards.