HexClad Knife Block: What You Need to Know Before Buying
HexClad made its name with hybrid cookware, but the brand has moved into knives, and the knife block set has been turning heads. If you landed here wondering whether the HexClad knife block is actually worth the price or just a pretty display piece, you're in the right place.
This guide covers everything: the knives included, how the block itself works, how performance stacks up against competitors, and honest answers to the questions home cooks ask most.
What Is the HexClad Knife Block Set?
HexClad's knife block set is a premium collection of forged blades paired with a sleek, countertop block. The brand partnered with Gordon Ramsay for marketing visibility, which helped the set reach a wide audience, but the knives stand on their own merits regardless of celebrity endorsement.
The set typically includes:
- 8-inch chef knife
- 8-inch bread knife
- 7-inch santoku
- 5.5-inch utility knife
- 3.5-inch paring knife
- Kitchen shears
- Honing rod
- Magnetic knife block
The magnetic block is one of the more interesting design choices. Instead of slotted wood, HexClad uses a magnetic-mounted design that lets you store knives at an angle, keeps blades visible, and makes it easy to grab what you need without fumbling.
The Knives: Construction and Materials
Steel and Hardness
HexClad knives use German-style high-carbon stainless steel. The blades are forged rather than stamped, meaning each knife starts as a single piece of metal shaped under pressure rather than cut from a sheet. Forged knives generally have better balance and durability over time.
The steel comes in at around 56-58 HRC (Rockwell Hardness). That sits squarely in the German knife range, not as hard as premium Japanese steel (which often hits 60-65 HRC) but harder than cheap knives that dull within a month. At this hardness level, you can sharpen the blade easily at home and it handles tough work without chipping.
Edge Geometry
The blades are sharpened at a 15-degree angle per side, which is slightly more acute than traditional German knives (typically 20 degrees). This sharpness makes the edge feel almost Japanese-inspired while still having the durability you expect from Western construction.
Handle Design
The handles are a three-rivet design with a pakkawood-style composite material. They feel substantial without being bulky, and the weight distribution sits comfortably toward the blade rather than the handle, important for tasks like rock-chopping herbs or breaking down proteins.
The Magnetic Block: Design and Function
The knife block deserves its own section because it's genuinely different from traditional slotted blocks.
Traditional slotted blocks hide your blades, make it awkward to clean the interior, and force you to store knives in specific positions. HexClad's magnetic block presents knives at an angle, edge-up or edge-angled, depending on how you mount them.
Pros of the magnetic block: - Blades never contact wood slots, which can microabrade edges over time - Easy to wipe down, no mysterious slot interiors to worry about - Looks modern and takes up less visual weight on the counter - Accommodates knives of different sizes and shapes easily
Cons: - Magnetic blocks require caution when placing heavy cleavers or thick-spined knives - Some people worry about magnets affecting steel over time (they don't, for practical purposes) - The angle takes a moment to get used to if you've used traditional blocks for years
How HexClad Knives Perform in the Kitchen
Chef Knife
The 8-inch chef knife is the workhorse of the set and where HexClad invested the most in performance. Out of the box it comes razor-sharp, sharp enough to push-cut paper cleanly. Through testing on onions, chicken breast, and dense root vegetables, the edge held up well for several weeks of daily cooking before needing a touch-up with the included honing rod.
The blade has a gentle curve that suits both rocking and push-cutting styles. Home cooks who learned on French-style chef knives will feel right at home.
Santoku
The 7-inch santoku has a flatter belly than the chef knife, making it better suited to a straight up-and-down chopping motion. The Granton dimples (oval hollows along the blade) help food release rather than sticking, which matters when you're slicing thin cuts of meat or soft vegetables.
Bread Knife
The serrated bread knife is legitimately good. The serrations are sharp and evenly spaced, and the knife cuts through crusty sourdough without crushing the crumb. It also handles tomatoes and citrus cleanly, an underrated use for a serrated blade.
Paring and Utility Knives
These smaller blades get used for peeling, trimming, and fine work. Both feel well-balanced despite their size, which isn't always the case in block sets where the manufacturer focuses budget on the big knives.
Shears and Honing Rod
The kitchen shears are solid, comfortable spring action, blades that separate for washing, and enough leverage to break down a whole chicken. The honing rod is ceramic (not steel), which is gentler on the edge and more appropriate for 15-degree blades than a grooved steel rod.
HexClad vs. Other Knife Blocks in the Same Price Range
At the price point HexClad commands, you're competing against some serious names:
Wusthof Classic: The German standard. Knives are slightly harder (58 HRC), have decades of proven performance, and come in traditional slotted blocks. HexClad matches build quality reasonably well but doesn't have the same track record.
Zwilling Pro: Another German heavyweight. The curved bolster on Zwilling blades offers a different grip feel. HexClad's simpler handle design appeals to cooks who don't like the "pinch over the bolster" technique.
Mac Knife Professional Series: Japanese-leaning steel, harder and thinner, demands more careful maintenance. HexClad is more forgiving for everyday home cooking.
Dalstrong: A direct competitor for marketing style and price-to-look ratio. HexClad edges ahead on actual steel quality and the block design.
HexClad positions itself as a premium mid-range option, better than department store sets, not quite at the level of bespoke Japanese forges.
Common Questions About the HexClad Knife Block
Are HexClad knives dishwasher safe?
Technically, some components are labeled dishwasher-safe, but like every quality knife, hand washing and immediate drying will extend the edge life and handle finish significantly. The dishwasher's heat, detergent, and vibration are hard on blades.
How do you sharpen HexClad knives?
A whetstone at a consistent 15-degree angle is the best approach. If you're not comfortable with a whetstone, a pull-through sharpener with adjustable angle settings works reasonably well. Avoid electric grinders unless you know how to control the heat, they can remove too much steel and destroy the temper of the blade.
For regular maintenance between sharpenings, use the included ceramic honing rod before each session.
Can you add knives from other brands to the block?
Yes. The magnetic block holds any kitchen knife securely, regardless of brand. This is one of the genuine advantages over slotted blocks that only fit their own blade widths.
Does Gordon Ramsay actually use HexClad?
Ramsay is a paid partner, so take the endorsement with appropriate context. That said, the products are genuinely decent, the partnership brought HexClad more visibility, but the knives perform as advertised.
What's the warranty?
HexClad offers a lifetime warranty on defects, which is standard for premium knife brands. Warranty coverage doesn't include edge wear, staining from use, or damage from misuse, but it does cover manufacturing defects in the blade or handle.
Is the HexClad Knife Block Worth the Money?
The honest answer depends on what you're replacing.
If you're upgrading from a $30 block set from a discount store, yes, absolutely. The difference in edge retention, balance, and comfort is immediately noticeable.
If you're already using individual knives from Wusthof, Victorinox, or Global, the block set might not be a step up in every category. But the magnetic block presentation and the set completeness (shears, honing rod, multiple blade shapes) make it a strong option for setting up a kitchen from scratch.
The HexClad knife block is a well-thought-out set that delivers on most of its promises. The magnetic block design is genuinely useful, not just a gimmick, and the knives have the construction quality to last years with normal care.
FAQ
What steel does HexClad use in their knives? HexClad uses high-carbon German stainless steel, forged into shape. The Rockwell hardness lands around 56-58 HRC, which is standard for Western-style forged knives.
Does the HexClad block store knives safely? Yes. The magnetic system holds blades securely and doesn't contact the cutting edge, which helps preserve sharpness over time better than traditional slotted wood blocks.
Is HexClad a Japanese or German knife style? The knives are constructed in a German style, forged, with a bolster and full tang, but sharpened at a 15-degree angle closer to Japanese tradition.
How does HexClad compare to Wusthof? Both use German steel with forged construction. Wusthof has a longer track record and is often slightly harder steel. HexClad differentiates with its magnetic block design and a more contemporary aesthetic.
Can the HexClad knife set be bought as individual pieces? Yes, HexClad sells individual knives as well. You can purchase the chef knife or santoku on their own if you don't need the full set.
Where can I find the HexClad knife block? It's available through HexClad's website and on Amazon. Prices and included pieces may vary by retailer and current promotion.