Kohl's Knives: What to Buy and What to Skip

Kohl's sells kitchen knives. If you've walked through their housewares section or been browsing online, you've seen their selection spans from budget sets to mid-range brands. The question is whether Kohl's is actually a good place to buy kitchen knives, or whether you'd be better served going elsewhere.

The honest answer: Kohl's can be a solid option depending on what brand you're buying and whether there's a sale running, but the selection skews toward mainstream brands rather than anything you couldn't find at Amazon, Walmart, or a kitchen specialty store. This article breaks down what they carry, what performs well, and when the deal is actually a deal.

What Brands Does Kohl's Carry

Kohl's knife selection typically includes several regularly stocked brands, along with seasonal and promotional items.

Cuisinart

Cuisinart is one of the most consistent brands at Kohl's. They stock individual Cuisinart knives and block sets, typically in the $25 to $80 range. Cuisinart knives use medium-grade stainless steel (usually 420J2 or similar), which performs adequately for home cooking. Not premium, but reliable.

The Cuisinart Classic 15-piece block set is a frequent feature in Kohl's kitchen sections. It includes a full range of knife types plus steak knives, all in a wooden block. For someone outfitting a first kitchen, it covers everything at one reasonable price.

Wusthof

Kohl's periodically stocks Wusthof, particularly during holiday sales seasons. When they do, it's usually the Pro or Gourmet lines (Wusthof's more affordable production lines) rather than the Classic or Ikon lines. Still, Wusthof at any price is a genuine step up in steel quality and edge retention compared to Cuisinart.

If you see Wusthof at Kohl's during a sale, that's worth paying attention to. The Pro line is good everyday German steel at lower prices than you'd find at a specialty kitchen store.

J.A. Henckels

Henckels shows up at Kohl's regularly, usually the International line. The Henckels International series is made in Asia (as opposed to their Zwilling line, which is German-made) and uses softer steel than the parent Zwilling brand. Performance is in the Cuisinart range: functional, not exceptional.

Henckels International block sets at Kohl's typically run $50 to $120 depending on piece count and whether there's a sale.

KitchenAid

KitchenAid knife sets are a Kohl's staple. Performance is comparable to Cuisinart. KitchenAid's main advantage over similarly priced sets is their handle design, which many people find comfortable, and their brand recognition, which makes them popular as gifts.

Farberware

The most budget-friendly option typically stocked at Kohl's. Farberware sets run $20 to $50 and are entry-level in every sense. Functional for occasional cooking, but they dull quickly and the handles are basic.

Kohl's Pricing and Sales Strategy

Kohl's is a promotional retailer. Their pricing model relies heavily on inflated original prices and regular sale events. A knife set listed at $120 might be "on sale" for $59.99 during a Kohl's Cash event, and that $59.99 might be the realistic market price.

This means the nominal price on any Kohl's item is often not the price you should pay. Before buying any knife at Kohl's, check:

The current sale price at Kohl's
The same item's price on Amazon
Whether Kohl's Cash events or promo codes apply

Kohl's Cash events (where purchases earn store credit for future use) can make already-on-sale items effectively 15 to 30 percent cheaper. During these events, mid-range knives that are already marked down can end up at genuinely competitive prices.

What to Buy at Kohl's

Given what they carry and how their pricing works, here are situations where buying knives at Kohl's makes sense:

Wusthof Pro During Holiday Sales

If you catch Wusthof Pro knives during a Black Friday or holiday event at Kohl's, with Kohl's Cash stacking on top of a sale price, the effective price can be meaningfully lower than Amazon. This is the scenario where Kohl's is the most compelling option.

Cuisinart or Henckels Sets for First Kitchens

If you need a complete knife set immediately, don't want to spend a lot, and prefer shopping in-store, a Cuisinart or Henckels block set from Kohl's at $40 to $70 is a reasonable choice. You get a full set of functional knives at a fair price, and you can handle them in-store before buying.

KitchenAid for Gifts

KitchenAid knife sets are a practical gift choice, and Kohl's stocking of them combined with gift receipt policies makes it easy. No strong performance reason to prefer KitchenAid, but for a housewarming or kitchen-themed gift, it's a legitimate option.

What to Skip at Kohl's

Farberware at Full Price

Farberware knives at their listed prices at Kohl's are overpriced for what they deliver. Wait for a sale or buy from Amazon where the same sets are often cheaper.

High-Ticket Items Without Comparing Prices

A $150 to $200 knife block set at Kohl's isn't automatically a good deal. Run a quick price comparison on Amazon and Williams-Sonoma before committing. Specialty kitchen stores like Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma also periodically offer better deals on the same brands.

Comparing Kohl's to Other Retailers

Where does Kohl's fit in the kitchen knife retail landscape?

vs. Amazon: Amazon has a wider selection at every price point and often lower prices. The advantage Kohl's has is in-store handling and same-day purchase. If you want to feel the knife in your hand before buying, Kohl's (and other physical stores) win on that dimension.

vs. Williams-Sonoma/Sur La Table: These specialty kitchen stores carry better brands (Shun, Global, MAC) that Kohl's doesn't stock. If you're spending $100 or more on individual knives, a kitchen specialty store gives you more options and staff who actually know cutlery.

vs. Target/Walmart: Very similar price range and brands. The main distinction is Kohl's promotional model, which can produce better prices on sale but charges more at "regular" prices.

For anyone serious about finding the best value in kitchen knives, our Best Kitchen Knives guide covers what's actually worth buying at each price point with comparisons across all the major brands.

FAQ

Does Kohl's price match? Kohl's offers price matching in some circumstances. Check their current policy before purchasing.

When does Kohl's have the best knife sales? Black Friday, Labor Day, and Kohl's Cash events (which cycle throughout the year) typically offer the best prices. Signing up for Kohl's email list gets you advance notice of promotions.

Can I return knives to Kohl's if I'm not satisfied? Kohl's has a generally flexible return policy. Kitchen items that haven't been used are returnable within the standard window. Check the specific terms for knives as some stores treat sharp objects differently.

Are the knives at Kohl's the same as elsewhere? Yes, the brands are the same. Cuisinart knives from Kohl's are identical to Cuisinart knives from Amazon. The difference is price, which fluctuates based on sales and promotions.

Final Thoughts

Kohl's is a reasonable place to buy knives when the timing is right. Their selection covers the mainstream budget-to-mid-range territory well, and their promotional pricing can make mid-range brands like Wusthof Pro accessible at prices competitive with online retailers.

The mistake to avoid is paying a "regular" (non-sale) Kohl's price for a knife you could buy cheaper online. Shop at Kohl's when there's a sale on a brand you trust, and use Kohl's Cash to stack additional savings. Outside of those conditions, Amazon or a kitchen specialty store will likely serve you better.

Our Top Kitchen Knives guide has full breakdowns of the brands Kohl's carries so you can walk in with a clear idea of what's worth buying.