Made In Kitchen Knives: What They Are and Whether They're Worth the Price

Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand that launched in 2017 and built its reputation on stainless steel cookware and carbon steel pans before expanding into kitchen knives. Their knives have attracted serious attention from home cooks who appreciate high-quality cookware and wonder whether the same philosophy extends to their cutlery. The short answer: yes, with some qualification.

Made In's knives are produced in partnership with SABATIER, the historic French cutlery tradition from Thiers. They use French manufacturing with traditional French chef's knife geometry, which means you're getting something genuinely different from the German and Japanese knives that dominate most "best knife" lists. Understanding what makes French knives distinct, how Made In executes that tradition, and what they cost relative to alternatives helps clarify whether these are the right knives for your kitchen.

The Made In Knife Line

Made In currently offers several knives:

8-Inch Chef's Knife: Their flagship, modeled on the French chef's knife profile. Narrower, more flexible, with a more pointed tip than German equivalents. Made in Thiers, France.

10-Inch Chef's Knife: For cooks who prefer a longer blade.

Paring Knife: Standard 3.5-inch, same French-made construction.

Bread Knife: 10-inch serrated blade.

Nakiri: A Japanese-influenced flat-bladed vegetable knife, an unusual addition for a brand focused on French cutlery tradition.

Knives are sold individually and in starter sets. They're not bundled in large block sets the way Wusthof or Henckels sell their consumer lines.

French Chef's Knife vs. German Chef's Knife

Made In's knives have a French profile, which differs from German-style knives in a few ways worth understanding:

Blade width: French chef's knives are narrower than German equivalents. The Wusthof Classic is wide and full at the heel; the Made In chef's knife tapers more dramatically.

Belly curve: The French profile has less belly. This means less rocking technique and more push-cutting and pull-slicing.

Tip shape: French profiles have a more pronounced, sharper tip, which is better for scoring, delicate work, and the sliding cuts used in classical French technique.

Flexibility: French knives are typically thinner-spined and slightly more flexible than thick German knives.

This is not a better-or-worse distinction. French profiles suit French culinary technique. Cooks trained on German-style knives will find the transition takes some adjustment.

Steel and Performance

Made In specifies their knives use X50CrMoV15 stainless steel, the same German alloy used by Wusthof and Zwilling. Hardness is around 56-58 HRC.

At this specification, edge retention is good: 4-6 weeks for a regular home cook before noticeably dulling. The factory edge is around 15-20 degrees per side, which is standard for French-tradition knives.

One differentiator: Made In offers some of their knives in a carbon steel version, which is unusual at this price point and more in keeping with traditional French cutlery practice. Carbon steel takes a sharper edge and sharpens more easily but requires rust prevention (drying after use, occasional oiling).

Made In vs. The Competition

At $90-$130 per individual chef's knife, Made In sits in the same tier as MAC, Wusthof Classic, and Victorinox.

Made In vs. Victorinox Fibrox: The Fibrox at $45-$55 provides excellent value. Made In's French profile and Thiers manufacturing justify a higher price for the tradition and design differences, but the Fibrox is the pure value play at this tier. Best Kitchen Knives covers this comparison.

Made In vs. Wusthof Classic: Both use X50CrMoV15. Wusthof is a German knife with a full bolster and wider profile. Made In is French with a narrower profile and more pointed tip. The performance is comparable; the choice is about which cutting style fits your cooking.

Made In vs. K Sabatier: Both are Thiers-tradition French knives. K Sabatier has more heritage; Made In has DTC convenience and modern branding. The steel specs and manufacturing origin are similar.

Who Made In Knives Are Right For

Made In knives make the most sense for:

Cooks who are into French cooking technique: The French profile is optimized for classical French knife work. If you've cooked with French technique or trained on French knives, this feels like coming home.

Made In cookware owners: The brand aesthetic is cohesive. If you own their pans and appreciate the quality, the knives match.

People who want to avoid German-dominated choices: Most kitchen knife recommendations point to Wusthof, Zwilling, Victorinox, and Japanese alternatives. Made In offers a French option that's genuinely different.

Gift-givers: Made In's packaging and brand presentation are excellent for gifts.

Top Kitchen Knives covers Made In alongside other options if you're deciding between French, German, and Japanese styles.

FAQ

Is Made In a good brand for knives? Yes. The Thiers manufacturing, X50CrMoV15 steel, and French knife tradition behind the brand make these genuinely quality knives. They're not a marketing-first brand with commodity steel underneath; the manufacturing partnership with French cutlers is real.

Are Made In knives dishwasher safe? No. Made In recommends hand washing for all their knives, consistent with any quality kitchen knife.

Do Made In knives come with a lifetime warranty? Made In offers a lifetime guarantee on their products. Check current terms at time of purchase.

How do you sharpen Made In knives? A whetstone at 15-20 degrees per side for stainless versions. Carbon steel versions sharpen faster and more easily. A smooth honing rod or ceramic rod maintains the edge between sharpenings.

Conclusion

Made In kitchen knives are well-made, distinctively French, and legitimately competitive in the $90-$130 per knife tier. The X50CrMoV15 steel and Thiers manufacturing are real advantages over generic brands at similar prices. The French blade profile is the defining feature: narrower, more pointed, better for French technique, less suited to the rocking cuts that German knives excel at. If the French profile fits how you cook, Made In is a strong choice. If you're accustomed to German or Japanese profiles, try one in person before committing to a set.