Made In Knife Set: What You Get and Whether It's Worth It
Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware and knives brand that launched in 2017 with a specific value proposition: restaurant-quality tools sold without the traditional retail markup. Their knife sets have built a loyal following, particularly among people who want professional-grade performance without spending $400-600 on a Wüsthof or Shun set.
If you're considering a Made In knife set, this guide covers the steel they use, how the knives actually perform, what comes in the set, and how they compare to the brands they're often stacked against.
What Made In Is
Made In sells directly through their website, which lets them control pricing. The brand collaborates with suppliers in France (for knives), Italy (for cookware), and other manufacturing locations depending on the product. Their knives are made in Thiers, France, a town with over 600 years of blade-making history.
This is different from Japanese knife manufacturing in Seki, but Thiers is genuinely respected for producing quality European-style blades. Most Made In knives follow a Western-style geometry, though they've added Japanese-style options to the lineup.
The Steel
Made In's main knife line uses X50CrMoV15 steel, a German stainless alloy commonly used by Wüsthof and Henckels. It achieves 56-58 HRC depending on the specific production run. This is a well-understood, reliable steel for Western-style kitchen knives.
At 56-58 HRC, the steel is:
- Tough and resistant to chipping under normal use
- Easy to sharpen at home
- Corrosion-resistant
- Not as hard as Japanese steels (60-65 HRC), so it won't hold an edge quite as long
For a home cook who wants a dependable, low-maintenance knife set that they can sharpen with a whetstone or a pull-through sharpener without worrying about chipping, this steel is a good fit.
Made In also sells a Japanese series using VG-10 steel with a higher hardness (60-61 HRC) for cooks who want the sharper, thinner Japanese-style edge.
What Comes in the Set
Made In offers several knife set configurations. Their most popular include:
The 6-Piece Knife Set
Typically includes: - 10-inch chef's knife - 8-inch chef's knife - 6-inch chef's knife - 4.5-inch paring knife - 5-inch serrated utility knife - Magnetic knife strip (or block, depending on configuration)
Made In's standard set skips the knife block in favor of a magnetic strip, which they argue (correctly) is better for edge preservation and easier to keep clean. If you want a block, they sell those separately.
The 8-Piece Set
Adds a bread knife and honing rod to the 6-piece configuration.
The choice of a 10-inch chef's knife as the flagship is notable. Most sets lead with an 8-inch. The 10-inch gives more surface area for larger cuts, but it's a longer blade that not all cooks are comfortable with for everyday use. Made In does sell individual knives if you want to build your own configuration.
How the Knives Perform
Out of the Box
Made In knives arrive sharp. Not exceptional out of the box, but sharper than most mass-market sets. The edge geometry is accurate and consistent along the blade length.
Balance and Feel
The knives are slightly heavier than traditional German designs but lighter than Wüsthof's Ikon or Classic Ikon lines. The balance point sits around the bolster, which most cooks find comfortable. The handle profile is ergonomic without being dramatically shaped, which means it works for different grip styles.
Long-Term Edge Retention
The X50CrMoV15 steel holds up well with regular honing. Expect to sharpen on a whetstone every 3-6 months with daily home cooking. Users who maintain their edges with a honing steel before each session report the knives staying sharp and performing consistently over several years.
Made In vs. Wüsthof and Henckels
This is the most common comparison because all three use German-style steel and Western blade geometry.
Steel
The steel alloy is essentially the same: X50CrMoV15 at 56-58 HRC. The difference is in heat treatment and finishing consistency, where Wüsthof's precision edge technology (PEtec) produces a very consistent edge angle that Made In's production doesn't always match.
Price
Made In is priced below Wüsthof and Henckels' premium lines (Classic, Ikon, Pro) but above their entry-level sets. This is roughly the territory where you get most of the performance at a lower price.
Reputation and Track Record
Wüsthof has been making knives since 1814. Henckels since 1731. Made In launched in 2017. The track record difference is real. For buyers who factor in longevity and brand heritage, the established German brands have more history. For buyers who are evaluating current product quality and price, Made In competes well.
Design
Made In's design is more contemporary, with a thinner handle and a slightly different bolster shape than traditional German designs. The Wüsthof Classic's bolster is heavier and more traditional. For people who prefer a cleaner, lighter aesthetic, Made In has an edge.
For full comparisons across price points and styles, the best knife set guide covers options from budget through premium. If you specifically want to compare sets that buyers consistently rate highly, best rated knife sets is a useful starting point.
What Made In Does Well
Direct Pricing
Buying directly from Made In means you're not paying a retail markup. This is one area where their direct-to-consumer model genuinely benefits the buyer.
Customer Service
Made In has a lifetime guarantee and a reputation for responsive customer service. If something goes wrong with a blade or handle, they address it.
The Magnetic Strip
Including a magnetic strip instead of a knife block is actually a better default. Blocks take up counter space, get moldy inside the slots, and most people slide knives in edge-first by accident. The magnetic strip solves all of that.
Who Should Buy Made In
Made In is a good match if: - You want Western-style knife geometry with professional-grade construction - You want to avoid the retail markup on comparable Wüsthof-level quality - You prefer a contemporary, minimalist kitchen aesthetic - You want to build a custom set piece by piece rather than taking a fixed configuration
It's less ideal if: - You want a Japanese-style knife set with harder steel and a thinner edge - You want a brand with a 50+ year track record behind it - You want a knife block included rather than a strip
FAQ
Are Made In knives made in the USA? No. Made In's knives are manufactured in Thiers, France. Their cookware comes from France and Italy. The "Made In" name refers to their direct-to-consumer model and commitment to traditional manufacturing, not to American production.
Does Made In offer a warranty? Yes. Made In offers a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. Normal wear, chips from misuse, and damage from improper sharpening are not covered, but the guarantee covers true manufacturing issues.
Can I put Made In knives in the dishwasher? Made In does not recommend it. Hand-washing and drying is the right approach. The X50CrMoV15 steel tolerates occasional dishwasher use better than high-carbon Japanese steels, but regular machine-washing will degrade the edge and potentially affect the handle.
How do Made In Japanese knives compare to the main line? Made In's Japanese series uses VG-10 steel at a higher hardness than their main X50CrMoV15 line. The edge is sharper, thinner, and more acute, but requires more careful handling and proper sharpening at the correct angle. They're a meaningful upgrade for cooks who want the Japanese blade style.
Conclusion
Made In knife sets deliver genuine quality at a price that's competitive with Wüsthof's entry-level sets, using comparable steel and manufactured in a respected French blade-making city. The direct-to-consumer model works in your favor. The magnetic strip inclusion is a thoughtful default. If you want a Western-style set with solid performance and contemporary design, Made In is worth your consideration alongside the established German brands.