Pro Cook Knife Set: What the ProCook Brand Offers Home Cooks
ProCook is a British direct-to-consumer kitchenware brand founded in 2003 that has grown significantly in the UK market. Their knife sets are among their more prominent product categories, and the brand has invested in quality that differentiates them from standard retail options.
About ProCook
ProCook operates as a direct-to-consumer brand, meaning they sell primarily through their own website and physical stores rather than through major retailers like Argos or supermarkets. This model allows them to offer better quality at a given price point compared to brands that need to maintain retail margins.
The company has positioned itself in the mid-market: better than typical supermarket brands, more accessible than premium German or Japanese brands. They've built a reputation for functional quality and have received positive coverage from UK food media.
ProCook Knife Set Lines
ProCook produces several knife set lines at different price and performance levels:
Specialist Forged
Their premium forged knife line, using high-carbon German steel with traditional forged construction. Full tang, full bolster, triple-riveted handles. Designed to compete with established German premium brands.
Professional X50
Uses X50CrMoV15 steel (the same specification used by Wusthof and Henckels), forged construction, professional-grade performance. This line is particularly well-regarded in independent tests.
Japanese
ProCook's Japanese-influenced line featuring thinner profiles, harder steel, and Japanese-style edge angles. Uses steel hardened to approximately 60 HRC.
Classic
Their more affordable stamped line for home cooks who want ProCook quality at a lower price point.
Steel Quality Across Lines
ProCook's differentiator is that they publish steel specifications clearly, unlike many brands that give only vague descriptions. Their Professional X50 line uses the same X50CrMoV15 specification as Wusthof, hardened to 58 HRC. This transparency is a genuine positive when evaluating the brand.
What a Typical ProCook Set Includes
Configurations vary, but standard ProCook sets include:
- 20cm chef's knife
- 20cm bread knife
- 16cm santoku or utility knife
- 13cm utility knife
- 9cm paring knife
- Kitchen shears
- Honing steel
- Knife block
Larger sets add carving knives, boning knives, or additional specialty pieces.
Performance: What Makes ProCook Stand Out
ProCook knives consistently perform well in independent UK consumer and food media testing. The Professional X50 line in particular has been praised for:
Edge sharpness from the factory: ProCook knives arrive well-sharpened and ready to use.
Edge retention: The X50 steel holds an edge well with regular honing. Performance comparable to Wusthof and Henckels in the same steel category.
Handle comfort: ProCook has invested in handle ergonomics more thoughtfully than many brands at their price point.
Value: Direct-to-consumer pricing means the Professional X50 line often costs less than Wusthof Classic with similar steel and construction.
ProCook vs. Wusthof, Henckels, and Victorinox
vs. Wusthof Classic: ProCook Professional X50 uses the same steel specification. Wusthof has a 200-year manufacturing history and more established quality control; ProCook is 20+ years old with a growing track record. Price favors ProCook.
vs. Henckels Professional S: Similar comparison to Wusthof. The Henckels Professional S (Zwilling line) uses German forged construction; ProCook matches this in their Specialist Forged line.
vs. Victorinox Fibrox Pro: Victorinox is available globally with extensive professional use history. ProCook is primarily a UK brand. Performance is comparable; Victorinox may be easier to find outside the UK.
Availability Outside the UK
ProCook operates primarily in the UK, with physical stores across England, Scotland, and Wales, plus their UK website. International shipping from the UK is sometimes available, but ProCook is not well-distributed in the US or Asia Pacific markets.
For buyers outside the UK, ProCook-equivalent options include Victorinox, Mercer Culinary, and established German brands at various price points.
Caring for ProCook Knives
Care mirrors any quality kitchen knife:
Hand wash the Professional X50 and Specialist Forged lines. These are investment knives; dishwasher use accelerates edge dulling and can affect handles.
Use the included honing steel. ProCook sets include a quality honing steel; using it before each cooking session maintains performance between sharpenings.
Sharpen with a whetstone as needed. The Professional X50 responds well to whetstone sharpening at 15-20 degrees per side depending on the specific knife.
Store in the block. The included blocks accommodate the set plus additional pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProCook a reputable knife brand? Yes. ProCook has built a genuine reputation for quality kitchenware in the UK market. Their transparency about steel specifications and consistent positive reviews from independent sources support this.
Are ProCook knives as good as Wusthof? The Professional X50 and Specialist Forged lines are competitive with Wusthof for steel specification and construction. Wusthof's manufacturing history and quality control are more established. For many home cooks, the ProCook performance is comparable at a better price.
Can you buy ProCook in the US? ProCook is primarily a UK brand. Some products may be available through Amazon UK or with international shipping, but they're not sold through US retail channels.
What warranty does ProCook offer? ProCook offers a 25-year guarantee on most of their knives, which is more generous than most competitors.
What line should a serious home cook buy? The Professional X50 line is the best value in the ProCook range. It uses quality steel, proper forged construction, and performs at a level that serious home cooks will appreciate.
Final Thoughts
ProCook represents one of the better value propositions in the UK kitchen knife market, particularly for buyers willing to look beyond the most heavily marketed brands. The Professional X50 line delivers genuine German-spec performance through a direct-to-consumer model that keeps pricing competitive.
For UK buyers setting up a kitchen or ready to invest in quality knives, ProCook deserves serious consideration alongside the established German and Swiss brands.