Target Kitchen Knives: What's Worth Buying and What to Skip
Target's kitchen knife selection covers a wide range, from $10 starter blades to $80+ individual chef's knives from recognizable brands. Shopping there in person has one big advantage over Amazon: you can actually hold the knife before buying it. That matters more for knives than most kitchen equipment.
This guide covers what Target typically stocks, which brands represent real value there, what price ranges deliver usable performance, and what you should skip in favor of buying elsewhere.
What You'll Find at Target
Target carries a mix of brand-name sets and individual knives in their kitchen department. The selection varies by store, but common brands include:
- Good Cook and Room Essentials (Target's in-house or affiliated budget lines)
- Cuisinart (multiple sets and individual knives)
- Farberware (budget sets)
- J.A. Henckels (mid-range and premium individual knives)
- Wusthof (select stores and Target.com, premium tier)
- Made By Design (Target's store brand, home goods line)
Prices range from about $9 for a basic paring knife to $150 or more for a premium Wusthof chef's knife. Online through Target.com the selection expands significantly.
Budget Options: $10 to $30
Target's budget knives at this price point are adequate for light cooking tasks. Good Cook and Farberware sets in the $20 to $30 range come with several pieces in a block and work fine for someone furnishing a first kitchen.
The trade-off at this price is softer steel, handles that can feel hollow or cheap, and edges that dull after a few months of regular use. For someone cooking 2 to 3 times per week on simple meals, these knives are fine. For anyone who takes cooking seriously, they're frustrating to use once the initial sharpness is gone.
If you're outfitting a kitchen on a tight budget and can't spend more, a Good Cook or Farberware set from Target gets the job done. Just plan on either sharpening them frequently or replacing them within a couple years.
Mid-Range Options: $30 to $80
This is where Target's selection gets interesting. Cuisinart has several knife sets and individual blades in this range that offer meaningfully better performance than the budget tier.
The Cuisinart Graphix collection is worth mentioning specifically. The hollow ground blades hold an edge better than solid stamped steel at the same price, and the handles have a texture that works well in wet conditions. A single Cuisinart Graphix chef's knife runs around $25 to $35 at Target.
J.A. Henckels is a solid choice here too. Henckels International (the sub-brand, not the premium Zwilling J.A. Henckels line) sells individual knives and sets at Target in the $40 to $80 range. Their stamped blade chef's knives at $35 to $50 are a genuine step up from budget options for balance, handle quality, and edge retention.
For a broader look at what's worth investing in at this price tier, our Best Kitchen Knives guide covers many of the same brands sold at Target alongside alternatives that may only be available online.
Premium Options: $80 and Up
Target stocks select premium knives online and in larger stores. Wusthof Classic and Wusthof Ikon pieces appear on Target.com, and you'll occasionally find them in-store too.
At this tier you're getting German forged steel at 58 Rockwell hardness, full bolster construction, triple-riveted handles, and a lifetime warranty from Wusthof directly. These are knives that should last 20 or 30 years with proper care.
Whether Target is the right place to buy them is a different question. Prices are usually comparable to Amazon or Williams Sonoma, but Target sometimes runs kitchen sales (especially around Black Friday and holiday periods) where a premium knife becomes a good deal. Target's Circle rewards program occasionally adds 5 to 15% off kitchen items too.
In-Store vs. Online Buying
Shopping in person at Target is worth it for one reason: you can hold the knife. Grip comfort is subjective and descriptions in product listings don't capture it. A handle that looks great in photos can feel wrong in your hand.
Pick up any knife you're considering and simulate a cutting motion. Notice whether the handle feels solid or hollow, whether there's a noticeable finger guard, and whether the weight feels appropriate for what you'd be using it for.
Target.com has a broader selection than most physical stores and often includes customer reviews that help fill in gaps. For anything over $50, checking both the Target listing and third-party reviews on other sites before buying is worthwhile.
What to Skip at Target
A few things in Target's knife section are worth avoiding:
Ceramic knives in low-budget sets. Target sells some ceramic blade sets in the $15 to $25 range. Ceramic knives can be sharp but chip easily, require special sharpeners, and are fragile. At the low-budget end they're not a good investment.
Non-branded sets with high piece counts. A 20-piece knife "set" for $25 is not a bargain. The blades are almost certainly stamped from the thinnest viable steel and will be unusable within a year.
Knives that feel hollow in the handle. When you knock on the handle and it sounds hollow, the blade doesn't run through the full length of the handle. That's a partial or rat-tail tang, which is less durable under heavy use.
Our Top Kitchen Knives guide covers some of the best-performing knives in each category if you want a reference point when comparing what's available in stores.
FAQ
Does Target carry Japanese knives?
Not in most physical stores. Target.com lists a few Japanese-style knives from brands like Cuisinart and occasionally Global, but the selection is limited compared to specialty retailers or Amazon. For Japanese knife shopping you'll generally do better online.
Can I return a knife to Target if I don't like how it feels?
Yes, Target's return policy covers most kitchen items within 90 days with a receipt. This is a meaningful advantage over online shopping since you can try the knife in your actual kitchen.
Is Target's Made By Design knife line worth considering?
Made By Design is Target's in-house home goods brand. Their knives are in the budget tier, similar to Good Cook. Functional for light use, not durable for daily serious cooking.
Are Target knife prices competitive with Amazon?
For most brands, they're within 5 to 10% of Amazon prices. Target's advantage is in-person shopping, the ability to return locally, and occasional Circle discount stacks. Amazon tends to have a wider selection and sometimes better prices on premium brands.
Conclusion
Target is a legitimate place to buy kitchen knives if you're in the $30 to $80 range and want to hold the product before committing. Cuisinart and J.A. Henckels options at Target represent solid value without requiring an online leap of faith. Avoid the cheapest end of the selection and anything with a hollow handle or suspiciously high piece count for the price. For premium brands like Wusthof, check Target's Circle deals before buying, you might get a better price than you'd expect.