Robert Welch Signature Essentials Home Chef Stainless Steel Knife Set, 3 Piece
Robert Welch Signature Essentials Home Chef Stainless Steel Knife Set, 3 Piece
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- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
Robert Welch Signature Essentials Home Chef 3 Piece Knife Set
This limited edition set provides three essential knives for everyday food preparation: an 11cm santoku knife for precision slicing and dicing, a 12cm utility knife for general prep work, and an 18cm cook's knife for chopping and rocking cuts. Each knife is fully forged from a single piece of German DIN 1.4116 stainless steel, hardened to Rockwell 56 for durability and edge retention. The hand-applied 15° Japanese-style edge delivers superior sharpness compared to standard European knife edges.
Developed through years of research with professional chefs, these knives address practical kitchen needs. The santoku features scalloped indentations along the blade that reduce friction, allowing thinly cut food to fall away rather than sticking. The 12cm utility knife's straight blade handles detailed slicing and dicing tasks. The 18cm cook's knife provides the curved edge essential for rocking cuts when chopping herbs and vegetables. Ergonomic DuPont™ handles minimise hand fatigue, whilst full tang construction ensures strength and balance. The set arrives in a presentation gift box.
Key features:
- 11cm santoku knife: Wide scalloped blade for precision slicing, dicing, and mincing with reduced friction
- 12cm utility knife: Straight blade for versatile slicing, dicing, and chopping tasks
- 18cm cook's knife: Curved blade for chopping, rocking actions, and preparing meat and vegetables
- German DIN 1.4116 steel: High-carbon martensitic stainless steel with excellent corrosion and wear resistance
- 15° Japanese-style edge: Hand-applied for superior sharpness and precision cutting
- Full tang construction: Blade extends through entire handle for strength and balance
- Fully forged: Made from single piece of steel rather than stamped
- Angled bolster: Allows full use of cutting edge with precision control
- Ergonomic handles: DuPont™ material with RW insignia as permanent steel detail
- Lifetime Guarantee: Covered by Robert Welch's warranty
- Multi-award winning: iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, GOOD DESIGN Award, Excellence in Housewares Awards
This set suits home cooks seeking professional-quality knives for everyday kitchen tasks. The three different blade styles cover the majority of food preparation needs, from detailed work to general chopping.
What Customers Ask About This Knife Set
What is a santoku knife and when should I use it?
Santoku translates as "three virtues," referring to its three primary functions: cutting, mincing, and dicing. The wide blade with scalloped indentations (dimples along the side) reduces friction when cutting, so thinly sliced food like cucumber or potato falls away cleanly rather than sticking to the blade. This makes it particularly effective for preparing vegetables, boneless meats, and fish. It's more suitable for downward slicing motions rather than the rocking motion you'd use with a curved cook's knife.
How does this 3-piece set compare to the 2-piece essentials set?
This Home Chef set includes three knives (11cm santoku, 12cm utility knife, 18cm cook's knife) whilst the 2-piece essentials set contains a 16cm cook's knife and 22cm bread knife. This set provides more versatility for general prep work with the santoku and straight-blade utility knife, making it better suited for vegetable preparation and detailed cutting tasks. The 2-piece set includes a bread knife, which this set lacks. Choose this set if you prioritise vegetable prep and precision work; choose the 2-piece if you regularly slice bread and prefer a single larger cook's knife.
Why is the cook's knife 18cm instead of the more common 20cm?
The 18cm cook's knife provides better manoeuvrability in home kitchens compared to professional-sized 20cm knives. The slightly shorter blade offers improved control for detailed work whilst still providing enough length for general chopping tasks. If you have smaller hands or limited counter space, the 18cm size often proves more comfortable for extended use. Professional chefs in commercial kitchens typically prefer 20cm knives because they handle larger quantities of food.
Will these knives fit in a standard knife block?
The 11cm santoku, 12cm kitchen knife, and 18cm cook's knife are relatively compact sizes that fit most knife blocks designed for standard kitchen knife sets. However, knife block slot sizes vary by manufacturer. Measure your block's slot dimensions before purchasing. Alternatively, consider magnetic knife strips or protective blade guards for drawer storage, which often provide more flexibility for different knife sizes.
What makes these knives worth the investment?
The fully forged construction from German DIN 1.4116 steel creates denser, stronger blades that maintain their edge longer than stamped knives. The hand-applied 15° edge provides exceptional sharpness, whilst the Rockwell 56 hardness balances edge retention with ease of home sharpening. The full tang design ensures proper weight distribution and balance. These knives have achieved the highest possible rating from the Craft Guild of Chefs and won multiple international design awards. Compared to budget alternatives, you're paying for superior materials, construction methods, and longevity rather than just brand recognition.
What We've Learned About Knife Sets Since 1972
In over 50 years selling kitchen knives, we've observed that customers often purchase large knife sets with 8-12 knives, then use only three or four regularly. This 3-piece set addresses the most frequently used knife types for home cooking, eliminating the clutter and expense of rarely-used speciality knives.
The Santoku Advantage
The santoku has gained popularity in UK kitchens over the past two decades, and for good reason. The scalloped blade genuinely reduces sticking when slicing vegetables - particularly useful for watery items like cucumber or tomatoes. Customers who initially questioned needing a santoku alongside a cook's knife often report it becomes their most-reached-for knife for everyday prep work. The wide blade also serves as a useful scoop for transferring cut ingredients from board to pan.
Size Matters for Home Cooks
Professional chefs often use larger knives (20-25cm) because they process larger quantities and have commercial-sized work surfaces. For home kitchens with standard cutting boards (typically 30-40cm), the 11-18cm range in this set provides better control and manoeuvrability. Smaller knives also store more easily and suit cooks with smaller hands or those who find large knives intimidating.
Specifications
11cm Santoku Knife
12cm Utility Knife
18cm Cook's Knife
Universal Specifications (All Knives)
Care & Maintenance
Hand Washing (Recommended): Rinse knives immediately after use to remove food residue. Wash in warm soapy water using a microfibre cloth or soft non-abrasive brush. Avoid soaking knives. Dry thoroughly immediately after washing with a microfibre cloth. For best finish, occasionally apply non-abrasive metal polish.
Dishwasher Use: Whilst dishwasher safe, hand washing extends the life of your knives and maintains optimal sharpness. If using a dishwasher: wash on short hot cycle (65-75°C), use quality branded all-in-one tablets (free from chlorides and citrus additives), maintain rinse aid and salt levels (for hard water areas), rinse knives before loading, and wash separately from other metals like silver. Ensure dishwasher settings match manufacturer's instructions for water hardness in your area.
Sharpening: The hardened German steel (Rockwell 56) allows for easy home maintenance whilst holding an edge well. Use a quality knife sharpener or honing steel to maintain the 15° edge. Sharpen when you notice the blade requires more pressure to cut cleanly. Robert Welch offers a hand-held knife sharpener specifically designed for their Signature range. Hone regularly with a steel between sharpenings to extend time between full sharpenings.
Santoku Care: The scalloped indentations on the santoku blade require no special care. Clean normally, ensuring you dry thoroughly in the dimples where water may collect.
Storage: Store knives in a knife block, on a magnetic strip, or with blade guards in a drawer. Never store loose in a drawer where blades can knock against other utensils - this dulls the edge and creates safety hazards. The compact sizes in this set fit most standard storage solutions.
Cutting Surfaces: Use wooden or plastic cutting boards. Avoid cutting on glass, marble, ceramic, or metal surfaces as these will quickly dull even the hardest blade. Match knife to task - use the santoku for vegetables, the utility knife for detailed work, and the cook's knife for general chopping.
Safety: Always cut away from your body. Use a claw grip when holding food (fingers curled inward). Never attempt to catch a falling knife - step back and let it fall. Keep knives sharp - dull knives require more pressure and are more likely to slip.
What to Avoid: Don't use knives to open packaging, pry items apart, or for any task beyond cutting food. Don't put knives in the sink where they can't be seen. Don't leave knives in soapy water where you might reach in blindly. These practices damage both the blade and pose safety risks.
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over 50 years helping customers choose the right knives and cookware. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for the quality of our customer care.
Robert Welch Heritage
Robert Welch, M.B.E., Royal Designer for Industry, founded his company over 50 years ago, specialising in stainless steel design. His award-winning work appears in museums worldwide. The company remains family-run, with designers continuing his vision of excellence, innovation, and value for money.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
- ✓ Robert Welch Lifetime Guarantee
We believe you shouldn't have to take a risk when purchasing knives. If any item doesn't do what you wanted, return it for a refund - even if you've used it. That's our promise.
Read our full guarantee policy →
Questions? Visit our contact page or call us on 01737 222996
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4, and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill. Note: Knife deliveries require age verification (£6.95 age verified delivery charge applies for all orders).
Do you price match?
Yes. If you've seen this knife set cheaper elsewhere and it's available with our competitor on the day, we'll match the price. The item needs to be identical in specifications. Contact us with the details and we'll arrange the price match.
What if I've used these knives and don't like them?
Return them anyway. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items - if they don't do what you wanted, we'll refund you. This applies even after you've cooked with them.
How does Robert Welch's Lifetime Guarantee work?
Robert Welch provides a Lifetime Guarantee covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. This doesn't cover normal wear, damage from misuse, or loss of sharpness from regular use. Contact us if you experience any manufacturing defects and we'll help process your warranty claim.
What's covered by your half-price replacement guarantee?
If you accidentally damage a knife within 2 years of purchase, we'll replace it at half price with proof of purchase and evidence of damage. We accept photos. If you registered your purchase or bought online, we'll have automatic records.
Do I need to sharpen these before first use?
No, these knives arrive hand-sharpened and ready to use. The 15° edge is applied by master craftsmen during manufacture. Simply rinse and dry before first use.
How often will I need to sharpen these knives?
This depends on usage frequency and cutting surfaces. With proper care (wooden/plastic boards, hand washing), most home cooks sharpen their knives every few months. The Rockwell 56 hardness helps these knives maintain their edge longer than softer steels. Hone regularly with a steel between sharpenings to maintain the edge.
Can I buy individual replacements if I break one knife?
Yes, all three knives in this set are available to purchase individually from the Robert Welch Signature range. If you accidentally damage one knife within 2 years, our half-price replacement guarantee applies. After that period, you can purchase individual replacements at full price.
Is this set suitable as a gift?
Yes, the set arrives in a presentation gift box, making it suitable for gifting. Many customers purchase these as wedding gifts, housewarming presents, or for anyone setting up a new kitchen. The award-winning design and lifetime guarantee add to the gift's perceived value.
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“ Master knife selection with our expert guide. Learn blade types, steel grades, maintenance tips, and find your perfect chef's knife. 50+ years of expertise.” Read more about my views on Kitchen Knives in my article Kitchen Knife Buying Guide  by Andi HealeyArt of Living - Web Manager |
