imarku Japanese Knife Set Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou is the best imarku knife set here for everyday cooking, with a broad prep selection and built-in sharpener. Choose the black 14-piece set for a coordinated kitchen or the 18-piece set for serving 8.
On this page (10 sections)
- Which imarku knife set fits your cooking routine?
- How do the 3 imarku knife sets compare?
- imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou review
- imarku 14-Piece Gyutou Block Set review
- imarku 18-Piece Gyutou Block Set review
- Which knives will you actually use?
- How should you set up an imarku knife block?
- How do you care for the blades and sharpening tools?
- What buying mistakes should you avoid?
- Which imarku knife set should you buy?
The imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou is the best imarku knife set here for most home cooks who need a complete kitchen setup. Choose the black 14-piece set when appearance matters most, or the 18-piece set when you regularly serve 8 people.
The useful differences are the knives you'll reach for, how you prefer to maintain them and where the block will live. A larger collection makes sense only when its extra tools solve a need in your kitchen.
Which imarku knife set fits your cooking routine?
Choose the top pick for a kitchen starting from scratch, the black set for a coordinated counter and the larger set for more table places. All 3 combine prep knives and steak knives in a countertop block.
Choose your imarku knife set by the jobs it needs to do
Start with a normal week's meals: chopping vegetables, trimming meat, slicing bread and serving dinner. Then separate missing tools from knives you already have and like.
A household replacing worn prep knives may welcome a full block. Someone with a good chef knife and bread knife may gain little from another complete collection, especially if the steak knives will stay unused.
The top pick leads because its selection covers both cooking and serving without the larger set's extra chef knife. The black option offers much the same working range, so its finish is a reason to choose it, not evidence of better cutting.
Our knife block set buying guide explains the wider trade-offs between countertop storage, individual knives and larger collections.
How do the 3 imarku knife sets compare?
The two smaller sets share the same main knife roles, while the larger set adds serving capacity and another chef knife size. Edge-care tools also differ, which matters if you want a simple routine.
| Set | Sold as | Edge-care tool | Main reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou | 14-piece | Built-in pull-through sharpener | General cooking and table service |
| imarku 14-Piece Gyutou Block Set | 14-piece | Built-in block sharpener | Black finish and ventilated block |
| imarku 18-Piece Gyutou Block Set | 18-piece | Separate sharpening rod | More diners and a smaller chef knife |
The advertised totals don't consistently match the named knives and accessories. Before ordering, confirm the contents and any must-have sharpening feature, especially on the larger set.
Don't use the word “Japanese” alone to decide between them. Knife shape, handle comfort, care needs and useful pieces give you a clearer basis for choosing.
If you're comparing other brands and layouts, our best Japanese knife sets guide offers a broader starting point.
imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou review
The imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou suits cooks equipping a whole kitchen. It combines the usual prep tools with table knives and an edge-care tool stored where you'll use it.
imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou
- High-carbon stainless steel blades
- Hardwood block with built-in sharpener
- 6 serrated steak knives
A practical choice for equipping a kitchen with prep knives, table knives and nearby edge care. Choose it when you need the full selection rather than a few replacement blades.
Pros
- Covers general prep and table service
- Built-in pull-through sharpener
- Includes kitchen shears
Cons
- Chef knife and Santoku may overlap in daily use
- Needs countertop storage space
Its prep selection includes an 8-inch chef knife, bread knife and slicing knife, plus a 7-inch Santoku, 5-inch utility knife and 3.5-inch paring knife. Six serrated steak knives and kitchen shears cover serving and smaller kitchen jobs.
Use the chef knife as your starting point for most board work. Reach for the paring knife for small trimming jobs, the bread knife for crusty loaves and the slicing knife when you want long strokes through boneless cooked meat.
The forged high-carbon stainless steel blades have full-tang construction, and the stainless steel handles have contoured grip zones and grooves. imarku specifies a 10–15° edge, but your cutting board and technique still matter to keeping that edge in good shape.
Buy this set if you're replacing a mismatched collection and want the main tools together. Skip it if you already own the prep knives you use most or want all your knives stored in a drawer.
A chef knife and Santoku often cover similar tasks, so you don't need to use both in every meal. Our guide to choosing a knife set helps you decide which pieces deserve space.
imarku 14-Piece Gyutou Block Set review
The imarku 14-Piece Gyutou Block Set suits buyers building a coordinated black kitchen. Its main practical distinction from the top pick is the block's bottom ventilation slot, rather than a different range of cutting jobs.
imarku 14-Piece Gyutou Block Set
- Pure Black finish
- Solid wood block with bottom ventilation
- 15° edge per side
Choose this set when a black finish matters to your kitchen design. Its core knife selection closely matches the top pick, with a ventilated block for storage.
Pros
- Coordinated black finish
- Built-in block sharpener
- Textured stainless steel handles
Cons
- Few selection differences from the top pick
- Ventilation does not replace drying before storage
This set has high-carbon stainless steel blades with a 15° edge per side, full-tang construction and striped stainless steel handles. imarku specifies a hardness of 56 ± 2 HRC.
Those numbers describe the blade design, but they shouldn't outweigh handle fit. A handle that feels secure during a controlled chopping motion matters more than choosing between nearby edge angles.
The block's airflow opening is useful for storage, but knives still need to be dry before they go inside. Place the block where its base opening stays clear, and follow the supplied cleaning instructions.
Choose this version if you need a full set and prefer its black finish enough to make that the deciding factor. Skip it if you're expecting a different set of kitchen tasks from the top pick, since their core selections closely match.
Textured handles also don't replace clean, dry hands. Pause to wipe grease from your grip rather than squeezing harder and continuing to cut.
imarku 18-Piece Gyutou Block Set review
The imarku 18-Piece Gyutou Block Set suits households that regularly set 8 places. Its extra chef knife also gives cooks a shorter option for some prep tasks.
imarku 18-Piece Gyutou Block Set
- 8 serrated steak knives
- Additional 6-inch chef knife
- Separate 8-inch sharpening rod
The larger selection suits households that serve more diners and want a smaller chef knife for prep. Choose it if those additions will earn regular use.
Pros
- Table knives for 8 diners
- Choice of 2 chef knife sizes
- Rod stores with the knives
Cons
- More overlap among prep knives
- Built-in sharpener details need confirmation
Alongside its 8-inch chef knife, this set includes a 6-inch chef knife, a Santoku, bread and slicing knives, a utility knife, a paring knife and kitchen shears. Eight serrated steak knives make the larger selection useful at the table.
The shorter chef knife may appeal when a full-size blade feels awkward for a small task. Keep the longer knife for larger ingredients where blade length helps you work without repeated short cuts.
imarku describes contoured Pakkawood handles, high-carbon stainless steel blades and a 14.5° edge per side. Hand wash and dry the knives thoroughly, including around the handle joints.
The separate 8-inch sharpening rod calls for controlled manual use. Don't assume a rod and a pull-through sharpener work the same way, and follow the supplied directions for compatible blades.
Buy this set for the extra serving knives and shorter chef knife, not simply for the larger total. Skip it if you usually serve fewer people and already prefer one main prep knife, since the extra pieces add storage and care without changing your meals.
Which knives will you actually use?
A chef knife, paring knife and bread knife cover many everyday kitchen jobs. The other shapes earn their place through your cooking habits, rather than through the size of the collection.
Use the chef knife for chopping vegetables, mincing herbs and portioning boneless meat. A Santoku offers another shape for similar board work; choose whichever gives you better control instead of switching just because both are available.
A utility knife bridges the gap between the chef and paring knives. It can suit small board tasks when the larger blade feels cumbersome, while a paring knife is better suited to close trimming and peeling.
The slicing knife makes more sense for households that carve boneless roasts than for cooks who rarely serve them. Steak knives serve a separate table role, so count your regular diners before treating more of them as a benefit.
Kitchen shears can handle food packaging and suitable kitchen cutting jobs without bringing a long blade into a cramped space. Clean them after food contact and follow their care directions.
For a task-by-task breakdown, see what knives you need in a knife set.
How should you set up an imarku knife block?
Put the block on a stable, dry counter with clear access above it. Measure both its footprint and the space needed to withdraw the longest knife before choosing its permanent spot.
A block can fit beneath a cabinet yet leave too little room to remove a blade comfortably. Check the whole motion rather than measuring only the stored height.
Keep the block away from sink splashes, steam and the counter edge. Choose a position where you can reach the handles without leaning across a hot cooking area.
Before first use, remove packaging carefully, wash the knives according to their instructions and dry them fully. Learn which slot holds each knife so you don't have to search among similar handles while cooking.
Keep countertop knives beyond children's reach. An accessible block is convenient for an adult cook, but it needs a location that suits everyone in the home.
How do you care for the blades and sharpening tools?
Hand washing, prompt drying and a suitable cutting board form a simple care routine for these sets. Don't leave knives soaking in a sink or resting loose beneath other dishes.
Wash one knife at a time, keeping the edge pointed away from your hand. Dry the blade and handle carefully before storage, rather than leaving moisture trapped inside a block slot.
Use a wood or suitable plastic cutting board. Glass, stone and ceramic surfaces are hard on cutting edges, and using a knife to pry open a container can damage the tip.
During prep, use a bench scraper or the blade's spine to move chopped food. Dragging the cutting edge sideways across the board adds wear without helping the cut.
Use an integrated sharpener only as its instructions direct, with the right blade type and light, controlled strokes. Never assume the same slot is suitable for serrated steak knives, a bread knife or kitchen shears.
A rod may hone or abrade an edge depending on its material and design. Follow the supplied method rather than copying fast sweeping motions, and don't assume routine rod use replaces every future sharpening need.
Our guide to sharpening knives in a knife block explains the differences between edge-care tools. For storage upkeep, use our knife block cleaning guide and let the block dry fully before refilling it.
What buying mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid choosing by piece count, edge angle or appearance alone. A useful set fits your cooking, storage space and willingness to maintain it.
Don't assume more blades mean less prep work. A chef knife you use comfortably can do more for dinner than several overlapping shapes left in the block.
Don't choose a knife for reduced hand strength based only on ergonomic language. Grip comfort depends on your hand size, preferred hold and the movement involved, so the handle deserves close attention.
Don't confuse a built-in sharpener with automatic maintenance. You still need to notice when cutting takes more force and use the appropriate care method.
Finally, don't buy a full block simply to replace one worn knife. If the rest of your collection works well, replacing that single tool may be the more useful choice.
Which imarku knife set should you buy?
Pick the imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou when you need a broad kitchen reset and will use both prep and table knives. Pick the black 14-piece set when the same working range fits your needs and its finish suits your kitchen.
Choose the 18-piece set for an 8-person table or a shorter second chef knife. If those additions won't get regular use, keep your decision focused on the smaller options.
Before buying an imarku knife set, settle 3 things: where the block will sit, which knives are missing from your kitchen and how you'll maintain their edges. If you're still deciding between brands, our guide to Japanese knife sets is the next useful comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the imarku Japanese knife set with a block?
Both 14-piece sets include chef, bread, slicing, Santoku, utility and paring knives, 6 serrated steak knives, kitchen shears and a block with a built-in sharpener. The 18-piece set adds a smaller chef knife, has 8 steak knives and includes a sharpening rod.
Choose by these tools rather than the advertised total.
Does the imarku knife set have a built-in sharpener?
Both 14-piece sets have a built-in block sharpener. The 18-piece set includes an 8-inch sharpening rod, but imarku gives conflicting information about an integrated sharpener on that model.
If you want edge care built into the block, the two smaller sets are the clearer choices.
Can you put imarku knives in the dishwasher?
The imarku Japanese Block Set With Gyutou is dishwasher safe, though imarku recommends hand washing to preserve sharpness. Hand washing and thorough drying are also recommended for the 18-piece set.
Follow the black set's included care instructions, and never put any of these wooden blocks in the dishwasher.
Which imarku knife set is best for a small kitchen?
Choose the set whose block fits your counter and leaves enough room to remove the longest knife. Piece count does not establish block size, so measure the footprint and overhead clearance before buying.
If you already have table knives, a smaller collection of individual prep knives may suit your kitchen better.
