Key takeaways
- Joseph Joseph is known less for a single signature blade than for clever storage: knives that sit in a rotating carousel, a slim bamboo block.
Joseph Joseph is known less for a single signature blade than for clever storage: knives that sit in a rotating carousel, a slim bamboo block, a drawer tray, or a case that doubles as a cutting board holder. Searching for a Joseph Joseph knives set therefore means choosing a storage format first and a knife count second. The brand’s Elevate line dominates the options below, with the Nest and Folio Icon sets mixing knives with color-coded boards.
This guide is for buyers who already like the brand’s design approach and want to pick the right configuration for their kitchen layout, whether that means a drawer, a cabinet door, a countertop spinner, or a thin block beside the stove. Each pick is judged only by what its product title states, so there are no durability claims here. If you are planning a refresh in 2026, the useful question is where the knives will live, because every set below answers that differently.
Quick Picks
Our top picks
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Elevate 5-Piece Drawer Set | Cooks who want clear counters | Bamboo block organizer tray for a drawer |
| Elevate Carousel 6-Piece | Countertop access from every side | Rotating storage stand, 6 pieces |
| DoorStore Elevate 5-Piece (Opal) | Small kitchens with spare cabinet doors | 3M adhesive wall and cabinet door mount |
| Elevate SlimBlock 7-Piece | A narrow block with a sharpener included | 7 pieces with ceramic sharpener |
| Elevate Steel Carousel 5-Piece | A premium-looking rotating block | Rotating stainless-steel block, Japanese stainless blades |
| Elevate 5-Piece Slimline Bamboo Block | Shallow counters near the stove | Slimline bamboo block, Japanese stainless steel |
| Nest 6-Piece Knife and Board Set | Preventing cross-contamination | Color-coded boards in compact storage stand |
| Folio Icon 8-Piece Board and Knife Set | Cooks who want everything in one slim case | Colour-coded boards, Japanese stainless knives |
How to Choose
Pick the storage format that fits your kitchen
A carousel needs a footprint of roughly a dinner plate on the counter. A drawer tray needs a drawer deep enough for the handles to lie flat. A DoorStore mount needs a smooth, clean surface on a cabinet door or wall. Measure the space first, because the knives in each set are broadly similar and the real difference is the housing.
Decide how many blades earn their place
Five pieces typically cover a chef knife, a bread knife, a utility knife, and a paring knife plus one extra. Seven adds a sharpening element or a second slicer. For households that cook daily, a sharpener built into the stand matters more than a sixth blade, because a dull knife is the usual reason people stop using a good set.
Check what comes with the knives
Some listings add boards, sharpeners, or utensils. Boards are useful if you want to separate raw meat from vegetables, but they also make the set harder to store if you already own good boards. Read the title for words like “ceramic sharpener” or “cutting board set” so you know whether extras are included.
Look past color and finish
Black, graphite, opal, and steel finishes change appearance, not cutting performance. Fingerprint-proof coatings and matte handles are a nice touch, but the steel type and block design should drive the decision. Where models cut corners is usually the blade count in the block, not the look of the stand.
The 8 Best Options
Joseph Joseph Elevate 5-Piece Drawer Set
This set stores in a bamboo block organizer tray that sits inside a drawer, per the title, with Japanese stainless steel knives. It suits someone who wants the countertop empty and values quick, tidy access whenever the drawer opens. The tray holds each blade in its own slot, so edges are not clattering against each other. For a household that cooks every night, that daily convenience is the real draw, and it also keeps the knives out of reach of curious children, which a countertop block cannot do.
- Strength: Drawer storage frees up the counter completely.
- Strength: Bamboo tray keeps blades separated and organized.
- Trade-off: Needs a drawer deep enough to hold full-length handles flat.
Skip it if your drawers are shallow or already crowded with utensils, because the tray will not fit gracefully.
Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel 6-Piece
The carousel set uses a rotating storage stand with six pieces, in black, and is labeled as an updated version in the title. The spinning base means any knife is reachable without pulling the block across the counter, which helps in shared kitchens where two people cook at once. Six pieces is a sensible middle count, enough for a chef knife, bread knife, and smaller prep blades without turning the stand into a crowded forest of handles. The Japanese-style naming across the brand’s range points to a consistent blade design, though this title does not spell out a steel grade.
- Strength: Rotating stand gives easy access to every blade.
- Strength: Six pieces cover the main cutting tasks.
- Trade-off: The round base takes up more counter space than a slim block.
Skip it if your counter is narrow or you want a wall- or door-mounted solution instead.
Joseph Joseph DoorStore Elevate 5-Piece (Opal)
DoorStore moves the knives off the counter and onto a wall or cabinet door using a 3M adhesive mount, according to the title. It is a creative option for renters or anyone short on surface area, and the opal color gives it a lighter look than the black options. Because it hangs rather than stands, it behaves differently from every other set on this page: the knives are visible at eye level, and a cabinet door near the prep area becomes the natural home. Measure the door width before committing so the mount sits level and clear of hinges.
- Strength: Mounting on a cabinet door or wall preserves counter space.
- Strength: Five pieces cover everyday chef, paring, and bread tasks.
- Trade-off: Adhesive mounting depends on a clean, smooth surface and careful placement.
Skip it if your cabinet doors are textured, painted unevenly, or you cannot commit to adhesive on them.
Joseph Joseph Elevate SlimBlock 7-Piece
This seven-piece set uses a slim stainless steel block and includes a ceramic sharpener, in black. The block is narrow, which makes it a good fit on shallow counters, while the sharpener helps maintain edges between more thorough sessions. For cooks who want one purchase to cover storage, knives, and basic upkeep, this is the most self-contained listing in the group, and the black finish blends in with most countertops and appliances.
- Strength: Included ceramic sharpener supports regular maintenance.
- Strength: Seven pieces make it the largest stand-alone block set in the lineup.
- Trade-off: A narrow block holds knives close together, so careful insertion matters.
Skip it if you prefer a rotating base or want to hide the knives in a drawer.
Joseph Joseph Elevate Steel Carousel 5-Piece
The steel carousel combines five Japanese stainless-steel blades with a rotating stainless-steel block, and the title mentions a fingerprint-proof finish. It is the dressier cousin of the black carousel, aimed at kitchens with stainless appliances. The fingerprint-proof wording in the title matters if the block sits near the stove or sink where smudges show quickly. The practical differences from the black carousel are finish and block material, so choose on looks and counter fit rather than expecting a different cutting experience.
- Strength: Steel block matches stainless kitchen appliances.
- Strength: Rotating design allows easy selection of any knife.
- Trade-off: Five pieces, so it has fewer blades than the six- and seven-piece versions.
Skip it if you want a sharpener included or need more than five knives.
Joseph Joseph Elevate 5-Piece Slimline Bamboo Block
Here the five Japanese stainless steel knives sit in a slimline bamboo block. It is the warm-toned counter option, and the narrow depth suits cooks who keep the block beside the stove or under a shelf. Compared with the drawer and door versions it is the traditional choice, with knives visible and ready to grab. Buyers replacing an older wooden block will find the transition easy, since the habit of pulling a handle straight from the block stays the same.
- Strength: Slimline bamboo block takes up little counter depth.
- Strength: Bamboo adds a natural look that suits wood-toned kitchens.
- Trade-off: The block stays on the counter, unlike the drawer and door versions.
Skip it if your counter is already full or you dislike wood next to a sink.
Joseph Joseph Nest 6-Piece Knife and Cutting Board Set
Nest packages knives with color-coded cutting boards in a compact storage stand, in grey. It is aimed at cooks who want to separate meat, fish, and produce, and who prefer to buy one organized kit rather than boards and knives separately. The stand keeps everything contained on the counter, which suits families who want a clear system for which board goes with which food.
- Strength: Color-coded boards help keep food types apart.
- Strength: Knives and boards share one compact stand.
- Trade-off: Boards and knives together mean fewer actual knives than a pure block set.
Skip it if you already own good boards and mainly want a larger knife lineup.
Joseph Joseph Folio Icon 8-Piece Board and Knife Set
Folio Icon holds colour-coded cutting boards and Japanese stainless steel knives inside a slimline case for organized storage. The graphite version is a sleeker finish. It works for cooks who like a flat, shelf-friendly kit and want boards and blades in one place. The case format also travels well between a pantry shelf and the prep area, and it is easy to pull out for a big cooking session and slide away afterward. It pairs naturally with the Nest set as the flatter alternative.
- Strength: Slimline case stores flat on a shelf or in a drawer.
- Strength: Eight pieces combine knives and color-coded boards.
- Trade-off: Fewer dedicated knives than the larger block sets.
Skip it if you need a sharpener or prefer displaying knives on the counter.
Which One Fits Your Situation
Your counter is the problem
Go with the Elevate 5-Piece Drawer Set or the DoorStore Opal set. Both move the knives out of sight, which is the best use of limited surface area.
You want quick access with two cooks
The Elevate Carousel 6-Piece lets either person spin to the right blade without crossing paths.
You want a sharpener included
The Elevate SlimBlock 7-Piece is the one that lists a ceramic sharpener, which keeps maintenance simple.
You also need cutting boards
Pick the Nest 6-Piece for a countertop stand or the Folio Icon 8-Piece for a flat case that tucks onto a shelf.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a carousel without measuring the counter footprint first.
- Choosing an adhesive mount for a cabinet door that is textured or uneven.
- Ignoring whether boards are included, then paying twice for similar items.
- Assuming every Elevate set includes a sharpener; only some titles list one.
- Washing blades in a dishwasher when hand washing keeps edges and handles in better shape.
Specs and Terms Explained
Carousel storage
A carousel is a rotating drum that holds the knives in a circle, with the handles facing up. It saves counter width compared with a traditional block but needs a stable footprint and some vertical space. Check whether the base grips the counter, since a tall drum can tip when one knife is yanked out.
Slimline block
A slimline block is a narrow stand, often bamboo, that stores knives in thin slots. It occupies less depth than a classic block and fits between a kettle and a backsplash. The downside is that long blades may rest close to the wall, so confirm the clearance.
DoorStore design
A DoorStore set mounts inside a cabinet door, hiding the knives entirely and freeing up counter space. It suits renters and anyone who dislikes visible clutter, provided the cabinet door is flat and deep enough for the case.
Coated blades and color finishes
Some sets carry colored or finished blades for looks. A coating can wear where it meets the board, so treat color as a style choice rather than a performance feature. The steel beneath is what actually cuts.
Stainless steel versus coated finish
Steel carousels and blocks wipe clean easily but show fingerprints, whereas matte or colored finishes hide smudges and can scuff at the corners. Pick the surface that suits how often you plan to wipe the counter.
Sizing and Compatibility Checklist
- Measure the counter footprint and the height beneath your wall cabinets before choosing a carousel or SlimBlock.
- For the DoorStore set, measure the inside of the cabinet door and check for hinges, shelves, or hardware that might block the case.
- For drawer sets, measure the drawer interior length and depth against the tray.
- Count how many cooks reach into the storage at once, because a carousel and a magnetic or slim block work best for two people.
- Decide if you want a cutting board in the set, as the Nest and Folio Icon options include one and add storage weight.
Who Should Skip These
- Cooks who prioritize steel quality over storage. The brand is known for design, so a buyer chasing exotic metal or edge performance may want a dedicated knife brand.
- Heavy butchery users. Five- and six-piece sets rarely include a boning knife or cleaver.
- People who hand sharpen frequently. The tight slots in some stands make it harder to slide a rod or guide around the blade.
- Cooks who want large chef knives. Compact blocks and carousels are built around short to mid-length blades, so a long slicer or bread knife may not fit the slots.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Joseph Joseph knives made of the same steel?
Several titles here mention Japanese stainless steel, but the exact grade is not given. Compare on storage and piece count rather than assuming identical performance across lines.
What is the difference between the Elevate sets?
The blades are broadly similar; the housing changes. Drawer tray, carousel, slim block, steel carousel, and door mount each solve a different storage problem.
Do I need a sharpener in the set?
It helps. Even good stainless dulls with use, and a ceramic sharpener lets you touch up the edge between professional or stone sharpening sessions.
Are the board sets a good replacement for a knife block?
They suit people who value organization and food separation. If you want the widest knife selection, a block-style set gives more dedicated blades.
