Chicago Cutlery is an economical brand of kitchen knives. Their traditional carbon steel walnut knives are the most well known, but they sell a huge array of other lines, as well. If you're looking for a large set of affordable knives, or any inexpensive kitchen knife, Chicago Cutlery is worth checking out.
We look at Chicago Cutlery history and manufacturing, review their most popular lines, and discuss the features and pros and cons of each. Plus, we include a short guide for buying kitchen knives.
Chicago Cutlery Knives at a Glance
Chicago Cutlery makes several lines of kitchen knives and their lineup changes frequently. All of them are affordable and mostly available in large sets, plus a few individual knives.
We're listing the most popular Chicago Cutlery lines that have the most buying options: forged in the top table and stamped in the table below. Then we list a few "other" lines for sale, but with just a few buying options, or not on the website and probably discontinued.
Forged Lines
Line | Features |
|---|---|
Armitage 4pc steak knife set on Amazon (about $20) 2pc partoku/paring set on Amazon (about $24) Armitage 3pc set at Chicago Cutlery (about $30) 16pc set w/block at Wal-Mart (about $115)  | -Forged high carbon stainless steel blade -Full tang, full bolster -13 degree double bevel -Polymer contour grip handles with double rivet -Just a few buying options. |
Avondale 16pc set w/block on Amazon (about $65)  | -Forged high carbon stainless steel blade -Full bolster -13 degree double bevel -Contoured stainless/polymer handle -16pc set is only buying option. |
Belden  | -Forged high carbon stainless steel blade -Full tang, partial bolster -13 degree double bevel -Contoured stainless/polymer handle -Set includes shears but no honing steel -15pc set is only buying option. |
Damen Serrated utility knife on Amazon (about $15) Paring knife (about $15) 4pc serrated steak knife set (about $26)  | -Forged high carbon stainless steel -Full tang, full bolster -13 degree double bevel -Asian style, triple riveted polymer handle -No sets available, just the pieces listed here. |
Fusion 17pc block set on Amazon (about $130) 17pc block set + sharpener (about $140) 6pc steak knife set on Amazon (about $40) 6pc steak knife set + sous vide (about $140)  | -CC's highest end line -Forged high carbon stainless steel blade -Full bolster -13 degree double bevel -Cushion grip handle -Block set includes honing steel but no shears. |
Insignia Steel 13pc set w/block on Amazon (about $65) 18pc set w/block + sharpener (about $135) 4pc steak knife set (about $35)  | -One of CC's flagship lines -Forged high carbon stainless steel blade -Full tang, full and partial bolsters -13 degree double bevel -Patented guided grip handle for easy pinch grip -Built-in sharpener in 18pc block -Sets include shears but no honing steel -13 piece set has 6 steak knives (not 8). |
Insignia 2 (Classic) |