Astercook 15-Piece German Steel Knife Set vs AmazonBasics 12-Piece Colour-Coded Set: Which Should You Buy? (UK 2026)
Published 13 October 2026 • 🔪 Knife Sets • Contains affiliate links
A knife block with a built-in sharpener once started at £100. The Astercook 15-piece set now delivers one for £40, while AmazonBasics puts six colour-coded blades with individual guards in your drawer for £21. Both hold a 4.7-plus star average across tens of thousands of buyers, which makes the £19 gap the only question that needs answering.
🔪 Products Compared
Astercook 15-Piece German Steel Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener
£40.00
* 4.8/5
Check Price *AmazonBasics Color-Coded Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Knife Set, 12-Piece
£21.02
* 4.7/5
Check Price *
📊 Specs Comparison
| Feature | Astercook 15-Piece | AmazonBasics 12-Piece |
|---|
| Price | £40.00 | £21.02 |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Steel Type | German high-carbon stainless steel | Stainless steel (grade undisclosed) |
| Pieces Included | 15 (8 knives, kitchen shears, hardwood block) | 12 (6 knives + 6 blade guards) |
| Storage | Hardwood block with built-in 2-stage ceramic sharpener | Individual blade guards, fits any kitchen drawer |
| Blade Hardness | ~55-58 HRC | Not disclosed |
| Dishwasher Safe | Claimed yes; hand-wash recommended to preserve coating | Not dishwasher safe despite product name |
| Warranty | Lifetime (manufacturing defects) | Not stated |
* Astercook 15-Piece German Steel Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener
- * Built-in 2-stage ceramic sharpener is integrated into the hardwood block, removing the need to buy a separate honing tool
- * German high-carbon steel at ~55-58 HRC arrives razor-sharp and holds its edge through months of daily use with regular sharpening
- * 15 pieces cover tasks from bread slicing to breaking down chicken joints, including 6 steak knives and kitchen shears
- * Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects is a meaningful guarantee at this price point
- ❌ ABS plastic handles feel noticeably lighter and cheaper than the blade quality warrants
- ❌ At £40 it costs nearly double the AmazonBasics set, a gap that matters for student kitchens or occasional cooks
* AmazonBasics Color-Coded Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Knife Set, 12-Piece
- * Six distinct blade colours reduce cross-contamination risk, a practical benefit for allergy-aware households
- * Blade guards mean no counter space lost to a block; the set fits flat in any standard kitchen drawer
- * At £21 it is one of the cheapest complete 6-knife starter sets available in the UK
- * Nonstick colour coating resists food adhesion, making each blade quick to wipe clean between tasks
- ❌ No block or built-in sharpener included; a separate sharpening tool will be needed once the factory edge dulls
- ❌ Steel grade and hardness are undisclosed, and edge retention is likely shorter than the Astercook's German steel
📝 User Reviews
Amazon buyers consistently praise the Astercook's out-of-box sharpness and the built-in block sharpener, with edge retention holding up through three to four months of daily cooking. The AmazonBasics set draws strong marks for colour-coding and compact drawer storage, though multiple UK reviewers note the blades require hand washing, directly contradicting the 'dishwasher safe' label in the product name.
🏆 Verdict
The Astercook is the stronger buy for anyone equipping a kitchen for the long term. The built-in sharpener alone accounts for most of the £19 premium, and the lifetime warranty removes the main financial risk of a budget purchase. Go with the AmazonBasics if counter space is tight, budget is non-negotiable, or you specifically need colour-coded blades to separate allergens during food preparation.
Astercook 15-Piece best for home cooks who want a complete, self-maintaining set they will not need to supplement with additional tools. AmazonBasics 12-Piece best for students, renters with minimal counter space, or households managing food allergies with colour-separated preparation.
❓ FAQs
Are the Astercook knives safe to put in the dishwasher?
Astercook labels them dishwasher safe, but the anti-rust coating on the blades degrades faster with repeated dishwasher heat and detergent cycles. Hand washing with mild soap after each use preserves both the coating and the edge noticeably longer.
Does the AmazonBasics set come with a knife block?
No. It includes six individual blade guards rather than a block. The knives store flat in a kitchen drawer, which suits smaller kitchens but means you will need to buy a separate sharpener once the factory edge dulls.
Which set handles allergen separation better?
The AmazonBasics colour-coded set has a clear advantage for allergy-aware households. Each of the six knives has a distinct colour, making it straightforward to assign one blade per food type and reduce the risk of cross-contact between, for example, shellfish and vegetables.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices accurate as of 13 October 2026.