5 Best Knife Sets for Arthritis: Cut It, Chop It, Without Pain

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Best Knife Sets for Arthritis

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In a hurry, here are our top pick, editor’s choice, and best value.

Top pick

Imarku Kitchen Knife Set

This complete set of knives includes a chef knife, santoku knife, slicing knife, and pairing knife.

Editor’s choice

ABLE-T Right Angle Knife

If you don’t feel comfortable when using a regular knife, this one should be your choice.

Best value

Cuisinart Stainless Blades Set

The ergonomic design makes it easier for you to hold this knife for longer. 

Do you love cooking different cuisines for your husband or kids, but even the thought of arthritis pain haunts you? This happens with almost everyone with arthritis in their hands. One of my aunts had a similar condition, and she used to struggle to hold the knife and use it. 

Thus, to help ease the job for her, I started searching for the best knife sets for arthritis. These ergonomically designed knives are comfortable to hold and can reduce inflammation. 

Read on to know more about the top knife sets you can use daily without experiencing pain and inflammation. I’ve recommended some sets and single pieces, so you can quickly choose what you need.

Do You Need a Special Knife for Arthritis?

Does buying a knife for arthritis make any sense, or is it just a gimmick? A knife is a knife. What makes it different is the design and grip of the handle. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of joints, and you may feel chronic hand or wrist pain when working with a regular kitchen knife.

This is also the reason why you are searching for a knife for arthritis. These knives have easy-to-hold handles that do not put pressure on your sensitive joints, thus reducing the chances of triggering chronic pain.

In a nutshell, buying a knife set for arthritis makes sense, and you’ll feel much relief from pain when cutting or chopping with these kitchen tools.

Types of Knives for Arthritis 

Knives for arthritis are available in a plethora of types, and choosing the right one can be confusing. Below I have explained what each type serves and who should buy what type of knife for arthritis.

Knives with Large Soft Grips 

The biggest struggle people with arthritis go through is holding the knife straight. Knives with a smaller tang are difficult to hold and use. Moreover, they put pressure on the wrist, causing pain.

On the other hand, knives with large soft grips are comfortable to hold. The bigger tang reduces the hassles of balancing the knife, and you won’t experience extra pressure on the wrist. Also, using a knife with a bigger tang and grip is much easier. 

Rolling Knives 

You must have seen rolling knives in pizza shops. These knives aren’t just for pizza, but you can use them for cutting a variety of vegetables, such as slicing green onions.

People with sensitive wrists can opt for rolling knives to slice and cut fruits as well as vegetables. However, these knives aren’t very precise but do the job pretty well. 

Rocker Knives 

I love rocker knives for how easy they are to use. You can easily slice vegetables and fruits by rocking the knife. Even if you experience high inflammation due to arthritis, you can use a rocker knife to do basic cutting and chopping. 

Knives with Upright Handles 

Holding a conventional tang can be troublesome and painful for some people, and if you agree with this, you can choose a knife with an upright handle.

Hold the handle by making a fist, and you can cut or chop whatever you want. In addition, these knives are ideal to use for longer durations, so you can have your friends at home for a party.

5 Best Knife Sets for Arthritis: Reviewed in Detail 

I did not find many options when searching for the best knife sets for arthritis. There were a few sets and single-piece knives as well. Therefore, I have reviewed complete knife sets and a single knife to help you make an informed choice. 

You’ll even find knife recommendations, so choosing the right cutting tool will be easier. If you are in a hurry below is a quick table that shows you the best knife sets for arthritis.

RankProductKey Features
1Imarku Kitchen Knife SetOverall Best
2ABLE-T Right Angle KnifeApproved by Certified Occupational Therapist
3DMI Steak KnifesBest for Cutting Fruits, Meat, and Vegetables
4North Coast Medical Swedish Steak KnifeBest Knife with Bigger Blade
5Cuisinart C99SS-15P 15 Piece Stainless Steel Blades Set with Wood BlockBest Premium Knife Set

1. Imarku Kitchen Knife Set

Imarku Kitchen Knife Set is the best choice for a variety of reasons, including the one-piece unibody tang. While the knives are a bit heavy, handling them is easy because of the balanced body.

Moreover, the ergonomic design helps you use these knives easily without experiencing any discomfort.

The tang is big, and you can feel the grip on it. Plus, the wider finger bolster offers more control. You can cut quickly and safely, and that’s what people look for when choosing knives for arthritis.  

Made using high-carbon stainless steel, the knives last longer, and the edge remains as it is. Imarku also offers an edge sharpener with these knives, however, you’ll need someone to sharpen the knives.

This complete set of knives includes a chef knife, santoku knife, slicing knife, and pairing knife. However, the steak knife may not feel very comfortable to hold because of its sleek handle, rest all of the knives have a round and comfortable handle.

Lastly, the wooden block helps you organize the knives for reduced clutter on the kitchen countertop. 

Pros
  • Worry-free exchange or return for a defective block knife set
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • The big handle offers a better grip
Cons
  • Some knives, like the steak knife, have a small handle

2. ABLE-T Right Angle Knife

The ABLE-T Right Angle Knife reduces the stress of cutting and chopping for arthritis hands. If you don’t feel comfortable when using a regular knife, this one should be your choice.

The T-angle is comfortable to hold, and you can easily grab it without pain in your wrist or hand.

Approved by occupational therapists, this knife boasts every quality a good knife for arthritis should have. 

The handle is plastic, but it feels soft when holding and gives you the preciseness to cut and chop.

You can cut or slice through almost everything, from bread slices to meat and fruits. The length of the blade is 6 inches, and you can use this knife for a variety of kitchen tasks.

Talking about durability, the stainless-steel blade resists rusting and lasts longer. In addition, it is dishwasher safe, but I recommend hand-washing it with care. 

You’ll experience less hand fatigue even when using this knife for longer durations. Lastly, the blade is not foldable, so you need to be careful when storing it.

Pros
  • Comfortable handle with a nice grip
  • Perfectly angled for hands with arthritis
  • Lightweight and durable
Cons
  • Storing this knife is a task

3. DMI Steak Knifes

Slicing through cuts of meat can be a painful task for people with arthritis of the hands. However, this rocker knife from DMI makes the job easier. Designed with a bigger handle, the knife is comfortable to hold and gives you a perfect grip.

The angled blade rocks on the surface, and you can quickly cut meat or fruits without applying a lot of pressure. The sharp edge easily slices and gives you perfect cuts every time you use this knife. 

Moreover, the vertical grip offers exceptional control while increasing the downward cutting force.

It also limits the chances of hand slippage, and you can keep cutting or chopping.

Maintaining this knife is a piece of cake, and you can put it in a dishwasher for cleaning. The blade is high-quality stainless steel but does not contain carbon, so it may lose its edge over time. I recommend the CWINDY Knife Sharpener to keep the edge sharp all the time.

Since rocker knives are big enough for a knife storage block, DMI offers a snap-on case for convenient storage. Overall, if you have limited dexterity or arthritis of hands, you can use this knife to cut, chop, and slice through different food items.

Pros
  • The vertical handle improves the grip
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • It comes with a snap-on case
Cons
  • The blade needs frequent sharpening

4. North Coast Medical Swedish Steak Knife

Generally, knives with a T-angle have smaller blades of around 6-inches, but the North Coast Swedish Steak Knife has a bigger one. If you want to slice through big pieces of bread, you’ll love using this knife. The blade is 8 inches long and helps you cut or chop vegetables, fruits, meat, and more.

The best thing about the handle is the uniform shape and the thumb support on the top. It also offers a nice hand grip while reducing slippage from hands.

Now you can forget about hand fatigue and pain due to arthritis because the knife offers ultimate comfort.

The blade is made using high-quality stainless steel and is easy to maintain. The edge also remains sharp for a long time, and you don’t have to worry about sharpening it frequently.

The knife may look bigger, but it’s lightweight and easy to handle. The balanced design helps you use it precisely, and you can get those fine cuts and chops you desire. 

However, this knife is not available in a set, so you can only use it for limited purposes.

Pros
  • Ergonomically designed handle
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Prevents hand slippage
Cons
  • Storing this knife is hard

5. Cuisinart C99SS-15P 15 Piece Stainless Steel Blades Set with Wood Block

If you need a premium-looking knife set that’s ideal for people with arthritis of the hands, have a look at the Cuisinart C99SS-15P. The perfectly-angled tang helps you adjust your palm around it, and you won’t feel any discomfort while cutting or chopping.

The ergonomic design makes it easier for you to hold this knife for longer. Moreover, the unibody design eliminates crevices, and you get full control over the knife. 

The edge can last for years, thanks to the superior material composition.

The knife contains Molybdenum and Vanadium along with stainless steel for higher strength and corrosion resistance.

These knives are bigger than regular knives, and that’s why I have selected them for you. You’ll get every knife in the set, including santoku, utility, slicing, and chef knife.

The wooden block maker is convenient for organizing the knife, and you can quickly get your hands on the knife you want to use. Caring for these knives is an easy task, and you can quickly wash them using a sponge and liquid dishwasher.

Lastly, some people might feel that these knives are a bit heavy, but you’ll get habituated with them after using them for some time.

Pros
  • The superb edge that lasts longer
  • Rounded handles are easier and more comfortable to hold
  • Perfect for cutting and chopping tasks
Cons
  • Blade sharpener sold separately

What to Look for When Buying the Best Knife Sets for Arthritis 

Buying a set of knives may look like a cinch, but it isn’t, especially when buying knives for arthritis. Besides being comfortable, the knife should be durable and should easily slice through cuts of meat, vegetables, and more. 

Here are some factors you must consider to buy the best set of knives for arthritis.

Consider the Size and Weight 

Yes, size matters! People with arthritis often struggle with smaller knives because of their weight. Therefore, going with a bigger knife makes sense. Balancing a knife with a bigger tang and edge is easier. 

However, you need to watch out for the weight since heavier knives can create difficulties. The weight depends on several factors, such as the severity of arthritis.

All the knives I’ve listed in this article have the perfect weight required for a comfortable cutting and chopping experience.

Composition 

Generally, kitchen knives are composed of stainless steel, but the steel content may vary depending on the brand and weight of the knife. Stainless steel resists corrosion and rust, while carbon steel retains its edge for longer. 

Choose a knife that’s made of high-carbon stainless steel to ensure the edge remains sharp and the knife lasts longer.

The Handle

The handle is the heart of the knife, as it affects the cutting and chopping capabilities. People with arthritis need knives with specialized handles such as larger tangs, thicker grips, and more. The type of handle also plays a critical role and affects the performance of a knife. 

The Purpose 

Why do you need a knife? You need to know the purpose of choosing the right knife for your dollar. If you need it for slicing, choose a set of knives with sharper edges. On the other hand, knives with thicker edges are suitable for chopping.

Price 

Price can be a determining factor when choosing a set of knives for arthritis. Usually, these knives cost as much as a regular set of knives, but some specific models can leave a dent in your pocket. Having a budget in mind is essential to avoid overspending. 

Practical Tips for Cooking with Arthritis 

Arthritis often makes people rethink how they’d manage their kitchen and everyday tasks. My aunt handles her kitchen pretty well, so I asked her for a few tips on using knives with arthritis. 

Have the Right Set of Knives 

It was no surprise when she said, “have the right set of knives is crucial,” because I helped her choose the best knife sets for arthritis. Good-quality knives offer comfort and give the user the leverage they need to make fine cuts and chops.

If you are finding it difficult to pick a set of knives for arthritis, look for the options reviewed in this article.

Organize the Kitchen 

The kitchen layout also affects productivity, so it should be organized properly. Make a list of knives and other utensils you use, and put them in place. Now store the remaining knives to avoid any clutter.

Practice 

I laughed out loud when she said practice with the knife, but she explained why it is important. Some people with arthritis have sore wrists, so rotating them can lead to pain.

The purpose of practicing with a knife is to understand the movements you can easily manage without triggering pain. Also, it will tell you which knife works best for you and is easier to use. 

Seek Help 

Lastly, you should have someone around when practicing with knives. It assures safety, while you can get some help from the person assisting you.

Conclusion 

I hope this detailed article has helped you select the best knife set for arthritis. I’ve listed knife sets as well as single knives to cater to your needs and to help you make an informed decision. Make sure to go through the buying guide and choose the perfect knife for your medical condition.

For people with severe arthritis, it would be good to see a medical expert and know what type of knife should be suitable depending on their condition.

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