Any chef will tell you that a good set of knives makes all the difference in the kitchen. For those who need sharp knives at an affordable price, the search ends with Mercer Culinary. In this article, you’ll find Mercer knives reviews of a handful of their various product lines to help you determine which is best for you.
About Mercer Knives
Catering to kitchen supplies for more than 30 years, Mercer Culinary is an American brand that provides various kitchen products, including plating utensils, pizza cutters, peelers, and of course, their knives.
Mercer knives are made of either Japanese or German steel depending on the product line, making this brand a one-stop-shop for both coveted knife styles.
All Mercer Culinary knives are made in Taiwan, which helps provide an affordable kitchen knife for all chefs, amateur and professional alike. It’s also why it makes our list of The Best Knife Set Under $200
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Mercer Product lines
Renaissance
The Renaissance line is made of precision-forged, high-carbon, no-stain German steel. The handle is curved, triple-riveted, and made of Delrin, a tough plastic that is wear- and warp-resistant.
Genesis
Genesis knives are made of precision-forged, high-carbon, no-stain German steel. In addition, the handle is made of Santoprene, a rubber-like material that gives a softer texture compared to the Delrin handles of other Mercer products.
Praxis
Praxis knives are stamped, taper-ground blades made with high-carbon, stain-free Japanese steel. In addition, it is the only collection Mercer offers with handles made of wood: Praxis knives feature a triple-riveted, natural rosewood handle.
MX3 Series
MX3 knives have 3-layer blades made of a VG-10 super stainless steel core covered in layers of high-carbon steel. Similar to the Renaissance line, the handle is curved, triple-riveted, and made of Delrin.
ZüM Series
ZüM knives are made of precision-forged, high-carbon, no-stain German steel. The handle is also made of Delrin, end-capped to help balance the knife.
Millennia
Similar to the Praxis line, Millennia knives are stamped blades made with high-carbon Japanese steel. However, the handle is different, consisting of Santoprene and polypropylene, and features textured finger points for safe handling. This lineup makes our top knife sets under $100 list.
Ultimate White
Ultimate white knives have a stamped, hollow ground blade made of high-carbon, stain-free Japanese steel. The handle is made of polypropylene.
Mercer Knives Review
Here are the best Mercer knife sets reviewed to help you with your buying decision.
Mercer Culinary Genesis Review
What’s Included
- 3.5” Paring knife
- 5” Utility knife
- 8” Chef’s
- 8” Bread knife
- 6” Boning knife
- Tempered glass knife block
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing yet safe storage design.
- The knife handle is non-slip even if hands are wet.
- High-carbon steel resists rust, corrosion, and discoloration.
- Full tang construction for better balance.
- Taper-ground edge increases efficiency when chopping or cutting.
Cons
- Mercer Genesis sharpening steel sold separately.
- Some users report their knives rusting.
Overall Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece forged Knife Set Review
What’s great about the Genesis knife set is it features the most popular knives from the Genesis line, all conveniently stored in one tempered glass knife block. In addition, the santoprene handles are soft-to-touch and non-slip even if your hands are wet, which is important when handling such sharp utensils, whether you’re chopping or washing.
I personally love the knife block because it gives the illusion that the knives are floating. Not only that, but unlike traditional wooden knife blocks, this block allows for the knives to be untouched when stored, which can extend how long the blade retains its sharpness.
The knives included in the set are perfect for cooking any of your go-to recipes, which is no wonder it boasts a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
Mercer Culinary Renaissance Knife Set Review
What’s Included
- 3.5” Paring knife
- 5” Utility knife
- 6” Flexible boning knife
- 8” Wavy edge bread knife
- 8” Chef’s
- Sharpening steel
- 7-pocket knife roll
Pros
- Knife roll is convenient for safe stowaway storage or travel
- Sharpening steel included to maintain razor-sharp knives
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Taper-ground edge for easy honing
- Short bolster keeps knives balanced and easy to sharpen.
Cons
- One may forget where they stowed their knives.
- Some users report easy tearing in knife roll material.
Overall Mercer Culinary 7-Piece Forged Renaissance Knife Set Review
As one of the more popular product lines, the Mercer Culinary 7-Piece Forged Renaissance Knife Set has every knife a chef needs in their professional or home kitchen. I like that these knives have that classic design that you’d typically see in kitchen knives, like the triple-riveted handles in a classic black color.
The easy storage option of the knife roll allows for a clutter-free countertop while keeping the knives safe and sharp. This is also a fitting option for those chefs who travel often for work and like to bring their own knives to use.
The Renaissance kitchen knives set has a 4.7 out of five-star rating on Amazon.
Mercer Culinary Züm Review
What’s Included
- 3.5” Paring knife
- 6” Wavy edge utility knife
- 6” Stiff boning knife
- 8” Wavy edge bread knife
- 8” Chef’s
- Stainless steel and glass knife block
Pros
- Ergonomically shaped knife handles for better overall balance
- Glass block gives a modern look to any cooking space
- Shortened bolster keeps knives balanced and easy to sharpen
- Competitive price compared to other Mercer knife sets
- Taper-ground edge for easy honing
Cons
- German sharpening steel sold separately
- Most expensive set in this list
Overall Mercer Culinary Züm 6-Piece Forged Block Set Review
Of all the Mercer lines featured in this article, Züm knives have the sleekest look to their design. The Delrin handles are ergonomically shaped to an end-capped straight edge, making for a comfortable grip any chef would feel at ease using. In addition, the set itself features all the knives a chef needs for proper meal preparation.
The glass block is made of stainless steel with glass walls, featuring a more modern design than the traditional wooden knife blocks you see offered in other brands. Pairing the sleek look of the knives with the modern edge of the knife block makes for a sophisticated aesthetic in any home kitchen.
The Mercer Culinary Züm 6-Piece forged kitchen knives set has a 4.9 out of five-star rating on Amazon.
Mercer Culinary Genesis Chef Knife Review
What’s Included
- 8” Chef’s knife
Pros
- Forged construction for supreme strength
- Taper ground edge provides a long-lasting sharp blade
- Standard size
- Full tang construction for better balance
- Affordable price
Cons
- Mercer Genesis sharpening steel sold separately
- Not sold as a knife block set
Overall Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef’s Knife Review
The Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is a bit more expensive to purchase alone than in a set of knives like the 6-piece set, but if you need a good kitchen knife at a low price, this is the winner. As part of the Genesis product line, this chef knife is an excellent addition to any kitchen collection, boasting a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
To see how the Genesis 8-inch chef knife compares to other knife brands in the less-than-50-dollar price range, search no further and read about our best chef knives under $50.
Mercer Genesis vs. Renaissance
At first glance, Renaissance and Genesis knives look practically identical because they feature several of the same specifications.
They are both forged knives made of high-carbon no-stain German steel with sharp, full-tang blades and a short bolster. Both knives have a rounded spine and taper-ground edges. All components combined yield a kitchen knife that has balance and looks professional.
There are three notable differences between the Genesis and Renaissance knives.
The bolsters, although both short, are different in that the Genesis has a slightly heavier full bolster, which can act as a finger guard from the blade and provides more stability in handling the knives. The angle of the Renaissance bolsters doesn’t guarantee that your fingers will be safe from the blades but is a lighter option for those who prefer a more lightweight knife.
The handles not only look different but are also made of different materials. Renaissance handles are triple-riveted, which, combined with the full tang blade, creates a stronger, more secure knife. Genesis handles are not. Renaissance handles are made of Delrin, whereas Genesis handles are made of Santoprene. Between the two materials, Santoprene is softer to touch, although both boast being non-slip.
The last major difference is the price point. Again, if you’re looking for the most affordable option, Genesis has the edge over Renaissance by a range of 10 to 20 dollars in price, depending on whether you search for a single knife or knife set.
Mercer Knives FAQ
Where are Mercer Knives Made?
Mercer knives are made in Taiwan. However, some products are also made in China.
Are Mercer Knives Dishwasher Safe?
It is recommended that Mercer knives are washed by hand in warm water and soap, dried thoroughly, and stored immediately.
It is not recommended to wash Mercer knives in a dishwasher because dishwashers can diminish overall quality, potentially dulling the blade and ruining the knife handle.
What Kind of Warranty Does Mercer Culinary Offer?
Mercer Culinary offers a limited lifetime warranty for the consumer’s lifetime or 25 years for corporate consumers. Products should be free from defects in materials or quality, but if not, Mercer will replace or repair said products free of charge.
Please note that you have to pay shipping costs when sending the items for repair or replacement.
If the products contain defects in the material or quality, Mercer Culinary will take steps to repair or fully replace the purchased product. Exclusions apply.
Is Mercer culinary a good brand?
Yes. Mercer Culinary is a good brand for all home chefs to consider when buying quality midrange knives. Mercer cutlery may be inexpensive in price compared to a high-end cutlery brand, but they aren’t cheap in construction quality.
Which is the Best Mercer Knife?
Overall, Mercer Culinary sells good-quality knives. Still, after reading various reviews and doing extensive research on each product line Mercer offers, I’d say the best Mercer knife is the Genesis knife. Genesis knives are created to perfection, featuring everything you need and didn’t know you wanted in great knives.
As someone who prefers German-style knives, Mercer knives are a great affordable alternative to the high-priced brands like Wusthof. From the tip of the blade to the butt, the design, assembly, and materials all honor the traditional German-style without sacrificing quality. Genesis knives, in particular, encompass that style while providing great function for me as an amateur cook.
This article is by Serena Valdez.
