Product Review · Kitchen Knife Sets · #7 Ranked
Global G-2338 3-Piece
Japanese 3-knife starter set with steel handles · Reviewed by Katie · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 82
Global's three-knife starter set scores 82 on build and owner feedback: Quality 90, Satisfaction 96 from a 4.8-star average over 428 ratings, and a warranty that scores 95. The blades are CROMOVA 18 stainless at 56 to 58 HRC with a convex, face-ground edge, and each knife is one piece of steel from tip to dimpled handle. Features is the caveat at 62. At $199.95 you get three knives and nothing else: no block, no steel, no shears. Budget for storage and a honing rod on top.
What you're getting
- G-2 8-inch chef's knife
- GS-3 5-inch chef's utility knife
- GS-38 3.5-inch paring knife
- CROMOVA 18 stainless steel, 56-58 HRC
- Convex, face-ground edge with a long taper
- One-piece stainless handles, dimpled for grip
- Light weight and balance reduce hand fatigue
- No block, honing steel or shears included
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 3 knives, no block
- CROMOVA 18, 56-58 HRC
- All-steel one-piece build
- Price$199.95
- TierJapanese 3-knife starter set with steel handles
- Category rank#7 of 10
Should you buy the Global G-2338 3-Piece?
The Global G-2338 3-Piece is for a cook who wants light, thin Japanese blades and already has somewhere to store them. At $199.95 it ranks #7 of 10 in our Kitchen Knife Sets category. The all-steel handles suit people who like a nimble knife, though some owners find them slippery when wet. If you want a full block for less money, the Henckels Statement 15-Piece is $149.95. If you want Japanese steel in a block, the Shun Classic 6-Piece is the step up.
Where it earns its score
- Satisfaction is 96. A 4.8-star average across 428 ratings ties for the best rating in the category.
- Quality is 90. Each knife is a single piece of CROMOVA 18 steel, ice-tempered and hardened to 56 to 58 HRC for edge retention.
- Thin, light blades. The face-ground convex edge and long taper make push cuts easy, and the balance reduces fatigue.
- Easy to clean. No rivets, seams or wood handles means nothing to trap food or crack.
What to know first
- Features is the lowest factor at 62. Three knives and nothing else; storage, a honing tool and shears are extra.
- Value is 72. $199.95 for three knives is steep next to the Mercer Genesis M20000 6-Piece, which adds two knives and a block for $129.00.
- Warranty excludes chips. Global's guarantee covers defects in material and workmanship but not chipped blades, broken tips or rust spots.
Our verdict
The Global G-2338 3-Piece scores 82, a Good Buy and #7 in our Kitchen Knife Sets category, on Satisfaction (96), Warranty (95) and Quality (90). Buy it if you want a light, all-steel Japanese chef's knife, utility and parer and have storage sorted. If you want a complete set with a block, the Mercer Genesis M20000 6-Piece (87) costs less at $129.00.
Mercer Genesis M20000 6-Piece
Questions buyers ask
What knives are in the Global G-2338 set?
The G-2 8-inch chef's knife, GS-3 5-inch chef's utility knife and GS-38 3.5-inch paring knife.
Does the Global 3-piece set come with a block?
No. It is three knives only, so plan for a block, magnetic strip or blade guards.
How hard is Global CROMOVA 18 steel?
Global rates it at 56 to 58 on the Rockwell C scale after ice-tempering and hardening.
Ready to check it out?
Global G-2338 3-Piece · ViperScore 82 · Good Buy · $199.95
How the other 9 kitchen knife sets scored
87Mercer Genesis M20000 6-Piece
85Cuisinart C77SS-15PK 15-Piece
84Zwilling Pro 7-Piece
84Wüsthof Classic 7-Piece
83Henckels Statement 15-Piece
83Zwilling Four Star 8-Piece
82Shun Classic 6-Piece
80McCook 15-Piece Block Set
80HexClad Damascus 6-Piece
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