Cutlery Companies We’re Really Excited

We live in an exciting time: Once-stagnant industries — eye glasses and mattresses, for example! — have been getting major, long-needed overhauls with better designs, better products, better customer service, and more. And the same sort of innovation is starting to happen in the world of cookware, kitchen tools, and cutlery.

By cutting out the middleman (read: stores!), these companies are all able to create high-quality cookware at a lower price. Here are five newish brands we're super excited about. Stay tuned, too, because we plan on using gear from all of them and giving them a thorough testing soon!

1. Made In

Made In features products that were, you guessed it, made in America. You can shop by picking out individual items, choosing a pre-curated kit, or by taking a quiz to get a personalized set based on how — and what — you like to cook.

The company offers a 100-day risk-free trial on your first order (and a lifetime manufacturer's warranty that covers any defect), so you can try things out and decide whether or not these new pots and pans are items you want to keep.

2. Brigade Kitchen

The newest on this list, Brigade focuses on just four core kitchen products: the santoku knife, the frying pan, the sauté pan, and the saucepan. The cookware is made of five-ply stainless steel, which means it's all induction-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe. The brand says quality compares to that of an All-Clad pan or a Shun knife — but comes at more affordable prices. (Just $75 for the knife, whereas Shun will set you back at least $100!)

5. Misen

This company launched on Kickstarter, originally just selling knives, but recently added cookware to its list of offerings. The Essential Knife Set (above) retails for $130 — although you can buy just the chef's knife for $65. Cookware starts at $65 for a 10-inch skillet.

Are you familiar with any of these brands? Do you have any of their pieces at home? If so, tell us what you like or don't like about them in the comments below!