Judge Nic Madge said ordinary kitchen knives were causing a “soaring loss of life”, rather than more heavily regulated large-bladed weapons.
He was speaking at Luton Crown Court at a ceremony to mark his retirement.
Knife crime rose by 22% in England and Wales in 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics.
“Kitchens contain lethal knives which are potential murder weapons and only butchers and fishmongers need eight or 10 inch kitchen knives with points,” the judge said.