Stored in their black, hardwood block, the five stainless-steel kitchen knives in this set fulfill a cook's needs and also look great with their stylish stainless-steel handles poking out. Along with the knives comes an 8-inch sharpening steel for keeping their edges aligned. The knives are stamped from high-carbon stainless steel and their stainless-steel handles are shaped to snugly fit the hand. The five kitchen knives in the set include an 8-inch chef's knife for rocking through chopping tasks, an 8-inch slicing knife for carving meats and poultry, a 6-inch utility knife for making sandwiches and myriad other jobs, a 6-inch boning knife with a narrow blade for cutting around bones and fileting, and a 3-1/2-inch paring knife for fruits and vegetables. All the knives are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing protects the edges better. -- Amazon.com

You won't be missing a single cutting tool with this 14-piece cutlery block set from Sabatier. It contains a 3-1/2-inch paring knife, an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicer, an 8-inch bread knife, a 6-inch boning knife, six 5-inch steak knives, a pair of kitchen shears, a sharpening steel, and a 14-slot block to keep them in. The knives are made from high-carbon stainless steel, which is the industry standard, and have full tangs, meaning that the steel goes all the way through the handle. These knives feel a little lighter than professional quality sets, and won't hold the same razor-sharp edge, but for those looking for a complete starter set these will work just fine. The shears are a nice bonus when cutting through bones or joints, and they'll cut through bags and boxes and do a fine job of snipping herbs into a sauce. The sharpening steel helps to keep the blade true, and the block keeps tools handy and protected. -- Amazon.com

This handsome set contains just about every kitchen knife you'll ever need. It includes an 8-inch cook's knife, a 3-1/2-inch parer, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, and a 6-inch sandwich knife, which is an efficient slicer for a wide range of cutting tasks. In addition, the set comes with shears, a 9-inch steel for sharpening, and a nine-slot solid oak block for storage. A rewarding investment in cutting ease and efficiency, this collection would also make a perfect gift.

Part of the Classic series, the implements in this set represent two centuries of unexcelled Wüsthof craftsmanship. The knives are hand-forged from a single piece of stainless steel for maximum strength, and their hand-polished blades are exactingly calibrated to be hard enough to resist dulling yet soft enough to take keen edges when honed or sharpened. Dishwasher-safe, the knives are also fitted with traditionally shaped, ergonomically designed handles that are triple-riveted for durability. All Wüsthof cutlery brings a guaranteed lifetime of low-maintenance cutting to its owners. -- Amazon.com

Wüsthof's Grand Prix series of knives is identical to the manufacturer's Classic series in the quality and craftsmanship of the blades, but offers a more contemporary handle design. Formed with the perfect balance of high-carbon steel and a stain-resistant alloy, these knives retain their edges longer and are easier to resharpen. The blades are ground and polished by computer, ensuring perfect tapering from bolster to tip, and the edge is then hand honed for precision slicing. The tang extends through the slip-free, molded polypropelene handle for excellent balance.

Perfect as a wedding gift, this 10-piece set has all the kitchen cutlery basics with room to grow. The knives in the set include an 8-inch cook's knife, an 8-inch carving knife, a 6-inch sandwich knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 5-inch serrated sausage knife, a 4-1/2-inch utility knife, and a 3-1/2-inch paring knife. A pair of kitchen shears and a 9-inch sharpening steel complete the set. Everything fits neatly into the rubber-footed oak block, which has space to eventually add six steak knives and two more prep knives. -- Amazon.com

Elegant satin-finish handles sculpted from 18/10 stainless steel distinguish Culinar cutlery from Wüsthof's other cutlery lines. Otherwise Culinar knives are identical to other Wüsthof knives, embodying all the virtues that have earned the German manufacturer world renown. The principal parts of a Wüsthof knife--blade, bolster, and tang--are forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, and the blade is precisely tapered from bolster to tip and from back to hand-honed edge. The blades and beautifully formed bolsters are not as thick as on some knives. As a result, despite their heft, strength, and durability, Wüsthof knives are pleasingly delicate and marvelously balanced in action.

The eight kitchen knives in this set provide a cook with a variety of cutting edges: an 8-inch cook's knife for rocking through chopping and mincing tasks; an 8-inch carving knife for meats and poultry; an 8-inch serrated bread knife for crusty loaves; a 6-inch sandwich knife and a 4-1/2-inch utility knife for myriad slicing and cutting needs; a 5-inch serrated salami/tomato knife with a pronged tip; a 5-inch boning knife; and a 3-1/2-inch paring knife. The set also includes a 9-inch sharpening steel for keeping knife edges aligned and a maple block to store everything on the counter within reach. Like all fine cutlery, the knives should be hand washed. -- Amazon.com