Knives are the most important and most frequently used kitchen utensils. In choosing a new knife set, the main considerations are which knife set to purchase and which knife is used for what purpose. Buying a knife set is an important decision. The knives you choose should last a lifetime. After you purchase a good quality knife set, you should never have to replace them. A good rule is to buy the most expensive set of knives you can possibly afford, because they should last for the rest of your life.
Knives are normally more affordable if you purchase them in a set. Knife sets should include all the basic tools and will normally include a stand or container in which to store the knives. You will be able to purchase additional, more specific, knives in the future if you wish. Most knife manufacturers sell knives individually, allowing you to add to your collection at any time you wish. You may need to replace a lost knife, have a duplicate on hand if you have more than one cook in your kitchen, you may wish to have a specialty knife for smaller hands, or you want the top of the line knives but cannot afford a whole set at once. A knife set will make more sense unless one...