Are you ready to upgrade your mismatched kitchen knives, bought haphazardly, for a new set of kitchen knives? If so, then you may be wondering what to look for in a kitchen knife set. There are many different kinds of kitchen knives, and the distinctions can be confusing to anyone who isn't a chef.

The first thing to learn when looking at kitchen knives is the differences in the knife shape. The most common knife is a chef knife or French knife. This knife has a long, wide blade, and it can be used for most kitchen tasks. A paring knife is a smaller version of a chef's knife; it is most often used for slicing vegetables and other precision tasks. In a full set of kitchen knives, you should also find a serrated bread knife, a small paring knife, and perhaps a few other styles, depending on how much you use the knives in your kitchen.

Another common kitchen blade is the drop point blade. The tip of the blade is very narrow for fine slicing or other work requiring precision. A clip point or bowie-style blade has a fine tip that penetrates well. It can be used for poking holes in tough material. Unlike the drop point blade, it is less ideal for precision cutting or chopping. The tanto is another popular kitchen blade, identifiable by the geometric slope of the tip. The tanto blade, due to the thickness at the tip, can sustain prying, stabbing, and other heavy use.

There are many other blade shapes, too, including meat cleavers, tomato knives, and utility knives. When determining which knives you need to purchase for your kitchen, identify which activities you do most, and then choose a knife that will be best suited to these actions.

Not only the shape, but also the composition of the knife can affect its use in your kitchen. Today, knife blades are made from a wide variety of materials; it is important to learn the differences to choose the right set of knives for your kitchen.

As with any tool, the brand name will probably have some influence over the knife set you purchase. There are many excellent well-known brand names, like Wusthof, Henckels, Sabatier, and Victorinox, as well as many other lesser-known names offering high quality knives. You can buy your knives one by one, or select a set that includes a knife block. These sets can often save you money versus buying the knives individually. On the other hand, if you do not have a lot to spend, focus on purchasing a few high-quality knives over an entire block of lesser-quality blades.

The benefit of purchasing a full set of kitchen knives in a block is that they will be stored correctly. Storing knives loose in a drawer can be dangerous, and will also damage the blades as they bang against each other. If the set does not come in a block, it should at least come with sheaths over the blade of each knife, which can be kept on the blade while the knife is not in use.

A good knife set can make preparing your food easier, more enjoyable, and safer. Quality knives will last a lifetime with adequate sharpening as they become dull.