Here’s an update to my recommendation: I still love this knife set, but I’ve seen it frequently go out of stock. It’s also substantially more expensive now than when this piece was first published. Although I use these knives nearly every day and eagerly recommend them to anyone who can track them down, I’m no longer convinced they offer the great value they once did. For additional three-piece bundle choices, see our roundup of the best knife sets. When I was 16, I worked as a prep cook at a local banquet hall. Occasionally, the chef would pull out his personal knife roll, allowing us to cut crudités using something besides the usual dull, plastic-handled, grimy kitchen knives we were forced to use. I still recall the distinctive weight of the 8-inch chef’s knife as I pulled it from its sheath, the chef commenting, “Wüsthof makes the best knives.” That works for me. Years later, I requested a Wüsthof set as a college graduation gift and instantly fell in love with their balanced handles, sharp edges, and superior steel quality.
