With the right knife in your hand, every cooking experience will be better. Buy the best ones you can afford. Cheap cutlery doesn't hold a sharp edge, blades bend easily, and handles break quickly. A cheap or dull knife is a hazard in the kitchen. Good-quality individual knives range in price from $40 to $120; sets range from $150 to $799 depending on the manufacturer.
Look for those with full tangs, which means you can see the metal of the blade extending all the way to the end of the handle. Each knife should feel well balanced in your hand. The handle can be wood, plastic, rubber, or metal, but it should be firmly attached with several rivets. If you store your knives in a wooden block, insert them edge side up, they will stay sharper longer.
