Seven Piece Chef Knife Set

Seven knives covering the jobs a home kitchen actually asks of them: a chef's knife for the bulk of the chopping, a bread knife with a serrated edge, a carving knife, a utility knife for the awkward middle-sized tasks, and smaller paring blades for peeling and detail work. Between them they replace the single blunt knife that most kitchens quietly rely on for everything.

The blades are stainless steel, taper-ground to hold an edge through normal use and resist the staining that carbon steel suffers when it meets onions, tomatoes or lemon. The handles are shaped with a full bolster where the blade meets the grip, which keeps the fingers back from the edge and gives the knife better balance in the hand - the thing that separates a knife that is pleasant to use from one that is merely sharp.

Sharp knives are safer than blunt ones, because a blunt blade slips. Keep them keen with a steel or a whetstone, and store them in a block, on a magnetic rail or in a guarded drawer insert rather than loose among other utensils. Hand wash and dry immediately; a dishwasher will dull the edges against other items and is hard on the handles. Keep knives well out of reach of children at all times.

• Seven piece set
• Blades: chef, bread, carving, utility and paring
• Material: stainless steel, taper-ground
• Full bolster handles for balance and grip
• Hand wash and dry immediately - not dishwasher safe
• Keep sharp with a steel or whetstone
• Store in a block, magnetic rail or guarded insert
• Keep knives out of reach of children at all times