The best kitchen knives for you might set you back anywhere from fifty dollars for a decent chef's knife or value priced three piece set to over a thousand dollars for top of the line, professional chef knife sets. That may seem expensive, and in fact it is, but if you take care of your knives they may never need replacing. The best kitchen knives can last you your entire lifetime if you take good care of them, but that is no reason to go out and overspend on kitchen cutlery. There are ways to save while still getting knives you will be happy with and use for a long time to come.
Perhaps the biggest question a lot of people struggle with is should you buy a knife set or just buy individual knives on an as needed basis. Many folks automatically reach for the chef knife set figuring that getting more knives for only slightly more money must be the better deal. Buying a set with numerous specialty knives you will rarely if ever use, however, is no bargain compared to buying three better quality knives or a high end chef's knife you will use almost every day. That is not to say that you should never buy a set. There are times when it is better to purchase a knife set.
It is possible to save money buying either a set or individual knives depending on your circumstances. By purchasing knives individually, there are no costs associated with buying knives you will not use, do not need or do not really want. If you find a set that consists of just the knives you want or need, then the set price may be lower than if you purchased each knife singly. If the set comes with knives you won't use, however, you are probably better off just individually buying only the knives you want. Beyond saving money, a reasonable case can be made for buying either knife sets or individual knives.
A knife set appeals to people who do not wish to invest a lot of time in picking out each individual knife. Sets match perfectly and some people would rather not to have a mismatched set for aesthetic reasons. By buying knives individually, you can rest assured knowing that you will only be paying for knives that you want. The quality from knife to knife may vary in a set. For example you might love the chef's knife, but the bread knife that comes with the set may be a weak link. Not an issue when you buy your knives individually as you are free to select the best of each type of knife that you want. If you already have a set that you like, you can buy knives individually rather than purchasing another set if a piece or two needs to be replaced.
The best kitchen knives are not necessarily the most expensive or the ones that came in the biggest set. If you cook only because you have to and are not ready to become a professional chef, knife sets may be just fine for you. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and enjoy cooking, you may find that picking out each knife individually helps you make the most of your ability and time spent preparing meals. Ultimately, your preferences, your needs and your budget will determine which are the best kitchen knives for you.