Wüsthof three-piece knife set

What it is good at

• Covering chopping, peeling and slicing with three blades
• Forged construction that resists flexing
• Holding an edge longer than stamped budget knives

Check before you buy

• Which knives are in the set — a set without a chef knife is a waste
• Whether the handles are riveted and the tang full
• Sharpening: harder steel needs a stone rather than a pull-through

Who it is not for

Anyone who only ever uses one knife; buy that one knife properly instead.

The only reason to buy a set is if the three knives in it are the three you would have chosen. Otherwise you are paying for a block and a bread knife you will use twice.

Forged knives with full tangs are stiffer and balance better; stamped knives are lighter and cheaper. Both cut; the difference shows over years.