Newlywed starter set

[silenthunterstudios]

My oldest little sister and her beau got married in October. My little brother and I went over to dress a deer my brother in law got on their property, and he brought out lots of Rapalas for processing the meat. I joked that didn't he have a boning knife, and both he and my sister said jokingly that it was my job as the family knife nut to get kitchen knives for them. Looks like as each sibling is married, it will be my present to get them some kitchen knives. I would've loved to have gotten them a full set of Ken Onion damascus Shun knives, but I got them Victorinox instead. The day before their wedding, I picked up a Victorinox Shun style blade, the set I got them for Christmas has a Chefs knife, steak knife and paring knife. I also got them a stand alone boning knife. Maybe next year I'll get them a butcher block, but for now, they should be good. I was looking for a Tramontina starter pack, Walmart had some a couple years ago. Great set. I got the Victorinox at a knife shop.

Got any ideas for newlywed starter sets?

 

[jetsrb32]

My kitchen knives are victorinox. I like them a lot.

 

[springnr]

I snagged a Tramontina Damascus set from the big river a couple months back.

 

[Hesparus]

I recommend against getting a prepackaged set unless it has exactly what you want in it. Many/most sets come with lots of knives that you don't need or want and you just waste your money. Go for quality not quantity. Whether you're getting eastern or western style knives, most people are fine with a chef's knife and a paring knife. If you add more knives, (1) they must add functionality and (2) the recipient must know how to use them and what to use them for. If you carve only one bird per year on thanksgiving, you don't need a carving knife — your chef's knife will do in a pinch. A chef's knife will carve a ham or a roast just fine. If you buy only boneless meat, you don't need a boning knife — and even then, a paring knife will do in a pinch. If you're not eating bread with hard crusts or seeds, you don't even really need a bread knife (although a bread knife is third on my list of useful knives).
So if you're looking for a true STARTER set, I'd go with a chef's knife and a paring knife of the style and brand of your choosing. For more of a deluxe set, I'd add a slicer and a bread knife to that list.

- Chris