We've all seen them: the giant blocks of 24 knives sold as expensive sets. Most of these sets are:
(A) A marketing gimmick to get you to buy way more expensive knives than you need
AND/OR
(B) Quantity over quality: a set of a gazillion junk knives for a really cheap price
The reality is that you don't need all those knives. You can do everything you need to in the kitchen with far less.
The prevailing wisdom echoed throughout the food blogging stratosphere these days is that there are really only 3 knives you need in your kitchen.
Are there other knives in the kitchen that could be useful? Sure. We offer a "Deluxe" set that includes 5 knives as opposed the standard 3 because we understand that there are other knives that can be helpful in the kitchen. That said, we're firmly in the camp that you don't need a dozen knives to cook like a professional.
On the contrary, focusing your resources on keeping your knives sharp is a much better investment than just having "more" knives. Dull knives are dangerous, can make cooking frustrating, and can even make for a less appealing meal.
If you don't want to take our word for it, check out one of the following articles that all say pretty much the same thing: there are 3 essential knives you need for the kitchen.
The Only 3 Knives You Need from Epicurious
Essential Kitchen Knives from the Huffington Post
These Are The Only Knives You Really Need from Bon Appetit
The Three Must-Have Knives from Food Network
The 3 Basic Knives Every Kitchen Needs from The Kitchn