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You'll thank yourself every time you slice, dice, and chop.

Ree Drummond once said, "A good knife is essential in the kitchen." That's because knives are the go-to kitchen tool for practically every kind of meal, and you want to set yourself up for success by getting the best knife set you can consistently rely on.

While a quality chef's knife is probably the most important, there are so many other knives that should grace your cutting boards like a serrated knife for slicing bread and a paring knife for smaller tasks like hulling strawberries. You can collect these items one at a time, but the most cost effective way is to buy a whole set.

First, you want to determine the style of knife you want based on the way you cut. Most commonly, you'll find European-style knives which have heavier handles and curved blades for the rocking back-and-forth method of cutting. Alternatively, there is the Asian- or Japanese-style of of knives that are lighter and flat on the bottom for more of an up-and-down motion.

If deciding which type seems daunting, don't worry. There are several sets that offer both, including Ree's set from The Pioneer Woman collection at Walmart. Though all of these best knife sets vary in style and size, they all have one thing in common: a knife block to store them. While you don't have to purchase a set with one, proper storage and usage of a knife sharpener is essential to keeping knives, other utensils, and your hands safe and protected. You're already investing in a better kitchen experience buying a set, so why not keep them in tip-top condition for years to come? You'll thank yourself every time you slice, dice, and chop your way to another great meal.

What doesn't this set offer? One of the largest options on the list, it has everything from a classic chef's knife to a Japanese santoku to six steak knives. They are all dishwasher safe and have a great price considering the hundreds of years of premium European craftsmanship to their name.

If you want to save a little money and still get a big set, Cuisinart offers are hard-to-say-no value proposition. The knives have an extra-wide safety bolster for better control and balance and high carbon precision steel blades. Need more convincing? How about over 13,000 five-star reviews!

Since Ree herself knows how important a good set of knives is, it's no surprise she developed a great set for The Pioneer Woman collection at Walmart. Most of the knives are European-style, but it does offer a Japanese Nakiri knife which is great for cutting vegetables and a bird's beak knife for peeling.

If you're just starting out and need everything or have a tight budget, this Amazon set offers a 14-piece set that addresses all your basic needs. Can such an affordable set handle the tough tasks? 18,000 five-star reviewers say yes!

The best of the best is going to cost you, but it will be worth it. Wüsthof is one of the most respected names in European-style knives for over 200 years, offering fully forged precision blades are professional quality. This nine-piece set is sold without the steak knives, but has slots for them if you want to invest in those separately in the future.

If you know you love Japanese-style knives, go with one of the best brands. This Global set includes the G-2 chef's knife, which has a huge following in the professional chef world. They are light weight and ergonomically designed, and just look how cool that knife block is!