Wusthof Gourmet 3-Piece Paring Knife Set

Moderately priced companions to Wüsthof's renowned Classic forged knives, Gourmet Series knives have the same full-tang, three-rivet, virtually indestructible poly handles as Classic knives. Instead of being forged, however, Gourmet Series blades are cut from steel sheets by precision lasers. That means they have no bolsters. But it also means they are perfectly shaped and fit their handles seamlessly. And the blades' high-carbon stainless steel is identical to that of Wüsthof's premium knives, only thinner. The three paring knives in this set equip a kitchen for all essential "little" tasks. One knife has a 3-inch blade with a straight edge and a drop point, ideal for uniformly cutting carrots into disks or peaches into slices. Another has a 3-inch blade with a curved edge and a sharp point, ideal for peeling fruits and vegetables and removing blemishes. The third has a sharply curved blade known as a bird's beak for shaping vegetables. All three knives are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended to protect their edges. --Fred Brack