J.A. Henckels knives are familiar to amateur and professional cooks alike for their reputation of quality. Since having a quality set of knives is the most important tool for cooking, I chose to spend more on a high-end wet of knives that I felt would last longer and retain their original qualities better than a comparable brand that was lower in quality. Since the Henckels knives are made with a special technique as well as the high quality German steel that is desired for quality knives, I felt it would be worth the investment.

Although I am not a professional chef, I do cook large meals for a large family and have found the knife set to be everything I had wanted in quality and design. The Ergonomic design of the handles means they are comfortable to hold in your hand. This set is also made with no seams to hurt your hand.

The Pro S knives are forged from a single piece of metal and then the edges are hones with a laser. This is meant to make the knives more precise and stable in your hand and each of them is easy to use. I also chose the 18 piece set so I would have everything I needed without having to supplement the collection along the way. However, the knives can be purchased separately if you decide you need an additional one to complete the set.

The 18-Piece set includes two different sizes of paring knives, a serrated knife, Santoku hollow edge, chef's knife and more. There is also a sharpening steel in case the knives become dull but, after almost a year, I haven't even considered sharpening them.

There are eight steak knives included in the set which I was willing to pay more to get. These are one of the most indispensable parts of the knife set since they are used for dining and not just for preparation. I wasn't all that enthused about the kitchen shears since I had always done without them until I purchased the knife set but they have also become a valuable tool in my kitchen.

While there are other knife sets that have similar design and style of knives that are much lower in price than the Henckels Knife Block 18 Piece Knife Set, there is also a great difference in the quality. They are designed to have a stronger blade, more comfortable handle, and hold their sharp edge longer. You can find comparable knife sets for a much lower price but I have found that the quality of these knives make them worth the difference in price.