The kitchen knives you actually need and why buying fewer can be smarter

A chef's knife is the most versatile and a must-have in every kitchen.

A large knife block can make a kitchen look well equipped, but having a dozen different knives does not necessarily make cooking easier.

In fact, many of us have probably opened a kitchen drawer or looked at a knife block and wondered when we last used some of the pieces inside it.

That is why buying kitchen knives is less about collecting every possible type and more about choosing a few versatile tools that match the way you cook.

There is no single list that will suit every household, but three types of knives are a useful starting point for many kitchens: a chef's knife, paring knife and serrated knife.