Three knives cover very nearly everything a new kitchen actually asks for. The Regular Paring carries a 3¼ inch blade for seeding, trimming and close work. The Utility/Steak Knife steps up to 4⅞ inches, the size you reach for on sandwiches, tomatoes and a dinner plate. The Slicer runs a full 7 inches for roasts, hams and a loaf of bread.

Every blade is hollow ground from surgical quality T420 high carbon stainless steel, then hand sharpened, so the edge holds instead of rolling over after a month. The handles are permanently cast brushed aluminum with a satin finish and a built in finger guard, and they will never loosen from the blade because they were cast around it.

It arrives in its own black lined gift box, which is the whole point of a housewarming present: you can hand it over without hunting for wrapping paper. Made in Waverly, Iowa, with 100 percent American materials and construction, by a company that has been building knives since 1948. Covered by Rada's Lifetime Guarantee.