Wüsthof Classic 2-Piece Prep Set, $99.95, available at Amazon
A good knife is one of the most important tools a chef can have in the kitchen, but if your knife skills are as rudimentary as mine, you probably don't need a full knife set.
While there are many multiple-piece knife sets you can choose from (here are some of our favorites), beginner cooks can probably get by with two — a multi-purpose chef's knife that does mostly everything, and a paring knife, a smaller knife for more meticulous cuts.
This 2-piece set from Wüsthof is a great entry-level knife set with both knives; the chef's knife is smaller than most for easier handling.