I paid more than $4 for this set so I’m kicking myself a bit, although I feel like they were still a decent deal for the $9 I did pay. That made them cheaper than a lot of the other inexpensive knives in the kitchen section where I was browsing, and they’re definitely better quality than those other inexpensive knives.

I had my doubts about the plastic handles but they feel more solid and substantial than plastic usually does, seem well-attached to the blades, and don’t slip in my hand. They’re surprisingly comfortable. I also like being able to tell my 10-year-old “Get me the utility knife, that’s the blue one”. It’s too bad they’re ugly, but you can’t have everything, especially not for $9.

The blades were sharper than I expected and I, too, cut myself using them almost immediately (because I was used to the old, dull paring knife I replaced, which didn’t slice through food as fast as these).

I’m tickled at the concept of a “tomato knife” and it does come in handy for super ripe nectarines and plums as well. The spreader is handy for school lunch sandwiches and breakfast muffins. I actually have not used a small utility knife in some time, preferring to use either a paring size or my chef knife, but I learned quickly to appreciate the utility knife in this set for cutting melons and apples and prepping potatoes.

I had the option shortly after I brought them home to return them for a different paring and utility set, and opted to keep them.

— Useful, reliable for the price