This is a very nice set to add knife versatility to a budding home chef. The knives are stamped out from a sheet of steel, not individually forged, and come from China but that doesn't take away too much from quality. They can tarnish and discolor but with proper care and cleaning they will last you years without either of those occurring. The full tang and triple rivet handles are a must in a knife set to provide comfort for your hand and durability to the knife itself and this set has both.  The knives are esthetically pleasing and durable while the block itself is solid and comes in a nice variety of colors. Overall a very nice beginning knife set to add to your home or give as a gift. Side note: when replacing knifes in the block make sure the edge of the knives don't make contact with the block or you'll have sawdust everywhere.