Amazon.com The handle style alone distinguishes Ultra knives from KitchenAid's Epicurean knives. Ultra knives are permanently bonded to full tangs without rivets, while knives in the Epicurean line have classic three-rivet handles with visible tangs. Otherwise the knives are identical: They are fully forged from single pieces of high-carbon stainless steel, with gently rounded backs for comfort and handles molded of a durable composite that has a glossy, easy-cleaning, scratch-resistant finish. Blades are tapered and hand honed. Thick bolsters contribute safety and weight. Each knife is carefully balanced for its particular use. The handles on Ultra knives are smaller around than those of comparable Epicurean knives, making them somewhat lighter--an advantage for small-handed cooks. This set equips a kitchen with most essential cutting edges. The four knives in the set are an 8-inch chef's knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 6-inch sandwich knife, and a 3-1/2-inch paring knife. Accompanying the knives is a pair of kitchen shears for tough cutting tasks and an oval diamond sharpener to keep knife edges aligned and honed. Everything fits into its own slot in an oak storage block with rubber feet, and there are two extra slots for additional knives. Fine knives like these should be hand washed. The entire set is made in the United States and carries a lifetime warranty against defects. --Fred BrackWhat's in the Box 8-inch chef's knife, 8-inch bread knife, 6-inch sandwich knife, 3-1/2-inch paring knife, kitchen shears, oval diamond knife sharpener, oak storage block