The types of knives needed in the kitchen depends on the types of cooking your doing. The most popular knife is the chefs knife; as it chops vegtables, ans slices meat. If you cook a lot of meats a carving knife is a necessity as well. A serrated knife is best used for slicing breads. then you have the steak knife for eating, versus preparing and those 4 types could get you through the basics in the kitchen.