A Good Set of Knives is a Wise Investment
A good set of knives is easily the most important implement that you could have in the kitchen. That and a large cutting board. A lot of people buy the least expensive knives they can find. If you want to learn how to cook and be as efficient as possible in the kitchen, skimping on the knife set is not a good idea.
Visit your local home store and check out their knife display. Most of the knives are locked up but you can hopefully find a salesperson and explain to them your needs. They’ll let you hold the knives so you can judge how they feel.
Don’t buy a knife just because it is expensive, however. The grip and balance may not be what you need. Test out knives that are in all different price ranges. There is nothing wrong with buying something inexpensive, as long as it feels solid and feels good.