Over the last few years I've been getting new knives for my Mom. She's in her 70s, has some arthritis in her fingers and likes to cook. Global knives were my choice for her--like others, I thought the German brands might be too heavy--and she's been thrilled. (I also skipped the sets and instead started her off with a paring knife and 8" chef's knife, and have been supplementing at Christmas, for birthdays, etc.).