Is this set good for a first kitchen?

Yes. It covers chef's, bread, carving, utility, paring and steak knives plus shears, so one purchase handles most tasks. The stamped blades are lighter and less durable than forged ones, which suits casual to regular cooking.

How does it compare with Henckels' forged sets?

Forged lines like Pro and Four Star use heavier forged blades that hold an edge longer and come with better handles. This Dynamic set is stamped, lighter and dishwasher-safe, so it trades edge retention for convenience and a lower tier of construction.

Are the knives dishwasher-safe?

Henckels lists them as dishwasher-safe. Hand washing and drying still keeps edges sharper longer, since dishwasher heat and detergent dull blades faster.

What is included in the 18 pieces?

Chef's, bread, carving, utility and paring knives, steak knives, kitchen shears, a honing steel and the knife block. Check the block slots if you plan to add knives later.

Do the knives need sharpening out of the box?

They come finely honed and ready to use. Use the included steel regularly to realign the edge, and sharpen on a stone or sharpener when cutting performance drops.