A standard kitchen knife set usually includes several types of knives. Each one is designed for a specific task in the kitchen. The chef's knife is the workhorse of the kitchen. It's used for chopping, slicing, and dicing a variety of foods. Other common components include a paring knife for peeling and trimming, a bread knife for slicing bread, and a utility knife for general use.
Here's a basic list of knives you might find in a set: