When considering knives...

You have to make sure they're sharp, obviously. Definitely need them to be sharp. You want to make sure the handle fits in your hand nicely, and is not uncomfortable. You want it to be long enough to do the job--there's nothing worse than a too-short knife. It's good if it has a sheath, so you don't cut yourself on it. You also want to make sure the weight of the knife is appropriate for you. You may choose a particular decorative handle, if you'd like, but remember to clean all of the decorative surfaces. It's best to go to a kitchen store or a hunting goods store (depending on your purpose), where you can try the knives out. In a pinch you can order some pretty good knives from Amazon.