My husband bought a cutlery set in Europe can he bring that back to the US in his suitcase?
Sure, in his checked luggage.
I'm a chef and when I go to Europe I always use it for an excuse to buy a new knife as I like to take advantage of the fun markets and look for places to stay with kitchens. So I buy a new knife, I can do most things with a Chef's Knife. You do need to check the bag and for anybody else reading buy high carbon stainless knives. No matter how pretty the knife is if it's stainless alone you can't keep an edge on it. Carbon alone will keep a good edge but will indeed pick up stains.