I love my Wusthof chef's knife. I bought a Victorinox rosewood handled chef's knife for Austin. I had low expectations. That knife is actually excellent, highly recommend. Bought on Amazon for less than $100.

I recently bought Henckels' mid-range knives. I've always used that brand, and I keep them sharp. I looked at the newer Japanese style brands, but now is not the time in my life to switch up knives.

I would visit one of those stores you mentioned, and hold the knives, etc., to see which one feels best. That is my most important factor. I volunteer doing food prep for an organization that provides meals for families facing medical challenges, and it's run out of a professional kitchen. But I've had a difficult time getting used to their knives. I'm surprised I haven't ended up in the ER.

Zal, by any chance is this one the one you bought? Victorinox Santoku with a Granton edge $32.

If you like to sharpen knives, a carbon steel one will probably be cheaper and sharper (right after sharpening).

I am very happy with my Global Knives 8" Chefs Knife. $124 from WS or C&B.

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/global-chefs-knife/

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/global-classic-8-chefs-knife/s168629

I'll be the cheap one in the crowd. I have a Victorinox Fibrox 10" chef's knife that I use every day. And I'd buy it again. This is what you'll find most of the staff in a restaurant using.

https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Inch-Fibrox-Chefs-Knife/dp/B0000CF8YO/ref=asc_df_B0000CF8YO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167152075853&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9857206909328286354&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007306&hvtargid=pla-274467588899&th=1

@bbstx I am sure zalco will share her knife.. but she did mention that it had a rosewood handle. I saw these on the big river in the $50 range. With Zalco's praise, I think I am going to pick one up.

I have a Shun, a Wusftoff and a Kyocera Kyotop HIP ceramic chef's knife .. the ceramic is by far my favorite but I don't think they make them anymore. I have seen them a few places.. but I fear they are knockoffs. I would absolutely get another high-end ceramic knife. Shun is my second favorite but it does need to be resharpened quite regularly.

This is the replacement for my ceramic knife.. Kyocera Premier Elite HIP 7". Sorry, Panko, it is about $300 but I love mine so much I wanted to share with others. It is very light and cuts like a dream!

I have several Shun chef knives and like them all.

Bbstx, I apologize for being away. Yes, Funky, that is the knife.

My favorite: https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Products/Cutlery/Chef%27s-Knives/Swiss-Classic-Santoku-Knife-fluted-edge/p/6.8523.17B

It is extremely sharp, and when sharpening is needed, it takes an edge quickly and easily. Light weight and easy to work with...it's my go to for all my chop 'n' drop cooking. Made by the Swiss Army Knife people...

Macy's is having a good sale on some knives including some individual Shuns - but I think today is the last day. At least that was my impression last night when I quickly placed an order for a new filet knife for DH. He is not always that careful with knives but had resorted to using mine when a friend showed up with fish asking DH clean and filet them for him. My knife. That I have kept nice and always sharp for many years. It was a birthday gift from my nephew and I treasure it ;)

But I did find a very nice Shun filet knife marked down to about half price from its original $80. It should work fine for him, I think the two he's become unhappy with were inexpensive filet knives from one of the seafood vendors at the beach - it's no wonder now causing him more work. It's not that he's unfamiliar with seafoods, just not as careful with his equipment as I would like thus he has his own knives, cutting boards, electric skillets etc - in his garage that he shares with his friends.

I have five different chef's knives including Chicago Cutlery we received as a wedding gift 45 years ago, a couple of ChefMate I bought at Target and a Wusthof my kitchen designer gave me. I can't say I prefer any one over the other. As long as they're sharp they all work well.

Happy with this knife that i treated myself to along with a Boos cutting board from WS when ww did a kitchen remodel.

Thanks everyone! I went to WS today and after swooning over some beehive dinnerware made my way to the knives. Good suggestion to hold each knife. I had a very helpful salesperson and settled on the Wusthof 6” chef’s knife. I probably will order the Santoku knife Zal showed too. This could be my next obsession. Here’s the Bee pattern at WS which I think may have been in a previous thread here.