Great question with no real answer. Sure you could buy Henckels or Wustof, but if you are going to be paying a ton of money ($150+) for a chef's knife, make sure it isn't a product of China. Many of these "top name" companies,have different lines, some are made in China to their specs. I've seen companies go as far as to put "Designed in Germany" underneath the logo, then on the other side of the knife you see the CHINA label. It is possible they ship the steel to China and have the knives made with the cheap labor, but I've never heard of Europe to China steel, only Japan to China. This is because Japan has higher quality standards, but can't compete with the cheap labor.

If you want to spend the big bucks, but don't want China made, go with F Dick. F.Dick is very fine quality German Cutlery, and make the BEST sharpening steels I have seen. For a little less you can pick up a set of Forshcner/Victorinox knives, same company that makes the ORIGINAL Swiss Army Knife. Both of these companies have Forged and Stamped knives. Stamped Victorinox knives seem to be a little softer steel, making them easier to tune up on a sharpening steel.

All things considered, there are few people out there that could tell the difference between a $150 forged chef's knife and a $40 one. Its a status thing, or they like the way the name sounds, or they like how they look.

How much do you plan to spend? You want kitchen knives and table knives to match? Victorinox makes a nice set of stamped knives with rosewood handles that comes with 4 table knives.

Let me know what you are thinking about, or any other questions. You can PM me if you want.