Chef Knives
A good knife makes all the difference when you are cooking.
There are a number of sites out there that offer great knives. They are not cheap, but they are worth the investment. Taken care of properly, they will last a lifetime.
I've been going to Japanese Chef's Knife for probably about 10 years. They have a large selection over a wide price range. Their service is fast and prompt, and delivery is great without any import or duty issues.
Steak Knives
Since I eat steak a lot, a good steak knife is important to me.
I was at a steak house in Chicago a number of years back and really liked their steak knives. They are made in France and are excellent quality. They are the Laguiole brand. A set of six will set you back around 560 Euros, so they are not cheap.
Over time, I lost a couple of them and also found they were hard to sharpen because of their serrated edge. So I was looking for a new set when I came across Salter Fine Cutlery. They make high-end knives that are handmade in Hawaii by a family-run business. The blades are handmade in Japan. Their quality and service are amazing. Since they only do small batches at a time, you need to contact them and detail what you want. The knives in the picture are the ones they made for me. I couldn't be happier.
