Barry,

I too am new to this group and unfortunately I have found that SOME
users are rude and abusive to newcomers, it's pretty sad, but not sad
enough to put me off, I hope this kind of selfish, arrogant,
territorial, childish, playground behaviour by a minority who seem to
think they own this corner of the "interweb" won't put you off either,
there are plenty of nice people here I'm sure.

Back to knives, people have mentioned Henckel and Dick knives here,
they are very good and when I was a chef, considered by most
professionals to be the best, unfortunately the only Dick I could ever
afford was a paring knife....but it was excellent. I'd go for
something with a bit of pedigree rather than the latest trendy thing
and I stand by my previous suggestion of Spanish molybdenum / vanadium
steel knives by "Arcos"...really good knives great price...will repost
links if you didn't see them.

Winston.
www.cooksbooks.info