My personal favourite knife makers are:
http://www.kikuichi.net/
http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/MASAMOTO.html

I have these:
Yanagiba, 30cm blade length.
http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/Ho...EIGHT:%20204px

Yanagiba, 30cm blade length.
http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/HA...ouKyoumen.html

So im moving out with the g/f and need a knife set. I know this sets not the greatest set but it seems like a decent starter for the price. I dont have all too much money to buy top of the line knifes since I have a lot of items to buy.

http://www.cutleryandbeyond.com/inde..._detail&p=3286

and you get this for free

http://www.cutleryandbeyond.com/inde...t_detail&p=862

It's not too bad.

At least it's Henckels better line, for a starting out home chef I think that's a good mix of quality to value.

I ebayed a set of Wusthof Classic Ikons for Xmas, warranty is a little fuzzy on an Ebay purchase but it is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying them in store - the 8pc set that I was looking at is about $749 locally at the cheapest I can find, and we paid $299usd + free shipping on Ebay for a NIB set.

After you narrow your selection down by trying them in store, you might consider Ebay to save a bit more money, though that Four Star set looks like a good price.

-Mark

There's this Wusthof 6 pcs set, and it's a good basic set. It has cooks knife, utility knife, paring knife, sharpening steel, kitchen shears and knife block all for $179.95. This Wusthof set is the Classic Series which is one of the top of the line of Wusthof. The knives are full-tang with bolster. Also, the blade is hot drop forged.

http://www.cutleryandbeyond.com/inde..._detail&p=4335

Wow those are nice! ;)

A frd of a frd of mine's family is traditional Japanese sword smith. They make really REALLY nice kitchen knives for a living but they aren't proud of it. He was always talking about respect for your swords; sure I will if I own one for their katana! :)

Well I just got my Henckel set and I have to say i'm pretty impressed, yes its not the best set but personally I think a good starter set for someone who's a home chef. The set is 100% real which I was worried about for 1 the price and as well I called in to find why it was takeing so long to process my payment and a asian women answered that didn't speak the best english. So the site is a legit site if you are planning on buying something on there as well.