It seems that most of the bigger knife companies have a couple different lines of product generally including s made in china line and a made in the home country line (Germany for Henckels and Wustoff/ Trident, France for Sabatier/ Japan for Global). The Pro S stuff is some of Henckels best. Henckels seems to have three levels as I have seen Chinese made models, Spanish made stuff (Costco) and the German stuff. Each company has a story about their steel and quenching process.
I have an 8" Pro S chef's knife and like it a lot. I also have a whole set of the French Sabatiers and like the balance of the 8" Sabatier a little more but that's a personal preference. My boss loves to cook and has a whole set of Pro S and really loves them. Edge holding seems to be comparable on both Sabatier Gourmet series and Henckels Pro S in our kitchen. Our counter looks a little strange as we have three knife blocks on it. There's a couple small blocks that hold an old set of Kershaw rubber handled knives (including a fully serrated 8" chef's knife), an old Chicago 8" chef's knife and some lower end Sabatier parers and peelers. These are known as my wife's knives (she has been known to cut on ceramic kitchen tiles). My knives (Full set of Sabatier Gourmet, NEVER used on ceramic tiles!)reside in another larger block. The Henckel Pro S 8" also lives in my block, but I've given it to her. Since getting the Pro S, she seems much more concious of using a cutting board to protect the edge. I think she's finally coming around.
My brother went to chef's school (then became an electrician, go figure) and says he's used all three (Henckels, Sabatier and Wusthoff) and that the Wusthoffs are the best for edge holding. I haven't used them so I can't comment.
For what it's worth, I have found Sabatier Gourmet and Henckels Pro S knives occasionaly at a national chain of store called Tuesday Morning. Great place if there's one near you. They're liquidators and deal in closeouts so their merchandise varies from time to time, but they usually have a cool selection of quality products at very good prices. I found a couple friends 8" Pro S chef's knives (Normally $110.00) for only $39.00! I got a smoking deal on a set of Henckels pots and pans @ 68% off retail! These are awesome cast aluminum nonstick similar to the All Clad Pro series, cookwear I would have never been able to afford at normal pricing(Yes I actually have Henckels pots and pans and it's not just a name thing, they really are rad to cook with). While the high end stuff comes and goes, so you have to visit regurlarly to get it, they always have lower end stuff by Sabatier and Henckels as well as Chicago stuff for real good prices. Great place to get knife newbies started on better kitchen cutlery.
Be careful taking the wife to Tuesday morning as they have similar deals on things like high end linens and stuff (who knew that bed sheets could cost $275 a set? Even at 60% off them sheets can really eat into the knife budget!).
My opinion, like always.
jmx
PS Sorry to run off at the keyboard, but you could also think about rehandling the Chicagos as a cool knifemaking project. Maybe a little linen micarta?
PPS I also bought my Sabatiers at Macy's at like a 40% off sale. My set is about the same mix as the link you listed except I don't have a 6" utility, but I did get a Chinese Cleaver (not sure about it still after 1.5 years). The 6" is the only knife I miss and I'll probably add a Kyocera ceramic in that size for vegtable work (salad doesn't brown if cut with ceramic). Not that I'm obsessed or anything...
PPPS To answer your question, $249 looks like a good price for a set of Pro S like that.
Edited because I'm an idiot and was thinking of Global and called them Imperial knives.
