While not in the price range that Shootist mentioned I would like to bring up Murray Carter. Murray is a Canadian living in Japan, making traditional Japanese tool knives (i.e. not swords). I bought one of his vegetable slicers at the Blade Show with a Japanese "blue steel" core surrounded by stainless steel (an American company threatened to sue him if he used the term San Mai, even though that would be like someone suing someone for using the term stainless steel or flat ground blah blah blah). I paid $80 for this knife and now I wish I had bought a couple of other models. Everytime I use this knife I get a big grin on my face. It is by and far the sharpest knife I have ever handled and holds an edge for a long, long time. I would rather have three of his knives than a whole block full of anyone elses (even Spyderco, though I do have some of their kitchen knives, and they are quite excellent). So far my only problem with this knife is getting my fiancee to wash, dry, and then lightly oil the blade before putting it away. On the positive side, after using this knife she now understands my compulsion for better blades. I hope he is at next years Blade Show because I intend to finish up a set, even if I have to take out a loan. He does have some similar knives at lower price points. The traditional Japanese style is not for everyone, but they are very high quality, without a doubt.
Paul Davidson
