I have a set of Shun knives like this one:
I also have a mixed set of Henkels and Wusthof knives that haven't been taken out of a drawer in a decade.
Once you use the Japanese knives,the German ones feel like crude children's toys, all heavy and clumsy and overpriced.
I also like Global.
If you are cheap, try to score a commercial kitchen chef's knife from the Sisco kitchen supply truck, about 20 bucks, nylon handle and utterly indestructible.