[dtw]

I really appreciate all the opinions on this question. If nothing else, I have some good leads for the next knives I buy. Unfortunately the end result is a bit anti-climactic - as part of her program, the culinary institute requires everyone buy the same set of knives which are a basic institutional set you'd see in most commercial kitchens.

Now I'm somewhat back to the drawing board - I will need to look for a really nice gift for the new professional chef, but something other than knives. Hmmm....