Cool, thanks, seems theres a lot more to knive technology than I ever knew! Can u recommend any stores in London, I owe my GF a present, and shes always moaning about our rubbish knives, plus she may even let me get involved in the kitchen if I buy em!

I also have a Global knife in addition to my Henckels. I think both brands are excellent. Yes, they're expensive, but if you take good care of them, they'll last for years. So if you're willing to make the investment, then I'd say to go to a good store where you can handle the various models and see what feels most comfortable for you. You don't necessarily have to go for the block sets, either. A good quality 8- or 6-inch chef's knife and a pairing knife are great starters. Of course, the sets usually work out cheaper than buying individually. Also, look into a basic knife skills class in your area, so that you can learn the basic cuts and also how to hone and sharpen your knife (good knife shops/kitchenware stores sometimes offer classes, too) -- so that you can really take care of it. (For example, Japanese knives are honed and sharpened differently than German knives -- this has to do with the shape and structure of the blade.) I hope that helps.

How do these compare with global? They are the only quality knives I have used with my limited cooking skills, but are v expensive, I keep meaning to buy a good set as there is nothing worse than nearly cutting of your fingers cos your knife slips of an onion!

Great knife. While the 8-inch chef's knife seems to be the default standard most professional and home cooks reach for, I actually prefer the smaller 6-inch model.

I also looked at the Five Star series before buying, but I found the Four Star knives felt more comfortable in my small hands.

These are really well-made knives. With proper honing with a steel and occasional sharpening, they last a long time.