Hi,
I'll add my own opinion for your consideration.
I have some cheaper forged knives from a local department store (Debenhams), Global, one Wusthof and one Victorinox.
The cheaper knives were not too bad at all, they don't hold an edge anywhere near as well as the decent ones, but for the money, I can't really complain. The Victorinox has a very nice, sharp blade but it isn't anywhere near balanced with that light handle.
The Globals are very nice. I have a forged 27cm forged chefs knife (GF-34), 18cm vegetable knife (G-5, 13cm chefs (GS-3), Deba etc. and a few smaller ones. They all hold a razor sharp edge really well and I find them superbly balanced in my hands (medium sized) if I hold them with the pinch grip.
I only have one Wusthof (a flexible filleting knife) and again, it is very well made and holds an edge well.
I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending either of the above makes. What I would suggest considering though is how you are going to maintain them. I have 1000 and 5000 grit ceramic whetstones and only use the latter on the Global and Wusthof. They don't need much maintenance, but a touch up every now and again keeps the edges keen. I sharpen freehand and find the edges of the Global easier to keep at the correct angle. The maintenance of good knives should be factored into your purchase and sharpening knives IMHO is a skill that most should learn (I'm certainly not perfect at it!).
From my own experience, I would agree with the other suggestions and plan to buy fewer knives. The one I use the most is vegetable knife, it is great for chopping and julienning vegetables, secondly would be the 13cm cooks knife, it isn't very large but is perfect for most uses, like chopping up meat. The large knife is great for cutting big vegetables (squash, swede etc..) but often too large (too long for the chopping board for example). I wouldn't have thought you need many more for most uses unless you cook professionally.
Perhaps the best advice would be to go and actually handle some of these knives in a shop. Pick one up, hold it in the normal grip you would use for chopping, slicing etc and see how it feels in our hands (and in anyone else's who may be using them). Most of the makes listed above by everyone else would be reasonable but as with anything, if you don't like using them, you will go back to the old ones and that defeats the object.
As I said, only my personal opinion, but it may help you make a decision.
Andrew
