I bought my first starter knife set today. My haul: an 8-inch Chef's Knife, Paring Knife, Turning Knife, Vegetable Peeler, and Leather Carrying Case. The damage: 6,200 pesos. Its really not that expensive considering that I've seen knives cost twice as much as what I paid for - and its just for one piece! I guess those MAC or Global knives would have to wait for now. Anyway, all the chefs in school have been harping that its not the knives that matter, but the skills. It wouldn't matter if you have the most expensive knife in the world if you did not know how to use it. So while waiting for the opportunity to do serious damage with samurai-sword like quality and price knives, I'll have to work on my knife-skills to prove my worthiness.