recommended kitchen knives?

[broger]

Hello all,

I am looking to get some very nice knives to use in the kitchen, as it is one of my havens, and was hoping some of the fine folk around here could recommend some.

1. I am open to suggestions concerning production knives AND custom makers, so long as someone has experience with the production knives and can vouch for them. Would also prefer a custom maker that someone can back. By custom, I don't mean it needs to be personalized or engraved. I simply mean hand-made by a single person/small group of people. Equivalent to a Maestro Livi or Tim Zowada.

2. Knives can be either Western or Japanese. I would prefer Japanese but realize blade cost and shipping may prevent that.

3. Looking more for Chef's Knive/Santoku rather than Sashimi or boning knives (although for the right price, I'd probably buy a good filleter(I'm sure that's not a word)). I also want a Paring knife. Japanese paring knives, with the square tip, look very pleasing.

4. I really want good quality steak knives. I understand this will most likely come from the production side, as I have never known a custom knife maker to make steak knives.

5. I would prefer a website, brochure, or whatever, that allows me to see the cost of the blades, or at least what they've sold their previous work for.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated, as are links/website names.

Thanks!