If you're a serious home cook the absolute most important thing about a quality knife is how it feels in your hand. Go to a quality restaurant supply or kitchen store and just handle a few knives to get a feel for them. You'll find differences in balance, grip, and weight in addition to how they look.

The knives people have been recommending are all good quality (Cutco, Wustof, Henkel, etc). But if you buy one that doesn't feel right in your hand, it won't matter what the warranty is or how much it cost. You'll hate using it.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)