Wow! I think you guys are way above my league. I FINALLY got a decent set of knives for Christmas. Well, I got what I asked for, just didn't know they were made in China crap. Those promptly went back to Cabela's and I got a nice set of Wustof knives. I love them! Cabela's has some buyer guide info that goes into the different types of steel. They have a Cabela's branded set of Wustoff knives, then another set which is twice as much for half as many knives. Two totally different products. I got the latter.
Only problem I've had is the red Wustoff logo is a sticker, and those are coming off.
Ironically I used to guage quality by "dishwasher safe". For what I paid for these, now I have no problem washing them by hand, even though they would probably be okay.
Alton Brown has done a couple of episodes on knives that is informative as well. That is where I learned to avoid plates & glass cutting boards.