+1 for old Sabatiers. I have a couple that are 30 years old and still in daily use.
I have some new ones that aren't at all nice but get the job done. There is more than one outfit making Sabatier knives - the Elizabeth David ones are still good.
I keep being tempted by ceramic knives but reckon I'd break them pretty quickly.
I have some WMF knives... really nice, but also kind of expensive. Zwilling Messer (Henckels Twins) offer more value for the money imho. The WMF knives have a slightly better balance for my taste. But you kind of have to specify which model line you are talking about, many premium brands have also entry level lines nowadays.
lol - I was starting to think i was the only loser that would admit it 
yeah, those victorinox fibrox 8 inch chefs knife (40520) at 24usd, is the solarforce L2P with an E1320 massaged 3 mode drop-in.
sure, you can spend more but the light is not going to get much better.
I have a set of Global knives, they are awesome but possibly not VFM. I also own some Robert Welch, http://www.robertwelch.com/ they are so comfy to use and hold, much better VFM
We have a set of cuisinart knives..theyre not bad..price was good
My Dad was a butcher, I learned to love knives early.
Bought Henckel's with my first wife, Wustoff's with my second.
I like my last choices best!
Wustoff's have harder steel, take and hold an edge better and longer.