If you're open to buying one or 2 nice knives, you can check out https://japanesechefsknife.com/
I bought a Santoku for a general purpose knife and have added a few others as time and money allow.
The one I bought uses a VG10 core and stayed sharp for 4 years before I bought a whetstone when I...
The Gekko is the series I have and I enjoy it. I don't have any experience with the Shun, but they have an incredible reputation and I've never read anything bad about them, EVER.
2 outstanding choices IMO!
I also want to mention that the Gekko series is one of their most popular, if it's...
Yeah man!
I really think you can't go wrong with any brand or style you buy. When you spend that kind of money, they're all on a whole nother level and you're gonna enjoy what you get! I think the main thing is to research what it is you want. Mainly blade style, handle shape, overall...
There is a downside to owning any nice kitchen knife. You'll start wanting a damn nice cutting board and when you research to find out the best ones and best looking ones...they're not cheap either!
I've got a super nice, heavy, end-cut (supposed to help not dull your knife) cutting board...
Here's some better pics.
I use it pretty often since I'm the only one who cooks in my household. It was insanely sharp when I first got it. It is now showing some small chips and is starting to get dull...but it's still sharper than any other knife I have.
I always clean it and put it up as...
https://japanesechefsknife.com
They have whatever you are looking for, carbon steel, powdered steel, stainless, etc.
And as expensive as you wanna get. I have a Gekko Santoku that I love. It's basically a Damascus wrapped stainless core. After 4 years it's getting about time for me to mail...