i have a friend who carries around a box of knives

(a vague interpol reference)

...the NYTimes has a great article on fancy knives today. sorry for the link that requires a subscription...but it's the nytimes so you should have one already.

Much Thanks to Logan White of Paeia Millwrights in Honolulu for turning me on to great blades so many years ago and buying my first Japanese blade and waterstones.

Alameda has a great woodworking shop that also sells japanese cooking blades. It gets one and a half thumbs up (couldn't resist sorry)