You'll love that knife, FMT. If, by chance, you don't . . . I'd be happy to take that burden off your hands!
Haha, Thanks. I'll let you know. I hesitated for years to move away from my wusthof since I was so comfortable with it, but it's starting to have trouble keeping an edge. I figured I'd give another brand a chance, and see what happens.
FMT
Is that a Shun 8" Chef?
Yes. 8 inch premier. Initially, I was set on a kaji that Williams and Sonoma sells. I went to crate and barrel yesterday, and the premier line is beautiful. They are overpriced for what you get and you are paying for marketing, but they are beautiful and feel really nice in your palm.
As to your sharpening question earlier, I typically take mine to a local knife shop about twice a year. I keep it honed in the meantime, but never try to sharpen myself. Just keep the edge straight. I've heard the shuns come with lifetime sharpening so I may change my habits, but I haven't looked into their program much yet. It wasn't a purchasing factor.