GOOTS:
On a related note. I got a set of Wusthof knives a couple years ago. If you like to cook, you should definitely treat yourself to a set of quality knives. They will set you back a few hundred, but they will last for the rest of your life. Definitely the most satisfying utensil purchase ever.
This was my mother's philosophy. With her knowing that I'm an Epicurean (*cough*), she bought me a small set of Cutco knives for Christmas one year, with the idea that she'll supplement the set here and there in future years. When she told me the cost of 'em, I nearly shit myself. But goddamn if those aren't the best knives I've ever used. I used the small knife to imitate Pauly in Goodfellas, where he shaves the garlic cloves with a razor blade, to get these ultra thin strips. I did that for my beef stew recipe and it was the coolest shit ever.
So yeah, badass knives are indeed the way to go. I could cut thru a butternut squash with one hand using one of these sons of bitches!