If you're concerned with the most important aspect of a chef's knife - a sharp blade that keeps an edge well - don't waste your money on a fancy German or Japanese import. The simple, plastic-handled $25 Fibrox blade by Victorinox is preferred by many a professional chef over much more expensive knives. In fact, Cooks Illustrated - the Consumers Reports of all things kitchen - has repeatedly declared this blade the winner in its head-to-head knife tests. The only thing they've found that has outperformed this simple utility knife is a handmade blade by master bladesmith Bob Kramer. Unfortunately, Kramer's knives can cost upwards of $1,000 and his waiting list is often years long. Thankfully, there is a compromise for those who want a knife that's as sharp as a Victorinox Fibrox, visually arresting, and also affordable: Knifemaker Shun brought Kramer into the fold to produce the $300 beauty pictured here.