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MKS knives are made with blades cut by master bladesmiths in Sheffield, England. The blade is assymetrically ground and the handles are fitted with custom vinyl grips. From paring to chef's knives, the line ranges from $150 to $225. Available at Bliss Home, 121 Newbury St., 617-421-5544; Stoddard's Cutlery in The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-244-4187, or mksdesign.com.

Many manufacturers offer a santoku knife, the Japanese knife with a blunt end that works for light slicing, dicing, and chopping. The indented granton edge that appears on many santokus is not part of the original knife's design, but an added feature that helps strengthen the thin blade and is thought to keep food from sticking to the knife during cutting. Santokus are available at most stores that sell cutlery; a Wusthof-Trident ($89.95) is available at Kitchen Arts, 161 Newbury St., 617-266-8701.

Globals are made from thin steel and have light, sharp blades and hollow, sand-filled handles that transfer weight as you work. Their modern, ergonomic design has made them a favorite of chefs and home cooks. From $31 paring knives to $125 chef's knives, Globals are available at most kitchen, home, and cutlery stores, including Stoddard's Cutlery and Kitchen Arts.

Stoddard's owner David Mark is partial to knives from Shelburne Falls-based Lamson & Goodnow, the oldest continuing cutlery manufacturer in the U S. Its line of forged steel knives have straightforward design and solid manufacturing. From $39 to $89.95, available at Stoddard's. -- LEIGH BELANGER