We have loved our Wusthof knives we received as a generous wedding gift for over 17 years. Several weeks ago a chunk of the handle on a smaller utility knife fell off without dropping or damaging it beforehand. Wusthof customer service was easy to reach and very understanding. They had us send in our knives and determined the handles had a problem covered by their lifetime warranty - and replaced them all with new knives!!! So yes, these knives might be more expensive than some, but I see it as an investment as their quality is exceptional and guaranteed for life, and good knives make cooking so much more enjoyable! We use this chef’s knife the most - it’s manageable for my husband’s large hands and my small ones.