A replacement is always welcome, but be sure to get a hint of exactly what is needed before you buy. It's an invaluable tool for anyone who cooks or gardens. Visit a cutlery or kitchen supply store for kitchen knives. Some of the best are old ones that can be found in antique shops. To go along with a knife, buy a fine-grained sharpening stone and a knife sheath or holder if the blade does not retract.
Every household needs a pair of pruning shears.
Shears are handy for shrubbery, the perennial garden, and even for the final shaping of a Christmas tree. As with other tools, it pays to buy good quality. Cheap ones raise blisters and tempers, plus they do a bad job. Look for grooved or Teflon blades that lessen sap buildup and comfortable handles with shock absorbers. Be sure to find the right size for the gardener's hand.