Thanks to your comments I have learned a great deal. I also visited
many stores, as well as web sites, and I have a short-list. This is
home stretch now, please help!

A few preliminary decisions: (1) My drwayer/counter situation simply
requires a block. With steak knives if possible, otherwise with slots
for them. For exceptional kitchen knife bargains I can buy a cheaper
steak set separately. (2) I probably can't afford the very best knives
but would like good ones. Forged, well balanced, no serrated edges
(even if the name is Henckels), as "stainless" as possible. (3) I
prefer non-wood handles. I don't intend to soak them overnight, but
they will be handled by many people and I'd rather not worry about
water damage.

Here are the specific options I can find:

A fancy store is recommending Wusthoff Gourmet 18 pc for $299 set as
the best value. It has everything.

An outlet has Wusthof Grand Prix 10 pc set for $269. Has slots for
steak knives. (I think there is some dent in the block, but that's ok.)

The Amazon/eopinions reviewers are also extremely impressed by
Calphalon's Traditional or Contemporay 15 pc set, $179.

An outlet store has Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 12 pc set for $99
(possibly discontinued, didn't see it in stores I visited.)

I'd greatly appreciate your advice on these choices. Which one would
you pick and do you know of a better price elsewhere? Would you pick an
entirely different set? Why?

Many many thanks.

PS: The online reviewers also like Sabatier Provence, but at $150.
Currently it is at 250 and I don't know when it will swing tt 150.