re: Japanese vs German knives

Go to chefknivestogo and look at their stuff. Plenty of real Japanese knives to be had around $150 or so. Very good forum as well. You basically tell them your needs and they give you suggestions for a knife. That being said.... You need to keep the Henkel for cutting through bones etc. the jap steel is not made for cutting through bones etc unless it's a cleaver.

I have one from that site and I love it. Gets sharp as frick and is great for veges, fish etc. have to watch out for full reactive carbon blades though. Have to keep it wiped down during uses. There are other options though.