re: Where's a good place in B.R. to find chef's knives?

Completely agree re: Victorinox chef's knives (though I can't stand their paring knives).

Unless you want to spend $120+ on a great knife (and also get a ceramic hone and maybe a leather strop) as well as learning to stone sharpen yourself (or find someone who does), then the best thing to do is get a Victorinox, a cheap honing steel to use before you cut (and frankly a coffee mug will do), and a $6 Accusharp to apply every few weeks. You're going to have a sharper knife than almost anyone you know.

Yes, the Accusharp will slowly eat your knife away. Who cares; get another Victorinox every couple of years.