Here you go, http://www.bjsknives.com/ontario/ , buy yourself some of these Old Hickory knives. They are made of good ole' 1095 carbon steel with hardwood handles right here in the USA, and they are cheap. The best thing about them is that they are actually good knives, so once you get through practicing on them your wife will love the wicked sharp kitchen knives she now has. All this and they won't cost you much more(if any) than flea market knives.

There are many different places that sell the Old Hickory knives, so look around, but they are very affordable just about everywhere.