I have also been looking into kitchen knives lately. I'm not sure I would be in for a whole set (maybe) but I would like a thin, satin 5" utility, as that is what I find myself using 90% of the time. War dog handles on the larger knives sounds cool too. 12c27 is good, but Elmax is better, but as you say it costs more. As someone who missed out on the Elmax series, I like the idea....I hope Dan does too.