I really like cheap stamped stainless knives. In the photo are a Viking, a Kiwi, and something unbranded. Total was $8.20 USD. They are garbage, the handles are terrible, though the ridiculously small Deba has wood scales. They sharpen beautifully.
While you huff and curse under your breath, I have owned custom made Japanese knives, vintage carbon steel Sabatier, as well as all the other stuff, Wusthoff, Global, evs. They aren’t better, just much more expensive.
I am happiest with a cheap carbon steel cleaver (bit of a misnomer as these are really slicers) or a stamped stainless blade. Not Victorinox though, they have too much Nickel and Chromium so they aren’t as prone to rusting. It makes them a bitch to sharpen.
I guess I can understand what you are saying. I have lived out of my vehicle off and on for about ten years, and having a full tine, good “chopping” knife that I can sharpen with what I might use on a shovel is really nice. I have had the same maine knife for 15 years. It is ok. I don’t have to work on it much. It says “Chicago Cutlery” on it. It has been put up wet, been used in snow, and I have no money invested in it. It works great.
I also worked in a kitchen once, with really nice knives, it isn’t that nice. But it was cheap. Full tine, and not that weird serrated but not serrated.