Any recommendations on kitchen knives?

[Major Nikon]

10. Some cheap knives aren't all that bad

The Chinese are getting better at making quality steel and while Chinese steel won't match the very best western or Japanese steel, it's still quite good. Even most expensive knives are now made in China, but many of those use western or Japanese steels and do the forging and construction in China. While most Chinese steel doesn't retain an edge all that well, they tend to be easier to sharpen. As you say, the most important aspect is keeping the knife sharp, regardless of the quality of the knife.