So, my mum is a fucking less than half-rate cook and as such 'hates it with a passion'. I, on the other hand, have a reasonable amount of natural talent for cooking (especially Asian flavours). Since she's a total moron the only nice knives she ever buys are annoying to use to cut things up because the blades aren't taller than the handle (makes you knock your knuckles on the bench). As I've never had a real chefs knife, I want to know what to look for.

I'm happy to spend anywhere close to $80 on a knife since I intend to take it with me when I move out and probably keep it for a good man years.