Well I wouldn't call owning the best kitchen tools on the globe a loss, but the fortune part sounds about right. My first foray into this realm cost me 1200 or 1300 (which I am aware is nothing in comparison to others) in the first couple weeks but 4 knives later I didn't regret any of it. Prep was sublime and I would look for excuses to brunoise a whole bag of carrots. LOL