My 2 cents and a variation of your original question...
We have an 8" Wusthof chef's knife, but it stayed in the block a lot more once we added a "Wusthof Grand Prix II 7 Hollow Ground Edge Santoku"
Lighter but still big with what seems to have more usable blade than the chefs knife. I like the grand prix handle in that it holds a good grip when wet.
-b
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