Global G-12

Global G-12 Cleaver - Perfect Match For Chef or Santoku – The design of the more standard Global knives (very thin blades, welded tang) mean that they can't really be abused the same way a western Chef's knife can. Enter the G-12. Wow - this guy is solid! Featuring a forged construction (the lighter Globals are stamped), and while it too has a welded tang it is very beefy, so I've had no hesitancy about using it to smash through pumpkin, and pound garlic cloves (the latter using the flat of the blade).

It arrived not terribly sharp, but is easily sharpened (water stones seem to work best - I'm using Naniwa). I've got the edge ground 11 degrees and it works fabulously!

I ended up buying a number of Global knives (mainly out of interest in assessing them) - but you could get away with this guy plus a Chef or Santoku as your entire set.