I use the Diamond sharpening steel that came with my set. Sharpening steel Pretty simple, you just slide both sides of the blade across it a couple time and the knife is as sharp as new.
I have the Wusthof Culinar series knife set and they are very solid and don't feel light at all. But they do make several other models in different price rages that may feel less sturdy.

A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.