Yeah Mike, that does sound a bit weird, but it'd be a good way to start a diet. I get turned off when I hear "high end"(i.e., high priced)about anything, and Cuisinart's multiclad stuff is plenty good enough for me(the rivets aren't really that big a deal to clean around). Consider a set like this, made in France, not China.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.