I can provide you with some options for decent and affordable kitchen knife sets that are not made in China or Japan. However, please note that product availability and manufacturing locations may change over time, so it's essential to verify the origin of the knives before making a purchase. Here are some potential options:
Victorinox (Swiss-made): Victorinox is a well-known brand for producing high-quality knives at reasonable prices. Their knives are made in Switzerland and are often praised for their durability and performance.
Wüsthof (German-made): Wüsthof is a respected German brand with a long history of knife manufacturing. Their knives are known for their precision and craftsmanship.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels (German-made): Another German brand with a strong reputation for producing quality knives. They offer a wide range of knife sets at various price points.
Global (made in Japan, but not traditional Japanese-style knives): Global knives are known for their modern design and are manufactured in Japan. While they have a Japanese heritage, their design is more Western-oriented, and they may be worth considering if you're open to knives made in Japan but not in the traditional Japanese style.
Opinel (French-made): Opinel is a French brand primarily known for their folding pocket knives, but they also produce kitchen knives. Their knives are simple, functional, and affordable.
Mercer Culinary (made in Taiwan): Mercer Culinary offers a range of affordable and decent-quality knives. While the brand is based in the USA, some of their knives are manufactured in Taiwan.
Always double-check the product details and specifications before purchasing to ensure that the knives meet your criteria. Additionally, keep in mind that individual knives might be manufactured in different countries even within the same brand, so verify the origin of the specific knife set you are interested in.