See those sterling silver fruit picks at right? Nobody needs those. What two about-to-not-be-single people usually need most is better cutlery. I’m not talking about the kind in those cockamamie butcher blocks at Macy’s. It’s a misconception that you have to spend a fortune on a decent knife, but most people don’t know what “decent” means. Instead of hitting housewares in a department store, try visiting a restaurant supply shop first, like Dick’s or Bargreen Ellingson.Think of it as the difference between talking to a mechanic instead of a used car salesman. You’re small fish to them. So you won’t have to endure the full court press, and you’ll walk out with something someones can use for less than $75.According to local personal chef Lisa Simpson, when picking a knife “you want to make sure it’s good metal and that the blade runs all the way through the handle, for balance and control. If you hold a few different styles, you’ll immediately see the difference.” On a recent trip to Bargreen Ellingson, she bought a family member the Mercer Genesis 6-inch chef’s knife for less than $35. “If she keeps it sharp and out of the dishwasher, it’ll last her at least 25 years,” says Simpson. Add a paring knife from the same line, and there’s not much you can’t cut.