I own Wusthof Classics but my two favorite knives that I regularly reach for were purchased in Tokyo at a small knife shop in Tokyo off Kappabashi-dori (in the neighborhood aka "Kitchen Town"). Carbon steel, hand made and signed by the knife maker. Not cheap but the best "souvenirs" I picked up in Japan.

My butcher sharpens my knifes for free; might be worth checking into for your mom if she has a butcher near by.