Please help me find a set of knives - maybe some recognized knife brand - that will last long

As an aspiring chef, I have found that in most cases you will use only a few knives in the kitchen. If you have a restaurant supply store in your area, you can buy them one at a time and at a good quality.
Those knives include  an 8 inch chef's knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife(surprisingly good for cutting tomatoes) or utility knife.

Wlliams-Sonoma has a Global 3-Piece Knife set for $220.

Wusthof Classic knives beat the competition in nearly every comparative review I found. These top-quality, high-performance kitchen knives are the default choice of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts. They have… super-sturdy, fully forged, high-carbon, bolstered-steel blades that hold a razor-sharp edge. Plus, the tang solidly extends the full length of the handle for extra balance and durability.

If this is a little more then what you want to spend then check out these Forschner Fibrox! But there are lots for you to take your time and get the ones that suit your needs! Enjoy!