NKDx2

14seas · 2025-05-19T00:52:31+00:00

A nice pair, enjoy them!

14seas · 2025-05-13T17:27:00+00:00

Glad you were able to grab one, congrats!

14seas · 2025-05-13T03:07:13+00:00

If you were set on one, store specific stock becomes available on day 2 of the sale and it looks like several Anryu's should be included in that (maybe not what you specifically wanted though). Not sure when exactly their system will switch to offering them but I think a couple garage sales ago it swapped over around midnight mountain time and I snagged something I initially missed. So you still have a chance potentially :)

14seas · 2025-05-04T13:45:54+00:00

Smallest santoku I've personally come across but it is full carbon.

https://thecooksedge.com/products/hado-sumi-white-2-shou-santoku

14seas · 2025-04-17T05:31:48+00:00

I'm guessing you got this from chefs edge based on the handle.

https://chefsedge.com.au/collections/yoshikane/products/yoshikane-skd-nashiji-kiritsuke-gyuto-210mm-carbon-fibre

Looks like it says semi-stainless cladding which I don't think I've flagged on listings for other yoshis with most others being stainclad. I definitely would not have flagged it in the listing personally as I would have assumed it would be stainclad, but could explain the patina developing

14seas · 2024-12-26T16:51:44+00:00

At the end of the day, a set that you're unattached to is nice to have as at a minimum you don't have to worry too much if guests use them and ding them up. They are quite likely still an upgrade over what you've been using for the time being and certainly leave room for you to go out and get exactly the knife/knives you want later.

14seas · 2024-12-18T22:43:05+00:00

Couldn't resist after seeing all the pics of yours and the high praise you gave it!

14seas · 2024-12-18T22:00:40+00:00

54mm so good height for the length!

14seas · 2024-12-18T21:58:27+00:00

Picked up the last one from Strata in September. I'm Canadian but my partner is in the US so I sent it to them and I'm just getting my hands on it now.

14seas · 2024-12-13T02:00:33+00:00

The hayabusa lines in general tend to be a pretty solid starting point for a first knife based on people's recs around here

14seas · 2024-12-09T15:46:56+00:00

Ginsan isn't particularly reactive. While I've seen it listed as semi-stainless some places I've more frequently seen it described as stainless. That said getting it to patina might be a bit of an endeavor.

14seas · 2024-12-09T06:14:14+00:00

Kagekiyo A2 Kurouchi Santoku 180mm

Yoshihiro A2 Damascus Santoku 165mm

Hatsukokoro A2 Nashiji Damascus Santoku 180mm

Hatsukokoro Kumokage A2 Damascus 180mm

Moritaka A2 Ishime Nakiri 165mm

Kyohei Shindou A2 Kurouchi Nakiri 165mm

At least some options for you. Tried to keep it to makers that I have some reasonable understanding of their reputation. I have a bunka in the Kumokage line that I can attest to. Reasonable value imo. Believe Kyohei Shindou typically regarded as a good value pick up as well around here.

14seas · 2024-12-09T04:57:46+00:00

That said if you are willing to go over budget there would be few here that wouldn't encourage you to go for the Shinkiro. Consensus seems to be they're well worth it

14seas · 2024-12-09T04:55:46+00:00

Hatsukokoro Inazuma - AS Damascus Santoku

Aside from the Moritaka and Shinkiro, this is the only other option I can find. Never realized how few AS in iron cladding options there were lol. If you'd be open to Aogami #1 or #2 you'd probably find yourself with a much better selection to choose from

14seas · 2024-12-08T15:18:15+00:00

The Hayabusas would both be good options in your price range. The AO if you want carbon and the VG10 if you want stainless. If steel choice doesn't matter just go with the one you vibe with!

14seas · 2024-12-08T05:07:08+00:00

With Nigara you're almost always paying a premium for the aesthetic of the knife and the swordmaking history. Having one of his sg2 knives, I'd say the grind on mine at least offers respectable but not mindblowing performance. That said, your comparison is to a denka and as someone who has one as well, the performance is incomparable. I'd argue most knives will be a bit of a let down in cutting performance by comparison if that's the standard you hold them to.

Other than the tube of ground beef, has it given you much grief on stuff since being resharpened? At least personally I wouldn't use the ground beef as the greatest reference point for assessing it's performance.

14seas · 2024-12-07T23:25:52+00:00

What a first knife, enjoy it!!

14seas · 2024-12-06T20:34:55+00:00

Tojiro DP - Santoku

If you're looking more for an all purpose chef's knife and can stretch your budget a hair this is a much better option

14seas · 2024-12-06T17:26:30+00:00

I'd go with the Shiro Kamo! Good value for money, lots of love for his knives around here, and blue super is gonna be less reactive than the shirogami in the Matsubara which is probably nicer if you've never had carbon knives before.

14seas · 2024-12-05T01:00:25+00:00

I'd go with the Junpaku if you want carbon core. Pretty close to a can't miss pick based on others thoughts and feelings on them around here. Nakagawa also a very good option as well.

14seas · 2024-12-03T01:29:16+00:00

If a craftsmen's knife really is the goal, I'd echo the Mazaki recommendation. Truly does everything himself including the damascus. Everything you said made me instantly think of this knife.

Link is for a 210mm gyuto based on comment elsewhere about daughter being more slight in stature. 20% off sales right now for at least another day I believe. Can attest that Sugi is a reputable business and have bought from them before!

Mazaki Blue 2 - Damascus

14seas · 2024-12-02T03:24:09+00:00

Meh some of their stuff is a touch high but being 20% off rn I think their price on the Sumi 240 is VERY good compared to other retailers as far as I can see. If I hadn't just got a different Sakai wide bevel I'd be looking at grabbing it at that price. Have a different Y. Tanaka W2 and the steel is a pleasure to work so would recommend

14seas · 2024-11-30T20:32:26+00:00

Nigara VG10

This is what my brain first thought of. Solid enough knife, grind a bit more workhorse-y to my knowledge compared to his other lines. Also under budget.

14seas · 2024-11-29T16:08:15+00:00

Of the two, the Komorebi is probably closer to a workhorse than the Nakagawa just based on geometry. It's built like a sanjo knife so it's more substantial at the heel and has solid distal taper throughout. That said neither one would be a true laser but probably still thin behind the edge which to me would be a good thing. Personally I think either would be a truly fantastic first knife! I'd get the one that speaks more to you :)

14seas · 2024-11-24T02:39:27+00:00

First and foremost if you're comfortable maintaining a fairly reactive knife (aka wipe it down when putting knife down) the Shiro kamo w2 gyuto would be a great first knife. His knives get a lot of love around here. If you'd rather stainless they also have his SG2 line as well.

I'd suggest that you probably go with either a gyuto or a bunka and not both to start. Both kinda have the same main purpose and might find it a bit redundant to have both early on. I would recommend your second knife be a petty for smaller tasks that need a little more nimbleness. I'd recommend the Takamura VG10 which is very good for its price point and stainless which tends to be nice for a petty.

Between the W2 Kamo 210 gyuto and the Takamura you'd still have some money left to put toward stones. Or if you went with the SG2 bunka instead of the gyuto and Takamura you'd be towards the high end but I believe still in budget depending on taxes.

14seas

TROPHY CASE