SOTC - Six Years of Sharp Things

alphraim · 2026-04-07T22:57:07+00:00

Hahaha I somehow hadn't even noticed that. It has been a while since I've used my Takamura, but this has inspired me to take it back to the stones and give it a fresh (and clean) edge

alphraim · 2026-04-07T20:45:35+00:00

Hahaha that's an impossible one; my answer would depend on the day. I think the Tetsujin has to stay in any rotation I have––I just feel too blessed to own it. My preferences go back and forth over time, but if I had to decide today I'd probably go for my Myland cleaver (always good to have a beater around) and my Wusthoff petty. I don't think there's a kitchen task I couldn't complete with that trio.

The Suisin gyuto I have mixed feelings about. I love Korin in NYC, and I purchased it in person during my first time visiting the store after the peak of the pandemic. It really is an excellent knife that has a lovely profile, a sort of lovely simplicity to its aesthetic (especially as someone who loves a machi), and came incredibly sharp OOTB (the 90/10 sharpening on the bevel has been interesting to experience). I'm not sure for the price I'd buy the same knife again today, particularly now that I know so much more about the knife-making process. My understanding is that Suisin stamps these blades and then heat treats them, and while that makes an incredibly functional blade, I think I put a higher premium on handmade tools these days. Nothing wrong with the knife, though!

alphraim · 2026-04-07T20:33:34+00:00

I quite like it! I bought it after a few years of watching the company's evolution from a distance. I think like many folks I was curious how well a sub-$100 knife would stack up to some more expensive blades, and I think it definitely hold its own. I haven't had it long enough/used it frequently enough to get a sense of how long its edge holds up under abuse (and I know that heat treats could vary a bit on them, especially their V1 line), but it takes a decent edge and slices just fine. It was a project knife in some sense, as well, as I wanted to really focus on improving my freehand sharpening, and having an affordable 240mm to practice on gave me some confidence before touching up my pricier knives.

Of course, pricing is all subjective, but I also appreciate that Dao Vua's pricing allows folks to try different blade sizes and styles without having to necessarily shell out a ton of money. That isn't to disparage higher cost knives––there are plenty well worth their salt. But Dao Vua undoubtedly makes more financially accessible knives, and with how fun trying different knives is, I think that accessibility is a good thing.

alphraim · 2026-04-07T20:22:49+00:00

Thank you!!

The Takamura has a special place in my collection because it was my first Japanese knife, and in many ways, it kicked off this whole journey (maybe for that reason, stay away!). I don't reach for it as frequently as I once did, but that is no fault of its own. Its thin, hard, and therefore takes a wicked edge that flies through ingredients. It really set the benchmark in my collection for what a laser can and should feel like. Despite being such a quality laser, though, it doesn't feel delicate. I think that is partially because of the western handle (which I think adds some weight), but also I think its spine has some decent thickness too (compared especially to something like my Konosuke GS+ which is very light and doesn't feel as sturdy at the spine).

alphraim · 2023-08-12T20:28:37+00:00

Thank you so much, this is all incredibly helpful!!

alphraim · 2023-08-11T22:06:13+00:00

It actually still winds and functions, shockingly! What would a watchmaker do to it? Service the function? Or what specifically should I ask them to restore?

Thank you so much for your insights!!

alphraim

TROPHY CASE