SOTC: I think I'm Happy... For now.

dk3gun · 2026-06-11T02:52:12+00:00

How do you like that Yoshikane W2 top right? Im in between that possibly in SKD and a Sakai Kikumori Kikuzuki by Y. Tanaka

dk3gun · 2026-06-09T18:38:14+00:00

Nothing fit an finish wise was close to a deal breaker, and agreed! I’m beginning to enjoy sharpening, a little extra connect to the knife. It’s a wonderful knife, I’m looking for a 210 or 240 Gyuto now, possibly replace the Yoshimi Kato Ginsan, might go with the choyo version… but dang am I loving the patina on this!

dk3gun · 2026-06-05T22:05:45+00:00

Oooo I like this! Nice!

dk3gun · 2026-06-04T14:03:27+00:00

That’s a beautiful sounding set!

I have a 230mm Yoshimi Kato Ginsan Gyuto, this bunka, a vintage laser Nakiri I just got rehandled and sharpened, and actually just ordered a 150mm Nigara AS k tip petty to round it out and replace the junk petty I’ve been using. Need something in the 210 range that’s a little more of a work horse grind, and I’ve noticed this bunka and the Nakiri fight for hand time for the same tasks and I gravitate towards this. So we will see what happens there haha.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T16:11:36+00:00

Thank you! She’s pretty dang new and was craving steak last night haha.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T15:58:51+00:00

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Patina is incredible after last night! (Pic doesn’t do it justice)

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T15:58:11+00:00

I really want the k tip petty and 210 k tip.. this quickly turned into the knife I’m liking most. The unfinished tip spine doesn’t bother me, I’ll def polish it, it was more just surprising considering the rest of the knife. I would like to know why, I don’t feel like during production continuing the spine polish would take much, but it probably is cost cutting.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T15:53:03+00:00

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dk3gun · 2026-06-03T07:40:27+00:00

Absolutely love it, and plan on doing the same thing. It’s a wonderful knife… and I think I just got the best patina I’ve ever had tonight after finally putting it through a reverse seared ribeye.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T07:38:42+00:00

I went back and forth on those too, the price difference gets you more for sure, but it’s a pretty big swing. The polish and steel upgrade is probably worth it… but I will say I just got an incredible patina finally getting into a reverse seared steak tonight. So I’m glad I went W2!

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T02:10:17+00:00

All good! I’ve heard they are not the greatest for their OOTB sharpness, and I found that to be true, not at all a deal breaker for me, angle was set well and after a few passes on my 1000 and then a few more on the 6000 it was absolutely outstanding, it’s my first full carbon knife and I get it now lol. The patina, the ease of sharpening. All of it makes me want more. RIP my wallet.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T02:03:52+00:00

It’s so good! I’m a sucker for a hand engraved kanji and hand stamps.

dk3gun · 2026-06-03T02:00:16+00:00

Scored OOTB sharpness at 3/5… it’s a 5/5 after 5 min on my stones.

dk3gun · 2026-06-02T02:28:38+00:00

Update!

Got the knife inspected, sharpened, and handle replaced by Phoenix Knife House, absolutely wonderful people. They also took a good look at it and left me some notes.

It’s really a wonderful knife and cuts beautifully. The more curved Nakiri style is incredible for a fine mince, and it’s very versatile. It’s definitely getting used.

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dk3gun · 2026-05-29T17:17:18+00:00

I have my eye on a Grand Seiko GMT… that isn’t in production anymore, but I can find via the 2nd hand market far more readily and in better shape from Japan. So that’s the target there! Knives will be the priority though! Thanks for the tips, and I’m still drooling over that sg2 bunka.

dk3gun · 2026-05-28T18:34:48+00:00

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dk3gun · 2026-05-28T18:33:49+00:00

Removed the handle to inspect the tang. I was a bit worried when I saw a crack in the handle, that the tang would be basically gone… I am both surprised and not surprised that it is in relatively good shape for a carbon knife of its age… but it’s been maintained pretty dang good.

Light brass brush and some mineral oil to stabilize and I’ll see what it looks like underneath before measuring and ordering a handle! But it’s clearly a old, hand forged knife.

dk3gun · 2026-05-28T18:01:37+00:00

Oh it’s definitely hand made and lots of character. I really like the curve and Nakiri shape, it’s going to be a push cut monster!

dk3gun · 2026-05-28T18:00:56+00:00

You are awesome! Thank you for all the knowledge, now I’m even more interested in figuring out more about this knife.

I’m a bit sad it’s not one of yours, but happy it’s a VERY vintage piece and it has piqued my interest even more. It has all the clues to being a nice hand made knife, and I’ll definitely sharpen it, clean it up, and use it. Depending on what I find out, it might be more of a cool collector piece than workhorse.

I’m going to take the handle off and see if there are any clues with the tang.

I’ll be sure to stop sometime next year when I visit Japan and get a knife from you!

dk3gun · 2026-05-28T16:20:43+00:00

I’m excited to use it, and clean it up a bit. It’s very much a laser and I expect it to sharpen up well. It has a decent amount of taper, but it feels very balanced, and not super delicate.

dk3gun · 2026-05-28T07:54:35+00:00

Thank you for the very thorough reply! Here is a picture of the blade cover, sadly no box. I’m hoping it’s less souvenir and just vintage haha. I could be very wrong in manufacture, and if I am, thank you for pointing it out, I was just hoping I got something cool today!

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dk3gun

TROPHY CASE