8" Japanese "Chef's Knife" for my wife (to replace/compliment Victorinox Fibrox)?

[Macchina]

My wife is very experienced home cook (started and runs a pretty popular food blog for a few years now) specializing mostly in the French forms of cooking with some Italian and Modern American as well. She has used a set of Victorinox Fibrox knives for years and in a recent cooking class she used a Japanese style chef's knife and loved it. I am not sure what style she used but I don't believe it was too Japanese in shape (not a Santuko, more of a Gyuto shape I believe). She expressed interest in picking one up. The one she used had a composite handle and I believe it was forged from a mid-level stainless steel.

I am looking at picking up a single large Japanese knife for her. Reading in this subforum, I see the brand Misono thrown out as a good value for around $200. I'd rather spend around $100 but if the Misono (UX- mm Gyuoto) is truly worth it please let me know. A custom maker in the $200 range would also be awesome.
I intend the edge to be a delicate edge I will keep finely honed, the Victorinox knives are kept at about a 20 degree combined edge and do a great job on meat and anything with pits or bones. This will be a fruit, vegetable, and greens knife only.

Thanks guys/gals!

 

[jc57]

Check the CKTG forums and Kitchenknifeforums.com if you want a lot of advice.

For under $100 you are probably looking at a Tojiro DP 210mm gyuto.

Kanehide PS60 Gyuto 210mm for about $130 might be another option.

 

[Macchina]

Thanks John. I do see the Tojiro DP 210mm gyuto being called out a lot as a great budget option for Japanese blades. Seems to be about exactly what I am looking for, especially with VG-10 steel and Micarta handles. Thanks again!

 

[milkbaby]

At the $200 price point, a lot of Japanese kitchen knife nuts will have other recommendations, though there are many who like the Misono. Like mentioned above, the other two forums will have a lot of knowledgeable advice and excellent suggestions.

 

[scott.livesey]

look on this forum for knives for sale by maker. some other forums also have places where makers sell their stuff. you should be able to find an 8" kitchen knife for $200 or so.
scott