Japanese Blades???

U.C.O.K.

U.C.O.K.

Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
656
I have some Japanese "KNIFE" magazines, and their traditional designs is get me hooked. I really love the way they present the blade itself and the sheath.

But OTOH I'm a noob in knives, and I really need some opinion on the QUALITY of the Japanese blades that was made by their bladesmith.

Put aside the "west superiority" if they exist in this forums and give some balance insights on this matter. Thanks guys and be blessed. Cheers!:D :D

Frids
 
U.C.O.K. said:
I have some Japanese "KNIFE" magazines, and their traditional designs is get me hooked. I really love the way they present the blade itself and the sheath.

But OTOH I'm a noob in knives, and I really need some opinion on the QUALITY of the Japanese blades that was made by their bladesmith.

Put aside the "west superiority" if they exist in this forums and give some balance insights on this matter. Thanks guys and be blessed. Cheers!:D :D

Frids
Click to expand...

Like everything else, it depends on whom you are talking about and what they put into it.

n2s
 
Check out the Koji Hara Knives for the high end of Japanese blades.Mcusta makes some real nice knives as well.

MPE
 
Whenever I try to think of something better than modern American folders and maybe German/French/Scandinavian traditional knives, it's Japanese blades - especially for the kitchen.
 
Mcusta tries to do "traditional" interpretations of Japanese knives in folder versions, and I think they're very nice and attractive knives. The best production damascus you can get, as far as I know.

Al Mar and Spyderco aren't really trying for the traditional look (although the Kumo is influenced..) but their Japanese knives have been excellent also.
 
I have 7 folders made by Mcusta: a black/blue San Mai Katana, a Damascus AOI Kamon, and all 5 inlay models, in cocobolo, of the 2006 limited run "Ka-Cho-Fu-Getsu" line.

And each knife looked better in-hand than the hi-res online pictures. The scales/frames are beautiful and rock solid, with *very* precise tolerances, but even with all that the blades are the best part. They were --and still are -- wicked-sharp, right out of the box, and the steel seems a hair thicker than most, which I prefer. IMO, the blades on all 7 are of higher quality than either of my Microtech's -- only my Lg. Sebenza Classic is comparable.

As far as East vs. West goes, the steel is only the starting point. Without good tempering, grinding, and sharpening it doesn't much matter. On a production knife, I'll take VG-10 over 154CM any day because in my experience the blade quality is more consistent (I suspect this is Japanese production values). For example, my Kershaw Nakamura's quincewood looks a little cheap next to the Mcusta's, but the clad VG-10 blade is nonetheless excellent. Meanwhile, my Benchmade Skirmish has a gigantic blade of S30V, but it dulls quicker and never gets -- or was -- as sharp as any of my VG-10's.

Anyway, some of the best steel in the world is Japanese. And right now, Mcusta knives are way under-priced because the company is only 2 years old. At ~$100, the San Mai Katana's are a great bargain. If you can go $250, a few of the 2006 LTD editions are left, with s/n's between 10-15. I can't imagine they won't go up in value over the years.
 
I'm crazy about Hattori.

HATTORIBANDT.jpg


Ebony Bird and Trout, VG10, polished brass, African Ebony hardwood, and it comes with a leather sheath - $135
 
Right now, I collect only folders, but I spend a lot of time eyeing the Hattoris on JKD. ;-) The Kanetsunes, too -- I'd love to get a good piece of blue steel in my hands. But I'm sidelined for a bit after the temporary insanity of buying all 5 Ltd. Ed. Mcustas. I'm really hopeful they go way up in value -- they're from the 1st run of the company's first Ltd. Ed. offering, and my s/n's are: 008, 008, 009, 010, and 012. :-D
 
In addition to some very fine factory cutlery , there are some top notch custom makers . I've heard that dealing with some of them is difficult due to language barriers .

Chris
 
Japanese Knife Direct. You may find a lower price somewhere else, but not much lower and not easily. Also, their shipping is great: $7 flat rate per order (not item). I've placed 6 orders on their website: each one was shipped from Japan, and all arrived within 5 days (I placed one order about 10 days before Christmas).

They use the USPS -- the only catch is they require a signature, so you may have to go pick it up at the local post office if you're not home. However, they do provide free tracking info from Japan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top