Japanese Chef Knife

BenchCo Spydermade

BenchCo Spydermade

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Feb 10, 2014
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4,120
Which one should I give my dad?

So I've been into pocket knives like crazy for a long time, but aside from the one Henkles I have, my kitchen blades and knowledge are pretty subpar. So my dad's been a great guy to me and I wanted to get him a really nice Japanese chef's knife as a gift. He also mentioned he prefers western style handles as he doesn't like the cylindrical traditional Japanese ones. So, any recommendations? Here are my qualifications...

<$150
Chef's knife, >7"
ergonomic handle
Japanese blade style
good steel (probably like vg10)
Damascus if possible

Thanks!
 
If you can skip the Damascus i'd recommend Tojiro DP. You can get a 3 piece set for $125.
 
mattal21 said:
If you can skip the Damascus i'd recommend Tojiro DP. You can get a 3 piece set for $125.
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The Damascus is not a deal breaker. Looked up tojiro, and its pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Instead of the 3 piece set I'll probably get a fancier Damascus blade of theirs. Anyways, great suggestion right off the bat! Still open to others, but tojiro looks promising
 
In that price range I would consider Tojiro (Tsubame) or Kanetsune (Seki). Both are established makers and offer Damascus VG10 core laminates.
 
Well, I didn't go with the original plan as I found some pretty outstanding sales this weekend. Made out like a bandit! Here's the booty. Still plan on getting a tojiro santuko.
1fc34ffaca419d3be1adc74345131a2d.jpg
 
check out the harukaze blue#2 gyutos. Ive just been testing one out for last 2 weeks. It is really great with boneless proteins. Wedges badly with potatoes though. Its well constructed with stainless cladding and a really solid western handle. Blue#2 core steel is pretty badass and its only about 130$
 
BenchCo Spydermade said:
Well, I didn't go with the original plan as I found some pretty outstanding sales this weekend. Made out like a bandit! Here's the booty. Still plan on getting a tojiro santuko.
1fc34ffaca419d3be1adc74345131a2d.jpg
Click to expand...



My friend has a set of the carbon steel Kramer's with rosewood and brass handles and they are amazing compared to my good stainless knives, they stay sharp for so much longer. I wish I could find them somewhere for cheap.

How do you like the Kramer compared to the Shun?
 
IF you can still find one in stock at Sur La Table store, they are on sale for like 60% price because they are going to internet sales only with the carbon blades. All display knives being closed out. Also, SLT has the 8 inch stainless 'Essentials" knife on sale for $149.
macgee said:
My friend has a set of the carbon steel Kramer's with rosewood and brass handles and they are amazing compared to my good stainless knives, they stay sharp for so much longer. I wish I could find them somewhere for cheap.

How do you like the Kramer compared to the Shun?
Click to expand...
 
jdm61 said:
IF you can still find one in stock at Sur La Table store, they are on sale for like 60% price because they are going to internet sales only with the carbon blades. All display knives being closed out. Also, SLT has the 8 inch stainless 'Essentials" knife on sale for $149.
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That's awesome information. Thank You!

I was almost about to buy a used one this weekend, I'll go to SLT today and check it out. I also wonder about returned ones, I would bet the hubcaps off my car that a lot people returned them after the first week because their new pricey knife tarnished and no longer shiny looking like all of there other stainless knives (carbon? What's that?).
Of course, SLT would take them back because they are nice about such things. I'm sure there is a pile of tarnished patina ones sitting in one of there warehouses.
 
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jdm61 said:
IF you can still find one in stock at Sur La Table store, they are on sale for like 60% price because they are going to internet sales only with the carbon blades. All display knives being closed out. Also, SLT has the 8 inch stainless 'Essentials" knife on sale for $149.
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Well, that was a no go in So Cal today. When I called around for stores to see if they had carbon knives in stock and asked if they were 60% off they actually laughed at me, at one SLT the manger demanded to know which other store told me this sale was happening so that was easy, I blamed you; watch out they're looking for you (APB). It wasn't typical SLT attitude.

I think your right though as the first three stores I spoke to didn't even know what a Kramer carbon knife was and all were not on display but in storage int here boxes, all then said they are full retail and staying in stores. I bet if I call again, I will get different story.
 
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