What Japanese Knife is this?

[budrichard]

This YouTube video by the Kimagure Cook or Whimsical Cook uses a knife I cannot identify.

It’s very sharp and appears to dispatch this very large squid (Ika) with ease.
I have a number of Japanese knives that could do the same but my curiosity is piqued.
There appears to be the face of a smiling boy on the wooden handle.
Thanks for any replies.
-Richard

 

[OldNavy]

Blade shape is a typical Gyuto, which is a basic japanese Chef's knife. With a western style handle.
Can't be 100 % certain, but from the looks of the wood & general finish. I would hazard to guess
it is a low end home use knife similar to what a stamped Dexter Russell or a Vic. would be here.

here's a couple with japanese style handles

 

[KenHash]

In that video the guy (Kaneko his name?) says that it's his own brand knife and he's sold 2000 of them. Essentially looks like a typical low end gyuto, with the upper tang being full but lower half being hidden. This was fairly common decades ago and can be seen on lower end knives today. (Although the Takamura R2 is an exception). I'm curious about the blade coating/finish though. I wasn't particulary impressed with the knife since Squid regardless of size isn't really much of a challenge and I'm pretty certain any decent sharp knife could do this.

Anyway browsing around, I found that this guy does stuff for G.Sakai of Seki. So it's "possible" that's who manufactures for him.

 

[Danke42]

Squid is tricky. Tough but delicate if you can picture that.

I have a buddy who's a chef in Japan. If you have no luck hit me with a profile message and I'll ask him. I think the chef world is one of those small place kinda things. If someone is well know everyone knows them.

I've cut up some squid myselfbut way smaller. I've had some great sushi with firefly sqiud and some great other stuff that was kind of called Japanese home cooking so not a typical western sushi kind if dish. My buddy told me jigging for squid was a thing he did as a kid back in the day. That one looked huge!

 

[KenHash]

Found the site for his knife where you can order it.

https://www.kaeru-abematv.jp/cook-original-hocho/

Price Yen 8964 including tax (about USD 83.00). Says it's a collaboration with a Seki maker that he is close to. I think we know who that is now.
Convex ground.
Blade material is Molybdenum Vanadium Stainless Steel (Fluorine Resin Coated)

 

[budrichard]

Thank you all for repsonding and the info!
Now to get around the Japanese language and order.
So far I have not been successful with the website?
-Richard