Hey all,
I'm looking to buy my first Japanese knife. I've been reading a lot of articles/forums/etc. and have gotten a pretty good idea, but would like to narrow down a bit. Some that look good so far are Hiromoto, Takeda, and Asai. I am particularly interested in clad Aogami Super, unless there are particular reasons you don't think I should go this route based on my profile below. Thanks in advance!
LOCATION
What country are you in?
USA/Canada
KNIFE TYPE
What type of knife are you interested in (e.g., chefs knife, slicer, boning knife, utility knife, bread knife, paring knife, cleaver)?
Chef's knife/Gyuto
Are you right or left handed?
Right
Are you interested in a Western handle (e.g., classic Wusthof handle) or Japanese handle?
Either
What length of knife (blade) are you interested in (in inches or millimeters)?
8-10 inches
Do you require a stainless knife? (Yes or no)
No but must be clad if not stainless
What is your absolute maximum budget for your knife?
$400
KNIFE USE
Do you primarily intend to use this knife at home or a professional environment?
Home
What are the main tasks you primarily intend to use the knife for (e.g., slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables, slicing meats, cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones, filleting fish, trimming meats, etc.)? (Please identify as many tasks as you would like.)
Slicing/chopping/mincing vegetables, slicing meats, trimming meats
What knife, if any, are you replacing?
Windmuehlenmesser Carbon
Do you have a particular grip that you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for the common types of grips.)
Pinch/Point (for more delicate cutting)
What cutting motions do you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for types of cutting motions and identify the two or three most common cutting motions, in order of most used to least used.)
Chop, rock, slice
What improvements do you want from your current knife? If you are not replacing a knife, please identify as many characteristics identified below in parentheses that you would like this knife to have.)
Want something lighter, thinner blade. I also can't deal with the full carbon steel knife - This one in particular rusts very quickly and imparts taste to acidic foods
Better aesthetics (e.g., a certain type of finish; layered/Damascus or other pattern of steel; different handle color/pattern/shape/wood; better scratch resistance; better stain resistance)?
No damascus but aesthetics are important. I don't remember what it is called but when Japanese blades are mostly black except for the edge, that is nice. This is not a make or break, though.
Comfort (e.g., lighter/heavier knife; better handle material; better handle shape; rounded spine/choil of the knife; improved balance)?
I have larger than average hands so need good knuckle clearance and a decently comfortably large handle
Ease of Use (e.g., ability to use the knife right out of the box; smoother rock chopping, push cutting, or slicing motion; less wedging; better food release; less reactivity with food; easier to sharpen)?
Edge Retention (i.e., length of time you want the edge to last without sharpening)?
Good edge retention is important
KNIFE MAINTENANCE
Do you use a bamboo, wood, rubber, or synthetic cutting board? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Do you sharpen your own knives? (Yes or no.)
No
If not, are you interested in learning how to sharpen your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Are you interested in purchasing sharpening products for your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes
I'm looking to buy my first Japanese knife. I've been reading a lot of articles/forums/etc. and have gotten a pretty good idea, but would like to narrow down a bit. Some that look good so far are Hiromoto, Takeda, and Asai. I am particularly interested in clad Aogami Super, unless there are particular reasons you don't think I should go this route based on my profile below. Thanks in advance!
LOCATION
What country are you in?
USA/Canada
KNIFE TYPE
What type of knife are you interested in (e.g., chefs knife, slicer, boning knife, utility knife, bread knife, paring knife, cleaver)?
Chef's knife/Gyuto
Are you right or left handed?
Right
Are you interested in a Western handle (e.g., classic Wusthof handle) or Japanese handle?
Either
What length of knife (blade) are you interested in (in inches or millimeters)?
8-10 inches
Do you require a stainless knife? (Yes or no)
No but must be clad if not stainless
What is your absolute maximum budget for your knife?
$400
KNIFE USE
Do you primarily intend to use this knife at home or a professional environment?
Home
What are the main tasks you primarily intend to use the knife for (e.g., slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables, slicing meats, cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones, filleting fish, trimming meats, etc.)? (Please identify as many tasks as you would like.)
Slicing/chopping/mincing vegetables, slicing meats, trimming meats
What knife, if any, are you replacing?
Windmuehlenmesser Carbon
Do you have a particular grip that you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for the common types of grips.)
Pinch/Point (for more delicate cutting)
What cutting motions do you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for types of cutting motions and identify the two or three most common cutting motions, in order of most used to least used.)
Chop, rock, slice
What improvements do you want from your current knife? If you are not replacing a knife, please identify as many characteristics identified below in parentheses that you would like this knife to have.)
Want something lighter, thinner blade. I also can't deal with the full carbon steel knife - This one in particular rusts very quickly and imparts taste to acidic foods
Better aesthetics (e.g., a certain type of finish; layered/Damascus or other pattern of steel; different handle color/pattern/shape/wood; better scratch resistance; better stain resistance)?
No damascus but aesthetics are important. I don't remember what it is called but when Japanese blades are mostly black except for the edge, that is nice. This is not a make or break, though.
Comfort (e.g., lighter/heavier knife; better handle material; better handle shape; rounded spine/choil of the knife; improved balance)?
I have larger than average hands so need good knuckle clearance and a decently comfortably large handle
Ease of Use (e.g., ability to use the knife right out of the box; smoother rock chopping, push cutting, or slicing motion; less wedging; better food release; less reactivity with food; easier to sharpen)?
Edge Retention (i.e., length of time you want the edge to last without sharpening)?
Good edge retention is important
KNIFE MAINTENANCE
Do you use a bamboo, wood, rubber, or synthetic cutting board? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Do you sharpen your own knives? (Yes or no.)
No
If not, are you interested in learning how to sharpen your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes
Are you interested in purchasing sharpening products for your knives? (Yes or no.)
Yes