Help needed - trying to find Tanaka Ginssan (or similar!)

Helping a friend buy a gift for her husband. After extensive research on my side - back and forths - she is set on buying a Tanaka Ginssan, 240 or 270. The usual vendors are all out!

Any other leads?

If push comes to shove, what would be an alternative?

She wants a Japanese handle, stainless steel, up to $200 ... and doesn't really like Damascus (or Hammered).

Western handle would be super easy. Just go with FKM or Tojiro DP and call it a day, throw in a Parer and a Nakiri at that price


Maybe I should suggest a re-handle of a Western blade? Anyone ever rehandled a Tojiro DP?

I'm into this rehandle a tojiro DP idea right now. You can snag a 240 off rakuten for $50!

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/tuzukiya/item/t210-0201/

chiffonodd said:

I'm into this rehandle a tojiro DP idea right now. You can snag a 240 off rakuten for $50!

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/tuzukiya/item/t210-0201/

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seems to make the most sense, no? Nice stainless under $200 with Wa handle seem to be rare ...

I think it's a cool idea, especially because you can get a pretty premium pair of book matched scales and some round bar for less than another $50. That and a bit of labor will get you an awesome gift for $100.

chiffonodd said:

I think it's a cool idea, especially because you can get a pretty premium pair of book matched scales and some round bar for less than another $50. That and a bit of labor will get you an awesome gift for $100.

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Where would you get a new handle at that price? I am still new here, but I have not found a handle maker at that price ... or you mean $100 for material and labor combined? That of course

I think he means $100 for knife and materials and you do the labor. Meaning you only need to buy the knife, some wood, glue, and pins and do a DIY handle. It is quite rewarding, but does benefit from some practice. I personally would recommend to have done a few trial runs before re-handling a gift knife. If you were ever to consider it.

KitchenCommander said:

I think he means $100 for knife and materials and you do the labor. Meaning you only need to buy the knife, some wood, glue, and pins and do a DIY handle. It is quite rewarding, but does benefit from some practice. I personally would recommend to have done a few trial runs before re-handling a gift knife. If you were ever to consider it.

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Yes a DIY. +1 on the trial runs though, that is what I'm going through right now on some old beaters. Really fun but definitely a lot to learn.

Otherwise, hard to imagine that you can go wrong with this!

http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/gesshin-uraku-240mm-stainless-wa-gyuto.html

There's a nice 270 Hattori FH on B/S/T right now:

http://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/showthread.php/22922-Hattori-270mm-gyuto

chiffonodd said:

Otherwise, hard to imagine that you can go wrong with this!

http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/gesshin-uraku-240mm-stainless-wa-gyuto.html

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Bingo! That's the one! Thanks a lot ...!!!

alterwisser said:

Bingo! That's the one! Thanks a lot ...!!!

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Take a look at the Gonbei series too. NVM, I didn't catch the no hammered/damascus.

chiffonodd said:

Yes a DIY. +1 on the trial runs though, that is what I'm going through right now on some old beaters. Really fun but definitely a lot to learn.

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I wish I could do that... But we live in an apartment. No shed, basement or garage :-(

I am invited to make my first knife though, coworker has been making knives for 30 years. And a professional photographer friend of mine will document it, should be a fun project!

chiffonodd said:

Otherwise, hard to imagine that you can go wrong with this!

http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/gesshin-uraku-240mm-stainless-wa-gyuto.html

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Bad luck... Jon sold the last one 45 minutes before she called!

Well, go big or go home. She's buying the 270 [emoji23]

chiffonodd said:

Otherwise, hard to imagine that you can go wrong with this!

http://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/gesshin-uraku-240mm-stainless-wa-gyuto.html

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Yes. Better knife. Much better retailer. The recent rash of Torijo recs baffles me.

Edit: Slow typing coupled with a great deal of insightful thought. Or just slow typing. Friend should be very happy with the Hattori.

daveb said:

Yes. Better knife. Much better retailer. The recent rash of Torijo recs baffles me.

Edit: Slow typing coupled with a great deal of insightful thought. Or just slow typing. Friend should be very happy with the Hattori.

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She bought the Gesshin 270 ... I'm thinking about getting him a very simple, very cheap Carbon knife just so he can understand the difference... Let's see if I can find one around $50 [emoji3]

Better still.