Gonbei Hammered Damascus alternative

Hi guys - first post, hope you can help...

After a long time trying to decide I found the Gonbei Sweedish stainless (240) wa-gyuto

JKI sell these, as I'm sure you know, but have been out of stock for some time

Any other alternative I can look at

Doesn't have to be sweedish SS, or stainless even

Or, is it just worth waiting for them to come back in stock?

Cheers

http://korin.com/Togiharu-Hammered-Damascus-Gyutou?sc=27&category=280059

Inazuma from JCK, but out of stock in 240 also

I have that knife and it is quite nice, take it with me for travel which is great. Ordered it with a saya which is nice to have. I'd call Jon and see when they'll be getting them back because he mentioned earlier this week that he had a bunch of large shipments coming in and they may be on there.

Thanks, but would like a wa handle

Also, although I did say I'm not too fussy on metal, I don't want VG-10. Should have mentioned that, apologies

tbone1004 said:

I have that knife and it is quite nice, take it with me for travel which is great. Ordered it with a saya which is nice to have. I'd call Jon and see when they'll be getting them back because he mentioned earlier this week that he had a bunch of large shipments coming in and they may be on there.

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That's great feedback, thanks. Will do

we're expecting them right after christmas or early jan.

EE has hammered finish Yokishane that are well regarded. I recall them being quite a bit higher than the Gonbei.

Sakai Takayuki swedish hammered damascus 240 gyuto . . .

http://www.hocho-knife.com/sakai-ta...e-japanese-trad-style-chef-knife-gyuto-240mm/

JBroida said:

we're expecting them right after christmas or early jan.

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Good news, thanks. I'll wait then I think until back in (have clicked email stock alert)

daveb said:

EE has hammered finish Yokishane that are well regarded. I recall them being quite a bit higher than the Gonbei.

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Looks nice, and the 'higher' blade is something I like. However, from the pic, the profile looks like it has quite a flat section - very 'French' almost Sabatier

The steel in the Gonbei is good. JKI is a full on octagon wa handle. I may be wrong but think the Sakai Takayuki and the Gonbei are the same maker. Some have stamped Kanji, the Gonbei has no kanji. Both have the wide machi and look very similar. I have the 240 Gonbei nice blade.

Thanks for the feedback

I'll look forward to it when more stock comes available

One thing (and not an important one for me) does the finish help with food release in your opinion?

Helps a little bit, but the grind has more effect than hammered finish for food release

The principal function of the hammered finish is to release dollars from the buyers pocket...

daveb said:

The principal function of the hammered finish is to release dollars from the buyers pocket...

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:groucho: Come on Dave I like hammer finish knives:knife: