Not to derail this thread but do you have any pictures of said knife, I've only seen their stainless gyuto's.
I've got a Yoshihiro White #2 yanagi, as well, with the shitan handle (dark) and a maple saya. I was warned that they're a bargain, but to watch out for blades that are twisted or bent slightly. Mine was as straight as you could get. The fit and finish were flawless. It was not that sharp, but very toothy. I haven't used it much, but it does it's job. It should really come alive when I put it on the stones. I don't think you could go wrong with one of these.
Cheers,
Jack
I know you can get yoshihiro knives thru an ebay seller as well as JKI. The ebay seller does list some things that Jon doesn't currently carry.
http://stores.ebay.com/yoshihirocutlery
this is where i bought mine from
It's like my ol' grandpappy used to say; "The less one makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look a fool in retrospect"
Actually I spoke with the seller recently, and the steel their using in their carbon yo and wa gyutos at the moment is white #1. Atleast anything they refer to "hagane" or "virgin carbon".
Interesting. I asked them when I bought my gyuto, and at the time they wouldn't tell me.
Are the knives the ebay sellers has the same as the knives Jon sells?
Shibui - simplicity devoid of unnecessary elements
i asked the seller a whole bunch of questions actually because i wanted to know the spine measurements, weight, and height of several of the carbons. he responded to every single question promptly. i sent him messages through my ebay account, maybe thats why my replys were soo timely. anyhow that kourochi 240 blue steel is $154, the cleaver they have listed is white #2 for $150ish and $150-160 for white #1 yo gyutos 240mm all seem like killer deals.