210 verus 240?

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jonhaber

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Hi all,

Just looking for some input into which is a better all round, do it all knife. The 240 to me looks huge but I see people on this forum tend to list it as the standard go to chefs knife. My current go to knife is a 7" santoku which works great for me.

Is the 240 worth it if I want one good everyday chefs knife or should I go with the 210? what would I use the extra length for? cutting pumpkins/watermellon (I never really cut these kind of things anyways)

Thanks!

Jon
Knife - Newb
Home cook
 
I think you should look at the 240mm. While it will look big, the weight will be similar to a 9" chef knife.
 
It's just personal preference. I like a 240 for work, as the added length is good for large volume prep. At home I use a smaller knife, like a 210 or nakiri. My home kitchen is pretty small and 240 is overkill. And I'm not usually doing the volume, so the smaller blade is appropriate. If you have the space in your kitchen/large enough cutting surface and want to give the 240 a go, I say do it. It is a more versatile knife, and when you get used to it in your hand, it won't feel large. But you won't be disappointed with a 210.

What knives are you considering?
 
Much like TVs, if u have the room, go larger!!! I use a 270 for almost everything at home. Then again I have the room to use it. Once I was used to it, I never looked back.
 
I used an 8" chef's for 15+ years, then got a 210MM gyuto, then a 240 gyuto. I like the extra length, and will probably get a 270 next time around. I haven't found it any more difficult to use for any of my prep work. I agree with the other posters about making sure you have the space for it though: make a mockup to compare to your cutting board, get a sense of what it will do to your elbow, etc.

I can't imagine ever making good use of a 300MM though. Perhaps if I were in a professional kitchen instead of my home.

If it's a ? of $$, I'd rather have a good 210 than a decent 270.

Good luck!
 
I'm home cooker, my favor is 240mm gyuto pair with 165mm santoku. sometime 240mm just overkill for simple light home cooking; satoku is good for all around utility knife!! It's just my preference..:lol2:
 
If you are a home cook then i would recommend 210mm. but as other pointed, if you have more space go for bigger :D
 
And to add to the confusion...

Home cook, cooking for 2. My knife of choice is 180. I have a 210 for my "long" knife. I don't know that a 240 would work in my tiny kitchen. I have a big old 11" Henckels when I need to split a watermelon. I haven't used a 240, but am very happy with my "short" knives.
 
Me too. I have a 180mm nakiri and santoku that I grab the most, along with a smaller petite. I've got a 240mm gyuto and another bigger one too, but I find that they seem a bit much when cooking just for myself and wife at home, as much as I like to use that 240 when possible. I'll be in Japan in another couple days and am considering getting a 210 gyuto or sujihiki. My home kitchen workspace is so small, the board I normally use isn't big enough for anything more than a 210, even if a 210 might sometimes feel small to me.

In a pro kitchen I'd want a 270 gyuto for big prep work (or bigger) and maybe a 210 suji or gyuto as a go-to.
 
I am a home user, and would suggest the 240.

I mistakenly got a 270 as a first knife (internet order), and it looked like a freaking sword, but now looks pretty managable. I think the 240 I think is the sweet spot for the workhorse knife. The 210 is fine, but I would push the boundries a bit.
 
I have both and tend to use the 240 more especially on my bigger board. For a small board the 210 is perfect and besides it's a great knife and fun to work with.
 
In a pro kitchen I'd want a 270 gyuto for big prep work (or bigger) and maybe a 210 suji or gyuto as a go-to.[/QUOTE]

This is my set up at work. Both feel too big at home. I use a 7 inch santoku and a 4 1/2 inch pairing/petty at home. Everything is smaller at home. Onions are smaller, two cloves of garlic instead of seven, two potatoes instead of a 50# case, etc.

Very much prefer smaller knives at home.
 
btw I do most of my work on a 17.5 x 13 " board which I guess is considered small :p
 
In a pro kitchen I'd want a 270 gyuto for big prep work (or bigger) and maybe a 210 suji or gyuto as a go-to.

Yeah that's what I like, 270 gyuto and 210 suji

I'd never buy a gyuto less than 240. To me, you can't get a true feel of the knife with it being so small, you can't appreciate it really. A 240 is better or to be honest I'd always recommend 270s now. As as soon as I got a 270 I never used my 240s and will never buy another
 
Two elements you may consider as well:
The active, most used part of the edge is some 50% larger with a 240 compared to a 210. That means slower dulling.
The 240 are more popular amongst pros. It won't be hard to get it sold.
 
Both my chef's knives are 10" (255mm). I find that to be the perfect length for me.

The girlfriend likes 6-8" blades.
 
Also, the longer the blade, the less you will have to lift it when rocking/ board chopping; less fatique.

Plus, If you push or draw cut, there is more edge to pull/ push through the food in one swoop, meaning less pressure; cleaner cuts...
 
I like 240 on the edge. I used 270 for a while, and they are just a bit long for me. I find 210 to be too short for maximum efficiency.
 
I think 210mm is just too small. A 240mm will be a lot better for you.
 
Japanese knives (or Japanese style knives) are so light and nimble feeling, that a little extra length feels very manageable. My first Japanese style knife was 270mm, and while it's clearly overkill for a single guy often cooking for himself, it's so much fun to use! Before the "disease" took hold and the size of my collection increased, I used it for everything from one shallot on up and felt just fine doing so (not in a terribly large kitchen either, though I have a decent amount of counter space and a 14x20 cutting board).

If you have to choose just one "standard" size, 240mm seems like a good compromise between 210mm and 270mm; not too big and not too small. If you buy a good 240mm knife and find that the size doesn't suit you, you should be able to unload it here in the B/S/T subforum.
 
I think 210mm is just too small. A 240mm will be a lot better for you.
Btw when I was originally around here I tortured myself on your same thoughts, santoku vs 210 vs 240. Now I have a very nimble and not large at all 270mm and would never buy smaller. If I get another size it would be a 300mm. My two favorite knives are 270mm.
 
Is there a knife store nearby where you can try some different sizes? Best thing to do is check them out in person.
 
May I respectfully disagree? Your first impression is often wrong. I would rather say, get one size larger than the one you're comfortable with. You'll get used to it in no time, and later you will appreciate the extra possibilities.
I've found my 240 gyuto somewhat intimidating until I got a 270 suji. During a few weeks I've been using a 290 chef knife and my other knives seemed short. So, it's very relative. And to get used to it, do everything with it. A small onion, garlic, one tomato, a sandwich: take your 240.
 
Good advice. hold both and see which one feels better.

+1
I always tell people this too. What sounds like a good length might be too short or too long. You should also consider how much space you have and what you're going to be cutting. Personally, I never need more than a 210mm knife, since I'm not a professional. Most things are already portioned for me at the grocery store.

Yes, it's good to get used to a longer knife, because it will make life easier later. But if you're not going to use the extra length or if it's going to get in the way, no point.
 
Wow. An old debate with lots of new opinions.

I have to jump in on the side of the "small knife" adherents. My most often used knife is a 180mm Marko. I mean, 240mm to make a sandwich? I can't remember the last time I slaughtered a pumpkin, and even big screen TV's have their useful limits.

So try a 210mm; get the right one and you won't have to worry about it getting dull fast either.
 
I got to second Steve on 180mm. I use it exclusively for small cutting tasks, and bigger knives or more substantial, like making dinner for more than 2 people. 210 or 225 would be my suggestion.

M
 
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