Nihei experience

[plantgainz]

Hello all!
I finally had the chance to try a kono sumiiro today and I'm blown away on how it cuts, surpassing maybe my best Yoshi skd but still have to compare them directly. Ootb edge is ridiculous.
I would like to know if any you did try the shinkiro also from nihei and how they compare besides steel and finish.
The shinkiro seems thicker overall but with a very capable grind.
Let me know thanks!

 

[sumis]

can't help you, but would just like to second on the sumiiro. amazing cutting feel, and really good edge retention.

.

 

[Blumbo]

I recently picked up a kono sumiiro and though i haven’t had it long enough to comment on edge retention, the steel/edge is far more bitey off a BBW than any of the stainless steels I’ve tried otherwise. Near perfect thin convex geometry. I’d be curious to get vibe checks on a shinkiro as well since the only AS I’ve liked so far has come from Tanaka, and most other offerings are OEM/Takefu prelaminated stuff.

 

[gentiscid]

It's one of my most used and abused knives. Most solid ku I have seen until now, better stable ku than Mazaki for sure. I have never regretted this knife. I use fewer 150 mm knives now but my better half took ownership of it now. It’s her knife now.

 

[Gavva]

Sumiiro is a great Konosuke product. Grab it more than my other Konos. Maybe because I don’t have to wipe it often, lol. Been disciplined about not “needing” another Nihei so this thread might be counterproductive to me, hahaha.

 

[Yoshi]

I've got the non konosuke version of the sumiiro, afaik it's just a nashiji finishing versus ku.

Imo the f&f is even better than sumiiro. However, the edges tend to roll a bit, but would come back straight with a few strops

 

[plantgainz]

I'm surprised no one have tried the shinkiro they seem to sell fast

 

[superworrier]

The Shinkiro has very poor fit and finish actually. The spine is extremely square and the KU feels very very rough. Completely different from Sumiiro or the nashiji SLD line

The grind is good though.

 

[JPAU]

Is the petty thick behind the edge? The choil shots on the Protooling site make it look a little chunky, but the reviews seem to be positive. Tossing up between an sumiiro petty and a takamura petty as my stainless fruit knife.

 

[superworrier]

Is the petty thick behind the edge? The choil shots on the Protooling site make it look a little chunky, but the reviews seem to be positive. Tossing up between an sumiiro petty and a takamura petty as my stainless fruit knife.

It’s probably thin BTE but because it’s thick spined I would recommend takamura (I’ve had both btw)

 

[JPAU]

It’s probably thin BTE but because it’s thick spined I would recommend takamura (I’ve had both btw)

Thanks!

It definitely doesn’t look thin BTE in the choil shot: https://protooling.com.au/products/konosuke-sakai-madei-sumiiro-150mm-petty-knife

May just be an aberration.

 

[dehory]

It’s probably thin BTE but because it’s thick spined I would recommend takamura (I’ve had both btw)

Also had/have both and would recommend Sumiiro. IME both are very good and thin BTE, but quite different feeling knives — depends if you want something that’s like a scalpel or enjoy a little more meat to your blade.

 

[Digiadaamore]

Sumiiro is absolutely my favorite knife, I tried a regular 210 and I knew I had to get a k-tip nihei for the added height. I had a similar experience comparing it to my yoshikane, was mind blowing how smoothly it cut while looking chunky in comparison to my yoshi. I’ll leave a link here to the W#2 k-tip I have for sale if anyone wants to try a nihei, as long as that’s ok? I bought it before finding a k-tip Sumiiro, I can confirm it absolutely performs easily as well as the kono version!
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/nihei-ku-w-2-210-gyuto.71278/#post-1103730

 

[DitmasPork]

Stellar f+f, good steel, eager push cutter.

 

[More_Gyutos]

Are they in stock anywhere other than protocoling and ai and om?

 

[DitmasPork]

Are they in stock anywhere other than protocoling and ai and om?

Dunno, got mine a couple of years ago from CKTG; believe I saw them at Tosho a while back. TBH, I've not used it as much as it deserves—I'm more a carbon guy, and the profile is a tad too flat for my tastes. Had originally bought it to be a travel knife to survive tropical humidity. It's a very well made knife.

 

[AT5760]

I got one from CKC about 5 years ago. Really high quality F&F. I liked the idea of a super flat profile, but it ended up being a little too flat for my liking. It took and kept a great edge. If you like flat profiles, it's definitely worth giving a shot.

 

[plantgainz]

Are they in stock anywhere other than protocoling and ai and om?

Isn't that 28% off enough?

 

[More_Gyutos]

Isn't that 28% off enough?

Not with that handle.

 

[ehhh]

The choil shot on these reminds me of my Kaeru Kasumi gyuto, also SLD/stainless clad, but obviously very different profile and finishing. Anybody have both and can compare?

 

[plantgainz]

The choil shot on these reminds me of my Kaeru Kasumi gyuto, also SLD/stainless clad, but obviously very different profile and finishing. Anybody have both and can compare?

View attachment 316279

I have a 240 kaeru and they are not similar nor comparable both in grind and steel (way harder on the sumiiro). I like the kaeru though.
I took a few shots of the sumiiro choil

 

[plantgainz]

Not with that handle.

It's a burnt chestnut of the highest quality in shield shape, can't ask more but obviously is personal preference

 

[Blumbo]

sumiiro glazing thread

 

[ehhh]

I have a 240 kaeru and they are not similar nor comparable both in grind and steel (way harder on the sumiiro). I like the kaeru though.
I took a few shots of the sumiiro choil

So what you're telling me is I need both...

What's differences do you see in the grind? My Kaeru has a bit of hollow above the blade road to a subtle shoulder, then has quite a bit of convexity down to a very thin edge (~0.20mm@1mm BTE).

 

[Loogan]

sumiiro glazing thread

For real… no more glazing please, my ProTooling shopping cart is already way too concerning as is

 

[plantgainz]

So what you're telling me is I need both...

What's differences do you see in the grind? My Kaeru has a bit of hollow above the blade road to a subtle shoulder, then has quite a bit of convexity down to a very thin edge (~0.20mm@1mm BTE).

Sumiiro is harder and thinner behind the edge, feels very delicate on board like the thinnest yoshikane. You obviously need both they are both keepers

 

[More_Gyutos]

It's a burnt chestnut of the highest quality in shield shape, can't ask more but obviously is personal preference

Yeah, just not my jam. Plus it’s still going to be $400 plus shipping.

 

[plantgainz]

Yeah, just not my jam. Plus it’s still going to be $400 plus shipping.

They are at 338 and 411 at full price but after the discount you are at roughly at 240 and 290. To avoid shipping throw in another bargain

 

[More_Gyutos]

Oops yes 300 plus shipping. But then that handle and nothing else I want I don’t think.

 

[More_Gyutos]

They are at 338 and 411 at full price but after the discount you are at roughly at 240 and 290. To avoid shipping throw in another bargain

Actually, they have some handles too. Hmmm this is starting to make sense. Haha…oh no….