Bucket List or 5 Final Knives!!

Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
SyndicateNova

SyndicateNova

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
94
Reaction score
1
My question is - if you had to choose 5 knives to use for the rest of your life, what would they be and why? A couple of points to consider, the 5 must be able to fulfil all of your food preparation/cooking needs and preferably from at least 3 different makers.

I look forward to seeing your responses.
 
1. Bill Burke 255 mm San mai or damascus gyuto 52100 steel mokume and animal horn handle(norwal or musk ox) platinum mosaic pins.
2. Mizu honyaki 300 yanagiba traditionally made white steel octagonal handle in ebony and horn basic ivory spacer(marine animal) koi fish engraving
3. 75 mm HHH petty, wa handle with mammoth, damscus pattern metorite core
4. Custom yu kurosaki 330 sujihiki in cowry x or zdp 189 custom hammered pattern. settle for r2 steel, final sharpening by shibata.
5. 210 lazer grind k tip tall gyuto 60 mm height made by takamura in R2 damascus clad work done by hinoura san. Handle should be wa burnt chestnut and buffalo horn, Canadian maple spacer and moose horn end cap.

All sayas would be made using canadian wood, 3 piece construction center peice would match handle of knife. Engraved with the names of the makers and maple leaves
 
This goes along with my recent thoughts of a streamlined kit.

1. Heiji 210mm semi stainless gyuto.

Perfect for line use. I had this made with a Heiji interpretation of a Sabatier profile and it fits right into the expo station at work.

2. Heiji 240mm carbon gyuto.

I just got this knife and really like it. Good for large prep projects, not as good for that as my Watanabe was, but much better for portioning proteins and slicing large things.

3. Shigefusa 300mm yanagiba.

I spent a year and some butchering, portioning, and slicing fish for 6 or 7 of my ten to twelve hour days I got to really appreciate what a yanagiba has to offer vs a gyuto for these tasks. This is one of the better ones I've owned, I would happily use a similar sized Masamoto KS or white steel Watanabe.

4. Watanabe 210mm deba.

What I said about the yanagiba, but sub deba. I'd be happy with the Watanabe, a KS, or a Shig. Any well made, easy to sharpen deba. If my bag disappeared (knocking on wood) I would probably replace the single bevels with Gesshin Uraku, at least in the short term.

5. R. Murphy carbon boner.

The best boning knife I've ever used. I'm not a honesuki guy, this is what I use for poultry as well as pastured critters.

This is pretty much the only knives I pull out of my kit now. I just got an Uraku 270mm mioroshi deba that might be able to replace the yanagiba and deba, and bring it down to four. Maybe I would upgrade the Uraku to something fancier, but maybe not, they are pretty damn nice.

If I ever start cutting up land critters again I would add a stiff breaking knife. I used a Bloodroot that I really liked, but I have never shopped for a high end breaking knife.
 
Mario 240 gyuto
Kochi stainless clad 240 gyuto
Kato 220 sujihiki
Masamoto ks 270 sujihiki
Masamoto ks 180 deba.

And the 6th would be a bloodroot blades boner if I could
It does change pretty frequently but right now this is the 5 forever
 
Current keeper list is:

Kochi V2 240 gyuto
Watanabe 240 gyuto
Tilman 245 gyuto
CCK 1102 (?) cleaver
Sabatier nogent petty

I'll add a 6th for citrus and guests (stainless):
Gesshin Kagero 240 gyuto

And thanks to Dardeau I'll probably be adding an R Murphy carbon boner to replace my stainless Forschner
 
HOSHANHO 8-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel Knife Set with Block, Professional Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Set with Scissors
-23%
$199.99 $259.99
HOSHANHO 8-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel Knife Set with Block, Professional Ultra Sharp Chef Knife Set with Scissors HSH-DE
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop YeopAsda
Whetstone Sharpening Stone Kit Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Stone Wet Stone Set Nonslip Rubber Base
$9.99
Whetstone Sharpening Stone Kit Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Stone Wet Stone Set Nonslip Rubber Base Queen Store
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets For Kitchen With Block, 17 Pieces With Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knife Set With Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.99 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets For Kitchen With Block, 17 Pieces With Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knife Set With Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen Knife
SHAN ZU Knife Set 16 pcs, Japanese Kitchen Knife Set with Block High Carbon Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Knife Set for Kitchen, Professional Chef Knife Set with Sharpener
-50%
$99.99 $199.99
SHAN ZU Knife Set 16 pcs, Japanese Kitchen Knife Set with Block High Carbon Stainless Steel Ultra Sharp Knife Set for Kitchen, Professional Chef Knife Set with Sharpener Woot
PROFYKNIFE PrecisionEdge 5 Piece Knife Set Ultra Sharp Japanese Chef Knife Set Professional with Ergonomic Red Pakkawood Handles Japanese Kitchen Knives Sets without block High Carbon Stainless Steel
PROFYKNIFE PrecisionEdge 5 Piece Knife Set Ultra Sharp Japanese Chef Knife Set Professional with Ergonomic Red Pakkawood Handles Japanese Kitchen Knives Sets without block High Carbon Stainless Steel PROFYKNIFE
Topfeel Professional Chef Knife Set Sharp Knife, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set 3 PCS-8" Chefs Knife &7" Santoku Knife&5" Utility Knife, Knives Set for Kitchen
-20%
$28.79 $35.99
Topfeel Professional Chef Knife Set Sharp Knife, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set 3 PCS-8" Chefs Knife &7" Santoku Knife&5" Utility Knife, Knives Set for Kitchen Y-our choices
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
Aovemt sharpening stone - 400/1000/6000 Grits, Leather Strop, Polishing Compound, Flattening Stone - Ideal for Chefs, Knife Enthusiasts, and Kitchen Knives (whetstone/wet stone)
$18.99
Aovemt sharpening stone - 400/1000/6000 Grits, Leather Strop, Polishing Compound, Flattening Stone - Ideal for Chefs, Knife Enthusiasts, and Kitchen Knives (whetstone/wet stone) Aovemt US
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
IBEIKE 7-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Professional Japanese Kitchen Knives, High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Blades with Well Balanced and Ergonomic Wood Handle for Chef Knife Set
$69.99
IBEIKE 7-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, Professional Japanese Kitchen Knives, High Carbon Stainless Steel Sharp Blades with Well Balanced and Ergonomic Wood Handle for Chef Knife Set IBEIKE-The world of knives from Japan
KERYE Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Set - 400/1000 3000/8000 Grit Water Stones, Flattening Stone, Honing Guide, Cut Resistant Gloves
-21%
$34.93 $43.97
KERYE Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Set - 400/1000 3000/8000 Grit Water Stones, Flattening Stone, Honing Guide, Cut Resistant Gloves Woot
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone, Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Set Includes Polishing Compound, Bamboo Base, Flattening Stone, Leather Strop & Angle Guide
-50%
$16.49 $32.99
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone, Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener Set Includes Polishing Compound, Bamboo Base, Flattening Stone, Leather Strop & Angle Guide PMNPU-US
S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White
$21.99
S SATC Diamond Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 400/1000 Diamond Plate Honing Stone 8-inch Hone Sharpener White abrasive
HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe
-65%
$122.10 $345.00
HENCKELS Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, Razor-Sharp, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making, Lightweight and Strong, Dishwasher Safe Amazon.com
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
$8.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
$39.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
HENCKELS Solution Razor-Sharp 7-pc Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife,German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Brown
-43%
$79.99 $140.00
HENCKELS Solution Razor-Sharp 7-pc Knife Set, Chef Knife, Bread Knife,German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Brown Amazon.com
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
$69.92
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$23.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
Almost no idea.

Probably a 200-220mm gyuto.
Probably a 195mm stainless Chinese knife.
Probably a thin stainless 150mm petty.
Probably a stouter petty, sabaki, or similar.
Probably a bread knife.

These cover most of my possible needs that I can predict. As for makers...I can think of at least 3-4 names for each that would be acceptable. Really hard to pick them arbitrarily.
 
Bob Kramer 10" gyuto
Cris Anderson gyuto (the one he's currently making for me)
Devin Thomas chevron damascus
Haburn 240 damascus western handle gyuto
Gesshin Kagekiyo 270 gyuto blue #1

And that'll pretty much do it for me
 
marc4pt0 said:
Bob Kramer 10" gyuto
Cris Anderson gyuto (the one he's currently making for me)
Devin Thomas chevron damascus
Haburn 240 damascus western handle gyuto
Gesshin Kagekiyo 270 gyuto blue #1

And that'll pretty much do it for me
Click to expand...

Not even one small blade for peeling and or detail work? That takes balls.
 
Rader, Harner, DT, Rodrigue, Kramer, Wilburn, Kono Fujiyama, another Rader. Wait... five knives? I'm out.
 
Mizuno 230mm Cleaver - Excellent edge retention.
Hattori Honesuki - Stainless knife that can double as a utility knife.
Hankotsu - Versatile thin tip
Masamoto KS 270mm Sujihiki
Bread knife - Artisan crusty bread

Jay
 
Gesshin Ginga 270 White #2 Gyuto
Ealy 270mm random partern Damascus Gyuto
Mr Itou 250mm R2 Gyuto
Cris Anderson 180 Gyuto
And an as yet decided on Yanagi or Suji

Malex
 
Participates, but does not follow directions. Part of the question, and the most interesting part to me, is why?
 
Dardeau said:
Participates, but does not follow directions. Part of the question, and the most interesting part to me, is why?
Click to expand...

Oops missed that part:

Gesshin Ginga 270 White #2 Gyuto - Because there is no better joy than having to dice onions with it. Just a pure dream to sharpen and use
Ealy 270mm random partern Damascus Gyuto - This one I am not really sure why, not necessarily the best performer at any task in particular in my list, but it just feels so good in my hand, so it has to be there.
Mr Itou 250mm R2 Gyuto - Semi-Sentimental reasons, plus it is just a great all round knife. Takes as good an edge as I can put on it, and keeps it for ages with minimal upkeep. Has a narrower profile so I tend to use it as a smaller suji.
Cris Anderson 180 Gyuto - Don't have one, but his knives and handles just really speak to me. And could always do with another thinish knife :)
And an as yet decided on Yanagi or Suji - Cause I need something else to round out the pack.

Malex
 
Not sure about 5, but in an emergency I'd probably first grab my Watanabe Pro 210mm gyuto and 150 petty (wavy grind, this, but great after some attention). Not sure about the rest.
 
berko said:
stainless or not?
Click to expand...

Not sure who you're questioning. Me? Petty's stainless clad, but already KU so doesn't make much difference. Actually, I'd probably prefer non-stainless on it.
 
still wonderin which misuno cleaver jaybett s talkin about.
 
You're not the only one malex, nobody follows directions.
 
I have been debating this one since it first posted.

Mario 260 - My favorite and ultimate warrior dessert island knife.

Mario 270 - This knife makes the list for when the 260 becomes a suji 20 years from now. It is more or less stored until that time.

Mizuno Honyaki 240 - Beast and a beauty, love it's cutting ability and it is one of a kind. They don't make them like this anymore.

Martell 240 - This is my daily driver. My most versatile knife for non protein board work. And comfy as hell. Also has good height at the heel so it will last a long time.

Nenox Corian Petty 150 - I would a need a petty for chickens and PB&J at home and for doing butchery at work. This one keeps a parer off the list too. *I have never used or handled this knife but still feel pretty confidant about it.
 
240mm Harner K-tip Gyuto in CPM154
210mm Takeda Bunka, old school
180mm Harner mini-gyuto
120mm harner kitchen scalpell
200mm buttersteel germanchefknife as a beater
 
Marko A2 250 Gyuto assymetric Workhorse grind, this is my current go to, excellent edge retention, feels great in hand and performs like a champ

Devin 270 Suji Mystery semi stainless San Mai, I had a gyuto like this and it held an edge forever, I love Hoss' super thin tips, and his Wa handles are my favourites.

Yoshihide 225 Deba, this is my current Deba and my favourite that I've tried, I love the way the spine tapers from the handle, it feels like it can handle anything, takes a great edge easily.

Kato Parer, an awesome little parer, brunoise shallots like a champ and is great for in hand work

For Home use Watanabe 190mm stainless clad Gyuto, low maintenence great edge retention and a solid little performer.
 
Wow, I'm an idiot. I totally misread the purpose of this thread. Thought it meant something along the lines of "which will be the final 5 knives you get". As in I could only but 5 more before I have to tap out. So let me change my answer:

- Bob Kramer 10" gyuto, because it just feels so Damn good in my hand. I'm actually one of those guys that really likes his profile.
-My Andy Billipp 10" Gyuto, because it inspires me to perform half as good as the knife itself does
- My western handle Haburn 240 gyuto, it fits with the current theme I've got going on here, and performs like a freaking champ
-My Kurosaki AS with Ian's re-handle, this knife is always pure joy tip drive
-Cris Anderson gyuto, because I like his knives "anything you can do I can can do better" attitude.

I'd also find a way to smuggle in my Mario 240, my Del Ealy 240 and my Harner 260 gyutos. Because they kickass just as much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top