Bullet Point Review: S. Tanaka VG-10 180mm Gyuto

[ModRQC]

MAKER​	Shigeki Tanaka​
TYPE & LENGTH​	Gyuto 180mm​
STEEL & BLADE​	VG-10​
FINISH​	17 Layers Damascus​
WEIGHT / BALANCE​	126g / +15​
HANDLE MATERIAL​	Wenge/Buffalo Horn​
​	​
TOTAL LENGTH​	327​
BLADE LENGTH​	200​
EDGE LENGTH​	189​
​	​
HEIGHT AT HEEL​	47​
HEIGHT AT MID BLADE​	37​
HEIGHT 35mm TO TIP​	26​
​	​
SPINE​	THICKNESS
HEEL​	2.6​
MID BLADE​	1.9​
35mm TO TIP​	1.6​
10mm TO TIP​	1​
​	​
EDGE THICKNESS​	@ 10 / 5 / 1mm over
Average​	0.9 / 0.5 / < 0.1​

A different canvas for reviewing knives. I hope you folks enjoy.

Below links to the reviews on other S. Tanaka units:

Review: Shigeki Tanaka Aogami #2 210mm

Shigeki Tanaka Damascus SG2 210mm

 

[ModRQC]

OOTB

Dammys are resolutely getting some favorable box treatment

• Same blue box and red cardboard liner than Agoami #2 Migaki, but this one has a ferrule cutout
• Poor, unstable edge on this one vs. the other two; felt like when a burr is ripped off too soon
• Damascus very lightly textured; SG2 was heavily textured and the blade blackened from etching
• Vendors often claim 2mm thick for S. Tanaka VG-10 but I get 2.6 at heel - about stock thickness?

It does have some proper character, and at least it does good to hide the crudeness of the blade…


FIT AND FINISH

It’s not like the Aogami #2 (bottom) is so well rounded, nicely chamfered or anything, BUT in comparison though…

• Blade is quite rough overall, spine and choil included; to date only my A#2 came smoothed there
• Original Wenge handle lottery: nowhere near the same quality as my A#2, fit not bad though
• Balance makes sense, forging/cutting/grinding to shape closely consistent with other series

Comparative look at the A#2 Wenge handle and grind (left) with the VG-10’s; both handles were touched up

OOTB VG-10 handle; touching up seen above didn’t do much good, yet it’s done magic with the other one

 

[ModRQC]

The quite different Damascus texture suited the SG2 really well: while it could be felt in cut, it didn’t drag. A fine distinction as well as a possible benefit in how it made each cut feel so much controlled, yet possibly unpleasant still to some I guess… but the gist is it did have much nicer food release out of it.


PERFORMANCE

Some convexity – on the cutting side at least – suggests that ill effects are mostly from the Dammy…

• ...aka rather poor release and a bit of dragging; overall great separation but at times hindered
• Wouldn’t be so thrilled with a longer unit because of the above; better edge helps tremendously
• Excellent for shorter length utilitarian knife where its best aspects shine and its drawbacks fade
• Perfect tool for quick prep without worry: can take abuse and be left aside dirty for a few hours

…aka while no dream grind this shouldn’t drag and release should be about average.


SHARPENING

• Despite my apprehensions from the OOTB edge, it sharpened easily and deburred smoothly
• Consecutive experience of a Ryusen and this revived my faith in VG-10: it can be excellent!

OVERALL VALUE

• F&F: consistently crafted, little done for comfort. Dammy is nice at hiding roughness but performance affect is unwelcomed. Handle fits for balance, but rather a poor sample here.

Comparison of VG-10 profile (above) vs. A#2 profile (below), where general consistency clearly shows

• Performance: some slight drag and no food release king, but with a good edge it can shine in various settings, especially as a sidekick, utilitarian knife. Solid HT, and favorite 180mm ever.

• Personal Note: a lot over Dammy in this review, since it’s really what detracts the most from an otherwise perfect tool, and its uselessness largely overshadows what little good it does.

 

[adam92]

I tried my friend damny VG10 y. tanaka 270mm before, I don't like it..