I decided it's time to try out a stainless clad carbon blade, as all my current and past knives have been stainless. I don't have a bunka in my collection so I should kill two birds with one stone. I've narrowed the field to the following, but was curious what else might fit my criteria. (middleweight, tall spine to heel, stainless clad)
1. Kochi stainless clad K-santoku 180mm: the obvious choice, but also more expensive than I care to spend on carbon I may or may not take to. Its the only one I've found other than Takeda NAS that's in excess of 55mm height. People gush over the steel used here, but I think I'd rather go with a less reactive blue or AS first, but this one does hold the most sex appeal.
2. Syousin Chiku Kurosaki 180mm: next best bet, still relatively tall around 50mm. Was always interested in a Kurosaki, it might not have the bling of the R2 shizuku finish, but I like it overall aesthetically.
3. Anryu hammered blue#2: least expensive option, my understanding is this line is quite good bang for your buck, a bit less length and shorter than I would like, but at a lower price range it seems like a good first carbon choice.
4. Yoshimitsu blue#2: same scenario as Anryu. Don't know much about this other than below average fnf but if the steel and profile is good I don't mind.
edit* The wakui nashiji santoku on Aframes might actually be the ticket. It ain't a bunka but its got height and a great price.
1. Kochi stainless clad K-santoku 180mm: the obvious choice, but also more expensive than I care to spend on carbon I may or may not take to. Its the only one I've found other than Takeda NAS that's in excess of 55mm height. People gush over the steel used here, but I think I'd rather go with a less reactive blue or AS first, but this one does hold the most sex appeal.
2. Syousin Chiku Kurosaki 180mm: next best bet, still relatively tall around 50mm. Was always interested in a Kurosaki, it might not have the bling of the R2 shizuku finish, but I like it overall aesthetically.
3. Anryu hammered blue#2: least expensive option, my understanding is this line is quite good bang for your buck, a bit less length and shorter than I would like, but at a lower price range it seems like a good first carbon choice.
4. Yoshimitsu blue#2: same scenario as Anryu. Don't know much about this other than below average fnf but if the steel and profile is good I don't mind.
edit* The wakui nashiji santoku on Aframes might actually be the ticket. It ain't a bunka but its got height and a great price.
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