Grant Brook
Member
I generally prefer substance over style when it comes to knives. I’ve been wondering what characteristics to look for, and to avoid, to satisfy myself that my hard-earned is primarily directed at functional performance, not aesthetics. Put another way, what should one focus on to get the greatest cutting performance per dollar.
My current (perhaps uneducated) thoughts of some expensive distractions to functional performance-per-dollar:
P.s. I’m not suggesting makers of prettier knives (e.g. Saji? Kurosaki?) don’t have great cutting performance; just I’d rather pay less for the same performance as the pretty features are not something I value.
My current (perhaps uneducated) thoughts of some expensive distractions to functional performance-per-dollar:
- Anything beyond ho wood handles (if wa handled).
- Damascus finishes.
- Textured finishes on blade face other than those genuinely left behind from the forging process.
- Highly polished blade faces. (Related: is a kurouchi finish the ‘lowest cost’ finish for a hand forged blade?)
- Nicely finished choil and spine (noting this can be done by the owner).
- (I'm less convicted of this one): Hand forged versus factory made (for some steels).
P.s. I’m not suggesting makers of prettier knives (e.g. Saji? Kurosaki?) don’t have great cutting performance; just I’d rather pay less for the same performance as the pretty features are not something I value.