I started collecting knives this May and I have gone through so many knives to finally hone in on what I like. I have spent thousands, and my average knife price point so far has been around 440 per knife
I deliberately avoided Denka due to polarized opinions on it and most importantly it’s quality and rework issues - where people sent them back to Japan.
However, some insightful and knowledgeable people on this forum persuaded me to take the leap of faith and get one. I was going to get one this week, but got distracted and got a Heiji and Togashi instead - both very expensive knives. So maybe in a couple of weeks, I get the Denka
Know that at that price point, you could be getting many spectacular knives including Some Honyaki.
When I stay I started with knives, I did not start with $100 knives, I went straight to $300, 400, 600, 800, knives. But price point has less to do with it. It has more to do with what is your style and preference. I prefer my knives with a bit of weight.
Others like lighter, thinner knives. It has to do with how you cook, how much you cook, if you are prepping 6 hours a day or if you cook for fun every so often. If you are a Pro.
I am not sure owning a Denka will help you figure out what you like, other than the fact that you got a Denka - well, why not get a blue steel Togashi sharpened by Tosa? I mean you can’t go wrong with that knife! It is perfection
If you really want to go all out, I would get a Denka and get two other great knives like a Watanabe, Togashi, Y. Tanaka, or Toyama or Fujiyama - the epitome of the finest form of knife making. Stay away from Chelsea Miller (my lesson learned in another thread
) These Knives will be a bit less expensive, but you may actually like them more
Great to learn about your self in this journey as well, and of course, the knives you prefer and that fit your style
It’s a great journey full of discoveries. That’s why WTS booms here, people out-grow some knives, others never reach for them and end up selling them - no matter the price or prestige- and others discover what they really like, which often is not what you think you ought to like
My concern is that given the hype around Denka. You may actually be under-whelmed. Because expectations and hyper-hype ( TFTFTFTFTF... I love that btw!)
But go out be bold and splurge - you only live once