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pingru

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Hi - Gru here. Live in SoCal. Own two Zwilling Pro knives (8" chef and a boning knife) since 2017. I fancy over Japanese knives and want to buy a couple of them. Looking for the members' help!!

The Zwilling is pretty heavy, thick stainless steel, so prefer a high-carbon the black-blue steel thingy :)

Looking for High Carbon Japanese knives between $50-$200. I was planning to buy Shun Classic Nakiri but I heard there are better "niche" options for the same price.

Nakiri, Bunka, Kirutsuke are the ones I am looking for.

Let me know, please. Last post reviewed.

Full knive request form below:

LOCATION
What country are you in? USA (Southern California)


KNIFE TYPE
What type of knife are you interested in (e.g., chefs knife, slicer, boning knife, utility knife, bread knife, paring knife, cleaver)? Chef knife

Are you right or left handed? Right-handed

Are you interested in a Western handle (e.g., classic Wusthof handle) or Japanese handle? Very-very Japanese handle :)

What length of knife (blade) are you interested in (in inches or millimeters)? 6-8 inches.

Do you require a stainless knife? (Yes or no) No, looking for the black/blue high carbon thin blades. 80% cutting veggies. Rarely cut Chicken breast etc. Will not cut bones.

What is your absolute maximum budget for your knife? $200



KNIFE USE
Do you primarily intend to use this knife at home or a professional environment? Home cook

What are the main tasks you primarily intend to use the knife for (e.g., slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables, slicing meats, cutting down poultry, breaking poultry bones, filleting fish, trimming meats, etc.)? (Please identify as many tasks as you would like.) slicing vegetables, chopping vegetables, mincing vegetables

What knife, if any, are you replacing? Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro 8" Traditional Chef's Knife (I have Zwilling Boning knife and a Cangshan 16 piece set which are used by everyone at home). This one I am asking for will be "mine-mine" only.

Do you have a particular grip that you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for the common types of grips.) Bit of pinch grip as I am used to European chef knife technique, but not a hard request.

What cutting motions do you primarily use? (Please click on this LINK for types of cutting motions and identify the two or three most common cutting motions, in order of most used to least used.) Rocking mostly and chopping sometimes for Parsley.

What improvements do you want from your current knife? If you are not replacing a knife, please identify as many characteristics identified below in parentheses that you would like this knife to have.) Razor-like Sharpness, Comfort/Ergonomical, Wood rounded handle, Black/Bue High Carbon Steel blade, Lighter, Good grip, Good edge retention. Double bevel.

Better aesthetics (e.g., a certain type of finish; layered/Damascus or other pattern of steel; different handle color/pattern/shape/wood; better scratch resistance; better stain resistance)? Not particular, but love damascus and dark wooden handle.

Comfort (e.g., lighter/heavier knife; better handle material; better handle shape; rounded spine/choil of the knife; improved balance)? Lighter preferable as Zwilling is pretty heavy and pains my palm and wrist after 30 minutes of chopping onions. Medium heavy is okay but not for sure like the Zwilling.

Ease of Use (e.g., ability to use the knife right out of the box; smoother rock chopping, push cutting, or slicing motion; less wedging; better food release; less reactivity with food; easier to sharpen)? Good multifunction for veggies. Will sharp in the stone once in 1-2 weeks.

Edge Retention (i.e., length of time you want the edge to last without sharpening)? Preferable



KNIFE MAINTENANCE
Do you use a bamboo, wood, rubber, or synthetic cutting board? (Yes or no.) Have a Wood & Asahi Rubber board

Do you sharpen your own knives? (Yes or no.) Yes, I have King stone (now practicing) and the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener


If not, are you interested in learning how to sharpen your knives? (Yes or no.) Yes, interested to learn knife sharpening

Are you interested in purchasing sharpening products for your knives? (Yes or no.) Not now, I have already mentioned above



SPECIAL REQUESTS/COMMENTS
None
 
Last edited:
Welcome. Your "which knife" questionnaire will probably get more traction under the chef knife sub-forum.
 
Thank you, dear all! Hoping to learn some skills from you all!

Let me post on the exact forum as I am looking for specific brand + model recommendations. Want to avoid buyer's remorse and I have a budget constraint.
 
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