Help Identifying This Knife
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I’ve seen that handle somewhere but can’t place it...
This one is similar but different knife. Gesshin Ginga 240mm White #2 Honyaki Gyuto with Black Micarta Handle
KenHash
Senior Member
The Square looks more like a logo than Kanji.
And there seems to be writing, in Alphabet to the right of it.
Just guessing...I've seen clearer pictures of Bigfoot...lol
You’re correct, it is a logo with writing. There are other views throughout the video but none of them give you a completely clear shot. Their other knives are masamoto so I’m inclined to think the gyuto they feature most (there is another) is likely at least decent.
KenHash
Senior Member
I am completely stumped. Apart from the Gesshin Ginga mentioned, I can only think of Sakai Ichinomon Mitsuhide and Hirotake as brands that offer pinned micarta. None of which match that knife.
My curiosity is piqued because that knife seems quite unique, the handle style with something of a palm swell, and that clearly deliberate notch in the choil, which could be be for the finger, but almost looks like a line cutter. I thought TF was the only one that did something to the choil. And finally, I could be mistaken but is that a tapered tang?
If I had Niki Nakamura's email I would ask directly.
My curiosity is piqued because that knife seems quite unique, the handle style with something of a palm swell, and that clearly deliberate notch in the choil, which could be be for the finger, but almost looks like a line cutter. I thought TF was the only one that did something to the choil. And finally, I could be mistaken but is that a tapered tang?
If I had Niki Nakamura's email I would ask directly.
Yeah, I’m really surprised someone hasn’t been able to say what this is. I did come across a couple of sakai takayuki knives with the notch but definitely not the same knife. Could be a rehandle but the rest of the knives didn’t give me the impression that was their thing. I do think it was likely Carole Iida’s knife. Niki seemed to reach for a more common western gyuto or one of the single bevels. Carole only used this one.
DavidPF
Likes Boring Knives
If that's a cutting edge, it seems to be in a risky position.
It’s not, I’ve come across several knives online now with it, including an Akifusa at EE. Still surprised nobody else can identify this.
DavidPF
Likes Boring Knives
I wondered whether it was one of the "close but no cigar" examples mentioned already, but in an earlier version - but if it was, someone would have recognized the logo.
It seems logical that all knives with this oddly distinctive handle would source their handle from the same place.
It seems logical that all knives with this oddly distinctive handle would source their handle from the same place.
KenHash
Senior Member
Yes, I only meant it "looks like" as in the same shape as line cutters found on some outdoor knives because it is scalloped. A grind not really needed for a finger rest. Not saying that's what it is.
But, as far as position goes, if a knifemaker were asked to put in a line cutter, I am not so sure that wouldn't be the spot. Depending on how you grip your knife, that position may not pose a problem.
The biggest issue with thinking about a line cutter is really, "why would anyone want a line cutter on a kitchen knife anyway?"
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DavidPF
Likes Boring Knives
String beans
xxxclx
Award-winning geese
Extrapolating from the original video made me think that the logo on the knife might have looked like this
There seems to be three kanjis in the logo. Three lines of text can be seen to the right of the logo.
Maybe the logo might ring the bell for someone.
There seems to be three kanjis in the logo. Three lines of text can be seen to the right of the logo.
Maybe the logo might ring the bell for someone.
DavidPF
Likes Boring Knives
The first line of probably-alphabetic text appears to be six letters, and may have the same letter in positions 3 and 6 - those look similar. But the picture is blurry so this could be all wrong.
Nice screen grab. My curiosity got the better of me and I asked Carole on Instagram like a stalker.
KenHash
Senior Member
Thank you for taking the initiative to get an answer from Carole directly.
The more I look at this knife, particulary the logo and words, the less I think that it is made in Japan.
Might be proven wrong, but who knows....lol
The more I look at this knife, particulary the logo and words, the less I think that it is made in Japan.
Might be proven wrong, but who knows....lol
All I can think about is which knife I should file a line cutter into.
DavidPF
Likes Boring Knives
In your second photo, the "edge" of the "line cutter" looks fat enough that it might not even cut through dirty water.
But again that could be an optical illusion from a blurry picture.
Also most line cutters are shaped to sort of guide the line into the throat of the cutter - however, this might be a deliberately different design due to its location.
KenHash
Senior Member
In your second photo, the "edge" of the "line cutter" looks fat enough that it might not even cut through dirty water.
But again that could be an optical illusion from a blurry picture.
Also most line cutters are shaped to sort of guide the line into the throat of the cutter - however, this might be a deliberately different design due to its location.
I agree that from that thickness in the second photo, that "groove" is likely decorative rather than functional.
In fact, considering the unique handle shape and groove, if there weren't a logo and words on the blade I would
have first thought that this was a custom made knife,
Ikazuchi has that kind of finger relief.
KenHash
Senior Member
Second picture shows it pretty good.
https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/ikazuchi-240-mm-ss-clad-blue-super-gyuto.42351/
KenHash
Senior Member
Thanks. Yes I see the smooth beveling clearly meant for comfort. I thought you meant a scalloped one just like in the OP photo.
I know it's not it, but Toshu knives seem to do that heel relief (s-grind I think, so only on one side)
http://www.hamono-ft.jp/en/varieties.html
http://www.hamono-ft.jp/en/varieties.html
McMan
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Finger notch looks identical though...
Maybe she had it re-handled with the six-pin and had the choil ground from "S" to vertical?
