Looking for a new quality japanese Gyuto. Help me pick!

[Emieloss]

Hey all!

I'm looking to add a new knife to my collection, and I can't pick. Some information on what I'm looking for and what I' already have.

Budget: Between 300 and 600 euros
Steel: Preferably carbon, but would also consider ginsan or SKD
Handle: Japanese
Knife: Gyuto or Kiritsuke.
Length: 240 or 210, leaning more towards a 240
Cladding: I'd like something reactive to form a patina, and I'd like it to have a look that I don't currently have yet. Hence the examples listed below.
Sharpen?: Yes I can sharpen. Usually do naniwa pro 400/1000/3000/Belgian blue

Current knife collection:
Anryu B#2 hammered 270 Sujihiki
Moritaka AS 240 Gyuto (removed KU and thinned)
Shiro Kamo SG2 Damast 210 Gyuto
Yoshimi Kato AS Nashiji 210 Gyuto
Shibata Kotetsu SG2 180 Bunka
Tojiro DP VG10 180 Gyuto
Nigara Tuschime Damast Migaki VG10 180 Bunka
Tadafusa W#2 KU 165 Santoku
Shigeki Tanaka B#2 Migaki 165 Nakiri
Takamura Migaki R2 150 Petty
Moritaka AS 130 Petty (removed KU and thinned)

I usually like knives that are really thin behind the edge, but with a bit of spine (so not full lasers). The Yoshimi Kato AS is probably my favorite knife atm.

Knives that I'm leaning towards right now:

Hado Sumi
https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/hado-sumi-gyuto-240?search=hado sumi
Yoshikazu Tanaka
https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/yoshikazu-tanaka-shirogami-1-damast-walnut-gyuto-24-cm
Hatsukokoro Komorebi
https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/en/hatsukokoro-komorebi-aogami-2-gyuto-21-cm?search=komorebi
Matsubara Aogami
https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/en/matsubara-aogami-2-tsuchime-gyuto-24-cm
Could really use some help on what to pick. What the pro's and cons are for each of these, and what your experience is with these knifemakers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Flat or curvy profile preference? Or does it not matter to you?

 

[Emieloss]

I like a bit of a flat spot towards the heel, and a gentle sweep towards the tip.
I do a combination of cutting techniques. Mostly pushcutting, slicing and chopping.

 

[SwampDonkey]

https://knifejapan.com/unshu-yukimitsu-hamono-migaki-gyuto-210mm/
He can make them longer if you like, just ask Michael at KJ. I have a 230 k-tip and it's about 3mm at pinch, drastic distal taper, and very thin behind the edge.

https://sharpknifeshop.com/products...hiji-gyuto-240-mm?_pos=2&_sid=7f49df1d1&_ss=r
Current Mazaki KU is also excellent and takes a crazy patina. 5 mm at pinch, nice distal taper to a laser tip, good flat rear, thick spine to a skinny edge and good convex grind.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

I would contact Michael of @Knot Handcrafted and work on something with him. A mono carbon would give you a good patina. Michael is UK based and makes beautiful knives.

 

[Uncle Danny]

The stainless Matsubara is a wonderful working machine Easy to maintain and easy to sharpen - and it looks good.

 

[Jovidah]

I have a rustbucket Y. Tanaka I'm willing to part with that might be up your alley... Haven't gotten around to putting it on B/S/T yet but it's basically this one:
https://miuraknives.com/japanese-kn...panese-knife-miura-itadaki.html#/36-size-24cmWould come in below your budget but would tick most of the other boxes.

 

[Emieloss]

https://knifejapan.com/unshu-yukimitsu-hamono-migaki-gyuto-210mm/
He can make them longer if you like, just ask Michael at KJ. I have a 230 k-tip and it's about 3mm at pinch, drastic distal taper, and very thin behind the edge.

https://sharpknifeshop.com/products...hiji-gyuto-240-mm?_pos=2&_sid=7f49df1d1&_ss=r
Current Mazaki KU is also excellent and takes a crazy patina. 5 mm at pinch, nice distal taper to a laser tip, good flat rear, thick spine to a skinny edge and good convex grind.

Thanks!
That Mazaki looks very similar to the Hado. Why would you pick it over the Hado and the others I listed?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Thanks!
That Mazaki looks very similar to the Hado. Why would you pick it over the Hado and the others I listed?

Because I own it and not the others

Haven't tried them, just speaking to what I know.

 

[tostadas]

The Komorebi ticks all your boxes, with thick spine, thin grind, profile that's not overly flat nor curvy, and very reactive cladding for building patina.

Others you may want to consider are any number of Sakai knives. Nakagawa and Tanaka forge many of them, and you can take your pick of sharpener, like myojin and morihiro. Pretty much anything from the kagekiyo, Sakai kikuzuki, or hado lines will be excellent. Also anything from migoto is also top notch.

 

[jedy617]

The hados are really thin behind the edge.

Komorebi series is also really thin usually but with a decently thick spine so that might fit the bill. See what Phil at the home butcher has. Message him on IG. Probably better prices even after considering shipping

 

[blokey]

Thanks!
That Mazaki looks very similar to the Hado. Why would you pick it over the Hado and the others I listed?

Mazaki are very different from Hado, Hado are thin knives with little taper, and almost too flat of a grind. Mazakis are much heavier, thicker spined and more convexed grind.

 

[blokey]

If you want try something different, this is alot less than your budget but worth a try

https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-munetoshi-nashiji-black-gyuto-chefs-knife-24-cm.htmhttps://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifetype/gyuto/hinoura_gyuto_240-2363-detail
For your budget
https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/toyama-noborikoi-stainless-clad-blue-gyuto-210mm/https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/toyama-noborikoi-stainless-clad-blue-gyuto-240mm/

 

[Heckel7302]

Yeah, I'd say that collection needs some Sanjo love. Mazaki, Wakui, or Yoshikane would all be safe bets.

 

[Delat]

Agree with Sanjo suggestions above, Wakui and Yoshikane are excellent. Also Myojin is another solid choice to consider.

If you want to go in a different direction, there’s Bjorn Birgersson in your neck of the woods. Thin, concave grind, comfortable spine (thicker than your Shibata). Something about it feels a bit rustic and rugged and easy to use as a daily driver without stressing.
https://www.birgerssonblades.com/
Another thin concave but with a thick, comfortable spine at the choil is Henry Hyde. Very comfortable semi-Western handles. Not sure if his books are open, but if so you should be able to get a custom in your price range. Henry Hyde Handmade Knives

 

[Emieloss]

If you want try something different, this is alot less than your budget but worth a try

https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-munetoshi-nashiji-black-gyuto-chefs-knife-24-cm.htmhttps://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifetype/gyuto/hinoura_gyuto_240-2363-detail
For your budget
https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/toyama-noborikoi-stainless-clad-blue-gyuto-210mm/https://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/toyama-noborikoi-stainless-clad-blue-gyuto-240mm/

Yeah a Toyama or Watanabe is still on the list. But that purchase is planned a little further down the road.

 

[Emieloss]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Appreciate you all thinking along and pointing me in the right direction.

Currently I'm still collecting different types of japanese knives to really find out what I like and prefer. So not looking for a custom made knife yet.

Yoshikane SKD was on the list, but since I prefered something reactive I decided to look at some other options.

I will definitely look into Wakui and more of Mazaki. I thought Myojin was a sharpener?

 

[ahhactive]

I would reccomend a tetsujin, i have one that could be for sale =)

its a midweight with really thin BTE

 

[Emieloss]

In terms of the Yoshikane. What would be the main differences in the White #2 vs SKD? Other than reactiveness and price.

 

[SwampDonkey]

That's the only difference in Yoshis. The SKD will have significantly longer edge retention vs the shirogami but otherwise same knife.

I wholeheartedly second Munetoshi suggestion. I love mine so much. I've been ruthlessly trimming my collection and the Munetoshi will never leave.

 

[timebard]

I will definitely look into Wakui and more of Mazaki. I thought Myojin was a sharpener?

He's the sharpener on a bunch of lines (Tetsujin, Kono FM/MM, other Y Tanaka collabs, some Kagekiyo) but also has his own label of stainless knives. All good stuff.

In terms of the Yoshikane. What would be the main differences in the White #2 vs SKD? Other than reactiveness and price.

Edge retention is significantly better on the SKD.

 

[Emieloss]

Sadly Tetsujin / Kono FM/MM are nowhere to be found. Those are gorgeous!

At the moment I'm starting to lean towards buying two knives haha. One Sanjo and one Sakai.

As I've always really liked the look of burned chestnut handles. I've found two similar ones from Sanjo. Any feedback on these two?
https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/mutsumi-hinoura-gyuto-mhn-1411
https://www.thesharpcook.com/product/wakui-tsuchime-stainless-clad-white-2-gyuto-210mm/
The third option would be the Yoshikane SKD 240

As for Sakai, I'm kinda liking Y. Tanaka's work . Also found some great looking stuff from Nakagawa like:
https://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifetype/gyuto/gyuto_nakagawa-aogami1-detail
Any feedback on that?

 

[jacobwilder5]

I’m a big fan of Wakui. Excellent cutters and good value. One of his lines to consider are the v2 steel. Iron clad, sharpen well, and take a nice patina. Also with the chestnut handle you prefer.

https://www.japan-messer-shop.de/Ha...ufen/Wakui-V2-Gyuto-24-cm-nicht-rostfrei.html

 

[Emieloss]

Oke, I pulled the trigger!

I kept going back to the Hado Sumi. For some reason that knife just had my attention from the start. The onepiece handle and the thinness really made me want to add it to the collection.

I also went with the Wakui V2 Gyuto. With all the people in this thread hyping up Wakui I had to try one Also a steel I don't own yet, so that's cool. Sadly it doesn't have the octagonal handle, but the burned chestnut with buffalo horn still looks very nice on oval.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll make sure to post some pictures one I get my hands on them.

 

[Emieloss]

I got greedy and also ordered a Nakagawa. This thing just looks epic!

Kiritsuke

Now I'll have different knives from different makers / regions and also with different looks and finishes. Very curious how they will compare to eachother!

 

[Heckel7302]

Oke, I pulled the trigger!

I kept going back to the Hado Sumi. For some reason that knife just had my attention from the start. The onepiece handle and the thinness really made me want to add it to the collection.

I also went with the Wakui V2 Gyuto. With all the people in this thread hyping up Wakui I had to try one Also a steel I don't own yet, so that's cool. Sadly it doesn't have the octagonal handle, but the burned chestnut with buffalo horn still looks very nice on oval.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll make sure to post some pictures one I get my hands on them.

Good picks. Handles are pretty easy (usually) to change out if you ever wanted to.

 

[Artur]

I’m a big fan of Wakui. Excellent cutters and good value. One of his lines to consider are the v2 steel. Iron clad, sharpen well, and take a nice patina. Also with the chestnut handle you prefer.

https://www.japan-messer-shop.de/Ha...ufen/Wakui-V2-Gyuto-24-cm-nicht-rostfrei.html

Is the Wakui a laser or a work horse ?
If Work horse how much does it wedge into the food ?

 

[M1k3]

Is the Wakui a laser or a work horse ?
If Work horse how much does it wedge into the food ?

More like a lighter midweight.

Wakui and Yoshikane are kind of similar in this regard.

Thicker spine, thin everywhere else.

 

[ahhactive]

Gonna throw an oddball choice here. I havent tried alot of japanese knife, maybe 20 or so and i find this migoto b2 to be the best i've ever handled. available in stores now. well within your budget