mazaki knives

[josemartinlopez]

I know, I know...

 

[RockyBasel]

Best bang for the bucks under 300 is Heiji, my friend.

Heiji’s are exceptional knives, I have the 240 Gyuto in both Carbon and semi stainless. They are amazing performers and the steel, fit and finish are fantastic.

I would put them above Mazaki any day and right up there at parity with Toyama, etc. Agree completely- if you look at this forum under best Japanese active makers of knives today - Heiji is mentioned as one of the top.

but I don’t think you can get them under 300. A Gyuto will be more like 400+ I think a 210 Gyuto will be more like 350 or so.

 

[DitmasPork]

This is me and the thought of non stainless in Singapore

Many people who don't live in tropical or sub-tropical environs simply can't understand how humid and salty air can get.

My parent's house—where I stay and cook during visits—is less than a mile from the beach, air often very damp and salty, some of my carbons get signs of rust within hours if the wind blowing from the south, even with constant wiping down and drying of knives.

The Mazaki cladding particularly reactive there. I often take a different set of knives each time, there're always carbons in the mix, since I dislike stainless.

Island travel kit.

52100 carbon has worked very well for me in Hawaii, without major rust issues. Here's what I took for my last trip to Hawaii in January: 225 Tsourkan WH, 52100; 225 Kippington WP, 52100; 240 Gessin Heiji, semi-stainless, suji; 180 Masaki, white 2, petty. The Mazaki by far took the most attention and cleaning.

Heiji's semi-stainless is so perfect for the tropics IMO!

 

[josemartinlopez]

Got it. Stupid question but why is 52100 less reactive?

 

[DitmasPork]

Got it. Stupid question but why is 52100 less reactive?

I'm not a steel nerd, so others can chime in. When I got my Kip 52100, it wasn't reactive at all, it took an hour with a pineapple to finally get a patina. It's one of my fave carbons.

 

[CiderBear]

Heiji’s are exceptional knives, I have the 240 Gyuto in both Carbon and semi stainless. They are amazing performers and the steel, fit and finish are fantastic.

I would put them above Mazaki any day and right up there at parity with Toyama, etc. Agree completely- if you look at this forum under best Japanese active makers of knives today - Heiji is mentioned as one of the top.

but I don’t think you can get them under 300. A Gyuto will be more like 400+ I think a 210 Gyuto will be more like 350 or so.

They're really affordable when you order direct. I think I paid 280-ish for mine.

 

[RockyBasel]

They're really affordable when you order direct. I think I paid 280-ish for mine.

I would love to order direct, but they never respond to me I have tried everything including mailing them direct

but I have 2 Gyuto by them, one SS and love them

 

[rogue108]

Got it. Stupid question but why is 52100 less reactive?

Higher Chromium content than most carbon steels

 

[Robert Lavacca]

I wish I had a reason to have an island travel kit

 

[RockyBasel]

I wish I had a reason to have an island travel kit

My thoughts exactly - love it!

 

[ref]

hello can I join the club (ignore the weeds please)

 

[Xenif]

hello can I join the club (ignore the weeds please)

What size is that?

 

[IronBalloon]

hello can I join the club (ignore the weeds please)

Is that a kasumi nakiri?

 

[ref]

What size is that?

not entirely sure actually, I will measure it tomorrow!

 

[slickmamba]

hello can I join the club (ignore the weeds please)

wowowow

 

[ref]

What size is that?

It's 170mm long and 54mm tall at the heel. I would have liked it a tiny bit taller but I am very happy.

Is that a kasumi nakiri?

kasumi white#2

 

[preizzo]

It's 170mm long and 54mm tall at the heel. I would have liked it a tiny bit taller but I am very happy.



kasumi white#2

If 54 mm height and 170 mm length nakiri is not tall enough for you then buy a Chinese clever

 

[ref]

If 54 mm height and 170 mm length nakiri is not tall enough for you then buy a Chinese clever

hehe, nah I was only thinking a couple of mm. The length is fine! I also haven't used it yet so I'm just putting random various first impressions so it looks like I'm a knife expert.

I have a large cck though but it hurts my wrist after a while.

 

[Nagakin]

I have a large cck though but it hurts my wrist after a while.

I suggest trying a lower counter height like your kitchen table and lifting at the elbow instead of your wrist. If you keep your wrist loose you'll have a natural pushing/rocking motion, which is why so many cleavers have so much belly. That's how the grannies and aunties last all day with one in an Asian squat

 

[daveb]

I also haven't used it yet so I'm just putting random various first impressions so it looks like I'm a knife expert.

We already have that position filled but we'll get back to you if anything changes....

 

[ModRQC]

180/56 was a pretty perfect Nakiri from him. Sold it because I hadn't much use for it in normal everyday life. Good fun during Covid lockout though!

 

[esoo]

We already have that position filled but we'll get back to you if anything changes....

you've hired JML now?

 

[Twigg]

you've hired JML now?

He was the obvious choice since he is always on here.

 

[pgugger]

Well, you guys convinced me to look for the Kuro Nashiji from CKC or Yoshihiro, and by luck, I was able to snag a barely used CKC 240 Kuro Nashiji on the BST of another site! Looking forward to trying it out.

But, now you guys have me curious about Heiji... this never ends, haha...

The mazaki migaki are generally ground thicker then the kurouchi ones .
Kurouchi are easier to maintain the migaki have a fake...

Firstly, I am a big kurouchi fan and love the Maz nashiji finish. Of the two 180 pettys, one kasumi the other nashiji, I liked the feel and performance of the latter better—recently got rid of the kasumi. Difference very small TBH.

I have the CKC KU 240 - excellent performer - under 300 USD. Distal taper is amazing - tip is really thin - have to watch out. But cuts through everything beautifully and like butter. Tip is great for shallots. I can’t think of a better value -Iove that Sanjo heft in the knife - comes in at 240 or 250 gm. Looks nice - I am
Curious about the Migaki, and will definitely get the new 2020 Migaki’s that shall be coming in soon into retail - have been told that mazaki San is currently developing the new migaki batch

I have both and feel the same way, might sell Kasumi soon

Best bang for the bucks under 300 is Heiji, my friend.

Heiji’s are exceptional knives, I have the 240 Gyuto in both Carbon and semi stainless. They are amazing performers and the steel, fit and finish are fantastic.

I would put them above Mazaki any day and right up there at parity with Toyama, etc. Agree completely- if you look at this forum under best Japanese active makers of knives today - Heiji is mentioned as one of the top.

 

[M1k3]

Well, you guys convinced me to look for the Kuro Nashiji from CKC or Yoshihiro, and by luck, I was able to snag a barely used CKC 240 Kuro Nashiji on the BST of another site! Looking forward to trying it out.

But, now you guys have me curious about Heiji... this never ends, haha...

Heiji = great steel, super high flat bevels that like to wedge in dense stuff. But if you put some work into it, they can be great cutters. And Heiji burnt chestnut handles are really nice!

 

[RockyBasel]

Heiji = great steel, super high flat bevels that like to wedge in dense stuff. But if you put some work into it, they can be great cutters. And Heiji burnt chestnut handles are really nice!

very true, but there is some batch variance -i saw some wedging in their Nakiri, but not in their SS Gyuto - an absolutely gorgeous knife, thin really, unlike a heiji at 205 gm. Their carbon Gyuto was 259gm, and still did not wedge too much, but more so than the SS

as you say, the steel is magnificent - beyond compare

here is the pic of the thin SS - Urushi handle

 

[IronBalloon]

hehe, nah I was only thinking a couple of mm. The length is fine! I also haven't used it yet so I'm just putting random various first impressions so it looks like I'm a knife expert.

I have a large cck though but it hurts my wrist after a while.

How big is the cck? I fancy a big chopper but they seem too big for me, maybe on the heavy side?

 

[Viggetorr]

How big is the cck? I fancy a big chopper but they seem too big for me, maybe on the heavy side?

The CCK 130X-series is extremly nimble for their size. My 1303 is lighter than my 200mm ZKramer...

 

[IronBalloon]

The CCK 130X-series is extremly nimble for their size. My 1303 is lighter than my 200mm ZKramer...

Hmm, still pretty tall though? Ugh if they were easier to find in the U.K. I’d probably have caved I bought one by now...

 

[ref]

How big is the cck? I fancy a big chopper but they seem too big for me, maybe on the heavy side?

~22cm long, 11cm high, and about 420grams for the 1103

it is an experience