Got a brand new, a 225mm gyuto in BLue 1, soft iron clad and kurouchi finish, by a great old-school 'smith, Otsuka-san in the mountains of the Tottori prefecture. Check out details here: Otsuka Hamono | Tottori | Knife Japan - he lives in the mountains and is only reached by physical means, as I understand it. He seldom makes larger gyutos styled blades. I have two of his knives, and the one I use are really incredible sharpness machines. They are very rustic, but the edges are pretty magic. I'd call it some of the nicest Blue 1 I've used. It's on the softer side (it isn't as high hrc as, say Y.Tanaka) but really great balance within the steel capabilities. Awesome forged distal taper. I paid $293 for it and am asking $225 delivered CONUS or $250 Int'l just to move it. No trades for right now. Thanks!
Aogami #1, Soft Iron Clad San Mai | Octogonal Ho Wood and Buffalo Horn | 164 grams | 44mm height at heel | 227mm blade length | 384mm OAL |