Latest buy. 210 Denka. I still have stuff on order with TF directly but seeing as the last I heard from them it's going to be another 6+ months after already being very late from the original quote, I haven't responded to them yet to decide to cancel or whatever.
Took a chance and snagged this for a decent price. It's supposed to be brand new. No scratch and dent. Just brand new. Certainly doesn't look like it. I currently own over 20 high end Japanese knives and I've only ever returned one item, which ironically enough was the only other item I've ever purchased from the same shop I got this Denka from. I personally think this knife looks straight up used. Not even a scratch and dent cuz I don't believe for one second it left the factory like this. I already have another Denka, it looks nothing like this. This looks like something someone previously owned and they like thinned out themselves, scratching up the stuff, and losing some height. The knife doesn't seem as tall as it should be either, closer to 45 mm than it is to the 52 mm which was claimed. Shame cuz these ain't easy to get and I want one and the overall grind on this this busted up guy looks very nice and thin and even. I'm not pleased atm, feel like I wasted my time, again, after giving this shop a second chance.
edit: I did some more examining and scratch that point I made on it being even. It's straight up warped in my opinion. The way i assess that is by laying the blade flat against a true flat surface. I'm gonna upload a picture of it siting on a magnetic block next to a zdp laser I own and you'll see what I mean. feel like the seller might try to justify this by citing the reputation for these knives to have poor fit and finish, but I don't buy that. The poor fit and finish I've seen on this is mostly just the way the western stye handles are sloppily constructed, which I don't even mind and I can almost by into the notion that it's charming and perhaps done that way intentionally. What do you guys think, am I wrong? Am I crazy? I'd love some feedback.
That's my assessment, what do you guys think? Would you be satisfied considering what these cost? If the general consensus is that I'm off base, I'll just shut up and be happy. But if 90+% of people who respond are on the "hell naw" train, then I'm sending it back, and probably never attempting to do business with said shop again, cuz 2 for 2 on headaches might as well be a strikeout in my book. Like I've purchased over 20 similar items for 5-6 other sellers, never once had issues or considered a return. I value my time, and so does anyone that hires me cuz it ain't cheap, ya feel me. It's the time suck that aggravates me. If the knife wasn't "off" I probably wouldn't even have posted about it.
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