Tetsujin Friction

[instantramen]

I got a 210mm Tetsujin metal flow kiritsuke recently, and despite removing the lacquer, the friction I feel using the knife is still pretty insane. Like the knife halts halfway through an onion and can't perform horizontal cuts because it just sticks. Normally I'd think this was an issue with the geometry, but slices get so glued to the side of the blade that it feels almost dangerous trying to push them off, like my hand will slip and nick the edge. Any thoughts about what's going on, or how it might improve over time?

 

[M1k3]

Rub 0000 steel wool on the blade very lightly.

 

[superworrier]

I’d use it a bit more. You might be able to accelerate the process by rubbing a cut potato or something on the blade face. YMMV but the etch on mine was not draggy (and I’ve experienced draggy etched). If it doesn’t improve, you can try the 0000 steel wool but not sure how the appearance will be affected.

 

[cwk.v]

I’d use it a bit more. You might be able to accelerate the process by rubbing a cut potato or something on the blade face. YMMV but the etch on mine was not draggy (and I’ve experienced draggy etched). If it doesn’t improve, you can try the 0000 steel wool but not sure how the appearance will be affected.

I agree with this as well! I've had knives that started off very sticky and then got smoother once a patina started to develop. Almost a "breaking-in" period some knives require.

 

[superworrier]

It also kind of sounds more like the effects of a mirror finish (with things getting suctioned on). Yeah it’s not a mirror but I think the surface texture has a huge impact (sandpaper mirror polish is suction-y but not after some natural stone dust which seems to make knives hydrophobic somehow)

 

[instantramen]

Thanks for the advice all, gonna keep using it for a bit and progress to the potato or steel wool if I don't see improvement

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

If it has a high-contrast etch, which the pictures sort of look like it does, then I agree with @M1k3. I had one knife with a darker etch and it seized up part way into an onion like it was made of super glue. I did a light sanding with like 1500 or 2000 automotive sandpaper to shine it up a bit and it has been running fine ever since. Yes, it did lose some of that sexy etch look but what good is that if it won't cut right? I would also advise if you go this route to start light and only swipe in one direction. Helps avoid any potential "J" hook scratches. But the abrasive is so fine this is not a high risk anyway.

 

[instantramen]

If anyone comes back to this, can confirm that with just removing the lacquer and 5-6 sessions of moderate use the sticking is no longer an issue, and it slides easily through everything. The etch is intact, so it must have been the lacquer initially causing the friction.

 

[Ocicat]

If anyone comes back to this, can confirm that with just removing the lacquer and 5-6 sessions of moderate use the sticking is no longer an issue, and it slides easily through everything. The etch is intact, so it must have been the lacquer initially causing the friction.

Thanks for the follow-up!

 

[DitmasPork]

I got a 210mm Tetsujin metal flow kiritsuke recently, and despite removing the lacquer, the friction I feel using the knife is still pretty insane. Like the knife halts halfway through an onion and can't perform horizontal cuts because it just sticks. Normally I'd think this was an issue with the geometry, but slices get so glued to the side of the blade that it feels almost dangerous trying to push them off, like my hand will slip and nick the edge. Any thoughts about what's going on, or how it might improve over time?

I felt a lot of friction with my metal flow, so I just sanded down the entire knife with wet sandpaper, worked/felt much better from there.