WOWW! Whats the size on that handle? Is it comfortable?Yeah, got a special box the other day.
View attachment 200176
View attachment 200357
View attachment 200178
Yeah, got a special box the other day.
View attachment 200176
View attachment 200357
View attachment 200178
It's around 97 x 32 x 17 mm (length/height/width) and it's perfectly comfortable for me, yes. Was thinking about different options but I think the standard stubby handles work best for larger cleavers.WOWW! Whats the size on that handle? Is it comfortable?
Doesn't look like they gave much thought to the boxes. The same boxes as their soba knives btw.lol. i actually thought they came in wooden boxes until now.
That’s right. Just tried to take a frontal chill shot.Frontal choil shot. Sure it's a vegetable cleaver. All that hammer work.
Wow thats a good looking knife! Where did u find the denka one? Ive only been able to find the nashiji onesYeah, got a special box the other day.
View attachment 200176
View attachment 200357
View attachment 200178
They’re not part of their regular lineup and you’ll have to ask them directly.Wow thats a good looking knife! Where did u find the denka one? Ive only been able to find the nashiji ones
Depends on what you like. I can only speak to my wa 210 that I changed the handle on. With the standard ho handle it was quite forward balanced, up at the top kanji. The handle I installed was 25g heavier and that pulled the balance back 2cm to the bottom kanji. I'd have to think that the western handled are more neutral balanced, common among yo handled knives. So, if you prefer distinct forward balance, a light wa handle. If you prefer more neutral, yo or a heavy wa handle. There isn't a better or worse, just personal preference.Got a denka question for the more experienced, as I've never been able to find one in a shop to actually hold for myself:
Typically I prefer wa handles. If I buy a denka, it would be one that's gone through District Cutlery service or similar, where any of the common crooked handle install issues would be fixed. But I've also seen retailers say things like "Fujiwara himself says Western handle is the best choice for his knives" and "the balance on these knives is much better with a Western handle".
Do people find that to be true? I.e. if you knew you were getting a perfectly installed wa handle, would Western still be a better choice for a denka because of balance, or is that just retailers warning people away from buying a knife that may come with a crooked handle without specifically mentioning the issue?
Hmmm... I beg to differ.Worth noting that the finger notch is more suited to the yo handles, since you don't really need it the way the wa handle is set up.
Worth noting that the finger notch is more suited to the yo handles, since you don't really need it the way the wa handle is set up.
[ Length ] | [ Weight ] | [ Price ] |
---|---|---|
150mm | 110g | 59,400 JPY |
180mm | 125g | 62,700 JPY |
195mm | 140g | 63,800 JPY |
210mm | 160g | 77,000 JPY |
240mm | 205g | 104,500 JPY |
270mm | 250g | 132,000 JPY |
300mm | 275g | 165,000 JPY |
This makes me kinda sad. I really wanted to try a Denka eventually, but don't really have enough interest at this new price point. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise for my wallet.I'm sure many have seen by now, but TF just upped his prices big time. If/when the Yen comes back and/or the dollar comes down, those 240s are gonna be hella expensive.
New Denka price list
[ Length ] [ Weight ] [ Price ] 150mm 110g 59,400 JPY 180mm 125g 62,700 JPY 195mm 140g 63,800 JPY 210mm 160g 77,000 JPY 240mm 205g 104,500 JPY 270mm 250g 132,000 JPY 300mm 275g 165,000 JPY
If it makes you feel any better the new price with the current yen is about what they cost at the old price a year ago when the yen was 35% higher, speaking in terms of USD anyway. And even at the new price it's still less expensive direct than buying from a retailer where they are going for $600-$650 USD.Argh! I will be in Japan in a few weeks and had planned to stop in and buy a 210mm Denka next month!
Very bad timing - it went up 35% !
That's a lot for a knife that people say will probably need to be fixed up after it's bought...
Completely agree, obviously they sell mostly to international markets, the value that was okay before the last increase (2018 or so?) has become extremely bad for the national market. Even if the f&f would be top notch, it would still be very expensive. Apparently, they have a long list of orders so they figured they could make more money. Good time to sell directly and not through a wholesaler.Do you think the prices will drop when the yen strengthens? Exactly, they won't. Total money grab aimed squarely at the International (mainly US) market. Glad I got my fill 5 years ago. I wouldn't be a buyer today.
There have been very few bad reports about overgrinds etc in recent months here, it seems like quality has improved a lot. Also, if you pick it at the shop directly, you can check it there so you can definitely avoid any issues. Still, it’s a lot of money that could get you a lot more knife with a lot better f&f…Argh! I will be in Japan in a few weeks and had planned to stop in and buy a 210mm Denka next month!
Very bad timing - it went up 35% !
That's a lot for a knife that people say will probably need to be fixed up after it's bought...
Lol I just got mine and I'm not sure I would say that. Haven't tried it but the grind looks pretty wonky to me. TBF it's not an overgrind but I think it will need some work to cut good.Completely agree, obviously they sell mostly to international markets, the value that was okay before the last increase (2018 or so?) has become extremely bad for the national market. Apparently, they have a long list of orders so they figured they could make more money. Good time to sell directly and not through a wholesaler.
There have been very few bad reports about overgrinds etc in recent months here, it seems like quality has improved a lot. Also, if you pick it at the shop directly, you can check it there so you can definitely avoid any issues. Still, it’s a lot of money that could get you a lot more knife…
They WERE improving until some key employees decided to leave at the end of last year. Around that time direct orders and retailers with stock arriving in 2022 have been less than perfect IMHO.Completely agree, obviously they sell mostly to international markets, the value that was okay before the last increase (2018 or so?) has become extremely bad for the national market. Apparently, they have a long list of orders so they figured they could make more money. Good time to sell directly and not through a wholesaler.
There have been very few bad reports about overgrinds etc in recent months here, it seems like quality has improved a lot. Also, if you pick it at the shop directly, you can check it there so you can definitely avoid any issues. Still, it’s a lot of money that could get you a lot more knife…
You just made an investment that appreciated 36% in a matter of weeks.Trying to work this price increase into an argument that my recent 300mm Denka Gyuto purchase was a wise and thrifty use of funds, but still working on the phrasing.
Update: what made me think it was bad was the left side was significantly more convex (also it was severely convex) and the tip grind was really bad (not ground as high and looked thick from the spine side).Lol I just got mine and I'm not sure I would say that. Haven't tried it but the grind looks pretty wonky to me. TBF it's not an overgrind but I think it will need some work to cut good.
Also I was out of town and I told them not to ship it until I got back (they said they wouldn't) but they did it anyway.
Looks like you can. There's ShopPay and everything here 牛刀 | Gyutohow do you order from Isamitsu? no contact info or ability to order from their site
Enter your email address to join: