Torn between two Yoshikazus

Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
henkle

henkle

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2020
Messages
204
Reaction score
275
Location
Hong Kong
Looking at some reasonably priced gyutos. Performance, rather than F&F is the priority. I'm torn between Y. Tanaka (Hado-sumi) and Y. Ikeda (Sakai Hokushin). My head says Tanaka, but my heart is pulling towards Ikeda. Any thoughts (on the knives, not my indecisiveness)?

​

 
henkle said:
Looking at some reasonably priced gyutos. Performance, rather than F&F is the priority. I'm torn between Y. Tanaka (Hado-sumi) and Y. Ikeda (Sakai Hokushin). My head says Tanaka, but my heart is pulling towards Ikeda. Any thoughts (on the knives, not my indecisiveness)?

​

Click to expand...
Are you just looking for the best performing gyuto? What about edge retention?
 
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
-28%
$42.99 $59.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves
$32.84
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves Sakai Heritage
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide
-21%
$26.99 $33.99
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide keepooon
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop Dember
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.98 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field
-7%
$13.99 $14.99
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field Crazy Potato
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$25.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
$8.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs.
-19%
$129.99 $159.99
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs. LXSEREY STORE
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use
$15.99
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use Crazy Potato
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making
$199.95
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making Knife Aid, Inc.
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
-33%
$51.10 $76.79
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe
$99.99
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe Dfito Direct
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black
-23%
$99.99 $129.99
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black Jianyamei
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series
-25%
$88.98 $118.00
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series Brodark Store
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black
-20%
$39.99 $49.99
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black Astercook
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath
$9.99
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath IEXPO
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black
$79.99
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black Amorston Offical
i do have a 240 damascus white 1 by Y. tanaka BNIB still with the lacquer on. talk to me if you are interested. i have the hado Junpaku as well . so this is redundant.
 
Both are going to have top notch heat treatments which is really the only thing you need from the smith....the rest is down to the sharpener/the specific profile and fit and finish requested by the wholesaler...Can't go wrong with either though.
 
henkle said:
Now you're just messin' with me.
Click to expand...
Sorry, to get back on track. this is a legit store and similar specification as compared to the Hado Sumi and the hokushin. also the sharpener is the highly regarded myojin
 
henkle said:
Now you're just messin' with me.
Click to expand...

I know you said edge retention isn’t a high priority, but be aware Tanaka’s white 2 is pretty poor in that regard.

If you’re ok with that, then Myojin is indeed a terrific sharpener and that’s a great price for a Tanaka x Myojin combo. But there’s no free lunch and there’s a reason Tanaka White 2 is inexpensive vs his other steels. If you’re on a tight budget (for a Tanaka) and ok with stropping after each use then it would be a fun knife. Although to be honest for similar money, personally I’d just get a Myojin in R2.

Hado/OUL has a great reputation; either that or Tanaka x Kyuzo would probably be my pick if I was shopping for a Tanaka.
 
I don’t think Tanaka wh2 is out of character compared to other wh2 blades.
It is a far cry from AS and blue1 or skd etc which I’d prefer but I thought it performed pretty typical for the steel.
 
labor of love said:
I don’t think Tanaka wh2 is out of character compared to other wh2 blades.
It is a far cry from AS and blue1 or skd etc which I’d prefer but I thought it performed pretty typical for the steel.
Click to expand...

Maybe my example was an oddity - I had the Miura Itadaki. After a single prep I noticed it could no longer slice paper cleanly. By contrast my Wakui in white 2 stays sharp for a surprisingly long time, pretty similar to my experience with AS actually.

Those are the only two experiences I have with white 2 so I’m not sure which is more representative.
 
Delat said:
Maybe my example was an oddity - I had the Miura Itadaki. After a single prep I noticed it could no longer slice paper cleanly. By contrast my Wakui in white 2 stays sharp for a surprisingly long time, pretty similar to my experience with AS actually.

Those are the only two experiences I have with white 2 so I’m not sure which is more representative.
Click to expand...
How many times have you sharpen the Miura Itadaki? I haven’t tried Y. Tanaka’s white 2, but have 2 white 1. One of the Sujihiki came very dull, can’t even slicing the paper, but after I sharpen it, it becomes screaming sharp and holds the edge for very long, longer than my R2 Shibata Sujihiki.
 
Last edited:
Delat said:
Maybe my example was an oddity - I had the Miura Itadaki. After a single prep I noticed it could no longer slice paper cleanly. By contrast my Wakui in white 2 stays sharp for a surprisingly long time, pretty similar to my experience with AS actually.

Those are the only two experiences I have with white 2 so I’m not sure which is more representative.
Click to expand...
I can believe that. I’d say my wh2 Takada no Hamono about half the retention of my skd and ginsan blades that I used side by side recently.

Now I want a wakui haha
 
Jason183 said:
How many times have you sharpen the Miura Itadaki? I haven’t tried Y. Tanaka’s white 2, but have 2 white 1. One of the Sujihiki came very dull, can’t even slicing the paper, but after I sharpen it, it becomes screaming sharp and holds the edge for very long, longer than my R2 Shibata Sujihiki.
Click to expand...
I think the white 1 and white 2 behave surprisingly different (I've had both). I think I had a similar experience to Delat. The White 1 and blue 1 are very nice though
 
labor of love said:
I can believe that. I’d say my wh2 Takada no Hamono about half the retention of my skd and ginsan blades that I used side by side recently.

Now I want a wakui haha
Click to expand...

I picked up my wakui white 2 nakiri just because I wanted a cheap nakiri to see if I like nakiris, with the intention of selling it and getting something nicer if I did. Surprise, surprise, I love the darn little thing and so far it’s a keeper. Crazy tough too; my wife chopped straight through a mangosteen (seeds and all) with it, with zero damage.

Prices have shot up since, but I think I got mine for <$200 and it was definitely a steal.
 
Delat said:
I picked up my wakui white 2 nakiri just because I wanted a cheap nakiri to see if I like nakiris, with the intention of selling it and getting something nicer if I did. Surprise, surprise, I love the darn little thing and so far it’s a keeper. Crazy tough too; my wife chopped straight through a mangosteen (seeds and all) with it, with zero damage.

Prices have shot up since, but I think I got mine for <$200 and it was definitely a steal.
Click to expand...
For sure. I’ve owned several Wakuis but it’s been several years. Always enjoyed them. Nakiri seems to be sold out everywhere otherwise I’d pick one up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top