Toyama knife question

[Panda_23]

I bought a Toyama Noborikoi Stainless Clad Blue Gyuto 240mm from Japanese Natural Stones. I love everything about it except that dark chip/mark? My best guess is carbon core that is showing after a chip but I don’t feel a big dent. Is this normally acceptable or should I get this exchanged? I’m leaning towards just keeping it but the mark is pretty obvious and is bit of an eyesore.

 

[WifeNotUnderstand]

Toyama doesn't polish the choil/neck on his knives - all of mine are rough and have forge scale on them

This looks to be the remains of a hammer blow that wasn't cleaned well enough- I wouldn't worry about it..... if it bothers you try smoothing it out with some sandpaper / some kind of abrasive

 

[Panda_23]

Toyama doesn't polish the choil/neck on his knives - all of mine are rough and have forge scale on them

This looks to be the remains of a hammer blow that wasn't cleaned well enough- I wouldn't worry about it..... if it bothers you try smoothing it out with some sandpaper / some kind of abrasive

Ok thank you for the clarification. As long as there is no functional problem, I think I’ll just keep it as is.

 

[bahamaroot]

The cladding was probably a little thin there after forging for whatever reason and exposed a small spot of the core when ground. Its purely cosmetic and won't hurt anything.

 

[Yaniv18]

It’s not a big deal at all you can work on the choil and the spine (sanding and polishing it) and make it look good !!! Probably better than the original finish anyway. 220 -1000 grid (gradually) and then some polishing/cleaning compound good luck

 

[Panda_23]

It’s not a big deal at all you can work on the choil and the spine (sanding and polishing it) and make it look good !!! Probably better than the original finish anyway. 220 -1000 grid (gradually) and then some polishing/cleaning compound good luck

I think I’ll leave as is until it drives me insane and finally put in the work. Thanks for the advice.

 

[blokey]

I think I’ll leave as is until it drives me insane and finally put in the work. Thanks for the advice.

If you live in or near LA give JKI a visit, they can do some work for you.

 

[Panda_23]

If you live in or near LA give JKI a visit, they can do some work for you.

I live in OC and I was planning on visiting JKI since I’m not confident in my sharpening skill. I’ll ask them about it. Are there any other place you would recommend or is JKI my best option for socal?

 

[blokey]

I live in OC and I was planning on visiting JKI since I’m not confident in my sharpening skill. I’ll ask them about it. Are there any other place you would recommend or is JKI my best option for socal?

I don’t know much about other places, sorry.

 

[Panda_23]

I don’t know much about other places, sorry.

No it’s ok. JKI seems solid and I was just wondering if there were other places like it

 

[NotAddictedYet]

If you bought from JNS directly and this bothers you, it won't harm to email Maksim at JNS and see what he can do. While it may be a cosmetic flaw, I don't think customer should be expected to just live with it. Again only if it does bother you.

 

[Panda_23]

If you bought from JNS directly and this bothers you, it won't harm to email Maksim at JNS and see what he can do. While it may be a cosmetic flaw, I don't think customer should be expected to just live with it. Again only if it does bother you.

I’ll email to let them know. It’s almost start of lunar new year so I’ll try not to make it a big deal.

 

[JoBone]

I think it adds character, perhaps he will up charge you for the special knife.

 

[Panda_23]

I think it adds character, perhaps he will up charge you for the special knife.

idk. I would consider it a character if it was a stain/chip by me since it makes the knife more personal. Still it’s a special knife that I wouldn’t consider selling.

 

[wcothran]

Definitely email Maksim. He’s great to work with.

 

[Panda_23]

I been busy last couple days and I forgot to give an update. I emailed Maksim and he offered me an discount on the next purchase. Very helpful and friendly.

 

[SirCutAlot]

Definitely email Maksim. He’s great to work with.

The only thing maxim is doing "Send it back" . He is very straight (btw. not a bad thing at all, but he is a dealer earning more then the makers with the knives, keep this always in your mind! .
If you send it back, he will sell it to another one that is not as picky maybe, or he is glad to keep it for it self .

We talking about knives in the 500+ range... sorry they have to be quite perfect.

SirCutALot.

 

[Panda_23]

The only thing maxim is doing "Send it back" . He is very straight (btw. not a bad thing at all, but he is a dealer earning more then the makers with the knives, keep this always in your mind! .
If you send it back, he will sell it to another one that is not as picky maybe, or he is glad to keep it for it self .

We talking about knives in the 500+ range... sorry they have to be quite perfect.

SirCutALot.

Maksim never mentioned sending it back to me, and I’m happy with the customer service I got. I’m scheduled to meet with Jon from JKI to get this fixed and he said it’s really not that big of a deal. He said he will probably do a better job rounding the choil to make it disappear.

 

[DitmasPork]

The only thing maxim is doing "Send it back" . He is very straight (btw. not a bad thing at all, but he is a dealer earning more then the makers with the knives, keep this always in your mind! .
If you send it back, he will sell it to another one that is not as picky maybe, or he is glad to keep it for it self .

We talking about knives in the 500+ range... sorry they have to be quite perfect.

SirCutALot.

I’ve bought numerous knives from Maxim, who has always been responsive and helpful.

When you stated “…he is a dealer earning more than the makers with the knives”—I assume this to be conjecture not fact. Even if true, I’ve no issue with a vendor earning more than a maker, or vice versa—I’m appreciative of the hard work of vendors, introducing and bringing to market works of J-knife makers. Most J-knife makers would rather sell through vendors, than deal with the headaches of selling direct.

@Panda_23 —looks like a very minor flaw, shouldn’t be an issue. Good knife you got there!