Vegetable knife meditation.

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.
Transmaster

Transmaster

KKF Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2023
Messages
406
Reaction score
454
Location
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Just watched a Uzbek cutting green onions for Uzbek Palov. What made it interesting is he had a knife that was at least 3 feet long, razor sharp and the green onions he was cutting was in a bundle perhaps 28" in diameter. The knife just plained thin slices off of the end of this bundle. I have a lifelong love of what the little boy in me has always called "Chinese Noodles". My Dad was US Navy so we were interesting parts of the world all in the far east. I always ordered Chinese Noodles. Today when I make them for myself chopping the green onions has evolved into a meditative thing. I don't chop in mass but carefully cut each slice of the green onion. I now use a Wüsthof 3.1" paring knife, or a JCK 130mm petty knife. There is something very relaxing about cutting each slice of the green onion. I use 3 sticks of green onion so it doesn't take that long but you go into a Zen zone while doing it. Of course if need anything more it is out with a Nikari or a Gyuto and go to town.
 
I’m sort of like that with mushrooms, sliced or julienned. It’ll take me half an hour of slow attentive knife work to process eight ounces. The world recedes before the sensation of steel sliding through product. In fact, finding the right tactile “sound” from the blade is something that inspires me to explore different sharpening methods.

I recently acquired a Birgersson short (170) gyuto with a nice thin geometry and a very flat profile that promises to displace an Ogata 135 nakiri as my Mushroom Knife. I’m playing with a Yaginoshima that might be the key to an edge that isn’t as … sterile? as the one I get off a 5k Cerax, a very nice stone and permanent part of my single-bevel progression. But a fairly fine Jnat seems to put a sort of velvety feedback into the act of slicing that really pluses the tactile side of cutting mushies.
 
HumbleHomeCook said:
https://knifejapan.com/kawatsu-hamono-funayuki-bocho-120mm-aogami-2/


https://knifejapan.com/okahide-hamono-kitchen-mini-115mm/


:)
Click to expand...
I have a couple of these funayuki knives. I hate the balance of the two I have, the Wa handles don't help. While the Kabar BK-62 is an absolutely primo utility knife the thinner bladed OKC small game and fish version of the Kephart bushcraft knife is so sweet that it is sitting in the knife block for ready use on vegetables, this also gives me the opportunity to hide the bogus sheath it comes in. What kind of jerks my chain is while the knife is made in the USA, the sheath isn't, that is OK but the way OKC concealed that is made in China isn't. The SG&F knife has been in and out of production since it was first introduced in 1920. The sheath for the BK-62 fits the SG&F knife perfectly. If I could get one from KaBar I would imagine if would cost more than another OKC knife.

Hidden under the belt loop.

IMG_9160.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Transmaster said:
I have a couple of these funayuki knives. I hate the balance of the two I have, the Wa handles don't help. While the Kabar BK-62 is an absolutely primo utility knife the thinner bladed OKC small game and fish version of the Kephart bushcraft knife is so sweet that it is sitting in the knife block for ready use on vegetables, this also gives me the opportunity to hide the bogus sheath it comes in. What kind of jerks my chain is while the knife is made in the USA, the sheath isn't, that is OK but the way OKC concealed that is made in China isn't. The SG&F knife has been in and out of production since it was first introduced in 1920.

Hidden under the belt loop.

View attachment 320937
Click to expand...

On that little 120mm, balance just isn't something I consider. In general, I prefer a blade-forward balance but it's hard to achieve much of that with so little metal hanging out there. Although the light handle on these does help.

But, I just tossed those out there because of your mention of enjoying small smaller knives for your onions and both of those I posted are excellent. The funayuki is an excellent utility knife. Mine does duty from poultry butchering to opening bacon packages and a lot in between. There's a reason its name starts with "fun". :)
 
Last edited:
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$13.99
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
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
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
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.
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
HumbleHomeCook said:
On that little 120mm, balance just isn't something I consider. In general, I prefer a blade-forward balance but it's hard to achieve much of that with so little metal hanging out there. Although the light handle on these does help.

But, I just tossed those out there because of your mention of enjoying small smaller knives for your onions and both of those I posted are excellent. The funayuki is an excellent utility knife. Mine does duty from poultry butchering to opening bacon packages and a lot in between. There's a reason it's name starts with "fun". :)
Click to expand...
My ***ayuki sure is
 
Jovidah said:
You're clearly a more patient man than me. Zen-cutting was never for me. I might consider Zen-eating but that's as far as it goes...
Click to expand...
Made a company tradition out of racing for the best time on a 10# flat of mushrooms. The occasional bloody knuckle is a small price to pay when otherwise people would spend 20-30 minutes on it xD
 
Vertigo said:
Made a company tradition out of racing for the best time on a 10# flat of mushrooms. The occasional bloody knuckle is a small price to pay when otherwise people would spend 20-30 minutes on it xD
Click to expand...
Reminds me early in my career. Worked with a guy that thought he was the best and fastest at everything. He challenged me to peel potatoes. I picked out 10, he chose his 5 and I peeled the rest.

Should have seen his face when I started peeling his potatoes after I did mine.
 
M1k3 said:
Reminds me early in my career. Worked with a guy that thought he was the best and fastest at everything. He challenged me to peel potatoes. I picked out 10, he chose his 5 and I peeled the rest.

Should have seen his face when I started peeling his potatoes after I did mine.
Click to expand...
Been there on the other side. I was talking a big game about how fast I could crack a case of eggs, because by all accounts I was (and still am) streets ahead of everyone else in that kitchen.

The crotchety old retired owner of the cafe, who opened it '76, overheard and asked me to prove it. I was halfway through my case when he was done with his, and the prick started cracking mine too. Actual humiliation. 😂
 
HumbleHomeCook said:
On that little 120mm, balance just isn't something I consider. In general, I prefer a blade-forward balance but it's hard to achieve much of that with so little metal hanging out there. Although the light handle on these does help.

But, I just tossed those out there because of your mention of enjoying small smaller knives for your onions and both of those I posted are excellent. The funayuki is an excellent utility knife. Mine does duty from poultry butchering to opening bacon packages and a lot in between. There's a reason its name starts with "fun". :)
Click to expand...
The 2 I have were early purchases before I knew what I was doing, they are not of the best quality. I was looking at Knife Japan it is an interesting place. They have knife styles they don't have at JCK.
 
Transmaster said:
The 2 I have were early purchases before I knew what I was doing, they are not of the best quality. I was looking at Knife Japan it is an interesting place. They have knife styles they don't have at JCK.
Click to expand...

Michael of Knife Japan is the gold standard of knife vendors. He has a well deserved reputation for customer service here on KKF.

More or less, the smiths/shops Michael deals with are the small guys. These are heavy on rustic performance and lighter on fit and finish. These are tools that one finds beauty in their function.

I'm quite sincere when I recommend the two knives I did. I use the Kawatsu a lot.

If you do a search you'll find a thread about something like "what's good at knife japan?". Some good info in there and a great place to ask questions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top