I have several suji’s, mostly carbon. They generally come to use when entertaining with either friends or family. Pre-Covid, I would often take a suji to a friends dinner party to do the carving chores.
Here’s what I’ve settled on that works for me and why.
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It’s a 300mm Damascus Suji from Mert Tansu from semi stainless RG2 steel complete with a fitted leather lined saya. No pin required … the saya is friction fit.
Here’s the logic … first the overall knife.
My suji comes into play before friends, family and strangers. I’m known as a bit of a knife person. The previous carbon suji that I dragged around was heavily patinae’d. Though it was razor sharp it impressed nobody. People would think … knife guru … hmmm … is that the best he’s got? The suji is the most displayed knife I’ve got … it should look the part. For show … 300mm is the only way to go … 330mm even better.
I’m a bit of a nut about cleaning and drying my knives immediately after using them. I don’t know how many times the rush of service hasn’t left time to clean and dry my carver. Worse yet, in mid meal the host or occasional guest goes to the kitchen and uses the suji to carve another couple of slices from the roast. Of course the carver is left uncleaned sitting in a pool of meat juice. Patina forming heaven. What’s one to do … make a fuss … don’t you dare use my knife! How about delay the meal to service the blade or worse jump up mid meal when it’s clear someone else (generally the host) has helped themselves to your knife. Nope to both … that’s how knife nuts become knife NUTS! The answer is a semi stainless blade that can more easily weather lack of immediate attention. As an aside I’ve noticed that most friends (family or hosts) are not inclined to help themselves to a 300mm - 330mm blade, where they have no qualms with helping themselves to, a 240mm - 270mm blade. The intimidation factor of the longer blade is that much greater.
A friction fit saya is also a must. Even in a knife case a saya is necessary to protect your blade. The saya, made from some exotic wood, amplifies the overall impression of the “guest carver” experience. You must be a knife expert when you gently correct your guests that this exotic case is NOT a sheath … but a saya … much more impressive and elegant. Why friction fit? … simple … scientific research has shown that 92.5% of saya pins are lost whilst travelling and attending meals away from you home. A twist tie is not an adequate replacement for the lost pin. Friction fit it is … preferably with a leather lined Saya.
Is it possible that you can’t step up to these rarified specifications? Go to your local knife emporium and pick out the best German stainless serrated brisket carver you can afford. They work just fine. I know … I used one for years with a home made cardboard sheath. That was, of course, before I became a knife NUT.