What if you can only have one KU knife

[nhb22]

What would that knife be? By KU knife, I’m referring to the popular KU knives the western makers like Yanick make in recent years.

 

[gentiscid]

Not Western, for me is Konosuke Sumiiro by Nihei, JP. Absolutely one of the best Kurouchi out there. I would be curious to try Simon’s Kurouchi though. Looks pretty solid.

 

[M1k3]

Munetoshi.

I do like the looks of the KU Nigara SG2 line though.

 

[FishmanDE]

I’m only planning on keeping 1 KU long term and that’s my 9. Not a fan of KU tbh.

 

[Vertigo]

By KU knife, I’m referring to the popular KU knives the western makers like Yanick make in recent years.

That's a pretty specific reference underneath the massive umbrella of "knife with forge scale still on it" my dude! xD

Like does someone really "make" KU knives? Or do they just stop making polished knives before they're done?

 

[nhb22]

That's a pretty specific reference underneath the massive umbrella of "knife with forge scale still on it" my dude! xD

Like does someone really "make" KU knives? Or do they just stop making polished knives before they're done?

i don't know how to define it better. i really meant the type of KU knives that makers Yanick, Raquin, Simon, the9, JB and some of the other western makers have been focusing on in recent years.

 

[Gavva]

The 9 ku looks like it’s going to stay for a long time. Not that I’ve tried to scrub it off but it gives me confidence even with regular home use. Raquin’s too.

 

[Just a DK]

Hsc /// ku is very stable.

Joel black ku though

 

[nhb22]

I guess I sucked at writing my post lol I care less about how good the KU itself is...I was really using the term "KU knife" to refer to the type of knife a lot of the western makers make...

 

[blokey]

Okubo or Unshun Yukimitsu

 

[Mikeadunne]

My favorite ku finish that I’ve experienced is raquin but what my favorite ku knife is might be a different answer.

 

[aporigine]

Uhm Shindo

 

[enrico]

The 9 easily. His Ku is great

 

[ared715]

I can't even begin to answer this one! Great subject! So many great candidates!

 

[Uncle Danny]

Maybe Morihei Hisamoto. (I’m thinking of the no bolster version)

But you are looking for more expensive knives, right?

 

[nhb22]

Maybe Morihei Hisamoto. (I’m thinking of the no bolster version)

But you are looking for more expensive knives, right?

Not necessarily. That’s a good one.

 

[esoo]

Kamon
Spåre
Shihan

All super stable and look good. Not as much KU because they aren't low bevel, but I prefer performance

 

[Corradobrit1]

Denka and Kato Ku

 

[sumis]

Not Western, for me is Konosuke Sumiiro by Nihei.

^ this.

.

 

[timebard]

I guess I sucked at writing my post lol I care less about how good the KU itself is...I was really using the term "KU knife" to refer to the type of knife a lot of the western makers make...

What's the commonality of those makers/knives in your mind? I get that there's a distinctive aesthetic style of those guys and their KU knives, do you feel like there's also common DNA in terms of grind, profile, etc? I kind of associate them with low, stone-ready bevels but not much beyond that. Of the ones you've mentioned I've only briefly tried Yanick and Raquin though.

I'd put Shihan and Eddie's stuff as tops but I think they're kind of outside the window of what you're after. Dalman x BB is closer I think and really good, just used mine for the first time in a while and remembered how great it is.

 

[nhb22]

What's the commonality of those makers/knives in your mind? I get that there's a distinctive aesthetic style of those guys and their KU knives, do you feel like there's also common DNA in terms of grind, profile, etc? I kind of associate them with low, stone-ready bevels but not much beyond that. Of the ones you've mentioned I've only briefly tried Yanick and Raquin though.

I'd put Shihan and Eddie's stuff as tops but I think they're kind of outside the window of what you're after. Dalman x BB is closer I think and really good, just used mine for the first time in a while and remembered how great it is.

I see what was missing from my original post now. I really meant the low bevel knives these makers make.

 

[enrico]

Low bevel = Yanick or The 9

Hard to compete with those 2

 

[gentiscid]

Uhm Shindo

Shindo’s are worst Kurouchi ever. Fade away very quick.

 

[nhb22]

Low bevel = Yanick or The 9

Hard to compete with those 2

Pick one lol

 

[aporigine]

Shindo’s are worst Kurouchi ever. Fade away very quick.

Honestly, the ku on my Takedas takes the cake. Comes off all flaky and blotchy like a skin disease when you sneeze near it.

I chose Shindo not for the ku but for the knife inside it. My other keep-for-life blades are migaki or kasumi, with one glorious (and equally downbudget) exception: Kuwabara white 1 tall petty 120.

I’m more likely to reach for and use the living (!) out of a knife that has few collectible attributes, but is well-made of good steel. These two makers deliver imo/ime.

(edit) my new sweetheart Birgersson — is it a ku? It’s in between, perhaps a dark nashiji.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Shindo’s are worst Kurouchi ever. Fade away very quick.

Hard disagree. All of mine have long lasting KU even after lacquer removal

 

[Just a DK]

I feel like i missed something this wked. Why sudden yanick everywhere

 

[nhb22]

I feel like i missed something this wked. Why sudden yanick everywhere

lol i missed even more then. Where?

 

[Yoshi]

Hard disagree. All of mine have long lasting KU even after lacquer removal

Same here, my Shindo has super stable ku as well. My nakiri is my daily driver and it's been more than a year and yet to see a hint of fading

 

[Just a DK]

lol i missed even more then. Where?

I think it was just the one that stirred up activity. Suddenly seeing some nice yanick pics.

I like mine in terms of performance, but am kind of ehhh on the ku itself. Can feel the ku becoming thinner.