My attention is generally turning away from Japanese makers. Of course there are still a bunch I'd like to try, but prices for ones I'd most like to get my hands on - Kato, Shig, Hashimoto - are in the stratosphere.
But I've gotten a few westerns this year and would like to see what else is down this rabbit hole. I'm super happy that I managed to snag one of the custom slots with Joel Black, but I'll be on the hunt for Yanick, Raquin, Kipp, Bidinger, etc. - you know, the ones everyone wants. Still pricey but seemingly more attainable?
The knife I'm actually most likely to pick up is a honesuki. I've never seen the need since whole chickens are generally so damn expensive here, but I've been seeing more lately that might actually make it worth breaking them down myself. And also it'd give me an excuse to learn a new skill.
I also tell myself I should get a small deba for filleting the panfish I catch each summer. But that would require me actually catching fish when I'm out at the lake... which I never do.
So instead of focusing on new knives, I should be to learning how to fish. And breaking down a bird. And getting better at sharpening. And polishing. But no natural stones - that's the rabbit hole my wallet needs least!
