bahamaroot
Idiot Savant
Wakui and Mazaki
What's your favorite 240mm Gyuto under $300
- Thread starter Ceriano
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Sad to see the Yoshikane's at EpicEdge are out of stock. I bought my 210mm Tsuchime SKD there 10 months ago, my favorite knife. Slightly behind it are the Hiragatake's I have... a 165mm, a 180mm and a 240mm. Got the 240mm with their Black Friday sale in November for $148!!! Very good steel and grinds, good food release and comes with a comfortable and attractive ebony handle.
Epicurean Edge: Japanese and European professional chefs knives
Epicurean Edge: Japanese and European professional chefs knives
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Crap! I’m well over a thousand already. And haven’t spent more than $200 on any single knife. Not sure I “need” any more though. I find my Yaxell Dragon Fire to be fairly satisfying. Not sure what I’m doing wrong, you know, liking a $120 knife. Maybe ignorance really is bliss.
DitmasPork
Senior Member
Stick around here a bit longer and that’ll change.
That’s what I’m afraid of.
Perverockstar
Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong with that. My favorite knife is a cheap Tojiro F-300 (Nakiri) that a friend gifted to me. It feels and performs so good!
DitmasPork
Senior Member
At $212, this has to be one of the best deals around IMO.
https://carbonknifeco.com/collections/newest-additions/products/wakui-nashiji-white-2-240mm
https://carbonknifeco.com/collections/newest-additions/products/wakui-nashiji-white-2-240mm
CA_cook
Well-Known Member
Misono Ux10. Not pretty, not flashy, but a flawless performer. And stainless for worry-free. I’m also getting a dragon, which should be nothing but worry free
DitmasPork
Senior Member
TBH, the last under-$200 gyuto I bought was nearly a decade ago, my first J-knife—still have it, a solid performer. My tastes have evolved beyond bang-for-buck; knife requirements for my kitchen achieved years ago; buying/chasing kitchen knives a seriously enjoyable hobby.
This is not really a recommendation because I don't have direct experience with this knife, but I've always been intrigued by this Hitohira Futana for 200 bucks. Has anyone here ever used one? Is is a good rec for someone starting out and looking for something along these lines of style and steel?
Really tempted to get this, but I am kind torn between Wakui, Yoshikane or waiting for Kochi to be restocked...
Yes.
BTW anyone know is there substantial difference between the Migaki and Nashiji version of Waku? CKC has both of them in stock now
tostadas
Hobbyist / Craftsman
The nashiji version is typically thicker with a relatively flat grind up to the shinogi line, at least for the several that I've owned. The migaki version is thinner and more convex. I will say that the Wakui migaki is one of my all-time favorite knives. I actually just purchased a 210mm of this latest batch from a different retailer and it's very well done. To me, it's a no brainer at its price point.
Thank you!
I have the hammered Wakui from KnS which is a beefy workhorse. I understand that the Nashijis from KnS are similar although I've never held one so cannot say for sure. It's possible that another vendor has a Nashiji knife with a different grind. I've only ever heard of a thinly ground hairline.
Edit: just realised @Tostados had already answered this
A lot of excellent knives have been suggested in this thread.
The question that should be asked is "favourite, FOR WHAT"
That is to say, different knives are good at different things.
One knife which it would be remis not to mention is Shiro Kamo Ku AS. My gyuto is very thinly ground, my sujii is more a middleweight. Easy to sharpen, decent edge retention, fairly uniform grind. Not the best knife but very good knives which could be the only knives you ever need. At bargain basement prices.
A serious contender for the best value knife.
As has been mentioned, his R2 damascus knives are pretty good too.
The question that should be asked is "favourite, FOR WHAT"
That is to say, different knives are good at different things.
One knife which it would be remis not to mention is Shiro Kamo Ku AS. My gyuto is very thinly ground, my sujii is more a middleweight. Easy to sharpen, decent edge retention, fairly uniform grind. Not the best knife but very good knives which could be the only knives you ever need. At bargain basement prices.
A serious contender for the best value knife.
As has been mentioned, his R2 damascus knives are pretty good too.
Yes it is great value, the OEM is Sakon and it's really well done. I have the Futana S3 210mm YO handle and it's terrific, I don't have to baby it and has very good cutting feel due to the convex grind. Sharpens well and keeps it's toothiness. I say get it.
DitmasPork
Senior Member
I had a 240 kochi, traded it. Missed it, bought another kochi, but with machi.
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I don’t have a wakui, but if it’s a consideration then my Yoshi SKD had significantly better edge retention than my white #2 Y Tanaka.
thanks for replying. I'm not actually in the market, but I've always been tempted to recommend this to folks looking for a affordable wa gyuto, but always felt funny doing so since I've never actually held one. I do otherwise have good experience with Hitohira, as I have a bunka in blue #1.
user 16756
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iron clad wakui in v2 with machi and a JKI burnt chestnut handle is just an insanely good knife.
not for the money, just in general. the fact that it's under 300 is a bonus.
that said, sometimes iron clad Mutsumi Hinoura 240s sneak in under 300 and I really love his knives.
not for the money, just in general. the fact that it's under 300 is a bonus.
that said, sometimes iron clad Mutsumi Hinoura 240s sneak in under 300 and I really love his knives.
GBT-Splint
Well-Known Member
shibata kotetsu AS 240.
my daily driver easy to sharpen takes an AMAZING edge.
my daily driver easy to sharpen takes an AMAZING edge.
Guess I will wait for the Kochi then… I kind like iron cladding just for ease down the line, also burned chestnut handle feels nice.
Kochi is one of the best knives I have used. I still regret selling my 240 with machi. You can sign up for in stock notifications with JKI. They always seem to be timely and give you a genuine shot at picking one up when he posts the knives online.
