I lean rustic but I love Kyohei Shindo's. It's got a rich, dark color and has been very durable in my experience over several of them. It's on the smoother side.
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I also quite like the rugged, textured nashiji-ish KU of Munetoshi and Okubo. Both have been durable in my experience, though I haven't had the Okubo long enough to speak to longterm durability and I feeeeel like I read somewhere about Munetoshi washing off but it hasn't been my experience on the 2 below. Okubo 3rd pic.
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Mazaki's is very distinctive, no idea how it holds up long term but it's cool as hell.
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On the opposite side I'd say Kochi (Wakui?) Ironclad KU is the most elegant, subtle KU I've come across. It's more grey than black and with a subtle texture, though not enough to grab towels like the Okubo. It held up well in the time I had. Just a lovely package, I miss holding mine.
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All this should be noted that I use a fairly soft vegetable brush on my knives and don't scrub on the KU as I don't really ever need to. Also am aware I got carried away and listing favorite KU finishes at large, but I would tell you if one was fragile!