LeMaw
Active Member
My first professional knives were a set of Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Star - too heavy but did the job alright setting off in the culinary world.
It all started with this "little" Sakai Takayuki 210mm Gyuto I received as a gift last October. Quickly fell in love with the look of the blade (although I tend to see it as "overcrowded" now) and the feeling of the handle.
The more I used it at work the more I wanted to try something new and better. Long story short, I moved to a job where I felt safe carrying out my personal knives and using them. Meeting a few knife enthusiasts there made me quickly jump ship and pull the trigger slowly on a evergrowing collection. So a few months later here I am, putting a pause for the time being but eyeing a few knives after my latest purchase the Hado B1D Bunka.
Left to Right:
Shibata Koutetsu R2 Ko-Bunka 135mm
Yoshimi Kato SG2 Petty 150mm
Wakui White-2 Nakiri 165mm
Hado Tanaka Blue-1 Damascus Bunka 180mm
Hatsukokoro Shirasagi Blue-1 K-Tip Deba 180mm
Sakai Takayuki VG-10 Gyuto 210mm
Nigara SG2 Kiritsuke (K-Tip Gyuto) 240mm (225mm)
Yoshikane SKD Gyuto 240mm
The future seems uncertain, but a Sujihiki and "grail" Gyutos faintly appear in the horizon.
It all started with this "little" Sakai Takayuki 210mm Gyuto I received as a gift last October. Quickly fell in love with the look of the blade (although I tend to see it as "overcrowded" now) and the feeling of the handle.
The more I used it at work the more I wanted to try something new and better. Long story short, I moved to a job where I felt safe carrying out my personal knives and using them. Meeting a few knife enthusiasts there made me quickly jump ship and pull the trigger slowly on a evergrowing collection. So a few months later here I am, putting a pause for the time being but eyeing a few knives after my latest purchase the Hado B1D Bunka.
Left to Right:
Shibata Koutetsu R2 Ko-Bunka 135mm
Definetely a shallot and garlic destroyer, feels great - handle could be better.
Yoshimi Kato SG2 Petty 150mm
Settling on this after being unable to find a Kobayashi/Shibata Petty available. Unfornunately this is the first purchase I regret as I find it lacking in all aspects perfomance wise and can't justify the price.
Wakui White-2 Nakiri 165mm
The first dive into carbon knives and the patina process, made a lot of research on this one. My most used knife and definetely my favourite knife profile. Will be looking into a 180mm version in the future (most likely Watanabe).
Hado Tanaka Blue-1 Damascus Bunka 180mm
My latest knife, I haven't had a huge run with it yet but it is a great cutter and has a great feel. I must admit thought I was expecting more from it (I must be from the few that love the oak handle).
Hatsukokoro Shirasagi Blue-1 K-Tip Deba 180mm
The F&F was chonky at best and OOTB was pretty mediocre. Sharpening single bevel knives was a first for me with this one and I still want to take the finish a bit further but I will have to delve into polishing more.
Sakai Takayuki VG-10 Gyuto 210mm
Hasn't failed me yet and the only knife I feel confident using during fast paced service, 210mm feels to me like the perfect sweet spot for everything. At this price point the prestigious Takamura or a Shiro Kamo might be better overall (haven't had one in my hands yet) but this is what I received and I'm pretty happy with it.
Nigara SG2 Kiritsuke (K-Tip Gyuto) 240mm (225mm)
My first "Kiritsuke", love the profile - combines almost the length I prefer with a nimble K-Tip (which I am amazed that I haven't hurt yet). Knife is stunning to look at and finish is perfect.
Yoshikane SKD Gyuto 240mm
What can I say about this knife is already known. Saw the prices increasing slowly and I had to have one. The best cutter I have (but not the most expensive knife I own).
The future seems uncertain, but a Sujihiki and "grail" Gyutos faintly appear in the horizon.
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