Knife Thread

Burnsy2023 · 9 Oct 2013 at 11:30

-Ad- said:
Picked up these lovelies from Aritsugu in Kyoto last month for about £130. Both are a steel core clad in stainless with a japanese handle.

1. Large Santoku Utility Knife.
2. Little choppa general purpose knife.

I'm going to Japan in a couple of weeks and I'm going to shell out on a decent hand crafted knife. They've got loads of awesome knife shops in Asakusa.

robz21 said:
Just discovered this thread (thanks Glaucus)

Could a mod "Pin" this please?

Nope.

Glaucus · 9 Oct 2013 at 11:31

Please post that when you do Burnsy, any idea how much you save.

scruffeh · 13 Oct 2013 at 17:47

robz21, just either bookmark the post or subscribe to it - whatever floats your boat..

pitchfork · 14 Oct 2013 at 08:20

I'm a wusthof classics man, best weight, feel and balance, I did use global once upon a time until I tried the wusthofs.

26cm french style chefs knife is my bread and butter, I cannot stand santokus, they're supposed to be good for veg but they're no quicker and much less versatile. Plus they have a completely different technique which I could do without mastering.

I have been tempted to try a proper jap hand crafted knife, but they're sharpened differently to a western type and I don't think I'd get on with it. Two different angles in a chisel pattern? Nope.

Burnsy2023 · 25 Oct 2013 at 06:32

Glaucus said:
Please post that when you do Burnsy, any idea how much you save.

Just spent 20700 jpy on two knives: a santoku and a small veg knife. Pics to follow when I return to the UK.

I've also taken some pics of the knife shop which I'll also post. I was like a kid in a candy shop.

Jonny69 · 28 Oct 2013 at 14:54

What's the best way to dispose of old kitchen knives? Specifically big ones that I don't feel comfortable slinging in the recycling, or is this the best place for them?

Burnsy2023 · 31 Oct 2013 at 16:38

Jonny69 said:
What's the best way to dispose of old kitchen knives? Specifically big ones that I don't feel comfortable slinging in the recycling, or is this the best place for them?

I'd blunt them and taken them to the recycling centre.

Burnsy2023 · 31 Oct 2013 at 16:50

Here's some photos of a excellent knife shop in Asakusa, Japan (sorry for the blurry pics):

And the two knives I bought:

randomshenans · 31 Oct 2013 at 17:00

How much was that bottom one? WANT!

I think I might have to pick up a new knife. I need to send mine off to be sharpened, but I could do with (would like) a slightly larger, wider blade.

Glaucus · 31 Oct 2013 at 18:00

You lucky so and so. That place is amazing.

Can you handle the knifes to see how they feel, weight and handle wise, as most look to be in displays, or do they get annoyed.

Burnsy2023 · 31 Oct 2013 at 18:03

randomshenans said:
How much was that bottom one? WANT!

I think I might have to pick up a new knife. I need to send mine off to be sharpened, but I could do with (would like) a slightly larger, wider blade.

That was 18,500 JPY which is around £120. The exchange rate means its around 1/3 cheaper than it would be in the UK.

Glaucus said:
You lucky so and so. That place is amazing.

Can you handle the knifes to see how they feel, weight and handle wise, as most look to be in displays, or do they get annoyed.

The people there are really nice, they'll take anything out that you want and chat to you about it - how it's made and how to care for it. The service in Japan is second to none, it's phenomenal. I felt a load of knives before I chose that one. The handle is made out of linen in a resin and feels great. The blade is made out of 63 layers of really thin steel which makes it more flexible with a more solid core.

panthro · 1 Nov 2013 at 12:18

I have to own one of these Tamahagane Kyoto knives now. Its my new mission in life. That is awesome.

tom_e · 1 Nov 2013 at 12:49

Do want!

PapaLazaru · 18 Nov 2013 at 21:02

I see all these nice knives but I am a budget conscious kind of guy so have just ordered one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004WWL2JU/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item

I mean, the reviews are good and it is so cheap so how could I not order one?

FrenchTart · 18 Nov 2013 at 23:24

PapaLazaru said:
I see all these nice knives but I am a budget conscious kind of guy so have just ordered one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004WWL2JU/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item

I mean, the reviews are good and it is so cheap so how could I not order one?

That's ridiculously cheap. Let us know if it's even half decent - I wouldn't mind a cheap cleaver that I don't need to worry about breaking.

jaybee · 20 Nov 2013 at 10:30

I need something asap for a present. I want just a pairing and chef knife for preferably under £50 or can break this if worth it. Guys can you help me? I need to buy it today or tomorrow.

PapaLazaru · 20 Nov 2013 at 13:15

FrenchTart said:
That's ridiculously cheap. Let us know if it's even half decent - I wouldn't mind a cheap cleaver that I don't need to worry about breaking.

I turned up today i'll let you know once I have done some chopping. Looks decent though.

jaybee said:
I need something asap for a present. I want just a pairing and chef knife for preferably under £50 or can break this if worth it. Guys can you help me? I need to buy it today or tomorrow.

I'd get one of these with the matching paring knife - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-...4953202&sr=8-4&keywords=victorinox+chef+knife

jaybee · 20 Nov 2013 at 13:33

I'd get one of these with the matching paring knife - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-...4953202&sr=8-4&keywords=victorinox+chef+knife

Thanks, bit long though the chef knife there?

jaybee · 20 Nov 2013 at 15:24

Update:

I went to a shop. Remember those things? I demo'd some, with an actual person assisting me who was very knowledgeable and helpful. It's like some weird dream I know.

Anyway. This was a one off kitchen shop local to me. He guided me through his range he stocked and was totally not bias towards any one brand. I tried some base level Sabatier ones and they actually looked and felt nicer than the two mid level brands, one of which was Verinox. The problem with the Verinox was that they looked like I could have bought them in a pound shop as the handles were just the most basic plastic affair. They were also very light which I did not like.

He also had a 4th, 5th and 6th level range. The 6th level were mega bucks. The 5th level the shop owner said he personally owned loads of them. I forget the brand, but they seemed very nice but a little bit above budget.

I ended up settling on his sort of 4th level range ones. No idea if they are considered good by other people but to me they look and feel lovely. They are Danish made Scanpan knives. I got a Chef and Paring one in a size that felt right for my girlfriend. This ended up being a 4inch paring and 6 inch chef. I can't see her using longer than a 6 inch. (childish giggle).

The guy gave me a load of advice about storing them and using them and chucked in a freebie guard just to get me going with storage. Also told me to chuck away my glass chopping board she bought and to get a wood and a plastic one.

Cost was about £55 for the pair. Similar look to the below ones.

PapaLazaru · 21 Nov 2013 at 12:29

FrenchTart said:
That's ridiculously cheap. Let us know if it's even half decent - I wouldn't mind a cheap cleaver that I don't need to worry about breaking.

Well it is sharp and well made. Cannot say how good the blade is as will only be able to tell in time but it also has a 12 year guarantee so can't all be that bad. Still amazed how they are shipping these out for £2.50 odd. Missus won't let me leave it on the magnet wall rack as it is 'too menacing'.

Knife Thread

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