Thread: My kit of Japanese knives ... WIP

Ern, I have not used Silver-3 (Ginsanko), so cannot comment on performance from personal experience.

Looking at the composition (Carbon 0.95 ~ 1.10 % , Si 0.35 ,Mn 0.6-1.0 , and Cr 13-14.5%), it's similar to VG10, which also has a tiny bit of Vanadium added. I expect it would be very rust resistant with that amount of Chromium and come up sharp with that 1% of Carbon, but without the Vanadium I don't think it would quite have the same durability as VG10, but may also be a little less prone to chipping.

I expect it would be a good 1st J-knife, and at a good price.

The J-handle is a good option.

Neil

Originally Posted by NeilS

In case it is of interest to anyone (perhaps Gnickrapon), I have found another Blue II steel knife with SS cladding at a very good price. The maker is Tadafusa and they are currently on sale at Aframes in Tokyo. eg the Santoku is selling for US$74.

I have explained before why I consider that Blue steel edge and SS cladding to be such a good combination.

And, my opinion of the blade makers from Sanjo, in Niigata, will also be known by now.

The Nashiji (Nashi pear skin) finish on the SS cladding helps release the off-cuts from the knife. Smooth finishes tend to cling.

Neil

That's very tempting. I was really hoping he made a Deba as well, which is specialist but I'd really love to try one. Essentially, I want to build my kit, 1 by 1. I'm satisfied with my current Gyuto and Petty for now, so looking at Santoku mainly and that looks very nice. A little over 120 to get it to me, hmm.....

Originally Posted by rsser

That looks like good value Neil. Thanks.

I'm looking for a stainless Japanese knife for my son. Will have to discover what he already has but am considering a silver steel Nakiri by Miki Tanaka. It's available with a Japanese handle. What do you think? Click

I've been looking at this one from him for a while....

Originally Posted by Gnickrapon

I've been looking at this one from him for a while....

That soft iron cladding does require extra care to keep it looking good.

I have one knife with soft iron cladding, my Shirataka deba, and that's looks as good after several years of daily use as the day I got it, but I'm fussy about washing and drying it immediately after every use. Even with that, the soft iron bevel (jigane) takes on a bluish 'patina' between sharpenings.

The first J-knives I gave to my sons had black iron cladding and despite their good intentions they didn't manage them so well. They have done better with their SS clad knives.

So, if you are thinking of that knife for yourself Ern, it's a Blue 2 edge at a good price from recognised smith. But, if it's for a 1st time J-knife user, it may not be the best choice. The S#3 with SS cladding would be a better choice for them.

Neil

Thanks for the information Neil. The silver steel Nakiri was won on ebay and now it's a wait for it to be made. My son's pleased with the prospect; it's for his birthday.

Gnickrapon, my big Deba is up for sale. If interested, PM me your email address and I'll send you some pics. See the beginning of this thread for an idea of it.

Originally Posted by NeilS

In case it is of interest to anyone (perhaps Gnickrapon), I have found another Blue II steel knife with SS cladding at a very good price. The maker is Tadafusa and they are currently on sale at Aframes in Tokyo. eg the Santoku is selling for US$74.

I have explained before why I consider that Blue steel edge and SS cladding to be such a good combination.

And, my opinion of the blade makers from Sanjo, in Niigata, will also be known by now.

The Nashiji (Nashi pear skin) finish on the SS cladding helps release the off-cuts from the knife. Smooth finishes tend to cling.

Neil

Too good to pass up!

The only postage option was international priority @ USD 34.50.

Not sure about the finish but I think it will grow on me. The 'overly magnolia' handle already has

Originally Posted by rsser

Too good to pass up!

The only postage option was international priority @ USD 34.50.

Not sure about the finish but I think it will grow on me. The 'overly magnolia' handle already has

So you grabbed one?

I'm thinking this might be my future Santoku. It's at the perfect price point for me right now and ticks all of the boxes. The Nashiji finish looks interesting.

I'll send you a PM later regarding your Deba

Originally Posted by NeilS

In case it is of interest to anyone (perhaps Gnickrapon), I have found another Blue II steel knife with SS cladding at a very good price. The maker is Tadafusa and they are currently on sale at Aframes in Tokyo. eg the Santoku is selling for US$74.

I have explained before why I consider that Blue steel edge and SS cladding to be such a good combination.

And, my opinion of the blade makers from Sanjo, in Niigata, will also be known by now.

The Nashiji (Nashi pear skin) finish on the SS cladding helps release the off-cuts from the knife. Smooth finishes tend to cling.

Neil

Decided to order a Santoku. I'll be interested to see how long it takes to get to me. Cheers for the tip.

Originally Posted by Gnickrapon

Decided to order a Santoku. I'll be interested to see how long it takes to get to me. Cheers for the tip.

.... Looking forward to your report on how you go with that knife.

Neil

Originally Posted by rsser

Too good to pass up!

The only postage option was international priority @ USD 34.50.

Not sure about the finish but I think it will grow on me. The 'overly magnolia' handle already has

Good one Ern, I will be interested in your evaluation of the knife.

It looks like a very good buy, but having international priority for USD34.50 as the only mail option is a hidden sting in the tail.

A would love to see a close up shot of that pear skin cladding. I liked what I could see from the small image on the Aframes site.

As for the 'overly magnolia' handle, those Japanese sure do like to do things thoroughly...... the truth of it is likely to be that a less than fully literate English speaker from elsewhere is responsible for that faux pas.

Neil

These guys have already got the thumbs up from me. I reviewed my order this morning and discovered that I'd clicked the Nakiri instead of the Santoku! Contacted them by email and got a very prompt response (all things considered) and the order thankfully hadn't been posted yet. All fixed and crisis averted

I was looking at all of the Tadafusa knives and must have hit the Add to Cart button. There were a number of things in my cart at one stage so I had to do some deleting. Whoops!

That's good service Paul*.

Aframes order fulfillment is handled by HUCKLEBERRY VINTAGE FISHING SUPPLY !

Mine was despatched this morning.

Will post an initial user report when it's landed.

(* By contrast I bought a XC ski pole from the UK, made in Italy, that's a bit trick and four times the price of a standard one. The maker advertises alternative baskets - but doesn't reply at all to emails about them from customers, retailers or even distributors.)

Originally Posted by rsser

That's good service Paul*.

Aframes order fulfillment is handled by HUCKLEBERRY VINTAGE FISHING SUPPLY !

Mine was despatched this morning.

Will post an initial user report when it's landed.

(* By contrast I bought a XC ski pole from the UK, made in Italy, that's a bit trick and four times the price of a standard one. The maker advertises alternative baskets - but doesn't reply at all to emails about them from customers, retailers or even distributors.)

It's tough to find good service online that's for sure.

Mine was dispatched this morning as well according to Paypal. I'll be interested to see how long it takes to get here. I imagine I'll have it by Monday at the latest.

It will be interesting to see our different opinions considering I'm new to this and you're more experienced.