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2nd April 2013, 10:04 PM #106
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After seeing mention of Watanabe knives in this thread I looked through the website and thought I'd like to buy an Gyuto. As their capacity is only 5 of these per month I emailed asking how long it might take to have one made. Unfortunately I didn't receive a reply. After that I decided to just order one which might get a better response. Still no reply.
Does anyone here know how to contact this maker? Any help would be appreciated.
Regards,
Gadge
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3rd April 2013, 09:13 AM #107
Hewer of wood
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How long have you waited Gadge?
(My order was acknowledged and filled within a few days).
These are the contact details I have for them:
Shinichi Watanabe
WATANABE BLADE
1 Inokobashinden, Sanjo-shi,
Niigata-ken 959-1151 JAPAN
Phone & Fax +81 (256) 45-2940 [email protected]
[email protected]
KITCHEN KNIFE | WATANABE BLADECheers, Ern
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3rd April 2013, 09:48 AM #108
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Thanks for the reply rsser.
I first emailed about a month ago asking about lead time. Then emailed again a couple of weeks ago with the order. No replies to either.
Regards,
Gadge
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3rd April 2013, 10:11 AM #109
In my experience this is unusual, Gadge.
I have purchased a number of knives from Shinichi-san and the communications have always been prompt.
And, unlike most Japanese knife smiths, his English is quite good.
I would persist for a bit longer.
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3rd April 2013, 06:43 PM #110
Hewer of wood
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Agree with Neil.
Your experience appears to be unusual. Maybe try that other email address? As you'll have seen this is a family operation and family events might have taken precedence?
...
As an aside there's a local cafe with an open kitchen and a relieving chef had left his knife on the bench. Damascus steel. Spekky. Course we got chinwagging ... it was made by that Tassie guy.
And of course I picked it up and did the thumbnail test. Blunt as. Told him. He knew it. But he had all these Shun knives (chest beating). All needed sharpening.
So I made an offer: I'd sharpen his knives (any with chipping excluded) to #3000 for $10 each or to #8000 for $15.
Not interested.Cheers, Ern
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3rd April 2013, 06:56 PM #111
He would have been getting a bargain!
Dave Martel who has a sharpening service charges more, see Level I, here.
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3rd April 2013, 08:01 PM #112
Hewer of wood
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Yoiks!
Well, I've been charging $30 an hour for woodturning lessons and took that as a benchmark.
This guy was clearly all show.
With my own knives I've got good enough results with #1000 then #3000 with some care to build up a slurry. I haven't warmed to the #8000 from Stu cos of the wood mount but now have one of his #6000 unmounted so expect to work just with the 1k and 6k.
And despite expert instruction in freehanding I still prefer to jig, and that alone accounts for not warming to the wood-mounted stone.
...
The Kid, to back up aways, has had a go with the Petty knife. The blade is bent at the handle. (My jaws are clamped; not one critical sound will be heard. It's cheap learning all said. Might justify a Watanabe replacement for her Dad).
Cheers, Ern
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3rd April 2013, 08:31 PM #113
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Rsser and Neils,
Thanks for the support. I emailed directly and had a reply within a few hours. I've placed an order for two knives. Apparently the Watanabe website email has been down for a few weeks. Bad timing on my part.
Thanks again,
Gadge
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5th April 2013, 07:50 PM #114
Hewer of wood
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Happy to hear that Gadge.
...
Watanabe knives are sober in aesthetic terms but on the basis of one sample I'd say they over-deliver in performance terms.
Roaming the website again: there are some very tempting prospects.Cheers, Ern
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8th April 2013, 09:16 PM #115
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After not receiving a reply from Watanabe for a few weeks I took Rsser and Neils advice and contacted Shinichi directly as per our thread above. I ordered two knives last Wednesday and received both in Sydney today, Monday. Wow, that was great service!
Now I have a Gyuto and a petite 120 mm. Beautiful!
Regards,
Gadge
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9th April 2013, 07:41 PM #116
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14th April 2013, 08:19 PM #117
Hewer of wood
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Good outcome Gadge.
Let us know how you find them?Cheers, Ern
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14th April 2013, 10:47 PM #118
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Ok rsser, I have been meaning to take a photo as per Neils post and will try to do it tomorrow. The photo won't be much different than the one on the Watanabe website though.
Regards,
Gadge
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21st April 2013, 06:22 PM #119
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I finally managed to take a shot of the Watanabe knives I bought. Not a great shot but should give an idea of the knives.
Regards,
Gadge
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21st April 2013, 07:43 PM #120
Hewer of wood
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Loverly; thanks.
The understated aesthetic of these knives appeals to me.
...
Having done a boneless roast for friends recently and with good company and some nice redsI left my gyoto on the board after carving and yep, the blue steel stained. JIF as per Neil's advice got rid of most of it.
A sharpening session is warranted anyway so will wait for a 'zen' moment and try the new Sigma PS II #6000. And a non-zen moment for machine sharpening the Western knives.Cheers, Ern
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