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  1. #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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  3. #107
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    Jan 2002
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    Melbourne, Aus.
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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 BLADE
    Cheers, Ern

  4. #108
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    Mar 2010
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    Sydney
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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

  5. #109
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    Apr 2007
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    Adelaide Hills, South Australia
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    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.

  6. #110
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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

  7. #111
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    Apr 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by rsser View Post
    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.
    He would have been getting a bargain!

    Dave Martel who has a sharpening service charges more, see Level I, here.

  8. #112
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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

  9. #113
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    Mar 2010
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    Sydney
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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

  10. #114
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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

  11. #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

  12. #116
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gadge View Post
    Now I have a Gyuto and a petite 120 mm. Beautiful!
    Gadge, any chance of a photo?
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  13. #117
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    Good outcome Gadge.

    Let us know how you find them?
    Cheers, Ern

  14. #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

  15. #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
    Attached Images Attached Images

  16. #120
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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 reds I 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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