Scargo, I recently got the Mizuno Hontaren Wa Gyuto (240mm) and it is stunning. I actually had mine rehandled by someone Octaveman knows (Fish n Poi) not because the original handle isn't any good but because this was an expensive purchase for me so I figured this would be the knife I 'splashed out' on. The handle was angled up slightly as the blade is not wide compared to some and Fish thought it best to add a little angle incase it gets used by someone with large hands (mine aren't but I have a couple of chef friends who have thick fingers). The steel is gorgeous; the finish superb and the geometry perfect. I haven't had to take it to the stones yet though I sense it will actually hold a stunning edge and one that is much sharper than the out of the box one it came with. I hope this helps in your decison making but remember that the blade is only 44mm wide which may be important to you. Let us know what you choose. Here is a link to where I posted a couple of pictures: Knife pictures a couple of posts down Oh and "Hi Bob" (Octaveman).
