Buying Japanese Knives Online

[gfron1]

I've bought from Bernal Cutlery in SF and Japanese Knife Imports in Beverly Hills.  Both are great but I am looking for something new.  I like hand forged, high quality knives.  My most recent was a Fujiwara 210 white #1 which has changed my kitchen forever - such an amazing knife.  But I'm on the hunt again...suggestions?

[mkayahara]

My go-to tends to be Chef Knives to Go, or Knifewear here in Canada. I know some people swear by Korin, and one of the cooks at my last job spoke highly of Chubo. Hope that helps.

[daveb]

I like JKI and Korin as well.  For something different,  Epicurean Edge, (Seattle?) offers a diverse selction from entry level Japanese knives to consignment peices from high end American makers.

[gdenby]

I've made purchases from Chef Knives to Go and Japanese Chefs Knife

 

Good service from both. Chef Knives to Go offers Japanese, Euro and American, but the Japanese selection is good.

[gfron1]

I've been appreciating the support though the CKtG forum the past few days.  Great info.

[Robenco15]

Chefknivestogo is impressive in many respects. I placed an order on a Monday and it showed up Wednesday. It started in Wisconsin and came to me, in Connecticut. The forum is probably the best forum anywhere when it comes to knives. Absolutely stellar. I'd be comfortable recommending that place as the first and last stop for all knife matters.

[daveb]

I've had a different experience with CKTG.  My 1st order was a 3 stone set, everything  was good.  2nd order was for sink bridge, all was not good.  The knurled screws to adjust the bridge were attached and not protected (dumb).  The bridge was packed loosely (dumb) and upon receipt the screws were broken.   Mark was not helpful in resolution.  $140 bridge now sits on top of my junk pile. 

 

I found the forum a little cheesy with those providing advice having a retail interest in that advice, be it knives, sharpening, etc.

 

YMMV.

Edited September 14, 2014 by daveb (log)

[ninagluck]

I ordered here: http://www.watanabeblade.com/english/index.htm

[isabellaperrier]

I had also ordered a set of knives from this place.

[rotuts]

I can't get this knife off my mind :

 

http://www.watanabeblade.com/english/pro/nakkiri.htm

 

thanks for the tip !

 

Ill have to find the conversion rate and shipping charges etc etc

[nickrey]

Thank you for the link to Watanabe. I got myself one of these. Sin, the owner, is very helpful and fast in supplying postage, etc. The knife has terrific balance and excellent sharpness. Looking forward to using it for many years to come.

[rotuts]

Excellent !   ive been thinking about that  knife also and these two :

 

http://www.kitchen-knife.jp/pro/santoku.htm

 

Id like a 'wider' knife    although I think of it as taller.

[Hassouni]

I've bought from Bernal Cutlery in SF and Japanese Knife Imports in Beverly Hills.  Both are great but I am looking for something new.  I like hand forged, high quality knives.  My most recent was a Fujiwara 210 white #1 which has changed my kitchen forever - such an amazing knife.  But I'm on the hunt again...suggestions?

 

Maaan so you have a Fujiwara Teruyasu AND a Honyaki? Intensely jealous over here!

[JoNorvelleWalker]

I can't get this knife off my mind :

 

http://www.watanabeblade.com/english/pro/nakkiri.htm

 

thanks for the tip !

 

Ill have to find the conversion rate and shipping charges etc etc

 

That's the one that called to me!  If you learn the cost in dollars delivered to the US, please share the information.

[rotuts]

Im actively trying to resist these knives.

 

[gfron1]

wait til you see what I have coming later today!  Then I need to stop spending money on knives - I've congratulated myself enough for this year!

Maaan so you have a Fujiwara Teruyasu AND a Honyaki? Intensely jealous over here!

[Hassouni]

Oh come on...how can you top those two?

 

You don't have an actual katana coming, do you?

[gfron1]

I already posted in the other Japanese knife thread that's active so I apologize for the repeat.  I'm carefully tracking it on FedEx right now.  Custom handle - Russian keirilian birch.  Sukenari 210mm Honyaki.

[Hassouni]

Oh that, yes, I saw already. You really can't top that!

[rotuts]

gfron1

 

Id love to see your own picture of that knife when you get it.

 

how did you manage the custom handle ?

[Hassouni]

rotuts, it's sold like that

[rotuts]

I missed that

 

I saw it as this :

 

http://www.chefknivestogo.com/hakddachkn24.html

 

it is a thing of great beauty at least.

[gfron1]

Here you go.  My knife splurge is complete. From top to bottom: Sukenari Honyaki white #1 gyuto 210mm with custom Russian Karelian Birch handle, Kato Nakiri white #2 180mm with wenge ferrule handle, Fujiwara Shirogami gyuto white #1 210mm, Fujiwara Shirogami Wa-petty white #1 150mm. The first two are from ChefKnivesToGo.com and the second two I bought in person at Bernal Cutlery in San Francisco.  I've congratulated myself enough for last year. Now on to earn next year's!

 

[rotuts]

Wow

 

may I ask your sharpening system ?

 

EdgePro ?

 

your cutting board system ?

 

what a stunning collection !

[gfron1]

You mean you have to sharpen them!    I'm using 4-stage Kasumi stones.  I'm not wild about them but they're okay.