Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

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AlexP
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Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#1

Post by AlexP »

Hello,

My other passion in addition to fishing is cooking. I have gathered quite a few knives through the years, especially chef knives. I prefer Japanese style knives and I have knives representing some major brands, primarily Global, Shun, Mac, and Miyabi. My favorites these days are Miyabi although I started with Global 20 some years ago.

I would love to have limited production knives from "mom and pops" shops, but the few that I have seen, are really expensive. I am talking about $1k or more. I spend more time cooking than fishing, so not sure why an expensive knife makes me paused, but not a bamboo rod...

Anyway, does anybody have some favorite knives' makers?

Thanks

alberta al
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#2

Post by alberta al »

Randall makes a chef’s knife. I Don’t have one, bit I do like their carving set and my wife uses their bread knife all the time.

ablecane
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#3

Post by ablecane »

Most of mine came from here.
https://www.japanny.com/?gclid=EAIaIQob ... gJEufD_BwE
Watch for sales.

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spruce grouse
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#4

Post by spruce grouse »

I got into high-end chefs knives (Japanese and American) a number of years ago. You can buy very serviceable knives for under $200 - Yoshikane, Tojiro come to mind. When I got everything I felt I needed I stopped buying them. But I still look. I use the knives a lot more often than my rods, for good or bad.

A few places to look:
https://knifewear.com/
https://www.epicedge.com/shopdisplaypr ... tisan+Made
https://www.japaneseknifeimports.com/

Some of my nicest knives I own (Murray Carter, Haburn) I bought used from chefs on https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/. The chefs and aficionados there often buy knives from a certain maker to try out and then turn around and sell them. Not unlike some board members here with bamboo rods.
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thorsma
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#5

Post by thorsma »

+1 for Murray Carter - he makes beautiful Japanese style kitchen knives that are available at www.knivesshipfree.com

AlexP
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#6

Post by AlexP »

Thanks everybody, great suggestions.

Murray Carter knives look really good https://www.cartercutlery.com/knives/kn ... zai-gyuto/

Tight lines and Happy Cutting

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jhuskey
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#7

Post by jhuskey »

Not Japanese, but I like the look of this one. It is on my "wanted" list.

https://woodyhandmade.com/handmade-kniv ... efs-knife/

RaspberryPatch
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#8

Post by RaspberryPatch »

https://knifewear.com/collections/japan ... &offset=24

I have 5 Japanese knives, 4 from Knifeware. I like octagonal Wa handles and like Haruyuki blue steel with stainless clad. I use this Nakiri afternoon-tonight to make Gumbo.

https://knifewear.com/products/haruyuki ... 3283804208

But if I am doing a look of Citris, I will use stainless steel

They are sharp, so i can slice a bucket of onions for French Onion soup and not shed a tear.
Last edited by RaspberryPatch on 04/13/22 19:00, edited 1 time in total.


RaspberryPatch
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#10

Post by RaspberryPatch »

Yes, Japanese knifes can be expensive. I had sticker shock when I visited the kitchen district in Osaka (my daughter lived in Japan for 5 years), but I do not believe I am missing anything that is substantial with the knives I now use.

I know they are way better that my old quality french and german knifes, but I do treat these Japanese knives with more kindness. For example, no scrapping across the board to push vegetables.

If I m doing some rough work or working around bones, lets say seperate spare ribs, I still use my German steel Chef Knife.
Last edited by RaspberryPatch on 04/13/22 18:59, edited 1 time in total.

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dale
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#11

Post by dale »

If Japan ever opens up, and you are able to get to Kyoto, go to Nishiki Market, one of the greatest places in the world for a foodie. Aritsugu is located there, and they are a small (but famous) knife shop that has been around for many years. We've purchased a number of knives for us and for family members over the years. The best knives we've ever had and they'll even teach you how to sharpen them (with a stone). Also, they'll monogram the knife with your name (in Japanese, of course).

Dale

bassman
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#12

Post by bassman »

After having nothing but mostly junk passed down over the years I bought a Misen chef's knife. It is the most enjoyiable knife I've ever used for it's purpose and use it for a lot of things. After using a good knife I'm tempted to outfit the kitchen with a full line of quality items and will follow up on a lot of the links you guys have posted.
On another note, I enjoy watching YouTube when they butcher huge tuna, groupers, halibut, swordfish and other big fish. Many of them use a rounded knife with a huge blade that they slice, trim, chop and hammer with. I've never even seen one of those for sale but did happen to catch an episode on YouTube where they made one of those knives by forging and pounding it into shape. Fantastic work and am reasonably sure I can never afford one of those but would be great back in the days I cleaned piles of big salmon and lake trout. Now an electric knife does a lot of fillet work.

eastprong
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#13

Post by eastprong »

A few years old, but here's a positive review of the Misen knives:

https://www.seriouseats.com/best-cheap- ... ent-review

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DrLogik
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#14

Post by DrLogik »

I can't recall where I heard about this guy in Brooklyn but evidently his knives are in hot demand from New York chefs.

https://cutbrooklyn.com/

crowebeetle
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#15

Post by crowebeetle »

Check these blades - hand made in Georgia Beautiful blades https://www.bloodrootblades.com/

What do you guys do for sharpening blades? I have some nice ones that need sharpening.

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DrLogik
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#16

Post by DrLogik »

Crowebeetle,

I sharpen all of my own knives, pocket, hunting, tactical, chef's knives and cleavers. I have three Japanese stones of varying grit as well as a Spyderco Sharpmaker (for pocket and tactical knives) and an electric sharpener for heavy stuff (heavy cleavers). I learned how to sharpen knives decades ago from a really proficient knife sharpener. YouTube is a wonderful source for sharpening. Search for Japanese knife sharpening.

crowebeetle
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#17

Post by crowebeetle »

Grazie, Dr Logic

bassman
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#18

Post by bassman »

crowebeetle wrote:
04/16/22 19:25
Check these blades - hand made in Georgia Beautiful blades https://www.bloodrootblades.com/

What do you guys do for sharpening blades? I have some nice ones that need sharpening.
There is a guy that is really proud of his knives. Highest prices I've seen on knives myself. Maybe it's not out of line but out of my reach.

eastprong, thanks for link. I'm far from expert on knives but glad to see someone who is and feels like I do about the Misen Chef's knife I bought. I also have one of their Large fry pans and it's used constantly in our house.

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spruce grouse
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#19

Post by spruce grouse »

crowebeetle wrote:
04/16/22 19:25
Check these blades - hand made in Georgia Beautiful blades https://www.bloodrootblades.com/
I have one of their knives, which I had custom made. Their prices have gone up as they’ve become more in demand. They are great people to work with, very down to earth. They grow some of their own food, hunt and (I think) fish. I love the fact that all their blades and much of the handles come from recycled materials.
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JabaliHunter
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Re: Chef Knives from Small Makers Question

#20

Post by JabaliHunter »

Stuart Mitchell in Sheffield, England, makes some wonderful bespoke knives.
https://www.stuartmitchellknives.com/cooking-eating

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