[SantaGanstag]

kershaw sure looks great

http://www.chefsresource.com/kershunclasc1.html

[Rjvpicux]

thanks for the sdk link and the kasumi brand tip. must have overlooked that brand. seems much less "gimmicky".

[QWNPdpr5]

Why would giving a knife as a gift be a problem if someone is Asian?

[TaliaJack]

The Sei Do Kai web page has some kitchen knives. Worth looking at.

[Jadldqys]

According to Anthony Bourdain("Kitchen Confidential"), global knives are some of the best knives you can get. Although not very traditional japanese design, they do look good.

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

[StitlyDute]

I'm thinking of buying a friend and fellow kenshi a good kitchen knife (more practical than a sword nowadays...) and I prefer to give him one made in Japan. Any chef's out there have any advice? I've been to japanese-knife.com and some other UK source website. I would like some more options or information of what I'm getting when I buy. I'm local to LA, so perhaps theres Japanese specialized shops around that could help me out if anyone knows. I'm just thinking of spending $100, maybe $150 for a chef knife or santoku. Nothing extravagant.

High on the list is the Kershaw SHUN santoku. Seems a bit gimicky tho, with the damascus steel "look" and being stainless (traditional japanese sword/knife steel is simply high carbon steel, and rusts if not maintained), but reviews seem good. $100 isnt much, so maybe I shouldnt really be too picky?

[grofvuri]

Check out Kasumi brand knives.

[gusunsuth]

so it ends up my friend already owns a shun chefs knife and prefers global and could use a 8" bread knife. pays for asking huh.... thanks everyone anyway.

[nithhysfusy]

Why would giving a knife as a gift be a problem if someone is Asian?

becausing giving sharp objects could be interpreted as you intend to sever your ties. there are many other kinds of taboos in Asian society, some unique to certain ethnic groups.

another example would be where you give your bf/gf a pair of shoes, which may mean they should "take a hike".

it's more of an issue with the older generation. the younger generation who grew up on MTV might only vaguely know about these taboos.

[abOfU9nJ]

yeah the reason im considering a japanese knife would be somewhat for the novelty of it, yet its still a practical gift. cultural taboo is not an issue here. he's actually a great home cook (has cooked for me several times) and probably knows more than the average person about knives. im just looking for a 8-9" chef knife, not a yanagi. certainly any handmade, 100 fold knife would be out of my ballpark anyway. although i also know he would accept anything graciously, i just dont want to give him a bunk item that he wouldnt spend $100 on even if he was shopping for one himself. which is why im asking about the shun knife. seems like a good knife, but it bothers me that it seems that its the only "japanese" knife marketed in mainstream US distribution, but it has that faux damascus look, and of course some blatant kanji, and no less has celebrity chef alton brown showcasing them. was hoping for an experienced chef to chime in here (in a kendo forum??). heck, i might just email him and ask if he needs anything in his kitchen drawer... (if hes not already lurking around here today)

[OwdBKKHO]

First, check if it is culturally okay to give knives to the person. If he or she is Asian, they might have a problem receiving a knife as a gift.

You want a Japanese-style knife or a knife made in Japan? Global knives are good but they are nothing special. Kind of on the same level as mid-priced Henckels and Wüsthof-Trident.

Top-end sushi knives are out of your price range.

[cheesypeetyz]

Japanese knives are wonderful, they have thin blades and maintain their sharpness. Japanese knives makes nice kitchen tools whether you are a chef or an ordinary person.

[JesikaFlpk]

This just reminded me that I've got a few knives stamped "Made in Occupied Japan" in a box somewhere...

[8jIDXQ80]

FWIW, I love my Global knives. I, too, learned about them from Tony Bourdain's book.

They're really light, very well-balanced, and sharp as %@#$#@$!@#. I purchased my first two from Bed Bath and Beyond, and the saleswoman warned me that they're far sharper than any other knife they sell. They seem to keep their edges better than my mom's Henckels or my dad's Wusthoff knives, and they're much, much lighter. I've had friends over, and when they start using my knives, the reaction is usually "Oooh!"

My dad was most impressed when I thinly sliced a ripe tomato with a plain (non-serrated) blade without crushing the tomato. I just pulled it right out of the block and used it, without even using a steel on it, and it had been at least a couple of months since the last time I sharpened it.

Plus, I love the fact that the handle and blade are one piece. No crevices to get food stuck in, no places for bacteria to hide.

[xjNo4zvD]

My wife is a professional chef, Classical and pastry. SHe has the Globals, Hinckles, wustoffs and a cadre of others. when she was doing competition shew prefered her
Globals. For prolonged use the Hinckles were her preference. SHe says the handles on the Globals are not conducive to long time use. SHe loved them all.

[ThzinChang]

Have you considered a ceramic knife? They break more easily than stainless steel if you aren't careful with them, but they keep an excellent edge for much longer.