Fujiwara FKM

[Keith]

I am looking for a good moderate price Japan blade to recommend.In my quest to try stainless over a year ago now I bought a Tojiro Zen 3 layer cobalt allow steel VG-10 core.It was 99.00 wt a fat wa handle.I had to round the spine.I believe it may be the same as the DP.It is a capable blade,takes a good edge & holds it fairly well.Though I prefer mono steel Gyuto's,I realize for most it is not an issue at all.

The Fujiwara FKM 240 comes in at around 80.00.I would like some immpressions of this knife.how is the blade geometry compared to the Tojiro?I have noticed the prices on these have not increased as much as some other's.

Any other suggestions for say 150.00 & under for 240 gyuto's as a persons first stain resistant Japan blade?

Thanks Keith

[Benuser]

JCK Kagayaki VG-10, best VG-10 I've seen so far, probably due to HT, thin, good edge OTB, great F&F for that price range, unusual design though.
In the same
price range you may advice as well the Hiromoto G3, or even the AS, as its daily maintenance is so easy, and its edge the best you may wish. However, clad removing and thinning aren't exactly stuff for a beginner I'm afraid.

[-dg]

JCK Kagayaki VG-10, best VG-10 I've seen so far, probably due to HT, thin, good edge OTB, great F&F for that price range, unusual design though.

I have this in 240mm and it is a good knife, I've been happy with mine. However, on the price performance scale, the Fujiwara FKM is slightly less performance perhaps, but is significantly less expensive, and the JCK Carbonext is probably higher performance at the same price. If I were replacing my VG10 I would get either the CN or the FKM, but these are all good knives.

[Keith]

When I looked up the Kagayaki VG-10,I found they also make the carbonex didn't know that.The Hiromoto G3 looks good as well only 2mm at the spine.RC-60 good hardness fot kit. knife.

[jleung612]

JCK carbonext is only semistainless, but it takes a LOT of carelessness to cause the blade to rust. Out of those mentioned, I'd go with the carbonext

[Benuser]

There are a lot of reports about the CarboNext arriving almost unsharpened.

[jmbullman]

Do u just not like carbon at all or just love stainless? Jmbullman

[Keith]

Do u just not like carbon at all or just love stainless? Jmbullman

I love carbon,however I am realistic enough to know that I cannot recommend it to everyone.Most of the cooks I taught how to sharpen have at least one or more carbon blades that they use at work.I taught both my sisters & nieces husbands how to freehand on waterstones.I gave my sister her first carbon she loves it & has bought one more. After a couple one on one lessions she can get them very sharp on her bester 1200.

I also know that there is some very good stainless steel.For knife nuts & sharpeners expensive blades wt.great steel & geometry are a fact of life.Money is spent.To the average citizen & culinary student in Hawaii spending even 100.00 on a knife is alot.We have these stores in Hawaii like Macey's, the Executive Chef,& Complete kitchen.Mostly they sell Heinkles & some other brand with big thick bolsters covering the entire heel.These knives are not cheap,Complete Kit. also sells a whole range of expensive Shuns.Don Quiote dept. store(Japan owned) sells diff. levels of Mac knives,they keep in a glass case.


Though I like Mac. knives for the most part buyers in these stores know little about knives & the people on the floor do not either.With a little freehand skills & some quality( compared to what they are used to)stainless Santoku & Gyuto,My relatives here in Hawaii cannot believe how much some teaching & a good knife can make such a big difference.That's why this forum is a great place to find stain resistant blades that do not cost an arm & a leg.

[Benuser]

I don't know about the climatic conditions on Hawaii, but it may influence your choices. Humidity might be a factor, but temperature changes causing condensation far more.

[doug8066]

Yes, I bought 2 carbonext 150 petty knives.
I made the mistake of ordering one of them to be "extra sharp" by Japanese expert $10 more from memory.
Anyway, both knives arrived blunt.
Not to worry, they sharpen easily and hold their edge very well indeed.
I would certainly reccommend the carbonext knives. They are great value, and the petties are beautifully light & nimble.
To be honest I do not ever rely on factory edges being satisfactorily sharp. Because mostly they are not. That's why I have waterstones galore