Cladded INOX Stainless ... ???

[mongatu]

Yes, the A's are single steel and pretty much behave as a true stainless, although they technically are not due having only 7% chrome content. Consequently, they do have a tendancy to develop some rather faint and hard to see yellowish water stains or spots after a while, but these are easily rubbed or polished out, if they bother you. They are pretty hard to see anyway. The stuff is stainless in the sense that it pretty much doesn't rust or pit on you the way carbon can and it is pretty non reactive.

I don't think the A's "gokinko" steel is necessarily the best choice for a suji, however. But that's just my opinion based on that I find it a little tricky to sharpen. Personally I would rather have a Tadatsuna Inox (ginsanko) suji, but they are quite a bit more expensive. But you know, you usually get what pay for with this stuff and with Tadatsuna, you really do.

[Q_Egg]

Yes, the A's are single steel and pretty much behave as a true stainless, although they technically are not due having only 7% chrome content. Consequently, they do have a tendancy to develop some rather faint and hard to see yellowish water stains or spots after a while, but these are easily rubbed or polished out, if they bother you. They are pretty hard to see anyway. The stuff is stainless in the sense that it pretty much doesn't rust or pit on you the way carbon can and it is pretty non reactive.

I don't think the A's "gokinko" steel is necessarily the best choice for a suji, however. But that's just my opinion based on that I find it a little tricky to sharpen. Personally I would rather have a Tadatsuna Inox (ginsanko) suji, but they are quite a bit more expensive. But you know, you usually get what pay for with this stuff and with Tadatsuna, you really do.

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Yes ... something is just amiss given how long that knife sets there with so many knowledgeable buyers always lurking .... No question about getting what one pays for ... and Tadatsuna is right at the top of my 'limited' budget list. Moritaka is right there too and Heiji will end up close to $50, higher when shipping gets added .... plus a 3-month wait. Shige 2970 Wa-G will just have to do some slicer tasks until a 'best' choice emerges.

Tom B

[mongatu]

Things could be worse. Most people would love to be "stuck" slicing with a Shigefusa wg.

[kcma]

i'd take my tadatsuna/suisin over shigefusa anytime even yanagi, they're great knives but their cost and material and style isn't my favorite combination.

[Fred]

Thom, I can't stand it. What is a booboo snipper?

[thombrogan]

Fred,

Any cutting implement capable of causing booboos is a booboo snipper. It started with scissors, moved to my pocketknives, and finally extended to my kitchen cutlery.

Tom B,

There is no choice - not a single one - you can make in this decision that won't leave you with that "what if?" feeling. No one wa-handled slicer will "have it all," so you'll second-guess your purchase the moment it's made and keep second-guessing it for years to come. Just pick one, stick with it, and torment yourself with regret instead of paralysis.

[Q_Egg]

Everything was on hold until I received a firm price from Heiji (So Y) for this knife. Now that is in, I have all the info I had hoped for.
I agree, once a choice is made, there will be ongoing glances at the top few alternatives, wondering how they might have performed.
Heiji is a 'safe' choice since enough of the attraction is having even one example of his forging skills.
Thanks all for the help on the 'cladded SS' question.

Tom B

[mainaman]

Thom, I can't stand it. What is a booboo snipper?

kids call any kind of wound a booboo, go figure.

[mongatu]

Well good luck with whatever you end up with.

[thombrogan]

kids call any kind of wound a booboo, go figure.

And it sounds more quaint than "sucking chest-wound maker," too!