Why is there so much neg about Shun Pro?

[iceman01]

I find that when I pinch on the blade like I often do, especially when I want control, the Global handle behaves like a big, useless paperweight (sand or no sand).

So how come you like Wa handles, they are paperweight, too. Some people like to Tojiro handles others don't. Everybody has different preferences and perceptions about knives, so let everybody use the knife he likes even if you don't like it.
I have a Suisin Inox Honyaki, a Grand Cheff Wa and other thin Gyutos, I like them but I like my G-2 too.

[Seb]

Wa handles are very light. The Global's handle is heavy.

Just to clarify, by 'paperweight' I mean 'useless hunk of steel'. Like a doorstop, as a further example.

[thombrogan]

Wa-handles can be made heavy. I think those Mcusta Masanobu thingies have steel-capped handles.

[Fred]

Wa handles are very light. The Global's handle is heavy.

Just to clarify, by 'paperweight' I mean 'useless hunk of steel'. Like a doorstop, as a further example.

s

The correct statement is that traditional Japanese knives are typically blade heavy while Global knives are perfectly balanced.

[LumberJ]

I really liked the Global handles especially the style on the G-2 and similar models that taper down and meet flush with the blade made it possible for a pinchesque grip right on the handle I found it offered tons of control. And on the models with the larger handles I found a touch less comfortable but still miles above typical yo-handles. I have since found that I prefer a more blade heavy feel. My only real complaint is how long the deburring process was

[Fred]

There is a difference between saying that a knife is badly balanced and not liking a well balanced knife. The industry standard for balance is a center of gravity at the point one pinches the knife with the thumb and forefinger. this is usually just in front of the bolster on a bolstered knife. Most German knives are handle heavy and most Japanese traditonal knives are blade heavy. It is perfectly fine to prefer an unbalanced knife. But preferring an unbalanced knife doesn't make it properly balanced. It simply expresses a preference. That is the point I'm trying to make. Global and Misono do the best job I've seen anywhere at balancing knives at the industry standard center of gravity. Forged German knives and traditional Japanese knives are usually the furthest from standard. That doesn't make them bad. It only makes them balanced away from the industry standard.

[thombrogan]

Maybe saying it's neutrally balanced (not blade heavy; not handle heavy) would be preferable. If one pinch grips and uses classic French technique, neutral can be preferred/superior/perfectomundo, but that doesn't make it so for folks using other techniques.

[iceman01]

Wa handles are very light. The Global's handle is heavy.
Just to clarify, by 'paperweight' I mean 'useless hunk of steel'. Like a doorstop, as a further example.

My bad, I should have clarified that I thought you were referring to the shape or something else but not to the weight.


Regarding the balance, when I use the pinch grip, what I do almost always, I don't feel such a difference between a blade that is neutrally balanced or a little blade heavy. Even my 500g (18.0 oz) Yo deba feels good in pinch grip.

I suspect that the problem is that almost everybody here is after the perfect knife. We all have enough knives to know and recognize the slight differences. But let's be honest, all these knives are very good when it comes to performance. The handle thing is something entirely different, there are as many different styles and shapes out there as are preferences, so each and everyone can find a shape/style that he likes best. Not to mention that most of the other shapes will be quite comfortable too.

[Seb]

I actually like Yo and Wa gyutos equally. My current go-to is a bolsterless 210mm Masahiro MV. My other faves are my Yusuke Swedish 240mm Yo and Yusuke 240mm White Wa.

[doug8066]

Global is the only product line I know of that has perfect balance for every model throughout all the products except for the forged models. The trick is the hollow handle which is filled with just the right amount of sand to hit the balance exactly.

Thanks Fred for a moderate, well experienced opinion. Yes Global knives are good quality.

Yes there are (slightly) better other brands of different Japanese knives. Personal preference plays a major role here.

But the extreme views against any one brand are OTT. eg I recall a discussion critisising Misono UX10 knives in the most negative terms.

Well .... Hello !! Anyboby I know who owns a UX10 is very satisfied