Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
I’m lusting after a Kurosaki VG10 gyuto because it’s gorgeous even though I probably prefer HAP40 or R2.
How do we feel about aesthetic vs functional purchases...
How do we feel about aesthetic vs functional purchases...
- Drewski
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
I'd say just go for it. Maybe you'll like the grind/profile/balance/whatever, and the steel won't even matter to you. Plus I've heard good things about Kurosaki's treatment of VG10, although I can't speak from experience.
- lsboogy
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Why I own Honyaki knives - plus having pretty knives is great in a home setting, and if it works for ya all the better. My brother (he seemed to have lost his knack in the kitchen) got a Takumura Chromax knife from his wife for Christmas, and he is gaining his skill set back. The knife is pretty and he takes great care of all things in the kitchen now - night and day going from wusthof/victorinox stuff to the Chromax - he shows great pride in it
Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Life is too short to use an ugly knife. If you got already got a knife that works great but doesn't tickle your eyes as much and want another, might as well go for looks!
Not sure this theory works as well with respect to wives and husbands tho, be careful.
Not sure this theory works as well with respect to wives and husbands tho, be careful.
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
The Kurosaki Megumi VG-10 is a good knife, and it is cool looking with the hammered texture and Damascus. It's worth the $$, and is a prime example of how good VG-10 can be with proper heat treatment. I bought mine mainly because it is a bad ass looking knife...then I kicked it up a notch with a redneck handle....definitely my baddest ass knife.
Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
I was wondering what was redneck about it till I got to the third photo, hahahaha
“If we conquer our passions it is more from their weakness than from our strength.”
― François de La Rochefoucauld
― François de La Rochefoucauld
Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
@ Carter. Really like that block you made to hold and display your knife. I think one of your handles would be all the bling I need. Is that Ebony or African Blackwood?
Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
It’s ok to buy for any reason, imo. It’s personal. There are many bling knives out there using VG10 as core steel and I think there are at least two reasons. 1. They need to be stainless to attract the casual buyer that wants the bling. 2. Finer stainless steel would make it too expensive.
I bought my Kurosaki Megumi nakiri because of the bling, some positive reviews and to try VG10 from a reputable maker. After the purchased, I realized how tall it was and how that extra blade heaviness could be useful. I like it very much. Compared to my carbon steel knives it holds its edge forever, although it is not near as screaming sharp. Not as easy to sharpen, but not annoyingly difficult and no gummy burr problems.
I recently bought a Kurosaki Fujin gyuto 210. Again for the bling and also because I like my Megumi. Thinner than the Megumi and very nice distal taper and thin tip. Doesn’t cut carrots as well as my Kurosaki Shizuku AS - could be an edge sharpness/sharpening thing or a geometry thing. Excellent on potatoes and softer things. And I really like the profile with its slow curve, feels like a great allround 210 that many would like. Same feeling on the stones as the Megumi, but a bit easier to sharpen because it’s thinner.
All in all, I like having these shorter VG10 knives around when cooking becomes more improvised and I don’t want to wipe the blade dry all the time, or when cutting acidic fruit etc. It would have been sweet to have them in ginsan, but I don’t mind very much, maybe because I don’t bother getting too nerdy about stainless steels. I save that passion for the carbons.
Here are some pictures (enhanced with high contrast to make the texture pop). I should mention that I adore these basic octagonal handles. Great fit & finish and just the right size and looks for me. Keyaki for the Fujin and cherry for the Megumi, with pakka ferrules.
I bought my Kurosaki Megumi nakiri because of the bling, some positive reviews and to try VG10 from a reputable maker. After the purchased, I realized how tall it was and how that extra blade heaviness could be useful. I like it very much. Compared to my carbon steel knives it holds its edge forever, although it is not near as screaming sharp. Not as easy to sharpen, but not annoyingly difficult and no gummy burr problems.
I recently bought a Kurosaki Fujin gyuto 210. Again for the bling and also because I like my Megumi. Thinner than the Megumi and very nice distal taper and thin tip. Doesn’t cut carrots as well as my Kurosaki Shizuku AS - could be an edge sharpness/sharpening thing or a geometry thing. Excellent on potatoes and softer things. And I really like the profile with its slow curve, feels like a great allround 210 that many would like. Same feeling on the stones as the Megumi, but a bit easier to sharpen because it’s thinner.
All in all, I like having these shorter VG10 knives around when cooking becomes more improvised and I don’t want to wipe the blade dry all the time, or when cutting acidic fruit etc. It would have been sweet to have them in ginsan, but I don’t mind very much, maybe because I don’t bother getting too nerdy about stainless steels. I save that passion for the carbons.
Here are some pictures (enhanced with high contrast to make the texture pop). I should mention that I adore these basic octagonal handles. Great fit & finish and just the right size and looks for me. Keyaki for the Fujin and cherry for the Megumi, with pakka ferrules.
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
This one is ebony, but I've made out of a bunch of woods....the waste cutoff also makes a little knife stand.
- ChefKnivesToGo
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Aesthetics are important. It will make you want to pick up the knife and use it.
I think you guys should reconsider the disdain for VG10. It's really good steel in the hands of guys that heat treat it properly. Kato San gave me a vg10 damascus bunka and it's fantastic and holds an edge well and doesn't chip. I love that knife. Kurosaki uses the same exact heat treat as Kato and they rock.
I think you guys should reconsider the disdain for VG10. It's really good steel in the hands of guys that heat treat it properly. Kato San gave me a vg10 damascus bunka and it's fantastic and holds an edge well and doesn't chip. I love that knife. Kurosaki uses the same exact heat treat as Kato and they rock.
- Jeff B
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Totally agree.ChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:21 am Aesthetics are important. It will make you want to pick up the knife and use it.
I think you guys should reconsider the disdain for VG10. It's really good steel in the hands of guys that heat treat it properly. Kato San gave me a vg10 damascus bunka and it's fantastic and holds an edge well and doesn't chip. I love that knife. Kurosaki uses the same exact heat treat as Kato and they rock.
As far as buying for the bling, I have several Damascus knives now only because I think it looks BADASS! I could have got the same knives for much less money without the bling but what fun would that be!
And I think VG10 got a bad rap because of Shun's shitty heat treatment. I've used the Megumi and it completely changed my thinking about VG10.
And I'm pissed that I debated too long about that one Fujin Mark had and I just missed it!
If God wanted me to be a vegetarian he wouldn't have made animals taste so good.
Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
I've used the Megumi as well as Tanaka's VG10 line. The steel for both was impressive.
I liked the Tanaka best. Sharpened a touch easier than the Megumi, though I think the Megumi has a longer-lasting edge. I'd get a Tanaka VG10 if it wasn't so similar in looks and profile to the Sekiso. The VG10 is a thinner knife that has laser-like qualities, but otherwise it does look like a very close cousin.
I've also been impressed with some of the VG10 knives coming lately from the mass producers. Maybe they can't quite stack up to the Tanaka or Megumi and they are overpriced for what they are, but they are still quality knives that would work well for most people.
I liked the Tanaka best. Sharpened a touch easier than the Megumi, though I think the Megumi has a longer-lasting edge. I'd get a Tanaka VG10 if it wasn't so similar in looks and profile to the Sekiso. The VG10 is a thinner knife that has laser-like qualities, but otherwise it does look like a very close cousin.
I've also been impressed with some of the VG10 knives coming lately from the mass producers. Maybe they can't quite stack up to the Tanaka or Megumi and they are overpriced for what they are, but they are still quality knives that would work well for most people.
Jeffry B
- lsboogy
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- Kit Craft
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
I've never understood the hate for VG-10. It has always seemed to have been well liked on the outdoor and edc forums I visited. I like it fine in the kitchen and elsewhere.ChefKnivesToGo wrote: ↑Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:21 am Aesthetics are important. It will make you want to pick up the knife and use it.
I think you guys should reconsider the disdain for VG10. It's really good steel in the hands of guys that heat treat it properly. Kato San gave me a vg10 damascus bunka and it's fantastic and holds an edge well and doesn't chip. I love that knife. Kurosaki uses the same exact heat treat as Kato and they rock.
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Yes, I could do another with a brass endcap and use a 45-70.
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Stop posting stuff I wantCarter wrote: ↑Mon Feb 11, 2019 10:18 pm The Kurosaki Megumi VG-10 is a good knife, and it is cool looking with the hammered texture and Damascus. It's worth the $$, and is a prime example of how good VG-10 can be with proper heat treatment. I bought mine mainly because it is a bad ass looking knife...then I kicked it up a notch with a redneck handle....definitely my baddest ass knife.
“The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.”
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Or go 44-40, something not seen often.
“The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.”
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Re: Is it bad to want a knife just for looks?
Unfortunately, I don't have the other rounds...I do have a S&W 686 .357, hence the round in the knife....note the round has not been fired, and the primer is still live...(I did try to booger it up, but I think it could still go off, think it was Snipes that said not to use the end of the handle to smash garlic)....easy to get spent casings....not sure I want to buy a box of new cartridges to only use 1 for a knife handle.