jbart65 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:07 am
None of the clones were quite as versatile as the KS, Kit. All quite good in their own way, but distinctly different. Some of these clones matched parts of the KS, but not others.
The KS is distinct for its great length but surprisingly nimbleness, it's light weight but unexpected sturdiness, it's fine tip but stout heel. Feels great on the board being monosteel and sharpens easily to an ultra fine edge. Rocks, pushes, chops - and serves as a sujihiki too.
Hard to put that all in one package. My only knock is that being white steel it couldn't hold an edge a long time if tasked to, say, chop a lot of tomatoes.
Funny thing, I asked the same thing of a friend last night and his answer was similar.
In R&D generally speaking, you can be the first and always known for being the first. Or you can improve on other people’s work, hoping to make enough of an improvement that your “thing” becomes the gold standard. I was wondering if the KS fits into this category, it sounds like no. Too many variables to improve all of them, but yes to some, depending on the maker.
All this is quite interesting, I have a KS on loan to me that should arrive today.