Show us your new knife!

[Ma_sha1]

Just got this in with a custom handle.

[enjay]

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I just received a Honesuki by Raquin. If you’ve never handled a Raquin they are amazing knives. He has the rustic look down, with his burnt oak handles and metal finishes but they are an absolute joy to use, at least the three I’ve tried. His grinds are superb. This particular knife is pretty compact at 146mm edge length. I know most people relate this style of blade with breaking down chickens but I’ve used mine in the past for processing wild game, deer and elk and I’ve come to really enjoy them for that.

+1 If possible, everyone should try a Raquin, the quintessential rustic badass mofo.

[Ma_sha1]

I like rustic look, thus my Anryu AS hammer with custom handle above. What makes Raquin over Anryu for 2-3x the cost? I am new here, trying to understand the allure of custom knife.

[enjay]

I like rustic look, thus my Anryu AS hammer with custom handle above. What makes Raquin over Anryu for 2-3x the cost? I am new here, trying to understand the allure of custom knife.

Most Raquins aren't custom per se but I know what you mean.

As you'll see, beyond a certain price point (roughly $300-400) the marginal gain in performance is no longer the main goal, for they're already all superb. The allure, then, comprises other factors: aesthetic appeal, trying a unique (in its proper sense) handmade product, opportunity to directly communicate with its maker, and often close to impeccable fit-and-finish.

And to address your specific example, I've seen much positive feedback on the Anryu but never personally tried one. I have, however, used its cousins to have an idea of how it would feel and perform. In contrast, I'd imagine few smiths out there make something that closely resembles a Raquin, for better or worse.

[Ma_sha1]

Thanks, I agree, nearly every Japanese Smith makes an AS Gyuto Looks like my Anryu above

[Kalaeb]

I tried to go through the year with no new knives....and failed. Just got this one from Andrey Markin, my second knife from him and I am tickled pink. 130mm petty.

[Jeff B]

I tried to go through the year with no new knives....and failed. Just got this one from Andrey Markin, my second knife from him and I am tickled pink. 130mm petty.

Very nice Matt! I was ssoo close to buying one of those but kept my composure!

[joanjet]

'Gonna straight murder some apricots with these bad girls....

Ooooo where did you get these?

I really like the handles on them!

They look like something a mobster would carry in his sleeve in case he needed to cut up some fresh fruit or solve some other type of problem

[Delboy]

'Gonna straight murder some apricots with these bad girls....

Ooooo where did you get these?

I really like the handles on them!

They look like something a mobster would carry in his sleeve in case he needed to cut up some fresh fruit or solve some other type of problem

I bought these from a guy who owns a coin/pawn/jewelry shop in Florida....They're Parkers, made in Japan. Though I knew they'd be small, I actually thought they'd be 3-4 times this size! These things are SUPER cool. I have a collection going of similar knives, most made in Japan. I tend to like a lot of the collectible knives that were coming out of Japan in the 70's & 80's....

OK, back to kitchen knives, lol.

[TheVincenzo]

I tried to go through the year with no new knives....and failed. Just got this one from Andrey Markin, my second knife from him and I am tickled pink. 130mm petty.

I really like that. Looks like a great profile with the angled edge. Should be really nimble in hand, yet still provide some knuckle clearance when using it on a board. I'm going to have to look those up.

[Chocu1a]

Just came in today: Konosuke GS+ Togatta 240mm. My first laser.
Going to install a custom handle tomorrow.

[salemj]

^^^Congrats! Something tells me that knife will serve you very well. Given what knives with very similar grinds and profiles now cost (KS, HD), it is a steal.

[mauichef]

Got this a while ago....just checking my new picture server...and showing off

[Altadan]

Got this a while ago....just checking my new picture server...and showing off

Well, the server works, and the knife is a beaut - not to mention the handle! But..

What is it??

[Qapla']

Well, the server works, and the knife is a beaut - not to mention the handle! But..

What is it??

The kanji on the leftward-face means "Blue Steel Water[-Quenched] Honyaki". Can't quite make out the kanji on the rightward-face.

[joanjet]

Got this a while ago....just checking my new picture server...and showing off

Oh my gosh this is one of the nicest handles I've ever seen. Who made that?

[mauichef]

Well, the server works, and the knife is a beaut - not to mention the handle! But..

What is it??

The kanji on the leftward-face means "Blue Steel Water[-Quenched] Honyaki". Can't quite make out the kanji on the rightward-face.

Yep...you got it!

Konosuke Honyaki Blue #2. Circa 2013 I think!

[mauichef]

Got this a while ago....just checking my new picture server...and showing off

Oh my gosh this is one of the nicest handles I've ever seen. Who made that?

Tim Johnson.

[salemj]

^^^!!! I recognize that knife! I actually saw it in person long ago. Nice snag Ray! You should clarify which Tim Johnson since there are two and both live in the north east and do great handle work! Haha. The “same” Tim (taz) made what is still the nicest handle I have ever owned.

[joanjet]

Tim Johnson.

Haven't heard of him yet, looks like I have another rabbit hole to jump down!

What kind of wood is that? That shade of blue would go really well with my takeda. Is it a more common type of wood died blue? Is it made of epoxy?

I have always wanted at least one knife with a striking blue handle (shoutout to this beautiful honesuki that just got listed the other day https://www.chefknivestogo.com/isw2hocu.html makes me really wish I needed a honesuki right now lol)