As most knives within a certain price point have very similar overall performance score. you need to identify the best one for you by comparing the score of the quality you. most important one first and then the second one and so on.
1. AUS 10 170mm Santoku / 180mm Gyuto Knife
Initial sharpness – ‘Out of the box’
8 out of 10. The AUS 10 blades are cold-forged (see previous blogs for more details) then ground and edged by machine and then finally sharpened by hand for a razor-sharp finish. To the uninitiated, it will be the sharpest knife you have ever used. When slicing a potato, you do not know the blade has cut right through until it touches the board.
Capacity to hold the sharpness
9 out of 10. AUS 10 can be hardened to a high degree and being cold-forged with a slightly thicker blade is also tough. In domestic use, with minor stropping every few days and regular polishing on a 3000+ grit stone every few weeks, it holds a razor-sharp edge for 4 and 6 months between full sharpening.
Ease of sharpening
7 out of 10. Being tougher and thicker than the other knives in this category it requires more work to bring back to full sharpness, especially if the edge is very blunt and needs to be reground.
Ergonomics
8 out of 10. Wonderfully balanced when held in the classic pinch grip of the blade at the bolster. The bolster is not ground to a seamless curve onto the blade so prolonged mincing motion does put stress on the index finger by the 2nd knuckle. But in most everyday use this is an extremely comfortable knife with a traditional Western-style handle.
Aesthetic
9 out of 10. Beautiful brown handle with a matt finished blade that shows of the Shinogi and exposed blade road of the hard AUS 10 core in a wonderful undulating line reminiscent of a seashore. Kanji Stamped Branding
Total 41 OUT OF 50.
Other Pros and Cons
- Weightier blade
- Very tough resilient edge
- Thinning requires a lot more work as the outer cladding layers are also denser than hot forged blades.
2. Brieto 180mm Santoku / 180mm Gyuto Knife
Initial Sharpness – ‘Out of the box’
8 out of 10. With its asymmetrically honed edge, this knife is surgically sharp and probably the sharpest knife out of the box at this price point.
Capacity to hold the sharpness
7 out of 10. The High Carbon Stainless M/V core has acceptable edge retention. In domestic use with minor stropping every few days, it holds a good edge for between 2 and 4 months between full sharpening.
Ease of sharpening
9 out of 10. The thin geometry and resulting thinness of the core layer of M/V steel, it’s consummately easy to hone. Bringing even a neglected knife with a completely blunt edge back to full sharpness requires minimum work
Ergonomics
9 out of 10. Balanced with a smooth seamless connection between the blade and bolster. Western style Pakkawood (laminated hardwood impregnated with resin) handle, well finished and comfortable over prolonged use.
Aesthetic
7 out of 10. Classic look with a black handle, 3 rivets, and well-polished blade. English Laser Branding
Total 40 out of 50.
3. Tojiro DPS 180mm Santoku / 180mm Gyuto Knife
Initial sharpness – Out of box
7 out of 10. Very smooth with a level of sharpness expected from a knife at this price.
Capacity to hold the sharpness
8 out of 10. The hard, tough central core of VG 10 with a high level of Carbon and Cobalt is best for holding a surgically sharp edge for long periods. In domestic use with minor stropping every few days, polishing on a 3000+ grit stone every few weeks holds the sharpness for between 4 and 6 months before needing full sharpening.
Ease of sharpening
8 out of 10. With a central core of VG 10, as long it is maintained regularly, this knife is quite easy to sharpen. A neglected or infrequently maintained knife requires a little more work but not difficult to restore to full sharpness.
Ergonomics
8 out of 10. Good balance, a smooth connection between the blade and handle this knife is comfortable for long periods of heavy use
Aesthetic
7 out of 10. Classic look with a black handle, 3 rivets, and a well-polished blade. Kanji Laser Engraved
Total 38 out of 50.
4. Warikomi 170mm Santoku / 180mm Gyuto Knife
Initial sharpness – Out of box
8 out of 10. Exceptionally smooth with a level of sharpness expected from a knife at this price.
Capacity to hold the sharpness
8 out of 10. The hard, tough central core of VG 10 with a high level of Carbon and Cobalt is best for holding a surgically sharp edge for long periods. In domestic use with minor stropping every few days, polishing on a 3000+ grit stone every few weeks holds the sharpness for between 4 and 6 months before needing full sharpening.
Ease of sharpening
8 out of 10. With a central core of VG 10, as long it is maintained regularly, this knife is quite easy to sharpen. A neglected or infrequently maintained knife requires a little more work but not difficult to restore to full sharpness.
Ergonomics
7 out of 10. Good balance, a smooth connection between the blade and handle this knife is comfortable for long periods of heavy use
Aesthetic
7 out of 10. Classic look with a black handle, 3 rivets, and a well-polished blade. Kanji Stamped Branding
Total 36 out of 50.
5. Kyoto 180mm Santoku Knife
Initial sharpness – Out of box
8 out of 10. Exceptionally smooth with a level of sharpness expected from a knife of this thinness.
Capacity to hold the sharpness
6.5 out of 10. The core of AUS 8. In domestic use with minor stropping every few days, polishing on a 3000+ grit stone every few weeks holds the sharpness for between 1 and 2 months before needing full sharpening.
Ease of sharpening
9 out of 10. With a central core of AUS 8, The core is less had than the other knives in this category, being a tad softer it is extremely easy to sharpen. A neglected or infrequently maintained knife requires extraordinarily little work to restore to full sharpness because of the thinness of the blade, the soft outer layers can be ground with the minimum of effort.
Ergonomics
8.5 out of 10. A light knife with good balance, a smooth seamless connection between blade and hollow handle of the same steel this knife is comfortable for long periods of heavy use. With the shallow grooves on the handle, it adds a non-slip grip that is important when working with slippery foods like fish, eel etc.
Aesthetic
9 out of 10. You either love it or hate it. A beautiful look of a single steel hollow handle knife. The matt finish blade shows the Shinogi line in a beautiful rolling line similar to when a gentle wave meets the shore. English Laser Branding
Total 40 out of 50.