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Takamura Migaki R2 Gyuto 210mm Or Shun premier 8 inch?..

8K views 9 replies 3 participants last post by  rick alan 
#1 ·
I have been looking around for a while, and have narrowed my choices down to Takamura Migaki R2 Gyuto 210mm or the shun premier. Both appear to be lefty friendly, and are both priced the same.

Which would be the better knife? Or if you think I should add another knife to my decision feel free to chime in.

Thanks
 
#3 ·
This will be my first nice knife. I have decent knife skills and comfortable maintaining the knife. I have heard people complain about the shape of shuns, which is what had me looking for gyuto's, which is when I stubled upon the takumara. This will be used in the home only.
 
#4 · (Edited)
The Shun is a traditional German profile. Very different from the Japanese profile. I use both but prefer German. It's what works best for you and your situation. You really need to try them and decide for yourself. Opinions are other people's experience that might not work for you. Both profiles (and French, too) have hundreds of years experience behind them, and millions of users. You need to figure out what kind of user you are. And it's not just about profile, but weight and thickness of the blade also.
 
#7 · (Edited)
These knives are as different as night and day.

Like Brian said, the Shun is German profile, the other French/Japanese.

The Migaki is laser thin, the Shun much thicker all around and, of course, lots heavier.  Of course you are going to have to be a little more careful with the Migaki.

R2 steel takes a sharper edge and holds it better.  No one likes sharpening VG-10 a whole lot, R2 is a hard steel but sharpens easy enough.  

As far as chippiness, I'd say it's probably a wash.  Both should have a decent board to work off of.

Rick
 
#10 ·
No I'd say the Takamura was hands-down better, but it might not be the knife for everyone.  If you read recent posts you'll find lots of recommendations in every price range, and what their particular characteristics are.  And I'm afraid I made the same mistake again (geesh), the Shun Premier is also SG-2/R-2 steel, and in which case I'd have to say it would be more chippy than the Takamura. 

As far as sharpening, both should have waterstones, they work much better, especially on the harder steels.

Rick
 
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