So most posts seem to have people asking for more detail about the poster asking the question so I'll start there.
I'm moving into the kitchen having been a porter on and off for quite a while due to circumstances. There's a gap in our kitchen for the lowest level of cooking and prep work and I'll be filling it.
My current day to day prep includes a lot of veg prep and so I do already have some knives. They've been just fine but I have on occasion used some of the chefs knives and they are a world apart. I have no idea what his are unfortunately!! Which brings me to the point where I would really like to upgrade my own knives significantly. I use them a lot and I do like to cook at home too and my home knife block is just cheap pap.
I was looking at getting a Santoku first as it's the most used of my knives really in a 160-170mm length. The knife will be used most days and preferably relatively low maintenance as it's often very busy. I never leave my knives (even the rubbish ones) dirty for long periods of time, but occasionally so for a few minutes or so.
I've looked at quite a number and originally only really wanted to spend about $120-140. Then I saw one knife by Yoshikane that I just LOVE the aesthetic of. Having done some research about the materials it's made from (SKD, SUS 405 clad Sanmai construction) I still can't really figure out if it's suitable for my level of sharpening expertise and desired levels of maintenance?
I have already got a sharpening kit of 4 stones and a polishing stone made by Eden and have started practicing on my current knives and any old knives I can find. I have a cheap ceramic rod, but would be happy to invest money here - I really don't mind spending money on good quality tools of any kind.
My head is telling my maybe it's better to get a softer knife, but my heart just loves the aesthetic of this Santoku and I can't find another anywhere that is similar but of different steel and is still in the same price bracket. Is it a plausible option or am I just being stupid? I have a feeling that if I opt for something else (presuming the steel is suitable for my application) then I'll just always wish I'd spent the extra $50.
Any help really appreciated!!
I'm moving into the kitchen having been a porter on and off for quite a while due to circumstances. There's a gap in our kitchen for the lowest level of cooking and prep work and I'll be filling it.
My current day to day prep includes a lot of veg prep and so I do already have some knives. They've been just fine but I have on occasion used some of the chefs knives and they are a world apart. I have no idea what his are unfortunately!! Which brings me to the point where I would really like to upgrade my own knives significantly. I use them a lot and I do like to cook at home too and my home knife block is just cheap pap.
I was looking at getting a Santoku first as it's the most used of my knives really in a 160-170mm length. The knife will be used most days and preferably relatively low maintenance as it's often very busy. I never leave my knives (even the rubbish ones) dirty for long periods of time, but occasionally so for a few minutes or so.
I've looked at quite a number and originally only really wanted to spend about $120-140. Then I saw one knife by Yoshikane that I just LOVE the aesthetic of. Having done some research about the materials it's made from (SKD, SUS 405 clad Sanmai construction) I still can't really figure out if it's suitable for my level of sharpening expertise and desired levels of maintenance?
I have already got a sharpening kit of 4 stones and a polishing stone made by Eden and have started practicing on my current knives and any old knives I can find. I have a cheap ceramic rod, but would be happy to invest money here - I really don't mind spending money on good quality tools of any kind.
My head is telling my maybe it's better to get a softer knife, but my heart just loves the aesthetic of this Santoku and I can't find another anywhere that is similar but of different steel and is still in the same price bracket. Is it a plausible option or am I just being stupid? I have a feeling that if I opt for something else (presuming the steel is suitable for my application) then I'll just always wish I'd spent the extra $50.
Any help really appreciated!!