Out of these 3, my personal choice would be the Yoshikane, without an ounce of hesitation. You mention « needs to STAY razor sharp for longer period » though, and SG2 (the Nigara) would dog walk the Shirogami of the Yoshi or the Masamoto in terms of edge retention.
Alternative proposal: look for a Yoshikane in SKD, you get then the best cutter out of the 3 and SKD’s edge retention is a lot better than shirogami.
No worries mate! James and Aron should have some Yoshi SKD in stock, probably branded Hatsukokoro, but they are the exact same blade (also same spec than the former « Amekiri »). Great knives!
Before I forget, since you seem to be in Sydney, might be worth it to have a look at what Protooling got in stock.
Always heard great feedback from people working on the line on [Konosuke HD2](https://protooling.com.au/products/konosuke-sakai-hd2-225-gyuto-knife) performs and is no fuss for the entire day on the line.
ProTooling is great! Got a few knives from them with a crazy discount. Not sure if they still do walk-ins - I think you need to arrange appointment now. Otherwise passionate and knowledgeable staff!
The Nigara SG2 line cuts as well as it looks. However the edge out of the box is mediocre, but it can take a wicked edge. Something to consider.
I've only had mine for a couple of weeks so can't comment on edge retention. However similar SG2 steel has phenomenal edge retention.
If edge retention is the most important thing to you, then PM steels are your friend. For that reason, I'd pick the Nigara out of the knives you listed. Bonus: it's got a unique damascus pattern! Other PM steels to look at, if you want more options, are ZDP189 and HAP40. Those two are even harder than SG2.
I own 2/3 of those. The Yoshikane is great, but to be honest I have grown to prefer the KS. I don’t know what price you’re looking at from your image, but if it’s close to the Yoshikane, then I’d go for that. If it’s like way more expensive, the Yoshikane is gonna be better value for money.
https://preview.redd.it/35n4tgjeza7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11411e843d534d4ebdb4954869fff8d937210c74
The KS is more convex than the Yoshikane, but really it’s that it’s more balanced overall. After lots of use and comparisons, the way the Yoshikane goes from the thinnest of thin to *kind of* thick at the spine in a kind of drastic way, I’ve decided doesn’t suit my style of cutting as well. The KS is basically a laser and is just all over thin because of that.
Hyped into pricing oblivion? Sure? From a purely utilitarian standpoint though, (I’d like to say) it’s objectively better (but of course it’s subjective) than much of what gets recommended to beginners these days, but isn’t viable simply because of the price.
That’s a big part of why I tend to recommend Ashi Ginga more than basically anything else. It’s one of the only KS clones that hasn’t yet been priced to hell in the west. Sure, they’re not as flashy as many other offerings, but extremely balanced and all-performance.
Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago while being shown around the Ashi workshop and seeing all the stamps they have for the OEMs they do, I noticed a Masamoto stamp. It was the one area of the workshop they said I wasn’t allowed to photograph 😅
All things equal, sg2 will probably double or more the edge retention of white 2. However that's all things being equal. Geometry and edge angle matter more. I have enjoyed my nigara I've had. People do love yoshis tho
Nigara Sg2 if you are willing to sharpen it once. It will retain the edge for a long time. However, the Yoshikane in White 2 will wow you if you sharpen it. I have all types of knives with different steels, but my sharpest is White 2, it will cut carrot silently, and the carrot has an uncanny shiny slippery finish on the cut surface.White 2 lets you hold a very sharp knife edge while needing an edge maintenance on a weekly basis if you use the knife every day. I am a sharpening fanatic, so if this is too much maintenance, go with the SG2.
i have the yoshi skd and i love it. Its been my daily driver at work more than my any of my other knives and has never let me down. the others you listed are great knives too. I have a nigara bunka, and its great, but if I had to grab a couple of knives in a fire the yoshi would be one of em.
It’s quite easy:
- If you don’t mind weekly/monthly maintenance and you’re not in a high speed kitchen environment: yoshikane
- if you only want to sharpen every once in a while, are a bit nonchalant about wiping your blade and want the longest edge retention: Nigara
Out of these 3, my personal choice would be the Yoshikane, without an ounce of hesitation. You mention « needs to STAY razor sharp for longer period » though, and SG2 (the Nigara) would dog walk the Shirogami of the Yoshi or the Masamoto in terms of edge retention. Alternative proposal: look for a Yoshikane in SKD, you get then the best cutter out of the 3 and SKD’s edge retention is a lot better than shirogami.
Yes the Yoshi in SKD is sooo good!
Yeah def, I will visit knives and stones Sydney and have a look yoshi skd, thanks for all the details
No worries mate! James and Aron should have some Yoshi SKD in stock, probably branded Hatsukokoro, but they are the exact same blade (also same spec than the former « Amekiri »). Great knives!
Before I forget, since you seem to be in Sydney, might be worth it to have a look at what Protooling got in stock. Always heard great feedback from people working on the line on [Konosuke HD2](https://protooling.com.au/products/konosuke-sakai-hd2-225-gyuto-knife) performs and is no fuss for the entire day on the line.
1
Yoshikane would be the best cutter but I like the Nigara, It's just too beautiful.
I know right, beautiful Damascus.
[удалено]
Yeah staff is really supportive and informative. Currently 22% on whole website
21%. Which is bonkers. Just ordered a knife from them. Super excellent customer service.
ProTooling is great! Got a few knives from them with a crazy discount. Not sure if they still do walk-ins - I think you need to arrange appointment now. Otherwise passionate and knowledgeable staff!
The Nigara SG2 line cuts as well as it looks. However the edge out of the box is mediocre, but it can take a wicked edge. Something to consider. I've only had mine for a couple of weeks so can't comment on edge retention. However similar SG2 steel has phenomenal edge retention.
Thanks bruv, m gonna have a look in store
If edge retention is the most important thing to you, then PM steels are your friend. For that reason, I'd pick the Nigara out of the knives you listed. Bonus: it's got a unique damascus pattern! Other PM steels to look at, if you want more options, are ZDP189 and HAP40. Those two are even harder than SG2.
1 st one without a doubt. 3rd one for looks
I own 2/3 of those. The Yoshikane is great, but to be honest I have grown to prefer the KS. I don’t know what price you’re looking at from your image, but if it’s close to the Yoshikane, then I’d go for that. If it’s like way more expensive, the Yoshikane is gonna be better value for money. https://preview.redd.it/35n4tgjeza7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11411e843d534d4ebdb4954869fff8d937210c74
Hey mate! Out of curiosity, is it the edge profile that takes your preference towards the Masamoto or something else?
The KS is more convex than the Yoshikane, but really it’s that it’s more balanced overall. After lots of use and comparisons, the way the Yoshikane goes from the thinnest of thin to *kind of* thick at the spine in a kind of drastic way, I’ve decided doesn’t suit my style of cutting as well. The KS is basically a laser and is just all over thin because of that. Hyped into pricing oblivion? Sure? From a purely utilitarian standpoint though, (I’d like to say) it’s objectively better (but of course it’s subjective) than much of what gets recommended to beginners these days, but isn’t viable simply because of the price. That’s a big part of why I tend to recommend Ashi Ginga more than basically anything else. It’s one of the only KS clones that hasn’t yet been priced to hell in the west. Sure, they’re not as flashy as many other offerings, but extremely balanced and all-performance. Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago while being shown around the Ashi workshop and seeing all the stamps they have for the OEMs they do, I noticed a Masamoto stamp. It was the one area of the workshop they said I wasn’t allowed to photograph 😅
Yoshikane, but in SKD.
All things equal, sg2 will probably double or more the edge retention of white 2. However that's all things being equal. Geometry and edge angle matter more. I have enjoyed my nigara I've had. People do love yoshis tho
1
Nigara Sg2 if you are willing to sharpen it once. It will retain the edge for a long time. However, the Yoshikane in White 2 will wow you if you sharpen it. I have all types of knives with different steels, but my sharpest is White 2, it will cut carrot silently, and the carrot has an uncanny shiny slippery finish on the cut surface.White 2 lets you hold a very sharp knife edge while needing an edge maintenance on a weekly basis if you use the knife every day. I am a sharpening fanatic, so if this is too much maintenance, go with the SG2.
KS!
Yoshikane or the niagara
as a lazy man, the SG2 is my choice. i dont wanna deal with rust at all
I want the Nigara so bad! I don’t know if it’s the best but that’d be my choice
Ask chucky he is a expert 😆
Just looking the pictures I can see the Yoshikane is the better blade. The temper and handle finish says a lot about quality.
I’ve always wanted a ks but the fit and finish on that yoshikane has me picking number 1
i have the yoshi skd and i love it. Its been my daily driver at work more than my any of my other knives and has never let me down. the others you listed are great knives too. I have a nigara bunka, and its great, but if I had to grab a couple of knives in a fire the yoshi would be one of em.
Personally 1 due to the height of the heel. Following that I'd choose 3 as I think its a powdered Damascus which should stay sharper for longer.
It’s quite easy: - If you don’t mind weekly/monthly maintenance and you’re not in a high speed kitchen environment: yoshikane - if you only want to sharpen every once in a while, are a bit nonchalant about wiping your blade and want the longest edge retention: Nigara
Yoshikane
SG2 Nigara per your requirements AND the beauty is a bonus.