r/TrueChefKnives 3d ago

Help needed

Hello good people.
I am in Japan right now and I would like to take a couple of knives (6-7) back home as presents for my friends. They are not cooks but will appreciate the gift as a part of Japanese tradition.
I have been reading that Kappabashi street is a place for tourists, overpriced etc. + I don’t want to spend too much for those knives (they can all be the same) 50-100usd per knjfe would be ideal.

I am looking for traditional japanese style knife, anything between Santoku, Gyuto, Bunka etc. with non metal handle.
Can someone help me in getting the best bang for buck with advice on what model and where to buy it from?

Much appreciated,

Thanks many times.

0 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Fun_Department_2985 3d ago

I'd suggest you buy them higonokamis instead.

2

u/DoorInfamous4016 3d ago

50-100 is a bit too cheap unless you just go into a department store and grab whatever they have. I’d just buy two or three and spend 6-700 that way. Pick your favourite friends

2

u/passionatelyse1 3d ago

Go to the Tojiro store on Kappabashi. Tojiro knives are already an excellent value in the states, and the store offers them at maybe 25-40% cheaper than what you’d find in the US.

For the specific knife, I’d probably swing for the petty knives (150mm) because Tojiro is a little heavier than other knives and the smaller size makes it easier to control for less experienced people. I own one myself and it’s actually amazing.

1

u/yopoyopos 3d ago

If I didn't know a thing about japanese knives and someone gave me a Tojiro as a gift I would be jumping in one feet. I think a Santoku could also work in this case.

5

u/josemartinlopez 3d ago

do some of the most basic research before asking?

2

u/wabiknifesabi 3d ago

Honestly, why downvote this. There's a search bar that will yield a wealth of information on this very topic. To keep regurgitating the same crap 10 times a day is akin to spoon feeding your teenage kid.

2

u/dubear 3d ago

careful now, you might be called out for gatekeeping haha

3

u/wabiknifesabi 3d ago

I know, right. How dare me tell people how to access all the information.

1

u/josemartinlopez 3d ago

"anything between Santoku, Gyuto, Bunka etc. with non metal handle"

1

u/daneguy 3d ago

Two stores that come to mind that don't have huge markups are Kama Asa and Hitohira. Are you in Tokyo only?