Moritaka KS gyuto (CKtG Forum Special) review

I haven't had a Moritaka gyuto since 2011 when I briefly had a 270 that had been rehandled by Marko Tsourkan, so I took the opportunity to pick this one up during the CKtG Forum sale.



The knife had a lacquer-like protective coating which I removed with acetone so that it wouldn't flake off during use. The OOTB edge was very usable, although it wouldn't meet the standards of many on this forum. After a day of use, I put my own edge on it, though it really didn't need sharpening. The aogami super sharpened up easily.

The spine and choil are a bit sharp-edged, but aren't painful to use. Nothing some wet/dry sandpaper can't fix.

The handle was a bit disappointing on a knife in this price range, as the wood of the handle was proud of the ferrule. The rosewood d-handles that came on the older knives had much better fit and finish.



In use, the knife felt very nimble, and although the height at the heel was a only 47 mm, I had no problem with finger or knuckle clearance. If you prefer taller gyutos, this one might feel a little cramped.

The grind, as in many wide-bevel blades, has an abrupt transition rather than a gradual one, which aids in food release but can produce wedging.



As I expected from the grind, there was wedging, as the following video shows. Food release was good with very little stiction.




The blade road was unevenly ground, as I found when I tried to use a King 800 to bring out the contrast between the hagane and jigane, I am in the process of flattening it.

Heel area before flattening:



Heel area after flattening (WIP):



If you are a fan of the Masamoto KS profile, and are looking for a less expensive kuro uchi finish alternative, the Moritaka KS may be what you are looking for.

 

Well done Rick. thanks

 

Seems like a lot of "little issues", but once the tweaks are made, it appears to be a nice piece. The KU looks a bit light, and as though it'll just rub off over a short period of time. Would you agree? That's always been one of the attributes of Moritakas that I have had problems with.

 

Time will tell, though the kuro uchi doesn't look any lighter than Carter's. But I don't scrub my blades with a green scrubby, which seems to take off a KU finish quickly.

 

can anything be done short of sanding and refinishing the handle to ferrule misalignment?

 

Other than replacing the handle entirely, no.

 

I wanted to pick one up on the sale but passed. I'm good on 240s for a bit. I thought of that sale everyday it was going on but just never followed through.

Good write up. Lots of little things as Tom said but you will have a great knife with a little TLC worth a lot more than you paid for it.

 

Great review. I love the ks but not the edge retention this might be the answer