Tojiro DP 210mm Gyuto Review

Review - Tojiro DP 210mm Gyuto

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a home cook and this is my first serious knife. Now, I realize that a Tojiro DP may not be serious to many collectors or knife addicts etc, but it is one massive step up from my kitchen aid santoku. The difference between this knife and those sold in your regular chain stores is night and day.

This review is not technical, but simply documents my initial impressions and experiences with the knife, concluding with my recommendation.

Please note that I have not attempted to sharpen the knife. I have used it as it came, with the factory edge.

Initial Impressions: The knife itself

The Tojiro DP 210mm gyuto was quick to arrive from ChefKnivesToGo and it was very well packed. It comes in a nice box with a manual and a plastic sheath.

The manual has some tips for care and maintenance (including sharpening). It also has the usual safety precautions. It is not the best translation, but that really doesn't matter much; the manual was easy to understand regardless.

The plastic sheath works fine for protecting both the knife and the user. It isn't going to save your fingers if you force the knife in quickly, nor save the knife if you bang it hard against a metal sink, but it works well if you exercise due care.

I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the knife. I had read, on various websites, some complaints about fit and finish regarding the Tojiro DP line. I have no complaints at all. The fit and finish are excellent.

The handle is very comfortable, the rivets mesh perfectly, and there is not a rough spot to be seen. The steel is thin and strong, tapering to a nearly invisible edge. The blade has a nice subtle line a few centimeters above the edge that runs the full length. I find that to be a very attractive feature. The Tojiro markings on the blade, while not etched, are fine and dark, with no indication that they will wear off any time soon. There are a couple lines in the steel near where the handle meets the blade proper, but you are hard pressed to see them and need to angle the light just so. This is the only slight negative, but unless you are buying a knife for fondling rather than using, it really does not matter one bit. As stated, overall, the fit and finish are great.

Finally, the balance of the knife is lovely and it has some heft to it. Having used it for a couple of hours at a time, I experienced no fatigue or discomfort on any occasion. The Tojiro DP gyuto has been a pleasure to use

The proof is in the pudding, the squash, the watermelon, the steak, and just about anything else

I have used the Tojiro DP gyuto to cook quite a few meals now and I have never been anything but supremely happy with its performance.

My kitchen aid santoku, even out of the box, might as well have been made of cardboard compared to the Tojiro. Despite sharpening, (on an electric sharpener gasp! I didn't know any better at the time, I swear), the kitchen aid santoku struggled bigtime. Using it for any long period of time would give me wrist and hand fatigue or even blisters.

I know I said it above, but let me reiterate that the Tojiro DP Gyuto F-808 is a joy to use. I don't get fatigued. I don't get blisters. What I do get is better prepared food, one heck of a lot of time saved, and a lot more fun in the kitchen.

The Tojiro DP gyuto glides through anything and everything. It is very sharp, even with the factory edge. I can only imagine how much sharper it would get with a truly well done sharpening job. As it stands now, I have no reason to sharpen it further.

I score salmon skin with ease, and the blade glides through watermelons and butternut squash with the same grace. It works great for butchering and trimming meat, dicing up herbs, and cutting all sorts of fruits and vegetables.

Just place the knife where you need to cut, slide it forward, and exert the slightest pressure downward if necessary. On herbs, fruit, and more delicate foods the weight of the knife itself does the work and no pressure at all is required.

I'm preparing meals in half the time with much better results thanks to this knife.

Conclusion

To sum up, this knife is highly recommended! If you are looking to step up from your old knife to something stronger, sharper, and just plain better, look no further. Treat yourself and your food to a Tojiro DP gyuto.

Tojiro DP 210mm Gyuto Review

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