HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife Review

What you’ll like most about the HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife is that it is handmade and not mass-produced in a factory.

As its name suggests, it’s essentially the Japanese’s take on the western chef’s knife.

Typically lighter than their western counterparts, Gyuto knives also come with curved bellies that almost reach the blade’s tip.

With its outstanding features, it can be your great introduction to Japanese knives or an excellent addition to your existing knife set.

HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife

This Gyuto knife from HONMAMON first became available on August 27, 2015.

Boasting an eight-inch double-beveled edge, it has a thin and lightweight profile that gives it a regular classic knife appearance.

Despite its lightweight build, the Honbazuke blade’s wicked sharpness is remarkable.

This 8.3-inch blade is ideal for home use or professional meal preparations, allowing you to cut fish, meat, and vegetables effortlessly.

What’s most impressive about this knife is the Kurouchi finish applied by Tosa craftsmen, which gives it its rough appearance.

There are no two knives with the same features since a different blacksmith handcrafts each one.

Who Is This Product For?

Lovers of handmade tools will love the minor flaws on this Gyuto knife’s finish, which proves its manual construction.

That said, it might not be the knife for you if you want a blade without flaws in its appearance.

As for the performance, you can use this knife for all types of food prep, regardless of whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef.

The blade is made of durable Aogami No.2 steel, which also goes by “blue carbon steel.”

Because it has a dual-beveled edge, both left- and right-handed cooks will find no problem using this knife comfortably.

Take note that the blade’s thin blade means it’s not meant for heavy-duty cutting tasks.

We don’t advise using it for cutting hard ingredients, like frozen food, nuts, or bones.

What’s Included?

The HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife arrives well-packed in a red cardboard box with Japanese characters on top.

As such, it could be the perfect present you can give anyone who loves experimenting in the kitchen.

The well-made packaging also means you can store the knife safely in a cupboard when not in use.

Overview of the Features

At first glance, anyone would fall in love with how this HONMAMON knife looks.

However, in reality, it offers more than just its timeless beauty, as we’ll explain below.

• Perfect Blade Size

The blade’s length spans 8.3 inches out of the knife’s overall length of 14.2 inches.

It has a total weight of 6.7 ounces, so you don’t get tired quickly while using it.

• Aogami No.2 Steel Construction

The knife’s razor-sharp edge comes from its Aogami No. 2 steel construction.

With its high-carbon content, you get a blade with a Rockwell Hardness rating of 61+.

• Honbazuke Edge

The Honbazuke method is the initial sharpening process done by the manufacturers before releasing the knife into the market.

It slightly thins the knife’s edge as it undergoes the three stages of the Honbazuke honing method.

• Dual-Bevel Edge

Whether left- or right-handed, you will feel comfortable using this Gyuto knife because of its double-bevel profile.

• Cherry Wood Handle

For the HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife handle, you’ll love the use of cherry wood.

As a result, the handle features a beautiful wood grain that is more subtle than others.

In addition to its beauty, cherry wood is a preferred knife handle material because of its fine texture and durability.

How To Get the Most Out of the HONMAMON Gyuto Chef’s Knife?

Though a Gyuto knife is similar to a Chef’s knife, some slight differences might put you off guard while using it.

To understand what a Gyuto knife looks like, you can check out this unboxing and review video.

There, you can see the minor flaws of the knife that prove it was handcrafted.

To ensure that your knife keeps its optimum appearance and performance, wash it manually with warm water and mild detergent.

Only use a soft cloth when cleaning the knife to prevent scratches that can trigger the start of rust and corrosion.

Make it a habit to clean the knife after each use and wipe it dry before storing it in a well-ventilated spot.

Lastly, use the included knife sheath to prevent damaging the edge for added protection.

Alternative

If you think the HONMAMON Gyuto knife is way above your budget, we have found a reasonably-priced alternative.

The TUO Dark Knight Series Gyuto Chef Knife comes at a more affordable price, but is it the better choice?

If you like the elegant look of black, you will love this stylish Gyuto knife from TUO.

You can use it for a lot of kitchen tasks, including dicing, mincing, and slicing ingredients like fish, meats, and vegetables.

The blade is made of premium Japanese AUS 8 stainless steel, which boasts anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties.

This high-quality blade material is also well-known for its sharpness and durability, making it popular for kitchen knives.

The black titanium plating technology improves the blade’s hardness and non-stick properties.

It even comes with a comfortable handle made of Pakkawood, which has excellent corrosion and acid resistance.

Decorated with the brown-red coil, the handle has an anti-slip design perfect for small hands.

Thanks to this, you’ll find no problems using this knife for extended periods.

Each knife from the brand’s Black Knight Series has a protective semi-transparent cover, including this Gyuto model.

It also comes with a knife sheath, allowing you to carry it safely and conveniently and preventing accidental injury, especially in kids and the elderly.

However, most users complain about the dullness of the knife.

Is the HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife Any Good?

In the end, there is no perfect knife, and an aesthetically beautiful one does not guarantee an excellent performance.

Which would you choose if you have to pick between the HONMAMON New Gyuto Chef’s Knife and the affordable TUO Dark Knight Series knife?

For us, spending a few more dollars on the HONMAMON is all worth it.

With its list of impressive features, you can be sure that it can perform well both in residential and professional kitchens.