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0 pointsUltraSane6mo ago0 comments

Why do you think the knife is mediocre?

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The knife itself is made out of AUS-10, which is a very mediocre steel. It's not bad per-se, but when you're spending $400 on a knife, you typically expect premium steels to be used. Additionally, most knives in that price range typically have some sort of flair to them to make them visually appealing: Damascus patterning, nice wooden handles, etc.

I know the handle itself is integral to the ultrasonic function, but it reminds me of a cheap kitchen thermometer.

For comparison, 'analog' knives are much nicer looking for sometimes far cheaper.

Here's a $309 knife by Miyabi (which is owned by Zwilling): https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-birchwood-chefs-k...

You can even find down-market knives by the same company that have the similar steel with different finishing:

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-mizu-sg2-chefs-kn...

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-kaizen-ii-chefs-k...

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-evolution-chefs-k...

UltraSaneOP6mo ago

AUS-10 is basically 440C, and is an excellent steel for cutlery (and was once considered at the very high end of stainless steels). Very stainless, reasonably tough, and honorable slicing edge retention if heat treated to a relatively high hardness (60-61HRC would be on the mark). It will sharpen OK, but may have a bit of a gummy feel on the stones and not be as easy as carbon/low alloy steels.

Kirby646mo ago

Again, it’s not that it’s bad per-se, it’s that it is easily outclassed by numerous other more modern steels. It’s cheap compared to more exotic stuff, and feels almost insulting at the price you’re paying for the knife.

If the knife we’re discussing was sub $100 I’d have no issue with AUS-10/440C, but we’re talking about a $400 knife.

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Kirby646mo ago

I know the handle itself is integral to the ultrasonic function, but it reminds me of a cheap kitchen thermometer.

For comparison, 'analog' knives are much nicer looking for sometimes far cheaper.

Here's a $309 knife by Miyabi (which is owned by Zwilling): https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-birchwood-chefs-k...

You can even find down-market knives by the same company that have the similar steel with different finishing:

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-mizu-sg2-chefs-kn...

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-kaizen-ii-chefs-k...

https://cutleryandmore.com/products/miyabi-evolution-chefs-k...

UltraSaneOP6mo ago

Kirby646mo ago

If the knife we’re discussing was sub $100 I’d have no issue with AUS-10/440C, but we’re talking about a $400 knife.

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