Unlike the Western-style chef’s knives, which count household names Victorinox, Wüsthoff, Zwilling and others in their ranks, the Japanese chef knife establishment is less obvious to Western shoppers. This issue is amplified thanks to a number of major European and American manufacturers offering “Japanese” or “Japanese-style” knives that, without the stamped-on kanji script, share little with traditional Japanese design. And while there are thousands of craftspeople creating gorgeous knives in limited quantities throughout the country (their wares can be shopped at these stores), Japan has its staples, too. These are the three brands every shopper should start with.
Global
What Is It?
Global’s knives are one of the few Japanese knives to have successfully penetrated the American market. The blade line is flat, unlike the curving shape of Western knife, which means it’s tailored for push-pull cuts instead of the rocking motion most American and European chefs use.
Why Buy It?
Global’s offerings are many, but they’re all made of the same Cromova 18 stainless steel, a proprietary blend of chromium, molybdenum and vanadium that’s similar to VG10 stainless steel, a popular steel for many kitchen knives. But thanks to higher chromium levels, Global’s secret steel is significantly hardier than VG-10, and most stainless knife steel in general. Also like many Japanese knives, these are very light.
Price: The G-2, the brand’s flagship knife, hovers around $100 on Amazon and most other retailers, and provides a nice barometer for the brand on the whole — premium, but not too pricey.
