Best Japanese Chef Knives Under $200
A quality Japanese chef knife transforms your cooking experience — and you really don’t need to spend ¥30,000+ to get one. The under-$200 (roughly ¥20,000–30,000) range has some surprisingly excellent options. What to Look For Under ¥20,000 At this price point, you’re looking at VG-10 or AUS-8 stainless blades with mass-production finishing. You won’t get artisanal hand-forging, but you will get excellent edge geometry and heat treatment. Best All-Rounder: Tojiro DP Gyuto 210mm (¥9,000–12,000) The standard entry point. VG-10 steel, stainless cladding, Western handle. The factory edge needs refinement, but the geometry is solid. ...