ALEX HORN GYUTO CHEF KNIFE - MANGO 8.5" 52100
I don't want to seem like some fan boy who just wants to justify his purchase of an expensive knife, but this knife is absolutely 5 star. When you pay that much for a knife you should expect a perfect and finish. This knife does not disappoint. Smooth comfortable handle that stays put in your hand, amazing grind, nice and thin, very sharp out of the box. It is lightweight and still has a little weight towards the front with a pinch grip, which I did not expect due to the taper of the blade. I have been a fan of 52100 for awhile now. When properly made it seems to have sharpness and wear somewhere in the middle of White #1 and #2. I have been wanting to find a nice knife with good steel using this profile for a long time and I am really enjoying it. Nice long flatter edge that gives me a lot of room for push chopping and enough belly to make rock chopping (which I do less of) still very workable. When you first use it, it is so nimble that it feels like a much smaller knife, due to the profile and taper. For example you can use it on larger items and do precise work on shallots and garlic. Who is this knife "not" for, someone who needs a balance point on the handle, a pronounced belly like a Kramer, someone who likes a hefty knife. As for me, I really enjoy this knife and would rate it as good or better than my low production volume Japanese knives and even my Murray Carter. I hope this helps you make your decision!