We don't know if it's the price, the back story, or the actual knife, but these Daovua knives are flying off the shelves as soon as we receive them. We started working with this fledgling Vietnamese company less than a year ago. Back then their first offerings were best described as project knives! But with our input and the blacksmith's willingness to listen and learn, their quality has improved immensely.
The kurouchi finish is now very smooth and long-lasting. The grinding is far more sophisticated. And the handle is a vast improvement over the originals. These are now very acceptable knives with surprisingly good edge geometry. We are still amazed at how they take an edge after sharpening.
As the name suggests, the blades are made from old automotive leaf springs which, themselves, are usually made from 5160 carbon steel. This steel is highly regarded in the knife industry and many leading blacksmiths use leaf springs for their custom blades.
This is the Naht family's first attempt at a gyuto and we are extremely pleased with the cutting performance. The heat treatment is also of a very respectable quality. Out of the box or with a quick trip to your stones, this knife will cut!
So if you are looking to enter the world of carbon steel knives or you want to get into sharpening, we highly recommend this fun and functional knife. Our customers are certainly responding very favorably for all the right reasons! Please remember these are made under crude conditions with used steel so you should expect that they're rough and have imperfections that exceed most of our other knives. Expect dents, scratches odd sizes, different handles, etc. If you're into great fit and finish or are overly particular run away! If you want to try a cool piece of living history and you're not uptight about a crude but cool cutting tool then you'll love it.Edge Length: 210mm
Height: 50.2mm
Weight: 5.8oz
Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel
Location: Vietnam
Handle: (Wood type varies from knife to knife)
The kurouchi finish is now very smooth and long-lasting. The grinding is far more sophisticated. And the handle is a vast improvement over the originals. These are now very acceptable knives with surprisingly good edge geometry. We are still amazed at how they take an edge after sharpening.
As the name suggests, the blades are made from old automotive leaf springs which, themselves, are usually made from 5160 carbon steel. This steel is highly regarded in the knife industry and many leading blacksmiths use leaf springs for their custom blades.
This is the Naht family's first attempt at a gyuto and we are extremely pleased with the cutting performance. The heat treatment is also of a very respectable quality. Out of the box or with a quick trip to your stones, this knife will cut!
So if you are looking to enter the world of carbon steel knives or you want to get into sharpening, we highly recommend this fun and functional knife. Our customers are certainly responding very favorably for all the right reasons! Please remember these are made under crude conditions with used steel so you should expect that they're rough and have imperfections that exceed most of our other knives. Expect dents, scratches odd sizes, different handles, etc. If you're into great fit and finish or are overly particular run away! If you want to try a cool piece of living history and you're not uptight about a crude but cool cutting tool then you'll love it.
Reviews
18 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Great value for the $, December 13, 2023Posted By: G.W. Hodges
I’ve had a knife for well over a year. Just picked it back up and put a new edge on it. A great every day knife especially considering the price.
I love the weight and balance of this knife. The thin blade and handle without a bolster make it an ease to use in the kitchen. I read other reviews that comment on fit & finish. My handle is perfectly polished and the blade is fine as well. It may be a bit rustic but OK with me. I have a custom hunting knife forged from a truck leaf spring and it’s good steel. Carbon is a bit softer but holds an edge just fine. Could use this blade all day and not get tired due to weight & balance.
I’ve had a knife for well over a year. Just picked it back up and put a new edge on it. A great every day knife especially considering the price.
I love the weight and balance of this knife. The thin blade and handle without a bolster make it an ease to use in the kitchen. I read other reviews that comment on fit & finish. My handle is perfectly polished and the blade is fine as well. It may be a bit rustic but OK with me. I have a custom hunting knife forged from a truck leaf spring and it’s good steel. Carbon is a bit softer but holds an edge just fine. Could use this blade all day and not get tired due to weight & balance.
Exactly as advertisedPosted By: Daniel Peristere
Bought this when I saw on the Closeout page due to a cracked handle, saving me $12. Over all first impressions it meets the rustic appearance and feel as advertised. Could have arrived a little sharper, but took an edge quickly. As of this review I have one shift worth of use on it. I like the handle as it is thin and tall (not equally as tall as wide like other Wa handles). The back-story of the knife was once an automotive leaf-spring is intriguing. I gave this gyuto 4 stars as I feel it is a good knife. Those who beg to differ, remember this is a hand-made knife priced currently priced at $60.
Bought this when I saw on the Closeout page due to a cracked handle, saving me $12. Over all first impressions it meets the rustic appearance and feel as advertised. Could have arrived a little sharper, but took an edge quickly. As of this review I have one shift worth of use on it. I like the handle as it is thin and tall (not equally as tall as wide like other Wa handles). The back-story of the knife was once an automotive leaf-spring is intriguing. I gave this gyuto 4 stars as I feel it is a good knife. Those who beg to differ, remember this is a hand-made knife priced currently priced at $60.
SurprisedPosted By: Chris Lesperance
5 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife on a whim, mostly because it's made from a car leaf spring and I work in the automotive industry. I wasn't expecting much as I bought this as a bit of a novelty. I am surprised at how much I like this knife. I've got some fancy and expensive Japanese knives in my kitchen, and this one has now become my go-to simply because of how nice it is to handle. Don't be misled by the rough look of the knife. It takes a good edge and is nice to hold. I've spent more money on knives and haven't liked them as much.
5 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife on a whim, mostly because it's made from a car leaf spring and I work in the automotive industry. I wasn't expecting much as I bought this as a bit of a novelty. I am surprised at how much I like this knife. I've got some fancy and expensive Japanese knives in my kitchen, and this one has now become my go-to simply because of how nice it is to handle. Don't be misled by the rough look of the knife. It takes a good edge and is nice to hold. I've spent more money on knives and haven't liked them as much.
Happy buyer Fun intro knife to carbon steels Posted By: Robert Yount
5 people found this review helpful
I read about the independent maker in Vietnam and learned that these are good, solid quality, but rough around the edges. They are exactly that! It feels great in the hand; it is heavier duty than other Gyutos, and it's a great blade for learning how to sharpen your knives at home. Out of the box was fine, but it sharpens up real nice.
5 people found this review helpful
I read about the independent maker in Vietnam and learned that these are good, solid quality, but rough around the edges. They are exactly that! It feels great in the hand; it is heavier duty than other Gyutos, and it's a great blade for learning how to sharpen your knives at home. Out of the box was fine, but it sharpens up real nice.
Excellent Solid even in the little thingsPosted By: Matt Freeman
4 people found this review helpful
I'll vouch for all the other complimentsrustic good looks, great performance, sharpens to a screaming edgeand add that maybe they're improving but I noticed the choil has clearly been smoothed. Not sure who did that but for the money either I've been lucky or you get a higher level of fit and finish than this maker's reputation would suggest.
4 people found this review helpful
I'll vouch for all the other complimentsrustic good looks, great performance, sharpens to a screaming edgeand add that maybe they're improving but I noticed the choil has clearly been smoothed. Not sure who did that but for the money either I've been lucky or you get a higher level of fit and finish than this maker's reputation would suggest.
Another DV winnerPosted By: Matt Freeman
3 people found this review helpful
I value these knives more and more as time goes on. My new gout is ruggedly attractive with that famous handmade rustic look, paper-cutting sharp out of the box, easy to sharpen further, with the nicest handle I've seen yet. One not-exactly minor thing that's much appreciated: They seem to take care to seal those handles, which isn't guaranteed even on wa-handled knives costing far more. So while they might not be priceless collector's items, they're knives you can confidently grab and cut food with, wash, dry, and put away, and still enjoy as a unique handcrafted blade.
3 people found this review helpful
I value these knives more and more as time goes on. My new gout is ruggedly attractive with that famous handmade rustic look, paper-cutting sharp out of the box, easy to sharpen further, with the nicest handle I've seen yet. One not-exactly minor thing that's much appreciated: They seem to take care to seal those handles, which isn't guaranteed even on wa-handled knives costing far more. So while they might not be priceless collector's items, they're knives you can confidently grab and cut food with, wash, dry, and put away, and still enjoy as a unique handcrafted blade.
Another DV winnerPosted By: Matt Freeman
3 people found this review helpful
I value these knives more and more as time goes on. My new gout is ruggedly attractive with that famous handmade rustic look, paper-cutting sharp out of the box, easy to sharpen further, with the nicest handle I've seen yet. One not-exactly minor thing that's much appreciated: They seem to take care to seal those handles, which isn't guaranteed even on wa-handled knives costing far more. So while they might not be priceless collector's items, they're knives you can confidently grab and cut food with, wash, dry, and put away, and still enjoy as a unique handcrafted blade.
3 people found this review helpful
I value these knives more and more as time goes on. My new gout is ruggedly attractive with that famous handmade rustic look, paper-cutting sharp out of the box, easy to sharpen further, with the nicest handle I've seen yet. One not-exactly minor thing that's much appreciated: They seem to take care to seal those handles, which isn't guaranteed even on wa-handled knives costing far more. So while they might not be priceless collector's items, they're knives you can confidently grab and cut food with, wash, dry, and put away, and still enjoy as a unique handcrafted blade.
Amazing! Ultra thin and ultra sharp Beautiful knife Good for the money you pay . Good! Love it Great Knife, Great PricePosted By: Joe - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
I was really surprised with this knife. There was a small crack in the handle, but it was very minuscule. Knife took on a great edge after a few minutes on the stone.
The part I was really surprised about is it holds an edge better than expected, and not as reactive as I thought. Cut onions a few times with it, wiping it off in between but very little reaction with the carbon.
Best knife value for the price.
2 people found this review helpful
I was really surprised with this knife. There was a small crack in the handle, but it was very minuscule. Knife took on a great edge after a few minutes on the stone.
The part I was really surprised about is it holds an edge better than expected, and not as reactive as I thought. Cut onions a few times with it, wiping it off in between but very little reaction with the carbon.
Best knife value for the price.
it is what it is
it's aight, just a project knife in my opinion. Customer service 
