We just love finding new and unusual knife makers, anytime and anywhere. They bring a fresh dimension to the more standard offerings and get us all looking in a new way at what a good knife is, and should be. Whether it’s in terms of construction, materials used, shapes, or grinds employed, or as simple as offerings at unusual prices, we just love finding those who operate outside of the box.
We came across a charming, young, bare-footed blacksmith from Vietnam who was not only yearning to offer us his unusual knives but also to try to make use of our experience in making some to our specifications. This was a chance not to be missed. Following some interesting first attempts, we are now seeing the fruits and rewards of this partnership.
These are pretty basic blades that will make a great intro knife for a new chef, a project knife for budding sharpeners, or home cooks looking for their first experience with carbon blades. But while the fit and finish are not stellar, the actual grinds of these low-cost blades are rather special. The heat treatment is also of a very respectable quality. These knives are sharp and they will cut! Some of them might need a touch on your favorite stone, but a few passes and you will have a razor of a knife on your hands.
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.Maker: Daovua Cooperative
Location: Vietnam
Edge Grind: Even
Edge Length: 175mm
Height: 50mm
Weight: 4.4oz (124g)
Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel
Location: Vietnam
Handle: Octagonal with local woods (They vary from knife to knife)
We came across a charming, young, bare-footed blacksmith from Vietnam who was not only yearning to offer us his unusual knives but also to try to make use of our experience in making some to our specifications. This was a chance not to be missed. Following some interesting first attempts, we are now seeing the fruits and rewards of this partnership.
These are pretty basic blades that will make a great intro knife for a new chef, a project knife for budding sharpeners, or home cooks looking for their first experience with carbon blades. But while the fit and finish are not stellar, the actual grinds of these low-cost blades are rather special. The heat treatment is also of a very respectable quality. These knives are sharp and they will cut! Some of them might need a touch on your favorite stone, but a few passes and you will have a razor of a knife on your hands.
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
13 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Nice suprisePosted By: Claude Burton
2 people found this review helpful
Picked up a couple of these for fun. I run a sharpening business as a side hustle and was intrigued by these knives. A little while on 1000 then 3000 stones and some stroping and razor sharp. Taking a decent patina. Knife has decent balance and holds edge pretty well. Fit and finish is pretty good for what it is. Knife is light and nimble in my hand and enjoyable to use. Cuts vegetables as good as my $300 knives.
2 people found this review helpful
Picked up a couple of these for fun. I run a sharpening business as a side hustle and was intrigued by these knives. A little while on 1000 then 3000 stones and some stroping and razor sharp. Taking a decent patina. Knife has decent balance and holds edge pretty well. Fit and finish is pretty good for what it is. Knife is light and nimble in my hand and enjoyable to use. Cuts vegetables as good as my $300 knives.
Santoku Fantastic piece, even better for the pricePosted By: Michael Landas - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
I personally have the leaf spring kiritsuke, got the 210mm leaf spring gyuto for a friend, and wanted to see what's up with the pipeline steel. It feels firmer but lighter than the leaf spring equivalent, I got the CKTG sharpening on the knife, and OMG it's sharp. Works nicely as a daily driver in a professional kitchen, I've had it over a week and only touch it up on my ceramic steel here and there. In my mind. this is a better value the brands mentioned by Americas Test Kitchen or Serious Eats (won't mention them here)
2 people found this review helpful
I personally have the leaf spring kiritsuke, got the 210mm leaf spring gyuto for a friend, and wanted to see what's up with the pipeline steel. It feels firmer but lighter than the leaf spring equivalent, I got the CKTG sharpening on the knife, and OMG it's sharp. Works nicely as a daily driver in a professional kitchen, I've had it over a week and only touch it up on my ceramic steel here and there. In my mind. this is a better value the brands mentioned by Americas Test Kitchen or Serious Eats (won't mention them here)
Good product, but be awarePosted By: Carlos Mndez
3 people found this review helpful
I purchased this satoku a week ago.
Out of the box it was fairly sharp, the spine had no sharp edges, and the handle looks fit enough.
After a quick pass on my suhehiro stones it was ready to work. It stays sharp, it feels soft, but it is hard enough for some tasks.
Please be aware this is not a fine knife, the blade come with some minor scratches, and in my case, the tip of the knife was kind of bend (nothing I couldnt adjust in a couple of minutes). So at the beginning I was not exactly satisfy, after using the knife I changed my mind.
3 people found this review helpful
I purchased this satoku a week ago.
Out of the box it was fairly sharp, the spine had no sharp edges, and the handle looks fit enough.
After a quick pass on my suhehiro stones it was ready to work. It stays sharp, it feels soft, but it is hard enough for some tasks.
Please be aware this is not a fine knife, the blade come with some minor scratches, and in my case, the tip of the knife was kind of bend (nothing I couldnt adjust in a couple of minutes). So at the beginning I was not exactly satisfy, after using the knife I changed my mind.
Knive Cadeau SantukoPosted By: mjj - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
This knife is really great. Needed a bit of a pass on a stone to get started, reactive blade, but really good weight, really good edge, love the way it looks. Only complaint is that the handle looks like many japanese knives, but it is larger, so not as comfortable.
3 people found this review helpful
This knife is really great. Needed a bit of a pass on a stone to get started, reactive blade, but really good weight, really good edge, love the way it looks. Only complaint is that the handle looks like many japanese knives, but it is larger, so not as comfortable.
Incredible Knife for $50Posted By: Justin Young
2 people found this review helpful
Wow just wow I cannot believe the quality of this knife for $50...while it isn't the most beautiful knife fit and finish wise it's got more character than any knife I've ever held at any price point. I've yet to put it to the stones but in 30 min on the board today with onions I was thoroughly impressed this knife can get much sharper and there's over grinds here and there but nothing large enough you can't fix on the stones and again for 50 you won't find a knife comparable. If you don't know how to use a stone stay away but if you're decent with a set of stones this knife will most likely become a favorite. The handle also at this price is impressive it has character and it's comfortable for a pinch grip. All around every aspect of this knife screams more than $50 dollars and if I didn't know any better I would gladly pay $100+ for this knife, yet it's only $50 so if it gets damaged it's no big deal. Gotta love it. Also shout out to CKTG for sending me a very tall and flat blade like I requested.
2 people found this review helpful
Wow just wow I cannot believe the quality of this knife for $50...while it isn't the most beautiful knife fit and finish wise it's got more character than any knife I've ever held at any price point. I've yet to put it to the stones but in 30 min on the board today with onions I was thoroughly impressed this knife can get much sharper and there's over grinds here and there but nothing large enough you can't fix on the stones and again for 50 you won't find a knife comparable. If you don't know how to use a stone stay away but if you're decent with a set of stones this knife will most likely become a favorite. The handle also at this price is impressive it has character and it's comfortable for a pinch grip. All around every aspect of this knife screams more than $50 dollars and if I didn't know any better I would gladly pay $100+ for this knife, yet it's only $50 so if it gets damaged it's no big deal. Gotta love it. Also shout out to CKTG for sending me a very tall and flat blade like I requested.
Such a fun knifePosted By: greg d - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
This is a great knife for the price for sure. I have several Japanese knives and this performs right up there with the ones I own that are four to five times the price. Obviously the fit and finish is no where's near them, but that is the charm of these knives. I also have the 240 and love that even more.
2 people found this review helpful
This is a great knife for the price for sure. I have several Japanese knives and this performs right up there with the ones I own that are four to five times the price. Obviously the fit and finish is no where's near them, but that is the charm of these knives. I also have the 240 and love that even more.
Great knife for a great price Rough but Remarkable Posted By: Tylor
2 people found this review helpful
The story and the videos got me, but the knife is also pretty awesome.
It's definitely rough looking, and the knife had oxidized on the dark kurouchi finish by the time it had arrived. However, after scrubbing that off with a brillo pad and cleaning up the edge a bit with a 1K stone and polishing it with my 4K and 8Ks, I could care less how it looked. The steel is remarkably light, which makes the knife nimble and precise. The steel takes a better edge than my Tojiro ITK gyuto, and while I've only used it for about 3 weeks, the edge retention seems to be good for my uses at home.
This knife is SHARP and a great shape and size for basic prep work. If I could justify buying another knife, I'd try a few others in the line.
2 people found this review helpful
The story and the videos got me, but the knife is also pretty awesome.
It's definitely rough looking, and the knife had oxidized on the dark kurouchi finish by the time it had arrived. However, after scrubbing that off with a brillo pad and cleaning up the edge a bit with a 1K stone and polishing it with my 4K and 8Ks, I could care less how it looked. The steel is remarkably light, which makes the knife nimble and precise. The steel takes a better edge than my Tojiro ITK gyuto, and while I've only used it for about 3 weeks, the edge retention seems to be good for my uses at home.
This knife is SHARP and a great shape and size for basic prep work. If I could justify buying another knife, I'd try a few others in the line.
Daovua Leaf Spring Santoku 180mmPosted By: Bill Killam - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
I've been interested in getting one of these nights since I first saw it on the website. I have to say I'm not disappointed. For where it came from, it's superthin and cuts well. The handle is beyond my expectation. For the story behind it alone, I'd recommend this knife. But it's an excellent workhorse for any collection.
2 people found this review helpful
I've been interested in getting one of these nights since I first saw it on the website. I have to say I'm not disappointed. For where it came from, it's superthin and cuts well. The handle is beyond my expectation. For the story behind it alone, I'd recommend this knife. But it's an excellent workhorse for any collection.
