For a kiritsuke, the "best" steel depends on your maintenance preferences, but the ideal choices are Blue Steel #2 for traditional performance or SG2 for modern, stain-resistant utility. Traditional kiritsukes are single-bevel slicers, requiring high-end steel that can achieve a razor-sharp, mirror-polished edge.
Anthony Bourdain’s ultimate everyday recommendation was the Global G-2 8-inch Chef’s Knife. First highlighted in his 2000 memoir Kitchen Confidential, he loved it for its lightweight feel, balanced sand-filled handle, and razor-sharp edge. For professional work, he also favored Japanese Togiharu knives.
AUS10 and VG10 are both premium Japanese stainless steels frequently used for high-end kitchen and pocket knives. VG10 is harder, holding a keener edge. AUS10 is slightly softer, making it tougher (more resistant to chipping) and easier to sharpen.
The "best" Japanese stainless steel depends on your priorities, but VG-10, SG2 (Micro Carbide Powder Steel), and Ginsan (Silver Steel #3) are the top choices. They perfectly balance razor-sharp performance, rust resistance, and edge retention.
“True” traditional kiritsuke knives are almost always single bevel, ground on one side only. This creates incredible sharpness but requires significant skill to control. Modern kiritsuke gyutos (or K tip gyutos) use a double bevel edge, ground symmetrically on both sides.
In the high-end folding knife community, the original "Holy Trinity" refers to three legendary American makers who pioneered the modern premium tactical folder. Together, their designs set the gold standard for durability and precision.
Navy SEALs commonly use the Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) for training and the Ontario Mk3 Mod 0 for diving operations. While these are standard-issue, SEALs often choose personalized knives based on preference, such as those from Benchmade, SOG, or custom makers.
In short: Choose D2 if you value raw cutting endurance, edge stability, and lower cost. Choose VG10 if you prioritize corrosion resistance, fine edge control, and easy maintenance.
Aogami/Blue Paper Steel
It comes in 3 variants, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Blue Super, who's incremental carbon increases result in Blue Super being one of the highest hardness knife steels available when quenched and treated well.
The Santoku is best for general home use and easy handling, while the Gyuto is better for cooks needing greater versatility and precision. The Santoku is shorter, with a rounded tip, making it ideal for slicing, dicing, and chopping vegetables, meat, and fish.
Disadvantages of VG-10 Steel
Despite its edge retention, VG-10 will eventually need sharpening to maintain optimal performance. Sharpening VG-10 steel requires some skill, as its hardness can make it a challenge for those unfamiliar with sharpening high-end steels.
D2 and AUS10A are popular budget-to-midrange knife steels with distinct trade-offs: D2 offers superior edge retention and wear resistance but is less stainless (semi-stainless) and tougher to sharpen. AUS10A is a fully stainless steel with better corrosion resistance, higher toughness, and is easier to maintain/sharpen.
Both VG10 and 440C are popular knife steels, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. VG10 offers superior sharpness retention performance and is ideal for the demanding user. 440C is a great choice for anyone looking for a knife with a good price-quality ratio for general use.
Anthony Bourdain refused to order certain foods from restaurants. Mussels, bargain sushi and truffle oil are just a few on his no-go list.
For most kitchens, you only need three foundational knives to handle 95% of prep work: a Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Serrated (Bread) Knife. These three powerhouses can tackle anything from dicing onions and slicing crusty bread to peeling fruits and carving small meats.
Anthony Bourdain and his second wife, Ottavia Busia-Bourdain, separated in 2016 primarily due to his intense travel schedule, which saw him away from home for up to 250 days a year. Their lifestyles diverged, as she sought a more stable home life with their daughter, while he continued to pursue a rigorous, globe-trotting career.
Top 10 Best Japanese Knife Brands
The absolute best edge-holding knife steels are Maxamet, Rex 121, CPM-15V, and CPM-10V. These are extreme high-vanadium/high-speed tool steels that offer the highest wear resistance in the industry, though they require maintenance as they are not stainless.
There is no single "number one" knife brand, as the title depends entirely on the knife's primary purpose. Leading experts and enthusiasts consistently recognize distinct industry leaders across different categories:
Disadvantages of D2 Steel
Although D2 contains chromium, it is not fully stainless, which means it can rust if not properly maintained, especially in humid conditions. The hardness that contributes to D2's edge retention can also make sharpening difficult, particularly for beginners.
Myth-busting: Damascus doesn't make a blade sharper—VG10 at the core does. Damascus adds beauty, structure, and collector value.
G10 can break under extreme force, but it resists cracking far better than carbon fiber, bone, or wood. The woven glass fibers distribute stress across the laminate layers, so the material tends to flex before fracturing.
The CIA doesn't issue a single, official knife to its personnel; instead, operatives typically carry versatile, non-metallic, or concealable blades suited for specific missions. Historic and publicly recognized blades range from the famous Cold Steel Kobun used during Operation Jawbreaker to highly covert non-detectable tools.
John Wick famously wields a signature series of high-end, out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives in his movies. The specific knives vary depending on the film, transitioning from production models by Microtech Knives in the first three movies to a highly exclusive custom blade in the fourth.
The legendary KA-BAR USMC Fighting/Utility Knife (Mark 2) is the most iconic blade associated with the United States Marine Corps. Officially adopted in 1942, it features a 7-inch clip point blade made of 1095 carbon steel and a stacked leather washer handle.