DAO VUA 165mm V3 52100 Alto Nakiri

Pros:
Knife takes a great edge
This particular knife has a fairly even grind
Price is great
Handle fit and finish is great
Tokushu Shop is great to work with

Cons:
Hit or miss quality control

The whole story is this: I received a knife a couple weeks ago that was warped, had an uneven grind, and a chip in the back. I left a review stating these things and mentioning that this would definitely be a project knife. A few days after this review, Tony reached out and wanted to ensure I was a happy customer. He offered to swap the knife or take a return. He ended up sending a me another knife free of charge, and the second one I received I believe is fantastic quality for the price.

Overall, I think that Dao Vua may have some QC issues, however, Tokushu stands by the product they carry and will take care of you. I will be doing more business with these guys in the future.

Gotta be my favorite knife site.

Was on the fence between a nakiri and a cleaver and this “tall nakiri” is kind of both. Not bad for the price. My first 52100 steel knife. Sharpens easily but it did dull more quickly than I expected. I like the handle and the rustic / kurouchi finish. Balance point is right on the word “Vua” by the logo and a very natural spot for a pinch grip. The extra height helps with knuckle clearance when cutting tall veggies like cabbage. If you want an inexpensive utility nakiri/cleaver, check this out.