KYOKU 3.5" Paring Knife with Non-Stick Koi Scale Pattern, Japanese Style VG10 Stainless Steel Small Chef Knife with Sheath & Gift Box, Shogun Koi Series Full Tang Peeling Knife with Camphorwood Handle

The knife is extremely sharp and the handle is beautiful. I'm not sure about the fish scale blade but its solid and cuts through anything in the kitchen. The knife has a good feel to it and I find myself using for almost everything. Its become my wife's favorite also (when I let her use it). Also cuts through bread almost as good as a bread knife.

I got this knife a while ago. It still has an amazing edge and is extremely comfortable to use. I use it for everything. I’m very picky when it comes to knives, but this one knocks it out of the park.

I've been enjoying using this Kyoku Shogun Koi cleaver since it arrived and you can see why. The item came in a very nice wooden box, but why put it in box if it is such a beautiful item, and what's more, it is to be used often? So, for easy access, I bought a magnetic knife block and have it displayed upright along with some of my Wusthof Grand Prix knifes. Practically, the cleaver is very nicely weighted (in other words, not heavy) and cuts meat, veggies and fruits like hot knife on butter. This cleaver isn't a chopper, a different tool. So I'll not be using it on bones, etc. Anyway, if you enjoy the good stuff and have a bit more in your budget, I'd highly recommend this.

PRO's: - nice weight - sharp blade - love the shape and angle of the blade - leather sheath is very well made - box is nice CON's: - there were 2 rust stains out the box (I think it's just from storing it in a humid warehouse; buffed right out with a light sponge) - the bolster is oddly shaped. If you are a pinch gripper on your knife, it may get awkward to handle - and also it's full tang, but the bolster looks glued on, just an odd design choice in my opinion Overall a good knife, especially for the value. It's good enough to be a daily knife even in a professional kitchen. It has a unique design and I prefer it as a less expensive option

Within two months of *very* light and occasional use the handle split around the decorations in two places. After contacting the manufacturer they immediately issued a full refund with gracious apology. I am impressed with this excellent customer service and will be purchasing another Kyoku knife.

I own a kyoku shogun series. Awesome knife one of my favorite they I own. This koi edition is not anywhere near the quality or craftsmanship of the shogun series. It had rust on the blade and the handle looked like cheap plastic. Do not waste time or money

Gave to my best friend as a present for his 40th birthday. He is an avid hunter, he loved the look but also he texted me saying the knife broke down and processed a deer without needing to be resharpened, completed on the factory edge. That's impressive 😯

I'm told a good craftsman could put a fine edge on virtually any knife, but only a good knife will hold that edge. This knife came with a better edge than any in my, albeit limited, collection, and has held it well. It hasn't had a lot of use; time will tell if I can duplicate the original edge, but the knife seems well made, with a nice heft and comfortable handle. I had compared this knife with a much more expensive santoku sold at my local membership club; happily they have a very good return policy <g>. The packaging on this knife is impressive; very "giftable", and includes a decent leather sheath so it can live in a jumble drawer if necessary.