Hi TCK community,

first post here and I hope this awesome community can help me. I caught the fever and finally want to get my first carbon nakiri. After browsing through what must have been hundreds of threads over the last weeks I think I need some help by more seasoned pros finally deciding on which rectangle to buy, especially when it comes to the steel used.

1. Style? - Japanese
2. Steel? - Aogami 2 / Super (?)
3. Handle? - octogonal preferrably
4. Grip? - Pinch
5. Length? - classic 165mm is fine since I have a small kitchen, but would probably prefer something a bit longer like 180mm for cabbages etc. Wouldn't mind it being on the taller side a bit, as well.
6. Uses? - Veggies and the occasional block of tofu
7. Care? - Beginner, I'll have to learn. No stones yet.
8. Budget? - Under 200€ preferrably, 250€ would be the max and mean I'd have to get stones at a later point.
9. Usage: home cook.

Additional info:

• Has to be nashiji finish, just love it way more than kurochi. (Sorry Shiro Kamo)
• Would also prefer a darker wood for the handle.
• Not too laser-y so it can deal with denser root veg well.
• Buying from EU. Eager to get started but would not mind waiting a few weeks/2-3 months for restocks.

I'm a beginner when it comes to caring for a carbon knife, so the steel should be a bit more forgiving in terms of chipping and easier to resharpen.

Candidates on my "realistic" shortlist
(it's not exactly short though haha, which is the point of this thread in the first place - just too many good options)

• Takenami Nashiji Aogami #2 Nakiri - not a big fan of the handle, but seems good otherwise https://thechefscorner.de/collections/nakiri/products/takenami-nashiji-aogami-2-nakiri-165mm
• Masashi Shirogami 2 Nakiri - has a good reputation, but oval handle and shiro 2 https://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifebrands/masashi-yamamoto-3-series/masashi-yamamoto/masashi-yamamoto-nakiri-detail
• Hatsukokoro Kurosagi Aogami Super Bubinga Nakiri - not exactly nashiji and the handle looks a bit too basic for my taste, but could be what I'm looking for otherwise? https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/de/hatsukokoro-kurosagi-aogami-super-bubinga-nakiri-16-5-cm
• Matsubara Aogami #2 Nashiji Nakiri - seems to tick all the boxes, but something about the look of it just doesn't vibe with me, idk? https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/de/matsubara-aogami-2-nashiji-nakiri-16-cm EDIT: This one looks sexier to me, but is out of stock atm https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/de/matsubara-aogami-2-nashiji-nakiri-16-5-cm maybe an earlier version?
• Tsutomu Kajiwara Aogami #2 Nakiri - haven't read much about this maker so I'm unsure about fit and finish, especially when looking at that handle https://www.meesterslijpers.nl/de/tsutomu-kajiwara-aogami-2-nakiri-16-5-cm
• Hinoura Nakiri Shirogami 2 - very good reputation, but I'm not that excited by the aesthetics of the lighter handle with the kurochi finish. https://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifebrands/hinoura-3-series/hinoura-shirogami-2/hinoura_nakiri-keyaki-detail
• Kajibei Shirogami 2 Nakiri 170mm - really like the geometry of this one but again, the kurochi finish might be a bit too dark for me https://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifetype/nakiri/kajibei_nakiri-1-4096-4565-detail

Last but not least, let's talk about the Shiro Kamo in the room: I know they are basically exactly what I'm looking for in terms of specs, especially given that there are Aogami Super and taller versions. They also have a very good reputation. I just don't feel as much... excitement? when I look at pictures of those, but maybe some Kamo users can talk me into them?

Candidates on my "dream come true" wishlist:

• Yoshikane Shirogami #2 Nakiri 170mm - I can't help it, this is the one I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with! Amazing aesthetic, quality, makers reputation, specs,... I dream about this knife since I discovered it. But it's above my price range, especially when adding shipping import taxes and realistically maybe a bit too fancy for a beginner? Then again, I might only buy one nakiri so why not save a bit more and go for gold? https://staysharpmtl.com/en/collections/couteau-a-legumes/products/yoshikane-shirogami-2-nakiri-170mm-bouleau?_pos=10&_fid=93d535436&_ss=c Cleancut also has a Yoshikane, but it seems to be shorter, has a different handle and looks a bit different: https://www.cleancut.eu/butik/knifebrands/yoshikane-2-series/yoshikane/yoshikane_nakiri_shirogami2-detail
• Sakai Kikumori Aogami #2 Nashiji Nakiri https://thechefscorner.de/products/sakai-kikumori-aogami-2-nashiji-nakiri-180mm
• Mazaki White#2 Kasumi Nakiri 165mm https://carbonknifeco.com/collections/mazaki/products/mazaki-white-2-migaki-nakiri-165mm

Step 2
I also plan on taking care of the knife myself, so what stones would you recommend for a beginner like me? Not planning on building a huge collection, just what I need for basic training and maintenance.

I hope you guys can help me figure out the right choice by giving some feedback, insight or maybe even another recommendation I haven't listed yet.

Thanks in advance and have a knife day!