About a year and a half ago, I retired my old block of Shun knives from 2008, gave them to a friend, and went on a quest to assemble a set of Japanese chefs knives to last me to the grave. Unlike the Shuns, which I mindlessly bought as a huge set (many of which I never touched), the new knives would each be chosen intentially, with a specific purpose in mind.

I've now got a collection that I love, that work beautifully, feel phenomenal to use, and put a smile on my face every time I use them. What I've been surprised by though is that the knife that I impulsively reach for first isn't the one that I thought I would. I'm typically not grabbing a 270mm or 240mm Gyuto, but instead it's a Bunka that I just seem to have the most fun with. Specifically, a 180mm Hado Sakai Sumi Bunka made from Shirogami No.2.

Question: Of the knives that you own, do you tend to reach first for your "best knife" first, or the one that's the most fun to use? What knife is it for you? Why?

180mm Hado Sakai Sumi Bunka made from Shirogami No.2

This chunky, freakishly-sharp single-bevel 210mm Sakai Takayuki Tokujyo Supreme Kengata-Gyuto is a blast.

13 of the 18 knives that will take me to the grave.