Is the $500 Miyabi Chef Knife Worth the Extra $200?

Is the price difference between a $300 and $500 Miyabi chef knife justified? In this in-depth comparison, we put the two models to the test, analyzing sharpness, durability, ergonomics, and overall performance. Discover which Miyabi chef knife is the best investment for your culinary needs. Elevate your kitchen experience with the perfect blade.

Comparing Miyabi's two most expensive series, the Birchwood vs. Black. Both are impressively made, and some of the most sought-after knives on the market. Miyabi makes some of the best-performing knives I have tested, and these two are so different in every way.

The Miyabi Birchwood series is seen as the near-perfect knife, with a handsome handle design, and beautiful Damascus pattern. The Miyabi Black uses one of the hardest steels available in Japan and has the most beautiful handle I have seen on a knife.

[banditR]

Great video! I just picked up the black about 3 weeks ago. I demoed both knives in-store (on a potato), and I found that the black just cut a bit more precisely, it seemed a bit more balanced in my hand, it... it.... okay, it was prettier, I bought it because it was prettier.

[slipperyphiish]

I'm a professional chef in a high end high volume restaurant and been using the birchwood on a daily basis for well over a year now and have to say that this knife through and through is a badass knife. I absolutely love my 5000 and that's with having custom knives in my artillary from japan

[Ripper]

Thank you very much for this knife comparison, I appreciate it. What I like most about your channel is that you do not let snobbery, or preconceived notions impede your reviews, which is very refreshing. I go online sometimes in order to learn more about knives, and knife sharpening techniques, and people have some very strong opinions, and sometimes insist that their way of doing things, as well as their personal opinions are applicable to everyone, and people are so different from one another, that I just find it hard to read through some of these posts. I've developed my own philosophies and opinions over the years based on my personal experiences, however in order to learn, I have to be able to humble myself, and admit I know much less than there is to know about knives, and knife sharpening.

[Ty]

Thank you for doing a REAL review of these knives. It's incredible how many amateurs are out here pretending to review knives when they're really just demoing them like a qvc style info merciak. Just missing the 1-800 call in numbers.

[evariste]

Hey Ricky,
in the last 3 weeks i spent much time on watching your great sharpening videos. Up to now i had my japanese knives sharpened by a (bad) grinding shop....
Finally i got three sharpening stones and trief myself...the result is unbelievable! It is not that difficult to get good results after watching how it is done.

[cheaneysaddles]

Enjoyed the review always learn new things about knives from you.

[schadenfroh]

Thanks for doing this comparison. These are the exact two knives I've had my eye on. Love the look of the black, but the grittiness of the cladding worried me. I think I'll be going with the birchwood.

[kv]

I bought the Miyabi birchwood utility knife 2 weeks ago and I have absolutely no regrets. It is truly an amazing knife that is insanely sharp and extremely beautiful. Thank you for you reviews and content. Keep em coming!

[hrhamada]

see, I told you so! ZDP 189 has a higher edge retention, but doesn't "feel" as sharp. It also feels really "stiff" and doesn't feel "responsive. SOme of you may remember my comments from a year or so ago when ryky got the black and people were assuming harder is always better.

Also ryky hasn't sharpened it yet, but ZDP189 is a major pain to sharpen. Edge retention is not the only "property" of a steel. Abrasion resistance is one too. ZDP 189 has super high edge retention, but also has super high abrasion resistance, too. Like ryky, I also like SG2 better. But just because one person or another person likes something doesn't mean it's the best for YOU. Both knives are objectively GREAT made by a GREAT maker. I don't think you could go wrong with either!

It was great to see these two head to head. Thanks ryky!
I Think your viewers would also like to see the SG2 up against the Geihi HAP40 or the Birchwood against the Geihi.
Another head to head would be the Birchwood vs a Gou, and Enso SG2 or a Super Gou

[danielwagemann]

All 3 I own and all 3 are amazing. The Birchwood is the best out the box as stated, I have finally worn through the black and used a scouring pad on the sides to smooth it up a bit. Ouch I know, but performance is so much better after. Also was able to get the unicorn blade KS.. and it is amazing!!!

[DayInTheLifeOfAl]

I have the Birchwood and love it! I have the Shun set and thought it was the best until my Mom gifted the Mitabi to me. Not it’s my favorite. One note, I’m not happy that the handles are unfinished so, I used Generals gel stain, don’t do that! The stuff is more like paint than stain. It covered the grain and caused me much sanding.

[iSharpen]

I love these but I'm a bit surprised at their levels of sharpness. I've only ever sharpened the black but I can easily get it down to less than 80 BESS. I bet you could too.

[dg-zqeo]

Hi Ryky. Love your reviews - including the Miyabi Birchwood, which I own and love. I wanted to mention that you consistently say in your reviews that the birchwood used in the handles of the Miyabi Birchwood was originally used in "Faberge eggs" (plural). I understand that Karelian birch was used only in ONE Faberge egg made in 1917 and now displayed at the Faberge Museum in Baden-Baden.

[discipleoftheLordJesusChrist]

thanks so much for the comprehensive data & breakdown!

I just purchased 3 Miyabi knives this year(2021), I got the 5.5 in. black santokú, and the other 2 were the birchwood ones. It looks like I made a good choice!

[ArneuTube]

for some reason, I got really excited when you unpacked the box. I really enjoy your reviews.

[gregorycarter]

KS alternative AWESOME can't wait . Well I can... looking forward to it.Enjoyed the review too.

[wickedandlazy]

Every day learning more with you. Can't wait for the unboxing, I don't know how you resist open them at the spot!

[indyindy]

Hii, i'm just buy one of this beauty. Black one. And is amazing knife. Very sharp and comfortable. For future maintenace, witch one sharpen angle is the best for this knife? Around 13-15 degree?

[mujeah]

Thanks for the review.
I have both knives. I concur with your observation about the ‘stickiness’ of th Black. I actually prefer the Birchwood... Both are beautiful knives and I enjoy both. However, the Black I find is not as well balanced as the Birchwood, which feels just right when comparing blade to handle weight. Overall, comparatively, the Birchwood is: light, well balanced, and produces a more efficient cutting experience.

[b-radg]

Glad you took some time, and I'm sure it was blessed.

This is such an interesting video. I've drooled over the Birchwood for quite a while, both for its gorgeous looks and its SG2 steel. But then they came out with the Black… not as nice looking, but 66 HRC ZDP!?!

I've heard that ZDP is a pain to sharpen, and look forward to your experience, but this just makes me think the Birchwood is the way to go for me (someday). Great job, as usual!!