If I can call a Knife beautiful it would be this one. It goes through everything like nothing. It is the best meat slicer t here is and very sharp. My hubby used to cut up a deer and he did in no time. This knife is awesome. It is 9 inches long and sharp as can be. We love this knife.

Looks, weight and thickness of blade are awesome. Still need some time on it for more detailed comment.

Excellent product"”

I discovered this line a few months ago and will ever buy another brand. I am trying to get all of them but have to get them slowly. I have also bought several for my daughter for her wedding present next summer. If you dont own a good knife, please do yourself a favor and take the plunge. I had no idea what a difference there was. I used this to cut raw chicken and it cut through it like it was butter, no more wrestling with raw chicken or fish!
It is perfectly balanced and fits very comfortably in my hand. it also comes with a protective sheath to store it in.

I am not only hobby cook myself but also have a growing collection of knives from different manufacturers. Most of my Dalstrong models are from their top Shogun Series but when I saw this new yanagiba from Phantom series I decided to give it a try.
This knife is crafted of Japanese austenic steel AUS-8 (HRC 58) and is constructed to make clean thin cuts of raw fish or other tender meats in single pulling motion. That is why the blade length is so important. Blade cutting edge is 230 mm (9.055 in) long which complies with advertised knife length 9inch, but for some reason packaging box shows 9.5 inch (see picture). As it is common with this type of knife this model is also single beveled, sharpened to 14° and dedicated for right handed cooks. Blade is mirror polished on reverse side up to the shinogi line and satin polished otherwise. As one other reviewer also mentioned, it has lower than usual shinogi line (see picture) which leads to a slightly heavier blade. My guess is it was necessary to preserve the ergonomic bolster. With spine at heel only 3mm (not 3.5mm as advertised) the knife total weight is 258g (9.1 oz). Knife sculpted D-shaped tapered handle made of beautiful black pakkawood is 130mm (5.12in), i.e. longer than on my Shogun Series knives, but feels very secure and facilitates good balance and knife control. I tested this knife on some raw tuna and salmon so far and was pleased with results.
The only thing I do not like about this knife is the engraved word on obverse side of the blade. I found it distractive with "open" capital letters D and R and somehow strange looking S (see picture). It might have been done on purpose (the other side of blade exhibits the same creation etched) but it is certainly different from advertised look that has all engraved capital letters appearing standard.
Yanagiba knife comes in Dalstrong legendary packaging complete with good quality polymer protective saya, but mine is already sitting in the block for everyday use. With decent pricing this 9in yanagiba makes a nice addition to every cook's knives set.