Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9″ Chef’s Knife Review

Made from G2 micro-carbide powder steel. This authentic Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9 chefs knife features the powerful cryodur blade and the authentic Japanese knife blade profile! designed to provide precise!clean cuts. Miyabi is a subsidiary of Zwilling. This company manufactures and designs their knives in Seki Japan. A major part of Japan that’s famous for knife design mastery.

Continue reading to learn how this pro quality Japanese knife handles in the kitchen!
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Testing This High Performance Kitchen Knife

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The Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9" Chef's Knife is a stunning and high-performing kitchen knife that any chef would be thrilled to have in their collection. As part of the Miyabi series knives, this knife is a testament to the brand's commitment to combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern technology.

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Sharp & Durable Super Steel

The blade of the Birchwood SG2 is made of super steel, which is a combination of VG10 steel and SG2 steel core that is protected by 100 layers of Damascus steel. This unique construction makes the blade incredibly sharp and durable, with an edge retention that is second to none. The Birchwood Chef's Knife also features a katana edge, which is a traditional Japanese blade shape that provides maximum cutting power.

Beautiful Birchwood Handle

The handle of the  SG2 is made of Birchwood (rather than Micarta). Birchwood is a durable material that provides excellent grip and comfort. The handle is also adorned with a mosaic pin, adding a touch of elegance to the knife's overall aesthetic. The knife's western-style handle design provides an ergonomic grip that is perfect for those who prefer a comfortable and sturdy grip.

Hardness of Japanese Steel

The Rockwell hardness of the Birchwood SG2 is 63, which is considered to be one of the highest in the market. This means that the blade is incredibly hard and can withstand heavy use without losing its sharpness. Additionally, the Birchwood Chef's Knife has a hollow edge, which helps to prevent food from sticking to the blade, making it an excellent choice for slicing and dicing.

Traditional Japanese Blade Making

The Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9" Chef's Knife is part of the Miyabi Kaizen series, a line of kitchen cutlery that is made in Seki City, Japan, by Miyabi artisans who are experts in traditional Japanese blade making. The Birchwood SG2 is a perfect example of the brand's commitment to quality and precision.

Tested Against Other Brands

Compared to Shun knives, the Miyabi Birchwood SG2 Chef's Knife is a step up in terms of blade hardness, edge retention, and durability. The knife's super steel construction and Damascus pattern make it stand out in terms of both functionality and design. In terms of pricing, the Birchwood SG2 is on par with the Shun Premiere and Wusthof Classic Ikon Chef's Knife, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a high-end knife at a reasonable price.

Miyabi Birchwood Chief Knife SG2 9 Overview and Features

MIYABI.. is a company that combines Japanese craftsmanship and artistry with German engineering in order to produce some of the most popular models of knives on the market. Their knives have very distinct qualities that make them pro-quality. However! the amateur cook can also appreciate how beautifully the nine-inch chef’s knife can cut and slice.

Using this knife will not only provide a clean cut! effortlessly! the knife itself allows you to quickly breeze through any cutting task! with minimal waste. In fact! if you’ve never used a Japanese knife before, this model by Miyabi will ruin you for mediocre knives from here on out.

This is the type of knife you’ll commonly find in any professional kitchen. It’s designed to handle a high volume of food. With a blade edge that won’t easily become dull. The fact that this blade holds an edge so well is the reason it’s so popular with cooks of all skill levels.

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Handle Design

The knife’s handle is made out of high-quality birchwood. The wood’s natural texture features streaks and ripples! giving the wood a golden appearance. The weight of the handle does a great job of counterbalancing the blade! providing users with an excellent grip while using a handle that has an almost ergonomic feel to it.

However! for some users! the heavier handle can work against them if the knife is used for a prolonged period of time. This type of counterbalance design is fairly common among high-quality Japanese knives and it does do an excellent job of ensuring comfort for the short-term.

The handle is also D-shaped. Which is in the tradition of Japanese knives. The handle’s shape and design provide a more comfortable grip that will ensure more control and precision over each cut.

Knife Blade

There are significant differences between the Western version of kitchen knives and Japanese knives. Knives made in Japan usually feature a harder metal that improves sturdiness. In terms of strength, this blade will not easily dent or chip.

Western kitchen knives do not enjoy the same type of streamlined designed or durable blade. And often require more maintenance in terms of sharpening in order to keep the blade nice and sharp between each use.

Miyabi takes quality to a whole new level when creating their knife blades. The core of this Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9 chefs  knife is made out of MC63 micro carbide powder steel. During production! the blade is put through a type of ice-hardening process designed to expertly cool the steel, guaranteeing a hardness of sixty-three Rockwell.

Miyabi-Chef’s Knife

Once the core of the knife has been made. It’s then coated with fifty layers of two types of steel on each side. Each of which has differing layers of hardness. Every layer is specially treated in order to create an elegant floral pattern along the blade.

During the end of the production process. The knife is then finished off with Honbazuke honing. This honing technique gives the blade nineteen degrees of sharpness that will last for several months. This is not a knife that has to be sharpened before each use.

Durability

Considered sturdy and durable. this knife has a strong! broad blade and a fine cutting edge. The knife is designed for both amateurs and pros. It’s a knife that you’ll find yourself reaching for daily! for every cutting task! but given its sharp durable blade, this knife would fit in perfectly in a well-managed professional kitchen.

It excels at cutting up meat! dicing fish! cutting up veggies and fruits! or even chopping up herbs.

The lack of curvature in the tip of the blade adds to the knife’s stability as you DICE AND MINCE! so you won’t nick or cut your fingers. The design of the blade also places the handle slightly further away from a cutting board, so you’ll also be less likely to smash your knuckles as you’re mincing away at lightning speed.

Basically! this is an excellent all-purpose knife that can chop! dice! scoop! and mince. The knife’s design is a combination of beauty and brawn that almost makes it too beautiful to use.

How it Performs in the Kitchen

Gyuto is the Japanese term used for chef’s knife. And like in most kitchens, this chef’s Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9 knife is probably the type of knife you’ll depend on the most. Which is why Miyabi sells it separately. You don’t have to purchase an entire knife set just to get your hands on this popular model. If you feel that this nine-inch model is too much to handle. We recommend

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But what makes this chef’s Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9 knife so different from the standard knives commonly found in Western kitchens?

This model’s blade curves up to the tip. Going towards the handle. The design is meant to improve cutting precision. And it’s a style that’s been used for thousands of years in Japan.

Admittedly! the thick blade combined with the birchwood handle may be too heavy for some cooks. Especially those who work with large volumes of food. Or people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.

But despite the added weight.

We still found that this is a knife that can handle more than just meal prep. Because the blade is so sharp and durable it can also be used to carve a turkey or even cut through chicken bone or it can be used to fillet a fish. However! while it’s powerful enough to cut through bone! we don’t recommend putting it to the test.

While it appears to excel at most jobs in the kitchen. It does struggle with cleanly slicing bread or baked goods.

If you already have your trusted and true chef knife. But you’re interested in expanding your knife set. Our extensive buying guide covers all the different Japanese blade options, so you can pinpoint which type of knife would work best in your kitchen.

Cleaning the Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9

Like other Japanese knives.  The Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9 must be cleaned by hand and should never be placed in a dishwasher. When washing, make sure you use a mild detergent and carefully rinse the blade. Ensuring no soap residue is left behind. Both the blade and handle must be dried by hand using a soft cloth.

Allowing the knife to air dry can lead to rust and blade discoloration. Because of this, we recommend washing and drying the knife immediately after use.

Sharpening the Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9

Most chefs recommend sharpening your knife before each use. This can be a lot of work, especially if you always find yourself short on time. Additionally, sharpening a knife isn’t as easy as it seems. If you sharpen a knife incorrectly you can actually damage the blade. Considering the high price tag, sharpening this Miyabi knife can seem a little intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. Even with daily use, you’ll probably only need to sharpen it a few times a year.

To do! simply use a whetstone. Make sure you push the point of the knife across the stone using your fingers. Stroking the blade until it reaches the other edge of the stone. Then pull back on the opposite side of the blade. This movement is considered one stroke. Repeat this process up to thirty strokes. Continually checking the edge of the blade for sharpness until you’re satisfied with the edge.

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Pros

• Powerful
• Equipped with the cryudor blade
• Able to handle most cutting tasks in the kitchen
• Elegant floral pattern design on the blade
• Low maintenance

Cons

• Price
• Weight

Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9-inch Chef's Knife Conclusion and Rating

Kitchenairy.com Product Rating as of February, 2023: 4.5 stars

In terms of quality, this knife has what the pro and amateur chef is looking for, however, the heft of the knife itself can make it difficult for some pros to use this knife for an extended period of time, comfortably.

All in all! this Miyabi chef’s knife can handle pretty much any cutting task. With proper care and maintenance. This knife should last for many years to come.  The right type of chef’s knife can make all the difference in the kitchen. We love how this Miyabi knife feels. Offering an excellent weight that helps to improve cutting precision and the way the knife cleanly slices through a variety of veggies! fruits! and meats. Overall! this is one chef’s knife you can count on as your go-to knife in the kitchen.

Our Verdict: If you want a precise cutting tool that can really hold an edge. Then this Japanese knife has the type of power and clean cutting abilities you’re looking for. However! if you’re working with a high volume of food daily. Then this knife may not be the best choice. For some! the knife’s sheer weight can be difficult to manage for an extended period of time.

We gave this model a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
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In conclusion, the Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9" Chef's Knife is a top-of-the-line kitchen knife that is perfect for any chef looking for sharpness and durability. Its super steel construction, Micarta handle, and elegant design make it a standout among other knife brands. If you're looking for a knife block set, the Birchwood series chefs knife is an excellent option to consider, and if you're a beginner cook, the Birchwood Chef's Knife is a great investment in essential tools for your minimalist kitchen. You can check the price on Amazon and make your qualifying purchases today as an Amazon associate.

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