The Dao Vua Leaf Spring Gyuto 210mm is a great example of a simple, hardworking knife that delivers excellent performance at an approachable price. It has a fairly flat profile that works well for push cutting and chopping, along with enough curve toward the tip for rocking. The blade is thin and lively, making it easy to handle for everyday prep, from vegetables to proteins. The tall blade gives you good knuckle clearance and adds versatility in the kitchen.
This knife is forged from recycled leaf spring carbon steel (typically 5160), a tough, forgiving steel that takes a very sharp edge and is easy to maintain. The grind is thin with a slightly convex feel, helping with both cutting performance and food release. Dao Vua knives are known for their rustic, handmade character, and you may notice small imperfections in fit and finish. These are part of the charm and do not affect performance. Avoid bones and frozen foods, but for everyday use this is a durable and dependable tool.
What Customers Are Saying: Customers consistently praise the performance and value of these knives, especially for those new to carbon steel. Many highlight how easy they are to sharpen and how quickly they take a razor edge. Reviewers also appreciate the lightweight feel, balance, and versatility for everyday prep work. Several mention that it became a favorite daily-use knife thanks to its cutting ability and no-nonsense performance.
Care Instructions: This knife is made from reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina with use. Wash and dry the blade after each use and do not leave it wet. Avoid acidic foods sitting on the edge for long periods. Do not put in the dishwasher. Regular honing and occasional sharpening will keep it performing at its best.
Maker: Dao Vua Blacksmith: The Nhat Family Location: Vietnam Construction: Mono Steel Edge Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel (5160) HRC: 60-61 Cladding: None Finish: Kurouchi Edge Grind: Even 50/50 Handle: Octagonal Wood Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g) Blade Length: 210 mm Total Length: 345 mm Spine Thickness at Base: 2.5 mm Blade Height: 46 mm
This knife is forged from recycled leaf spring carbon steel (typically 5160), a tough, forgiving steel that takes a very sharp edge and is easy to maintain. The grind is thin with a slightly convex feel, helping with both cutting performance and food release. Dao Vua knives are known for their rustic, handmade character, and you may notice small imperfections in fit and finish. These are part of the charm and do not affect performance. Avoid bones and frozen foods, but for everyday use this is a durable and dependable tool.
What Customers Are Saying: Customers consistently praise the performance and value of these knives, especially for those new to carbon steel. Many highlight how easy they are to sharpen and how quickly they take a razor edge. Reviewers also appreciate the lightweight feel, balance, and versatility for everyday prep work. Several mention that it became a favorite daily-use knife thanks to its cutting ability and no-nonsense performance.
Care Instructions: This knife is made from reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina with use. Wash and dry the blade after each use and do not leave it wet. Avoid acidic foods sitting on the edge for long periods. Do not put in the dishwasher. Regular honing and occasional sharpening will keep it performing at its best.
Reviews
15 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Eh, $75? Take my money already.Posted By: Hjalmar
38 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful piece of steel for $75. Insanely good value. A little rough, but if that is your style this line is amazing. I also have a cleaver from this line, it was so nice that I picked this up. It is replacing another Daovua in my kitchen, that one is the sandwich one with the hammered look. This one is better. If you love high quality steel and is broke like me, this one will tick all the boxes and make you look for things to cut into small pieces.
38 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful piece of steel for $75. Insanely good value. A little rough, but if that is your style this line is amazing. I also have a cleaver from this line, it was so nice that I picked this up. It is replacing another Daovua in my kitchen, that one is the sandwich one with the hammered look. This one is better. If you love high quality steel and is broke like me, this one will tick all the boxes and make you look for things to cut into small pieces.
Great knife!Posted By: Will Hardaway
34 people found this review helpful
I got this knife in March 2021 after putting a set of Zwilling Pros through their paces for a couple of years. It was my first carbon steel knife, and first Japanese-style knife as well. Since then I've gotten a few other, better quality, Japanese knives like Misono, Masakage, and a left-handed sakimaru-honesuki by a maker whose name escapes me at the moment. The Dao Vua has become my favorite knife - the one I reach for more than any other knife I have. With a little work on the stones it takes and holds a keen edge very well. The price can't be beat for a beginners carbon steel knife, as a beater that you wouldn't mind abusing from time to time, or as a gift for someone that is looking to up their knife game but may not be ready for something costing hundreds of dollars.
34 people found this review helpful
I got this knife in March 2021 after putting a set of Zwilling Pros through their paces for a couple of years. It was my first carbon steel knife, and first Japanese-style knife as well. Since then I've gotten a few other, better quality, Japanese knives like Misono, Masakage, and a left-handed sakimaru-honesuki by a maker whose name escapes me at the moment. The Dao Vua has become my favorite knife - the one I reach for more than any other knife I have. With a little work on the stones it takes and holds a keen edge very well. The price can't be beat for a beginners carbon steel knife, as a beater that you wouldn't mind abusing from time to time, or as a gift for someone that is looking to up their knife game but may not be ready for something costing hundreds of dollars.
Surprisingly goodPosted By: Matt
35 people found this review helpful
As a professional cook, I have some pretty nice knives. I have some Miyabis, Globals, and Wustoffs - all of which I love for various reasons. Yes, it's true, the knife appears to be made under rather crude conditions, but it's kinda charming. As for sharpness, I sliced a tomato, brunoised an onion, and chopped some scallions with no problems right out of the box. I plan on putting it on a stone to see if I can improve a little before work, but I am very pleasantly surprised by this knife!
35 people found this review helpful
As a professional cook, I have some pretty nice knives. I have some Miyabis, Globals, and Wustoffs - all of which I love for various reasons. Yes, it's true, the knife appears to be made under rather crude conditions, but it's kinda charming. As for sharpness, I sliced a tomato, brunoised an onion, and chopped some scallions with no problems right out of the box. I plan on putting it on a stone to see if I can improve a little before work, but I am very pleasantly surprised by this knife!
Daovua leaf spring kiritsuke 240mmPosted By: Chuck Nishan
30 people found this review helpful
Bought this as a introductory carbon knife use and practice sharpening it was sharp ootb and performed great I have been hitting in in the 1200 stone and it takes and holds an edge good now after a few weeks it’s my every day I work with chefs with very expensive knives and for the money you can’t beat this one it has a nice handle and the rustic handmade looking for
30 people found this review helpful
Bought this as a introductory carbon knife use and practice sharpening it was sharp ootb and performed great I have been hitting in in the 1200 stone and it takes and holds an edge good now after a few weeks it’s my every day I work with chefs with very expensive knives and for the money you can’t beat this one it has a nice handle and the rustic handmade looking for
Simply Great Kiri-Gyuto hybrid?Posted By: Colin Meddings - verified customer
11 people found this review helpful
I love these Daovua knives, not just for the beautifully rustic finish on the blades and the lower profile handles, but also just the blade shapes! This kiritsuke has a belly on it that makes it feel more like a gyuto. Probably not my first, second, or third choice for a slicer, but it handled some mild butchery just fine. Only points docked for the edge ootb, still recommend.
11 people found this review helpful
I love these Daovua knives, not just for the beautifully rustic finish on the blades and the lower profile handles, but also just the blade shapes! This kiritsuke has a belly on it that makes it feel more like a gyuto. Probably not my first, second, or third choice for a slicer, but it handled some mild butchery just fine. Only points docked for the edge ootb, still recommend.
Meh Great knife for the pricePosted By: Bobby Watkins - verified customer
10 people found this review helpful
Just a quick touch up on a polishing stone and this knife gets laser sharp, and is comfortable to use even for long periods of time. It has a very unique feel and is really fun to cut with, plus it has a cool story. Will be purchasing more from this line. (I have the nakiri and kiritsuke.)
10 people found this review helpful
Just a quick touch up on a polishing stone and this knife gets laser sharp, and is comfortable to use even for long periods of time. It has a very unique feel and is really fun to cut with, plus it has a cool story. Will be purchasing more from this line. (I have the nakiri and kiritsuke.)
Great knife for the pricePosted By: Bobby Watkins - verified customer
8 people found this review helpful
Just a quick touch up on a polishing stone and this knife gets laser sharp, and is comfortable to use even for long periods of time. It has a very unique feel and is really fun to cut with, plus it has a cool story. Will be purchasing more from this line. (I have the nakiri and kiritsuke.)
8 people found this review helpful
Just a quick touch up on a polishing stone and this knife gets laser sharp, and is comfortable to use even for long periods of time. It has a very unique feel and is really fun to cut with, plus it has a cool story. Will be purchasing more from this line. (I have the nakiri and kiritsuke.)
2nd Daovua Posted By: Steven - verified customer
13 people found this review helpful
Over 1 yr ago I got my first Daovua , after doing a lot of research on various metals and different knife brands. For the last 9 months this is my go to knife. Have been so happy w the knife I decided to get another, slightly larger. I want to emphasize this knife was not NEEDED, but wanted. You other knife nuts know what I'm talking about. Put a nice sharp edge on it earlier this week. Haven't used it a lot, but so far I'm quite happy with it. Would highly recommend this knife... if you don't have one yet, you don't know what you're missing
13 people found this review helpful
Over 1 yr ago I got my first Daovua , after doing a lot of research on various metals and different knife brands. For the last 9 months this is my go to knife. Have been so happy w the knife I decided to get another, slightly larger. I want to emphasize this knife was not NEEDED, but wanted. You other knife nuts know what I'm talking about. Put a nice sharp edge on it earlier this week. Haven't used it a lot, but so far I'm quite happy with it. Would highly recommend this knife... if you don't have one yet, you don't know what you're missing
It's alrightPosted By: Santiago - verified customer
10 people found this review helpful
The knife overall is ok. The edge was pretty dull and was good once sharpened. It's incredibly reactive and I wouldn't recommend using it on anything too acidic. Although cheap and beautiful but I would not recommend to a beginner.
10 people found this review helpful
The knife overall is ok. The edge was pretty dull and was good once sharpened. It's incredibly reactive and I wouldn't recommend using it on anything too acidic. Although cheap and beautiful but I would not recommend to a beginner.
Great knife for the price Posted By: Tom Dickinson
8 people found this review helpful
I have purchased three Dao Vua knives and I love all three of them. this one is not exception. It's a good quality knife, looks beautiful, is super sharp, and I personally like all the perfect imperfections of this blade. It makes every single knife unique to the person who is purchasing it. Great knife.
8 people found this review helpful
I have purchased three Dao Vua knives and I love all three of them. this one is not exception. It's a good quality knife, looks beautiful, is super sharp, and I personally like all the perfect imperfections of this blade. It makes every single knife unique to the person who is purchasing it. Great knife.
Great knife for the pricePosted By: Jeff Hubbard - verified customer
8 people found this review helpful
Really great knife for the price. Nice piece of steal that is over all well made. Surprisingly nibble feel and very comfortable in my hand. It is definitely rustic with a few flaws which I don't mind, and has actually been fun touching up with a little sand paper and a little time on the stones making it more custom and razor sharp with the added bonus of not worrying about making a mistake on a super expensive knife. Cktg customer service was excellent as always, thank you.
8 people found this review helpful
Really great knife for the price. Nice piece of steal that is over all well made. Surprisingly nibble feel and very comfortable in my hand. It is definitely rustic with a few flaws which I don't mind, and has actually been fun touching up with a little sand paper and a little time on the stones making it more custom and razor sharp with the added bonus of not worrying about making a mistake on a super expensive knife. Cktg customer service was excellent as always, thank you.
Very very pleased Posted By: Danny C
12 people found this review helpful
I must say I am pleased and impressed by these knives. The price point is quite exceptional for what you get. This kiritsuke is stout and has in my opinion perfect weight for the size and profile.
There is a lot of knuckle clearance and you can chop, push cut and rock with it.
Let me preface by saying I got one of the first daovua nakiris in the sample batch that Mark listed months or a year back. That knife was thin, sharp, and rustic in a unique way. The handle definitely needed work, but now they have upgraded them.
Overall very pleased, and looking forward to all the different daovua knife types to be released.
12 people found this review helpful
I must say I am pleased and impressed by these knives. The price point is quite exceptional for what you get. This kiritsuke is stout and has in my opinion perfect weight for the size and profile.
There is a lot of knuckle clearance and you can chop, push cut and rock with it.
Let me preface by saying I got one of the first daovua nakiris in the sample batch that Mark listed months or a year back. That knife was thin, sharp, and rustic in a unique way. The handle definitely needed work, but now they have upgraded them.
Overall very pleased, and looking forward to all the different daovua knife types to be released.
Decent for the pricePosted By: John - verified customer
9 people found this review helpful
I bought it with no expectations as it was only $75. You get what you pay for with this. Fit and finish are better then expected. I personally like the raw finish of the knife. Handle is comfortable and blade design is great. My only issue is edge retention. It does get razor sharp, but it won't hold the edge for extended periods. For home use this is a great knife, but for restaurant work I would have another knife ready fo go or a steel handy. Overall it gets the job done.
9 people found this review helpful
I bought it with no expectations as it was only $75. You get what you pay for with this. Fit and finish are better then expected. I personally like the raw finish of the knife. Handle is comfortable and blade design is great. My only issue is edge retention. It does get razor sharp, but it won't hold the edge for extended periods. For home use this is a great knife, but for restaurant work I would have another knife ready fo go or a steel handy. Overall it gets the job done.
