Why the GLOBAL GS-89 makes the Best Starter Japanese Knife

If you’ve ever admired the GLOBAL knife design or wondered why GLOBAL knives have remained a favourite amongst professional chefs for over 40 years but have never had the opportunity to experience the Japanese craftsmanship, then our special offering of the GS-89 Try Me Knife is for you.

The GLOBAL GS-89 Cook’s Knife, with a 13 cm (5 inch) blade, is designed as an entry point into the GLOBAL knife brand. Featuring the world-renowned Cromova 18 stainless steel one-piece construction, dimpled hollow handle and razor-sharp edge but at a lower price point.

The perfect starter knife for experiencing GLOBAL’s legendary Japanese craftmanship.

What is the GS-89?

The GS-89 is a small cook’s knife, sized to be an ideal introductory knife: small enough to be approachable but with a general-purpose blade to handle any daily prep tasks you throw at it.

Think of it as a taste test – a low commitment way to experience what makes GLOBAL knives different, before deciding whether to expand into a full Japanese knife collection.

Why start with a smaller blade?

• Versatility: A 13cm blade is nimble enough for precise tasks like trimming, peeling and mincing garlic, while still substantial enough to handle small-to medium produce and proteins.
• Everyday usability: It’s the knife you’ll reach for everyday, not just for occasions.
• A true introduction: Try every iconic element of the GLOBAL design in one blade: the one-piece stainless steel construction, the signature hollow dimpled handle, the lightweight feel and the famously thin, ultra-sharp edge.

What makes Global a cut above the rest?

GLOBAL knives have remained a kitchen staple all over the world since the 1980s thanks to the revolutionary kitchen knife design.

• Lightweight, balanced construction. Unlike traditional Western knives with a heavy bolster, and separate handle, GLOBAL knives are forged from Cromova18 stainless steel into a seamless one-piece construction. The handle is hollow and weighted with sand to perfectly balance the blade for a knife that feels like an extension of your hand.
• A thinner, sharper edge. GLOBAL knives are sharpened to a steeper edge than most Western knives. The result is a noticeably sharper blade that requires less pressure to cut through food.
• Low-maintenance durability. The stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion and staining than carbon steel and the seamless design means that there are no crevices for food and bacteria to become trapped.

Who is the knife for?

The GS-89 is ideal for:

• First-time GLOBAL buyers who want to test the brand’s feel and performance before investing in a larger set.
• Gift-givers looking for an accessible entry point into a premium kitchen knife brand.
• GLOBAL collectors who already own the larger cook’s knives and want a smaller companion blade for more detailed work.
• Small kitchens where a compact, do-it all knife gets more daily use than a chef’s knife.

Try Before You Commit

From speaking to customers over the years, we know that the best way to show people the benefits of a GLOBAL knife is for them to try using it themselves. From professional chefs to everyday cooks, using a GLOBAL knife for the first time never fails to produce jaw dropping reactions to the effortless slicing.

That’s the reason we have created this special ‘Try Me Knife’ offering with the GS-89 to let you discover the quality of a GLOBAL knife for yourself at a size and price that makes it easier to say yes.

Once you’ve felt the balance, the edge and the precision of a GLOBAL blade, it’s easy to see why so many home cooks and professional chefs end up building out a full collection of our premium Japanese knives.