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Hideo Kitaoka

Kitaoka Kamagata Usuba 170mm (6.7")

360,00€

Only 0 left in stock

✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide
✔︎ All taxes included
✔︎ Express worldwide shipping
✔︎ 30-day return policy

Kitaoka Kamagata Usuba has a special, sickle-shaped tip (called kamagata), originating in the Kansai region. Usuba is part of the traditional Japanese knives used for preparing vegetables for sushi. It is single bevel, meaning it can only be wielded by right-handed users. This usuba has an astonishing look, featuring both a kuro-uchi look on the top of the blade, as well as a wavy Damascus pattern at the lower part of the blade.

The core of the Kamagata Usuba is made of a high performing, Shirogami White #2 carbon steel, known for its superior edge retention and fine, smooth sharpness, but it will develop a patina and needs more maintenance. Steel was hardened to around 63 HRC.

Hideo Kitaoka is another highly regarded blacksmith of the famous Takefu village, known for many skilled blacksmiths. Mr. Kitaoka specializes in making high end, traditional single bevel sushi knives for a relatively affordable price. A wooden Japanese style dark sandalwood wa handle was attached to this Kamagata usuba, featuring a buffalo horn ferrule.

Read what Luka, our Founder and Master Sharpener, thinks about this knife:

"This knife is special, very special! It’s hard to explain why from just the metallurgical standpoint, or hand-made craftsmanship. There is something more to it.

Let's start with some simple facts - it's a handmade knife from Shirogami White #2 carbon steel. Very traditional steel, heat treated to a hardness of 63/64 HRC, but there was some additional magic in the process because these knives are less brittle as we would expect for this type of steel and hardness. 

Blacksmith Hideo Kitaoka-san is an old, experienced blacksmith, working with kitchen knives all his life, learning the craft from his father and being one of the leading blacksmiths in Takefu Knife Village.

Now when you know the facts and see the photos, you can understand and see about 70% of what this knife really is. The remaining 30% is reserved for the feeling when you hold it in your hands, use it, sharpen it. It is difficult to explain with words, but this Usuba is one of my favorite knives out there.

Like the 80s Mercedes, nothing special, just an old car, but when you get behind the wheel and start driving it, it’s hard to explain the feeling, it's like… Maybe having a Sunday bath with a glass of Nikka Whiskey and some cool jazz.

So all of you knife lovers out there looking for a hand-made, traditional Japanese knife masterpiece with a collectible value that you can use every day, this is it. Kitaoka-san knives will be your love at first sight. If you will look after them, they will make you smile daily for the rest of your cooking life. Maintenance is high, and like the 80s Mercedes it will rust, I guarantee you."

Blade shape: Usuba

Steel type: Shirogami #2

Blade construction: Ni-mai / Single bevel / Damascus & kuro-uchi

Hardness (HRC scale): 63

Overall length: 317mm (12.5")

Blade length: 170mm (6.7")

Blade height: 47mm (1.9")

Spine thickness: 4.3mm (0.17")

Weight: 215g (7.6 oz)

Handle length: 134mm (5.3")

Handle type / wood: Japanese / Sandalwood

Kanji on the blade: "Echizen Hideo Saku" [made by Hideo from Echizen] 越前英雄作

Blacksmith: Hideo Kitaoka

Location of the smithy: ECHIZEN - TAKEFU KNIFE VILLAGE / Fukui Prefecture / Japan

☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.

Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:

✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.

❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.

→ For more details, read our guide
on
Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.

🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.

SHIPPING RATES:
- €10
- flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).

EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom
- shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.

DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.

DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe:
1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days

RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.

Each knife comes with:

✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.

Express Worldwide shipping

10€ flat rate with DHL Express.
Free on orders over 300€.

No Duties & Fees

We cover any import fees, worldwide.
All prices are final, tax included.

Easy Returns

Something not OK? You have 30 days to return it, no questions asked.

Attentive support

Get in touch, we usually respond within a few hours.

QUIZ

Still doubting which type of Japanese knife should best fit your needs? 

We created a 5-steps quiz to help you find the perfect knife based on your cooking skills and the type of food you prepare.

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