The Yoshida Petty SUJ-2 Kuro-uchi 145mm (5.7") is a handmade, versatile mid-sized kitchen knife, perfect for a variety of cutting tasks. Part of the Yoshida Hamono Kuro-uchi series, this knife is crafted from durable SUJ-2 steel (64.7 HRC), which offers exceptional edge retention and features a kuro-uchi finish for a rustic appearance and added durability.

This blade is sold without a handle, giving you the freedom to create a fully custom look and feel. Browse our selection of handles to complete your knife. Want us to install one for you? Simply select the Handle Fitting Service when adding the blade to your cart.

BLADE SHAPE:

With a medium-sized blade that's narrower than a chef's knife but wider than a paring knife, it can effortlessly handle a wide range of tasks. Whether you want to slice and dice or cut and trim, this knife bridges the gap between larger and smaller blades. It is ideal for everyday cooking needs because of its manageable size and precise control. A must-have in every kitchen, this small general-purpose knife is perfect for peeling and slicing fruit and vegetables.

STEEL:

The blade is forged from SUJ-2 steel, which offers impressive capabilities. With an above-average hardness of 64+ HRC, it stays sharp for a very long time, but at the same time is easy to resharpen.

❗ Because SUJ-2 steel does not contain a lot of chromium, such a blade will develop some patina during use. The advantage of this steel, however, is that it has a very fine, gentle sharpness, is easy to sharpen, and stays sharp for a very long time. Ballistol or Camellia oil is recommended for the care of such blades. After use, rinse it well and dry it.

LAMINATION:

The blade’s core was laminated using the san-mai method to improve its structural integrity and subsequent ability to withstand impacts and prevent chipping. San-mai translates to “three layers” in Japanese, referring to a blade that is composed of a primary, inner layer of harder steel (hagane) and of two secondary, outer layers of softer steel (jigane) that protect the prior.
→ Read more on Blade Construction: Lamination.

GEOMETRY:

It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade (50/50) with a convex v-edge grind. Viewed from the back of the blade, the knife is heavier and stronger at the handle and thinner and more precise at the tip. This blade shape makes the knife easier to use because the blade is very responsive, easily maneuverable and nicely balanced. This type of blade design is also called distal taper - you can read more about it in the article on blade geometry.

BLADE FINISH:

The blade has a dark finish, which is the reason this look is called kuro-uchi - the word “kuro” means black. This look is traditional and robust, with an unprocessed top part of the blade that has already developed a dark patina. The engraving on the blade 九佐吉 means: Yoshida Hamono, Saga, Kyushu.

ABOUT THE BLACKSMITH:

The knife is manufactured at the smithy of Yoshida Hamono in Japan, a family company with an age-long tradition in manufacturing state-of-the-art tools and Japanese swords, i.e., katanas, by hand. Yoshida Hamono has a great deal of experience forging ZDP-189 steel in the traditional manner.