Yoshida Gyuto SUJ-2 Kuro-uchi 210mm (8.3") is a multi-purpose blade made in the Japanese smithy Yoshida Hamono. It's made from high-carbon SUJ-2 steel, so it is easy to sharpen and stays sharp for a long time. The blade has a minimalist, black kuro-uchi look, so it will suit both classic and more extravagant handles wonderfully.

This blade is without a handle, so you can fit your own. Browse our selection of handles and create your own, custom-looking knife! If you would like that we fit the selected handle to the blade for you, select Handle fitting service when adding the blade to the cart.

BLADE SHAPE:

Gyuto is the Japanese version of the classic Western Chef’s knife. It can be used with a variety of different cutting techniques to take on a wide range of kitchen tasks. Gyuto stands for “beef sword” in Japanese and was initially used to cut meat. Today, gyuto is one of the most indispensable knives in a kitchen and can do just about everything, obviously also cut a large chunk of beef.

*Only a plastic saya fits this blade. Due to the hand-forged nature and the slightly non-standard size of the blade, the 210mm wooden saya does not fit properly.

STEEL:

The blade is forged in SUJ-2 steel, which offers incredible capacities. Its hardness is 63-64 HRC, meaning it will keep sharp for a long time, and the steel qualities also make the knife very easy to resharpen. The blade requires some extra maintenance because of its high carbon content. 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 and is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. The blade tapers distally, meaning that the blade becomes increasingly thinner from the heel of the blade towards the tip. This gives it more strength and weight at the handle (meaning we can exert more pressure with the heel) and more precision at the tip, allowing for smooth and precise cuts.

BLADE FINISH:

The blade has a dark finish which is the reason this look is also 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 protective patina.

HANDLE:

This blade is without a handle, so you can fit your own. Browse our selection of handles and create your own, custom-looking knife! If you would like that we fit the selected handle to the blade for you, select Handle fitting service when adding the blade to the cart.

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.