The Hitohira HG Tsuchime Damascus 180 mm Japanese gyuto knife is designed in Seki (Gifu, Japan) with a VG-10 stainless steel core blade, combined with Damascus plating and a hammered “tsuchime” finish.
The construction is of the “awase/san-mai” type: a VG-10 core surrounded by soft stainless steels, which gives the Damascus effect visible under the tsuchime finish.
The blade length is approximately 182 mm, the height at the heel is 42 mm, and the thickness at the tang is 1.5 mm.
The handle is Western-style (Western shape) in imitation mahogany with a stainless steel bolster/ferrule.
This Japanese gyuto knife is a versatile model suitable for cutting vegetables, meat, and fish in cooking: its “chef's knife” profile makes it familiar to Western-trained chefs.
Cutting experience
The knife feels smooth and balanced in the hand: thanks to its san-mai construction, the VG-10 core offers good cutting performance, while the stainless steel cladding improves corrosion resistance. The gyuto profile allows you to push or tilt the blade slightly depending on the technique used. The Damascus pattern and hammered texture also provide a slight roll when cutting, which reduces sticking.
In terms of versatility, it excels at everyday culinary tasks, especially in a professional or semi-professional environment. However, its limitations lie in very heavy cuts or hard bones: the thickness of the blade (approximately 1.5 mm at the base) and the typical construction of a Japanese chef's knife suggest avoiding extreme uses. It is therefore more of a precision instrument than a “butchery” tool.
Care and advice
Although the steel is stainless (VG-10), care should not be neglected: rinse with warm water, wipe immediately, and avoid the dishwasher. The imitation mahogany handle must be kept dry to preserve its stability and prevent swelling or microcracks. Sharpening should respect the original angle (often ~15° on each side for this type of blade) and a fine stone is recommended to maintain the cut without removing too much material.
Even stainless steel blades should be dried after contact with acidic or salty foods to prevent micro-oxidation. Finally, for this type of hammered and Damascus blade, occasional polishing (matte or satin) can help preserve the aesthetic appeal of the pattern.