Rich carbon steel: long edge life, still easy to sharpen.
Japanese chef's knife: all-round for vegetables, meat and fish.
Long: big boards, large vegetables, pro or enthusiast use.
This gyuto 240 mm in Aogami #1 (Blue Steel #1) sits at the standard professional length for an all-purpose chef's knife. The curved profile supports both rocking cuts and push-cut technique, with enough blade length to handle larger ingredients without repositioning. The migaki finish produces a uniformly polished surface across the blade, clean and uninterrupted.
The handle is wa-style, made from ziricote, a dense tropical hardwood with tight grain and high-contrast figuring. Its natural patterning sets it apart visually, while the wa format keeps the overall weight centered toward the blade rather than the handle.
Aogami #1 (Blue Steel #1) is a Hitachi Yasugi carbon steel with a carbon content of 1.25 to 1.35%, combined with chromium (0.2 to 0.5%) and tungsten (1.5 to 2.0%). Hardness reaches 63 to 65 HRC depending on heat treatment. Compared to Aogami #2, it holds an edge longer between sharpenings and requires more passes on the stone to restore a fine apex. It develops a progressive patina on contact with acidic foods, which is expected behavior for this steel.
Care
Wipe the blade dry immediately after use. Do not leave the steel in contact with moisture or acidic foods. A light coat of camellia oil protects the blade during storage. Never put in the dishwasher.