This 210 mm Gyuto Japanese knife from the Morihei Hisamoto series features a blade made of Shirogami #2 (White #2) steel, a Japanese carbon steel renowned for its metallurgical purity and ability to achieve a very fine edge. The blade is forged using a sanmai construction, with a carbon steel core surrounded by softer steel to improve resilience. The kurouchi finish preserves the dark layer resulting from the forging process, while the lower part of the blade has a contrasting polished surface.
The gyuto profile, often compared to a Western chef's knife, offers great versatility for most kitchen tasks: slicing meat, mincing vegetables, or preparing herbs. This version has a slightly higher than average blade height, which provides more clearance for knuckles and a more stable blade surface when cutting.
The knife is equipped with an octagonal Japanese walnut handle with a dark ferrule. This configuration ensures a balanced and natural grip, suitable for both right- and left-handed users. Walnut offers a warm texture and good dimensional stability, while maintaining the understated aesthetics of traditional Japanese knives.
When used, Shirogami #2 steel provides a very direct and precise cutting sensation. The blade easily penetrates food with little resistance, promoting clean and controlled work. Like all carbon steel, it can develop a patina over time and needs to be wiped and dried after use to prevent oxidation. On the other hand, it sharpens easily and quickly regains an extremely fine edge.