Nigara Hamono Kagetora B2 + W2 Coreless Yanagiba Sakimaru 300mm

Yanagiba translates as “willow blade” since the narrow, long and curved blade shape on the back side resembles a willow leaf. The specialty of the Yanagiba is slicing fish in a precise and clean way for cutting sashimi or nigiri for example. It can also be used for filleting certain fishes and slicing meat. The very fine cutting edge can be damaged easily, so we advise you to be careful with bones. The concave back of the knife (urusaki) creates an air gap between the fish flesh and the blade, making it easy to detach the blade from the fish flesh, while the bevel on the face of the knife (shinogi) makes it easy to detach the piece of fish being sliced. The Yanagiba is generally found between 210 mm and 330 mm.

Go Yoshizawa is a creative craftsman who is making the family business shine. He is the head-chef of the Nigara's forge, one of the most renowned forges in Japan and worldwide, and famous for damascus work. Yoshizawa-san builds on the solid foundation of steelworking that he has developed over the years to discover and explore new processes. Nigara's forge and its craftsmen continue to amaze us with knives that are as beautiful as they are performing.

Simply explained, Aogami #2 developed by Hitachi Metals is a steel made from Shirogami #2 in which some chromium and tungsten are added for better durability and corrosion resistance. In addition to that, the higher carbon content of the steel allows for better cutting retention. Objectively, the Aogami #2 is an improvement over the Shirogami #2. For patina lovers, however, Shirogami steel will be more reactive to oxidation and could be an advantage.

Shirogami #2 translates to: Shiro (white) and Gami (Steel) and thus; white steel #2. It is named after the color of the package it was wrapped in at Hitachi Metals. The composition of this steel is very pure and contains almost only iron and carbon (1.05%-1.2%). It is in the hands of very experienced blacksmiths that one realizes the enormous potential of Shirogami #2. The quality of the heat treatment and a lower temperature forging are key elements that can allow Shirogami #2 to compete with and even surpass many modern steels. Try a Shiro #2 blade forged by Tanaka-san, Kisuke Manaka-san or Yoshikane Forge and you will see!

By Nigara Hamono

Nigara Hamono Kagetora B2 + W2 Coreless Yanagiba Sakimaru 300mm

$3,100.00

Store availability

Montréal: Out of stock

Québec: Out of stock

*Transfer available between stores, contact us at

Description

Maintenance tips

Have it sharpened on a water stone by a professional every year. Store in a dry place. Wash immediately after use and dry completely before storing. Do not let soak. Not dishwasher safe.

Product notes

Please take note

Each handle is unique and may exhibit distinct variations, such as differences in shades or colors in the buffalo horn, which is part of its authentic and handcrafted character.

Guarantee

Every knife carries a lifetime warranty against obvious manufacturing issues. For example, if the handle peels or cracks after a few weeks of proper use. Or if the blade develops a crack from the edge to the spine. These issues are rare, but can occur. In such cases, you will be offered an exchange for the same product or a refund. Since each case is different, it is at our discretion to assess whether our lifetime warranty against obvious manufacturing issues applies.

After-sales service

Is your knife not cutting as well as you expected? Every knife comes with what we call its "original sharpness." We stock over 200 different products, and often multiple copies each. All our products are hand-finished in Japan before shipping, and the "original sharpness" may vary. If you feel your knife isn't cutting to its full potential, please contact us and we'll fix it for you by sharpening it for free!

Oops, did something happen to your blade?

Did your knife fall to the floor, get damaged during a false move, or was it used to cut something too hard? We'll take care of it, we'll support you and your knife, by offering you a sharpening and repair service in-store!

Don't hesitate to contact us or visit our store to get an estimate in just a few minutes!

Customer Reviews

Size

300mm

Overall length

456mm

Blade height

39mm

Handle to tip length

307mm

Thickness

3.8mm

Edge length

288mm

Weight

267 g

Handle length

149mm

Steel

Aogami #2 and Shirogami 2 Coreless

Steel Type

Carbon steel (oxidizable)

Handle length

Damascus

Profile

Go Yoshizawa

Usage

Slicer

Hand Orientation

Right-handed

Production

Hirosaki

ACCESSORIES RECOMMENDED BY OUR EXPERTS

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-2l-bois_de_rose_1.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #2L Bois_de_rose - vue 1

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-2l-bois_de_rose_2.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #2L Bois_de_rose - vue 2

In stock

Sekishin Spatula Stainless S #2L Rosewood

$10.00

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-3l-bois_de_rose_1.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #3L Bois_de_rose - vue 1

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-3l-bois_de_rose_2.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #3L Bois_de_rose - vue 2

In stock

Sekishin Spatula Stainless S #3L Rosewood

$10.00

Traditional Japanese wooden basting brush with natural horsehair bristles, shown on a dark background.

Cooking brush with natural horsehair bristles and a light wooden handle, displayed on a dark background.

In stock

Kanaya Sauce Brush 34mm (Horsehair)

$20.00

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-5l-bois-de-rose_1.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #5L Bois de Rose - vue 1

sekishin-spatule-stainless-s-5l-bois-de-rose_2.jpeg,Sekishin Spatule Stainless S #5L Bois de Rose - vue 2

In stock

Sekishin Stainless Spatula S #5L Rosewood

$20.00

In stock

ANEX Long Nose Tweezer 200mm

$25.00

A pair of Japanese chopsticks ‘Oedo Green’ with a lacquered finish, displayed on a dark background.

Close-up of a pair of lacquered Japanese chopsticks “Oedo Verte”, displayed on a dark background.

In stock

Style of Japan Oedo Chopsticks

$25.00

A pair of Japanese chopsticks ‘Ihana Saison – Green Dots’ displayed on a dark background, lacquered wooden chopsticks with green polka-dot motifs.

Close-up of Japanese chopsticks with lacquered green polka-dot handles, displayed on a dark background.

In stock

Style of Japan Season Ihana

$25.00

Saya en bois Hitohira pour couteau japonais Petty 130 mm, vu de dessus sur fond noir

Fourreau en bois Hitohira avec gravure, adapté aux couteaux japonais Petty, vue légèrement en angle

In stock

Hitohira WB Saya Petty 130mm Ho

$35.00

Light wooden saya for a Japanese petty knife, shown on a dark background with its pointed tip and red cord with pin visible.

Light wooden saya for a Japanese petty knife, shown on a dark background with its smooth surface, pointed tip, and red cord detail visible.

In stock

Hitohira Mumei Saya Petty 120mm Ho

$35.00

In stock

Baguettes Hashi-coo 1 year

$38.00

INTRODUCTION TO YANAGIBA

The Yanagiba knife, also known as the "willow blade" due to the shape of its long, narrow blade, which is slightly curved at the back, reminiscent of a willow leaf, is a Japanese knife specialized in the precise and clean cutting of fish. It is widely used for preparing sashimi and nigiri, allowing for expert cutting that preserves the integrity of the slices. In addition to its use for raw fish, the Yanagiba knife can also be used for filleting certain fish and slicing meat.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

However, it should be noted that the Yanagiba's extremely fine edge can be easily damaged. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when using it, particularly avoiding contact with edges and bones. Improper handling could cause irreversible damage to the blade. Therefore, it is essential to take care of this delicate knife to maintain its optimal performance.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Yanagiba's distinctive design has a few notable features. The back of the knife, called the urusaki, is concave, creating an air space between the blade and the fish. This makes it easier to separate the blade from the flesh, ensuring smooth, even slices. Meanwhile, the bevel on the knife's face, called the shinogi, allows for easy separation of the cut fish. These distinctive features contribute to the Yanagiba's efficiency and precision in its role as a specialized carving knife. Regarding dimensions, the Yanagiba knife is generally available in a length range of 210 mm to 330 mm. Selecting the appropriate size will depend on your personal preference and the size of the fish you plan to carve. Shorter versions are better suited for detailed tasks requiring great precision, while longer versions are more suitable for more extensive cuts.

CONCLUSION

In short, the Yanagiba is a Japanese knife specialized in the precise cutting of fish, particularly for sashimi and nigiri. Its narrow, long, and curved blade is reminiscent of a willow leaf, hence its name. However, due to its delicate edge, this knife should be handled with care, avoiding contact with bones and bones. The unique features of the concave urusaki and shinogi bevel facilitate the separation of the blade from the fish flesh and the precise cutting of pieces. Choose the size of the Yanagiba according to your specific needs, keeping in mind that shorter versions offer better precision while longer versions are suitable for extended cuts. With proper care, the Yanagiba knife will accompany you in the preparation of exquisite dishes for many years.

Description

Product notes

Maintenance tips

Guarantee

Customer Reviews

Nigara Hamono Kagetora B2 + W2 Coreless Yanagiba Sakimaru 300mm

Store availability

Description

Maintenance tips

Product notes

Guarantee

Customer Reviews