The Hitohira NM Tsuchime Gyuto 180 mm Japanese knife is part of the NM series, renowned for its easy-to-maintain stainless steel and everyday durability. The blade is made of VG-1 steel, a hardened stainless steel offering a good balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening. The construction is san-mai stainless steel, with a VG-1 core surrounded by softer stainless steel for easy maintenance.
The tsuchime (hammered) finish visible on the top of the blade reduces food adhesion and gives it a traditional look. The 180 mm gyuto profile allows for versatile use: cutting vegetables, boneless meat, and precision work on the cutting board. Its comfortable blade height provides a good margin for pinch grip work.
This model features a durable and stable Western-style mahogany imitation handle, secured with two rivets. The grip is ambidextrous, solid, and intuitive, particularly appreciated for intensive use or when switching from a Western kitchen to a Japanese knife.
Cutting experience
The fine cutting edge and relatively thin geometry provide a pleasant cutting experience, especially on vegetables and tender proteins. The knife remains easy to handle thanks to its compact size and gives a feeling of immediate control. Although VG-1 is less demanding than carbon steel, it can be micro-sensitive when used for very tough tasks: it is therefore advisable to avoid bones, frozen foods, or hard surfaces.
Care
As the steel is entirely stainless, care is simple:
- Wash by hand and wipe dry after use.
- Avoid the dishwasher.
- Use a wooden or soft synthetic cutting board.
- Regular sharpening is recommended to maintain performance on a fairly fine edge.