Japanese chef's knife: all-round for vegetables, meat and fish.
Long: big boards, large vegetables, pro or enthusiast use.
This 210 mm gyuto, whose name means "beef sword", is the Japanese equivalent of the Western chef's knife. Its curved profile allows both rocking cuts and push cuts on vegetables, meat and fish. At 210 mm, the format stays compact and suits smaller cutting boards and everyday work. The double bevel makes the blade usable in either the right or the left hand.
The handle is made of pakka, a composite of laminated wood impregnated with resin, common on kitchen knives and resistant to moisture. Paired with a 210 mm blade, it gives a compact gyuto for routine board work: slicing onions, cutting root vegetables, trimming a piece of meat or filleting fish.
Two cutting motions are possible. The push cut lifts the blade between each cut to advance the food. The rocking cut keeps the tip on the board and rolls the curved profile forward. In both cases, keep the blade straight at the board to protect the edge. A wood or soft-material board is preferable to glass, stone or ceramic surfaces.
Care
Rinse and dry after each use. Never put in the dishwasher. Store the blade away from impacts, in a block, on a magnetic strip or in a sheath.