At 210 mm, this gyuto ('beef sword' in Japanese) falls in the compact size range, suited to smaller kitchens and everyday use. Its curved profile allows both rocking cuts and push cuts, across vegetables, meat and fish. This length works on a modest cutting board while keeping the versatility of a chef's knife. The double bevel suits both right-handed and left-handed users. Keep the blade straight at the board to protect the edge.
The nashiji finish ('pear skin' in Japanese) gives the blade a lightly granular texture, produced by sandblasting or fine hammering. The surface is more matte than a mirror polish and less raw than a black forge finish. On a reactive steel like the one in this gyuto, a patina builds gradually with use and settles over this texture. The handle is walnut.
Aogami #2 (Blue Steel #2) is a non-stainless carbon steel built on Shirogami #2, with chromium and tungsten added by Hitachi Metals for longer edge retention between sharpenings. On a whetstone, it takes a very acute edge and responds to sharpening in a few passes, then holds that edge for a long time. For those who value patina development, Shirogami #2 remains the more reactive option, which has its own appeal.
Care
Wipe the blade immediately after each use. A patina will develop over time, which is normal. Apply a little camellia oil for storage and never wash in the dishwasher.