At 240 mm, this gyuto ('beef sword' in Japanese) is the standard professional length, with a blade long enough for large cuts of meat as well as bulky vegetables. Its curved profile allows both rocking and push cuts, lifting the blade between each cut. The double bevel suits right-handed and left-handed users alike. It moves from vegetables to meat and fish, with the blade kept straight at the board to protect the edge.
The handle of this gyuto is finished in urushi, the traditional Japanese lacquer made from the sap of the lacquer tree. The lacquer forms a surface layer on the handle, so it is best not to leave it soaking and to dry it after each wash. With a stainless steel blade, the whole knife lends itself to simple hand care, with no oil or special protection needed between uses. The 240 mm length is that of a daily working knife.
The blade is made of Ginsan (Silver Steel), a stainless steel whose chromium content, around 13 to 14.5%, resists corrosion under normal use. On a whetstone, Ginsan sharpens quickly and takes a very fine edge for a stainless steel, with sharpening behavior close to that of carbon steels. The trade-off is a familiar one for stainless steel: the maximum attainable hardness is generally lower than that of some carbon steels. Regular sharpening on water stones keeps the edge in shape, and the blade stays bright with use.
Care
Hand wash in warm water, then dry the blade and the handle. Ginsan does not develop a patina and needs no camellia oil. Never place in the dishwasher.