A handcrafted utility knife made in Japan
The Yuzo Black AS utility knife is a compact and versatile model, perfect for small everyday tasks. With its 15cm blade, it allows you to prepare fruits, vegetables, herbs, or small cuts of meat with precision. Positioned between a paring knife and a chef’s knife, it offers excellent maneuverability while maintaining a comfortable length.
Made in Japan by Tsunehisa, this Yuzo Japanese utility knife embodies the spirit of the Black AS line: a dark blade, a distinctive handcrafted finish, and an authentic-style burnt oak handle.
A high-performance San Mai blade full of character
The blade features aSan Mai structure composed of three layers of steel. The rigid central core is surrounded by outer layers of softer stainless steel, achieving a good balance between hardness, protection, and cutting comfort.
Its core is forged from Aogami Super steel, a Japanese carbon steel renowned for its exceptional sharpness. With approximately 1.5% carbon and a hardness of about 65 HRC on the Rockwell scale, it ensures excellent edge retention.
The rough forged finish gives the blade its dark, traditional appearance. The hammered texture adds depth, while the patterns visible on each blade reinforce the unique character of this Yuzo Black AS utility knife.
Finally,the flat grind of the edge ensures smooth and precise cuts, allowing the blade to glide easily through food.
A genuine burnt oak handle
The handle of this Yuzo Black AS utility knife is made of charred oak, a material that fully embodies the identity of the line. Charring the wood highlights its natural hues while giving it a darker, more authentic look. Its rustic aesthetic pairs perfectly with the rough, forged, and hammered blade to create a knife with a distinctly Japanese character.
Carved into a traditional octagonal shape, the handle offers a comfortable and balanced grip. This shape is appreciated by both right- and left-handed cooks, as it allows for proper finger placement during precision cutting. Its moderate weight and ergonomic design make it a pleasure to use, even during repetitive prep work.
Finally, wood putty is applied to the junction between the blade and the handle to fill any gaps. This finish improves the knife’s overall watertightness and limits the infiltration of water or food residue, while contributing to the knife’s build quality.
Features and Benefits
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- 15cm blade: versatile and easy to handle
- San Mai structure: three balanced layers of steel
- Aogami Super core: precise and durable edge
- 65 HRC hardness: excellent edge retention
- Flat grind: clean cut and easy maintenance
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- Hammered and forged finish:
- traditional
- Japanese style
- Octagonal handle in charred oak: comfort and character
- Handcrafted in Japan by Tsunehisa
Caring for my Yuzo Japanese knife
The core of this Yuzo Black AS utility knife is made of Aogami Super steel, a Japanese carbon alloy renowned for its cutting performance. Like all high-carbon steels, it requires careful maintenance to preserve its sharpness and appearance over time.
After each use, wash your knife by hand only using a soft sponge and mild detergent. Once cleaned, dry it immediately with a clean cloth to remove all traces of moisture before storing it in a dry place.
Do not put the knife in the dishwasher or leave it soaking in the sink. Over time, a slight patina may develop on the carbon steel core exposed to food and ambient air. This reaction is completely natural and does not affect your knife’s cutting performance in any way.
To maintain optimal sharpness, sharpen the knife regularly using a water stone suitable for Japanese knives.
Discover the other knives in the Yuzo Black AS range at Knifeleader.eu!