Masakage Shimo japanese chef's knife 24cm Shirogami

Masakage Shimo knives are handcrafted by master blacksmith Yu Kurosaki san. This craftsman works at the TakefuKnife Village, which brings together a large number of blacksmiths working in the traditional way. So they can share their know-how with each other! It's also a favorite spot for apprentice blacksmiths, who can be looked after by a master who will teach them everything there is to know about the trade.

Kurosaki began his training in the early 2000s, working with master Kanehiro for 12 years. Kanehiro taught him everything: how to forge, how to sharpen... As soon as he received orders from customers satisfied with the workmanship of his blades, he set up his own workshop, encouraged by his master. He also trained with the renowned Hiroshi Kato san, a recognized master blacksmith and founding member of the Takefu Knife Village. Now it's Yu Kurosaki san's turn to train his own apprentice, so that one day he too can open his own workshop.

Kurosaki san can be seen in the photo above.

Here, he signs the Masakage Shimo 24cm chef's knife, a versatile model that lets you cut several families of foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, herbs... It's the ultimate all-purpose knife! It's an excellent choice if you're just starting out and don't know which knife to choose from all the models on the market.

Masakage Shimo knife features:

The heart of this forged blade is made from White Paper Steel, an alloy produced by Hitachi steelworks. Internationally renowned, they supply a large number of Japanese knife manufacturers. This steel is considered quite pure: it has a high carbon content of up to 1.2%, with an HRC hardness of around 61 on the Rockwell scale.

This high index makes the cutting edge much more durable, while remaining easy to sharpen, making it more pleasant to maintain. The blade features a light but elegant damascus pattern alternating steel and iron. The result is delicate, and the range takes its name from its visual: "shimo" means "frost" in Japanese, and the damascus gives the blade the impression of being slightly glazed. Admire the finesse of Japanese features in the small details of this knife!

Although discreet, the kanji mark has been engraved on the cutting surface for even greater authenticity.

The handle is made of magnolia, a pleasantly light, grit wood. Its octagonal shape is perfectly suited to ambidextrous use, as it will hug the palm of the hand.

The bolster, which links the blade to the handle, is made of pakkawood, a moisture-resistant, antibacterial composite material. Its black color provides an attractive contrast between the handle and the light-colored blade. To fill the junction between blade and handle, wood paste has been added to make it watertight and hygienic.

How do I care for the Masakage Shimo knife?

The knife is hand-cleaned. You can use a mild soap and run it under lukewarm water, without using an abrasive sponge. Then wipe with a soft cloth to remove all traces of moisture from the blade and wooden handle.

Note that the knife is sensitive to oxidation. In fact, its carbon steel is not stainless (which is why the cutting edge is sharper and more durable), so don't soak it or put it in the dishwasher! Note also that a carbon blade may change color over time (or show small stains), which is perfectly normal (contact with the acidity of food, humidity in the air...). For a more thorough treatment, you can dip the blade in mineral oil from time to time.

The knife comes in a sober, traditional blue box.

Visit this page to find out more about Yu Kurosaki's products!