Japanese Artisan Nakiri Knife 16.5cm Yoshihiro Kogeta White 2 Steel

This 16.5cm nakiri knife is perfect for cutting fruit and vegetables quickly and easily. Its wide , rectangular blade allows precise movements that won't damage the food. What's more, once you've cut the pieces, you can gently use its blade as a small shovel to move the pieces from one surface to another.

It also boasts a number of advantageous technical features. Here are the details:

Blade:

Built according to the typical Japanese San Maï structure. It consists of 3 alternating layers of different alloys.

Here, the heart is a carbon steel, White #2 Steel.

This alloy, produced by the Hitachi steel mills (steel suppliers to many renowned Japanese manufacturers), has a carbon content of 1.05%. This type of steel is widely used for top-of-the-range Japanese knives. This level of carbon makes the steel stiffer, which in turn enables it to be sharpened to a more pronounced edge (since the alloy is capable of withstanding such a finish). The result is a high-performance cutting edge, for clean, precise cuts every time.

What's more, its special composition is "purer" than stainless steel. This makes its structure more homogeneous, and the knife more resistant to wear (there's less risk of chipping).

This carbon core is then sandwiched by a layer of soft iron, as you can see from the color differences on the bottom of the blade.

Finally, here are other advantages of a knife with a high carbon content: it holds its edge for a long time, but remains easy to sharpen when the need arises. This means you can space out sharpening sessions, but they don't last long when you need them.

Forged finish:

The Yoshihiro knife features a rough forged blade finish. It is not polished, which gives it its original dark appearance. Japanese chefs love this type of finish, which is more authentic.

Finally, the logo visible on the blade has been directly engraved by an expert craftsman. A further proof of authenticity.

Handle:

A shiny black ferrule links the blade to the handle. It is made of buffalo horn. This natural material can have small white streaks, which will of course be different on each knife. The handle is made of light magnolia wood. Its oval shape is suitable for both right- and left-handed users. The special feature of the Kogeta series lies in the handle: kanji have been engraved on its surface. They are inscribed with a hot iron, hence the slightly "burnt" appearance visible all around. In fact, "kogeta" means "burnt" in Japanese.

The junction between the blade and the bolster is filled with a wood paste that makes it watertight, and prevents small scraps and water (when cleaning) from penetrating the wood.

Maintenance:

It's important to note that carbon and iron are sensitive to oxidation. The knife should therefore be washed by hand, without soaking (blade and handle included, the latter being made of wood). After washing, wipe with a soft cloth to remove all traces of moisture. Please note, however, that a carbon blade will tend to vary in color over time, even if you are very careful. This is normal (the knife is in constant contact with moist food, and moisture is also found in the ambient air...). You can apply mineral oil to the steel from time to time, for maintenance purposes. Do not use a dishwasher.

Origins :

Yoshihiro offers you high-performance knives made to last for years. The brand has been established for around a century in the Land of the Rising Sun, and these craftsmen are the descendants of highly-skilled blacksmiths who produced the katanas of the time (know-how can be traced back to the 14th century). Little by little, the techniques used to create these katanas were transferred to the cutlery industry, which is why Japanese knives are so sharp!

Each knife created by the brand is unique: prestige guaranteed! Manufacturer Yoshihiro's motto is: 一期一会. This could be translated as "every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". That's why the brand strives to offer long-lasting knives whose performance will delight you for years to come, so you can enjoy every moment in the kitchen.

Discover all the brand's knives!