16,5cm Japanese santoku knife Yoshihiro Rugged Black

Yoshihiro is a renowned brand specializing in the manufacture of top-of-the-range Japanese knives, designed to deliver outstanding performance over many years. Founded over a century ago in Japan, the Yoshihiro team is made up of highly skilled blacksmiths, heirs to the ancestral forging techniques used to create the famous katanas. Today, these methods are applied to cutlery, giving Japanese kitchen knives a sharp, precise edge.

Each knife produced by the brand is unique, reflecting their prestige. Yoshihiro's motto, 一期一会, translates as "every moment is an opportunity in a lifetime".

A Yoshihiro knife with an original blade

The blade of this santoku knife features a San Mai structure, a Japanese technique that translates as "3 layers". It is forged with a core of rigid steel enveloped by a layer of softer steel. This process aims to balance the blade's flexibility while protecting its core.

Japanese Aogami #2 steel (also known as Blue Paper Steel #2) was chosen for this blade. This alloy, produced by the renowned steelmaker Hitachi, has a high carbon content, reaching around 1.2%. This characteristic gives your blade a hardness of 62HRC on the Rockwell scale, ensuring excellent edge retention and cutting performance.

Next, the core of the blade is enveloped by a softer layer of steel folded in on itself to form the two outer layers. This balances hardness while protecting the blade core. The superimposition of the different steels is visible along the cutting edge, creating a fine wave of random patterns.

The surface of the blade features a rough forged finish, giving your handcrafted Japanese knife a dark, unpolished appearance. This traditional finish adds character to the knife, while kanji hand-engraved by the blacksmith reinforce its authenticity.

A slightly bluish tint, characteristic of carbon, makes this range of Japanese knives unique. This nuance in no way affects the use of the knife, but rather adds a distinctive touch.

A santoku knife with an ergonomic handle

The handle of your handcrafted Japanese knife is made from oak wood, a species renowned for its strength and durability over the years. Thanks to its high density, this wood is highly resistant to vibration, shock and humidity, protecting it from deformation.

The end of the handle has been deliberately burnt to enhance its strength and create a harmonious contrast with the warm tones of the oak. At the other end of the handle, an Urushi-style blue lacquer has been applied to recall the bluish nuances of the carbon in the blade. This finish appears like a bolster at the junction of blade and handle, making for an original design while retaining its traditional character.

The octagonal handle of your Yoshihiro knife is designed to fit the hands of all cooks, whether left- or right-handed. This ergonomic design gives you an optimal grip, particularly appreciated during prolonged use.

To ensure your knife is watertight, wood paste has been added to the junction between the blade and the handle. This fills small gaps, protecting against water infiltration and preserving the durability of the whole.

Caring for a handcrafted carbon knife

To care for your carbon-enriched knife, clean by hand only, using a non-abrasive sponge and mild detergent. Avoid wetting the handle during cleaning. After washing, carefully wipe the knife with a clean cloth to remove any moisture, then store it in a dry place. Do not put the knife in the dishwasher or soak it in the sink.

Over time, it is normal for the color of the blade to vary slightly. This variation is a natural reaction of the carbon, caused by the acidity of the cut food and the humidity in the air.

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