Price: 800,00 €
In stock
Usuba (薄刃 – ‘thin blade’) is a classic, single-bevel Japanese knife for advanced vegetable preparation. Its flat blade profile allows for techniques like katsuramuki (spiral peeling), julienne, brunoise, and precise, uniformly thick slices.
This particular knife is made from high-carbon steel, ensuring excellent edge retention and an exceptionally aggressive cut, though it requires regular care. The round, traditional Japanese handle (wa-handle) provides natural balance and effortless handling.
和 (Wa) – ‘harmony’, ‘Japanese style / Japaneseness’. A symbol often used to emphasize the traditional, Japanese character of the blade.
奈良 (Nara) – a historic city in Japan, a former capital, known for traditional craftsmanship.
菊一 (Kikuichi) – ‘First Chrysanthemum’ – a classic name / workshop mark. The chrysanthemum was an imperial symbol, as well as a sign of quality and mastery in blacksmithing.
Knife Type: Usuba
Overall Length: 293 mm
Blade Length: 152 mm
Blade Height: 40 mm
Blade Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 135 g
Steel: High-carbon, forged – Ni Mai – two-layer construction, where a hard core forms one side of the blade, and the other is made of more ductile steel for better control.
Handle: Natural wood, Japanese style (wa-handle), round
Purpose: Vegetables, precise cuts, decorative slicing
Do not wash in a dishwasher. Always hand wash in lukewarm water, without prolonged soaking.
Dry thoroughly immediately after washing – preferably with a paper towel or cotton cloth.
After each use, apply a thin layer of protective oil (e.g., camellia oil, Tsubaki, food-grade mineral oil).
Avoid leaving acidic products on the blade for extended periods (citrus, tomatoes, vinegar). If you cut them, wipe the blade immediately after use.
Store in a dry place, preferably in a saya (wooden sheath) or on a magnetic strip, away from moisture.
Sharpen only on water stones (recommendation: #1000 / #3000). Due to its single-bevel grind, it requires experience or learning the technique.
This is not an ordinary kitchen knife – it’s a craftsman’s tool created for perfection in every cut.
