Specifications — Yanagiba 300 mm

• Knife type: Yanagiba (Sashimi Knife)
• Blade length: 300 mm
• Core steel: Aogami (Blue) #1 Carbon Steel
• Blacksmith: Satoshi Nakagawa
• Sharpener: Masaya Shimizu
• Finish: Kasumi Finish
• Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
• Bevel: Single bevel

   

  Hand-forged in Sakai by renowned blacksmith Satoshi Nakagawa and sharpened by Masaya Shimizu, this 300 mm Yanagiba brings together two highly skilled craftsmen in one exceptional traditional Japanese blade.

  Nakagawa-san is particularly well regarded for his work with Aogami (Blue) #1 carbon steel, a steel prized for its ability to take an exceptionally fine edge while maintaining excellent edge retention. The combination of Nakagawa’s forging and Shimizu’s precise sharpening creates a blade designed for the clean, smooth slicing required in traditional Japanese cuisine.

  The 300 mm Yanagiba profile is designed for long, uninterrupted slicing strokes, allowing sashimi and delicate fish portions to be cut with minimal sawing motion and reduced damage to the ingredient.

  One particularly distinctive detail is the absence of a maker’s name engraving on the blade. According to Shimizu-san, this is an intentional choice rather than an omission. He prefers not to engrave the blade because of his concern that engraving can contribute to changes or distortion in the blade over many years of use. This same philosophy can also be seen in knives produced under his own brand, Hachimen Reiro (八面玲瓏).

  Instead, the reverse side is simply marked 青一鋼 — “Blue #1 Steel”, placing the emphasis on the steel, geometry, and craftsmanship rather than decorative branding.

  The result is a restrained and highly traditional Yanagiba: Nakagawa-san’s Blue #1 forging paired with Shimizu-san’s precise blade finishing and personal approach to long-term blade performance.