Hitohira Tanaka Kyuzo Blue #1 Stainless Clad Gyuto 240mm Taihei Ebony Handle

Tanaka Uchihamono is one of Sakai’s leading and most renowned forgeries, producing high quality single- and double bevel knives for over decades. Internationally famed for his Blue #1 because of it’s excellent edge retention and sharpening ease. Tanaka Uchihamono’s methods are very traditional: using only carbon steel, relying only on eyesight to determine steel temperatures, using pine charcoal in the forge and straw ash for annealing and normalizing cycles ect. It is in these techniques the Tanaka forgery show incredible skill and mastery of temperatures, steel and knowledge that creates their celebrated quality. Tanaka forged knives paired with some of Sakai’s best sharpeners and the Hitohira touch make these some of the finest blades we see. In the west Tanaka gyutos are most desired and sought after while this workshop has been making some of Japan’s highest single bevel knives for many years.

The gyuto is a true all-rounder and suitable for a wide variety of cutting tasks. A go-to knife for many and an ideal shape to start out with. Based on the Western style chef’s knife, the gyuto has a decent length, enough height to clear the knuckles from the cutting board and a somewhat narrow tip. It’s just as good at chopping an onion or cabbage, as slicing a roast or portioning fish. There's no shame in owning multiple gyuto's

This is a carbon steel knife with a soft stainless steel cladding. Most Japanese knives have a 3-layer construction called “San Mai”, hard and high quality steel sandwiched between two layers of soft steel. In this case the soft steel (cladding) is a stainless steel and only the core is made out of carbon (non-stainless) steel. You’ll have all the advantages of a carbon edge e.g., sharpening ease and edge retention, but without having to worry about oxidation on the rest of the blade.
Still it is important to store your knife dry and clean, never let it air-dry after washing, no dishwasher and avoid extremely hard products like frozen foods or bones ect.