Jiro Tsuchime Yo Petty 180mm Ziricote Handle (#439)

Jiro-san is a blacksmith and knife maker from the Nagano region and an artisan in every sense of the word. He is a one man operation, meaning every part of his blades have been handcrafted by Jiro-san from start to finish. Because of this the number of knives that he can produce is slim, each of them unique, numbered and with certificate.

These are made with Shirogami no.1 carbon steel which is one of the purest carbon steel used in today’s knife making. The forge welding is done by himself, the process of combining the harder core with the softer iron cladding. By doing this all in-house he can control every step of the process and forge with ideal temperatures. Not using pre-laminated steel is a rarity and this is showcased by the spine thickness of his knives because pre-laminated steel is not available with this thickness.
Jiro-San polishes and sharpens the knives be himself on his favourite combination of synthetic and natural whetstones. The results are incredibly even and finely polished bevels which are not only beautiful but add considerably to the performances the blade.

Petty knives (Utilty) have a similar profile as the Gyuto but smaller, commonly ranging from 12 to 15cm. A shape most often used next to any larger all-purpose blade (gyuto & santoku) although there are many households where this is the go-to knife. Very suitable for the smaller cutting tasks such as cleaning, portioning and peeling fruits and vegetables and cleaning smaller cuts of meat or fish. 

Pairing knives are more used for in-hand tasks such as peeling, trimming, scoring and cleaning and fruit or vegetable. 

This is a carbon steel knife. Carbon steel is a non-stainless steel that lacks sufficient chromium and/or nickel to protect it from oxidation. As a result, it reacts to moisture and oxygen. While this may sound like a downside, it’s actually a key feature. Carbon steel forms a unique patina over time, is easy to sharpen, and offers excellent edge retention.

Caring for a carbon steel knife is straightforward and similar to other knives. Store it clean and dry, avoid using the dishwasher, and never leave it to air-dry. Also, steer clear of cutting extremely hard items like frozen food or bones. During use, it’s important to keep the knife dry—wiping it down with a cloth or towel is usually enough. If a carbon steel knife is not properly maintained, it can rust. While rust can be removed, it's best to prevent it from occurring.

Keep in mind that there are many types of carbon steel, just as there are with stainless steels, each with its own properties. Each should be evaluated on an individual basis.

Extra: There is no definitive "right or wrong" between carbon and stainless steel knives, but carbon steel is often considered superior for traditional knife-making methods. As a result, carbon steel knives generally offer better edge retention, sharpening ability, and overall performance compared to others in the same price range.