Knives

Minonokuni Ao-gami Damascus 180mm Gyuto Homura knives are crafted by top Minonokuni blacksmiths. This hand forged Gyuto or Chef Knife really shows the benefits of a handmade knife. This is a double beveled blade, using Blue Steel 2 with elegant Damascus cladding. The ferrule is Onyx with a Sandalwood handle. Learn More

Minonokuni | Ao-gami Damascus | 170mm Nakiri Learn More

Minonokuni Ao-Gami Damascus 240mm Gyuto Experience the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship with the Minonokuni Ao-Gami Damascus Gyuto. A true workhorse in any kitchen, this 240mm chef's knife is meticulously designed for versatility, precision, and enduring performance. Whether you are a professional chef or a passionate home cook, this blade is engineered to elevate your culinary creations. As beautiful as it is functional this knife is eqxuisitely crafted and a pleasure to use. At the heart of this knife is Ao-Gami, or Blue Paper Steel, a premium carbon steel renowned for its extraordinary sharpness and exceptional edge retention. This core is clad in layers of steel that are hand-forged and folded to create a stunning, unique Damascus pattern on the blade. This layering isn't just for beauty; it adds resilience and strength to the blade. The Gyuto is the Japanese interpretation of the classic Western chef's knife, celebrated for its multipurpose capabilities. Its 240mm length is favored by many professionals for its ability to handle larger cuts of meat and fish, while remaining agile enough for dicing vegetables and performing delicate slicing tasks. The blade's profile is beautifully tapered which allows for precise and nimble handling. Key Features: Steel: Ao-Gami (Blue Paper Steel) for superior hardness and long-lasting sharpness. Blade Construction: Exquisite Damascus steel cladding provides durability and a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. Blade Type: 240mm Gyuto (Japanese Chef's Knife), an all-purpose tool for a wide range of kitchen tasks. Artisan Craftsmanship: Classically hand forged 
Performance and Care: The high-carbon Ao-Gami steel blade is capable of achieving a razor-sharp edge, ensuring clean, effortless cuts that preserve the integrity of your ingredients. As with all high-carbon steel knives, this blade will develop a natural patina over time, a beautiful bluish-gray hue that tells the story of its use and protects it from deeper corrosion. To ensure the longevity of your Minonokuni Gyuto, it is essential to hand wash and thoroughly dry the knife immediately after use to prevent rust. With proper care, this knife will be a treasured and reliable partner in your kitchen for a lifetime.   Learn More

The Kamagata Usuba is a one sided, hand forged, pure carbon vegetable knife. Designed with a long, flat blade to maximize the amount of contact made with the cutting surface, the Matsu 210mm Kama-Usuba will make quick work of any vegetable prep.  This knife will be your go-to when cutting, chopping, dicing or mincing fruits and vegetables. Hand-forged using Aogami-ko HonKasumi Blue steel, the Matsu 210mm Kama-Usuba takes and holds an extremely thin edge. Best used in conjunction with a soft wood hinoki board. This knife offers top of the line performance at a very reasonable price. Matching saya is inlcuded.

This knife should be hand-washed and dried immediately after use to prevent rusting. Learn more about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

The Kamagata Usuba is the traditional Japanese predecessor to the santoku. These knives are used for slicing and chopping vegetables. The long, straight cutting surface of this knife enables you to create very precise cuts and to work very quickly. Kama-usubas are similar to the traditional usuba shape with the added value of a sharpened tip that can be used to make piercing cuts or carvings. The Matsu 180mm Kama-Usuba is made with Aogami-ko HonKasumi Blue steel. This steel is very hard and can be sharpened to a very thin edge. Ideally used on a soft wooden cutting board (like Hinoki), this knife will offer the ultimate edge retention and ease of cutting.  This knife includes a matching saya.  The Minonokuni Matsu 180mm Kama-Usuba is made of pure carbon steel (not stainless). Carbon steel takes a beautiful edge and can be re-sharpened very easily, but does need to be washed and dried immediately after use. Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

Precision Engineered for the Professional Kitchen The Minonokuni Matsu 210mm Usuba is not a general-purpose tool; it is a specialized instrument designed for the absolute mastery of vegetable prep. In high-stakes professional environments, the difference between a standard cut and a surgical one lies in the blade’s geometry. This Usuba utilizes a traditional single-bevel chisel grind, featuring the critical Urasuki (concave back surface) which creates an air pocket during slicing. This design minimizes surface drag and prevents vegetables from sticking to the blade, allowing for the fluid execution of katsuramuki—rotary peeling of cucumbers or daikon into continuous, paper-thin sheets. Metallurgy and Edge Retention Forged from Aogami-ko (Blue Steel) HonKasumi, this knife is tempered to an exceptional Rockwell Hardness of 63-65. For the professional chef, this means the edge maintains its 'toothy' bite through 50+ pounds of mirepoix or delicate garnish work without requiring mid-shift honing. The carbon steel construction allows for a significantly finer edge than stainless alternatives, though it demands disciplined care to prevent oxidation. The 210mm length provides the necessary weight and surface area for clean, vertical push-cuts, ensuring the blade does not wander during heavy prep. Included is a custom-fit wood Saya to protect the high-carbon edge during storage or transport.   Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

Usuba is a one sided, hand forged, pure carbon vegetable knife. This Usuba provides for very clean, straight cuts and is used by sushi chefs to roll-cut cucumbers into very long thin sheets. This knife is ideal for cutting, chopping and mincing fruits and vegetables. Knife includes saya. Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

The Minonokuni Matsu 240mm Left-Handed Yanagiba is a traditional hand-forged Japanese slicer. This knife is made from pure carbon steel that is chisel ground to create the thinest possible edge. This blade is perfectly shaped to create the thinnest possible slices of fish, meat, poultry and produce. The 240mm lenght is a good choice for anyone who wants to ensure they have a long enough blade to complete every cut in one smooth motion, but is not so large that it is difficult to control. This knife includes ho wood saya for storage.  Please note that this model is intended for left-handed use, we also carry a right handed Matsu 240mm Yanagi.  Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

The Minonokuni Matsu 210mm Left Handed Yanagi is a traditional Blue Steel sushi knife. Shaped to create the thinest possible slices, this knife is an excellent choice for the preparation of sashimi and nigiri. It can also be used to fillet whole fish and to slice vegetables, meats or poultry. This is a one-sided, knife ground like an urasuki chisel that is biased for left-handed use. If you are right handed we also carry the right-handed version of this knife.  This knife comes with a traditional wooden saya for storage.  Learn more about Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More