Knives

The Specialist’s Choice for Translucent Slicing The Kikuichi Kasumi 24cm Fuguhiki is not a general-purpose slicer; it is a precision instrument designed for the demanding requirements of fugu (pufferfish) preparation and ultra-delicate sashimi. Forged using the traditional Kasumi method—laminating high-carbon White #2 steel with a softer iron backing—this blade offers the professional chef a razor-sharp edge that is both easier to maintain and more resilient during long shifts behind the sushi bar. Specialized Geometry for Delicate Proteins While the Yanagiba is the workhorse of the sushi world, the Fuguhiki is its more refined, nimble cousin. The blade profile is significantly thinner and lighter, reducing the drag when executing the 'Usu-zukuri' technique. This thinness provides a subtle flexibility that allows the chef to feel the texture of the fish, ensuring perfectly even, paper-thin slices without tearing the muscle fibers. The single-bevel grind (Urasuki) creates a concave back that traps a microscopic pocket of air, preventing the fish from sticking to the blade during rapid service. Traditional Craftsmanship and Materials Every FK24 is fitted with a traditional Japanese Magnolia (Ho) wood handle, chosen for its lightweight feel and natural slip resistance when wet. The Buffalo horn ferrule ensures a secure, long-lasting fit for the tang. Included with this professional blade is a custom-fitted wooden Saya, essential for protecting the high-carbon edge and ensuring safety during transport in a knife roll. Learn More

Hand forged in Sakai, Japan, the Kikuichi White Steel 210mm Gyuto Kiritsuke combines traditional craftsmanship with exceptional cutting performance. Crafted by the renowned Kokajikai knife makers, this distinctive blade features a striking kiritsuke-style tip that offers enhanced precision for detailed slicing and push-cutting tasks while maintaining the versatility of a gyuto chef's knife. The three-layer carbon steel construction showcases a White #2 Carbon Steel core, prized by professional chefs and knife enthusiasts for its incredible sharpness, ease of sharpening, and outstanding edge retention. Forged and finished entirely by hand, each knife exhibits exceptional blade geometry that glides effortlessly through vegetables, proteins, and herbs. Complementing the blade is a traditional Japanese magnolia wood wa-handle fitted with a genuine water buffalo horn ferrule, providing a lightweight, well-balanced feel and comfortable control during extended prep sessions. Each knife is hand engraved with the iconic Kikuichi chrysanthemum logo and includes a fitted wooden saya for safe storage and transport. Blade Length: 210mm (8.25 in.)
Core Steel: White #2 Carbon Steel
Outer Layers: SK Carbon Steel
Construction: 3-Layer Hand Forged
Hardness: HRC 61-62
Bevel: Double Bevel (50:50)
Handle: Japanese Magnolia Wood Wa Handle with Water Buffalo Horn Ferrule
Includes: Wooden Saya Learn More

The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 165mm Deba is a traditional Japanese knife crafted for precise fish butchery and clean, confident cuts. Forged from White #2 steel (Shirogami/Shiro-Ko), this blade is celebrated for its exceptional purity, allowing it to take on an incredibly fine edge with ease—and keep it. The result is outstanding sharpness that highlights the finesse and delicacy central to Japanese cuisine. Designed in the classic Deba profile, the 165mm blade offers the perfect balance of control and power for breaking down fish, from filleting to cutting through small bones. Its thoughtful construction makes it approachable for both professionals and dedicated home cooks, combining traditional performance with user-friendly handling. Finished with a lightweight Paulownia (Empress) wood handle and a polished water buffalo horn ferrule, this knife delivers comfort, balance, and understated elegance. The Masahiro Shiro-Ko Deba is a refined tool built for cooks who value sharpness, tradition, and precision in every cut. Learn More

The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 240mm Yanagiba is a traditional Japanese slicing knife crafted for flawless, single-stroke cuts of raw fish and proteins. Forged from White #2 steel (Shirogami/Shiro-Ko), this high-purity carbon steel is renowned for achieving exceptional sharpness with ease, delivering the clean, precise cuts essential to sushi and sashimi preparation. With its long, slender 240mm Yanagiba blade, this knife is designed to glide effortlessly through fish in one smooth pull, preserving texture and appearance while minimizing cell damage. The result is beautifully clean slices that reflect the elegance and discipline of Japanese cuisine. A lightweight Paulownia (Empress) wood handle paired with a classic water buffalo horn ferrule provides excellent balance, comfort, and control during extended prep. Refined, responsive, and expertly crafted, the Masahiro Shiro-Ko Yanagiba is an essential tool for chefs and serious home cooks who demand precision, sharpness, and tradition in every slice. Learn More

Masahiro Shiro-Ko 165mm Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 165mm Usuba is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife for cooks who want precise, clean cuts that preserve the texture and appearance of produce. Its tall, thin blade and straight edge meet the board along their full length, so each push cut separates completely without leaving connected slices. The compact length suits home kitchens and smaller boards. Features White #2 carbon steel: Shiro-ko (White Paper #2) is a high-purity carbon steel that takes an exceptionally keen edge and sharpens quickly on waterstones. It is not stainless. Single-bevel edge: The bevel on the face and the flat back let the blade produce paper-thin slices and perform katsuramuki, the rotary peeling of daikon and cucumber into long, continuous sheets. Straight edge profile: The flat edge makes full contact with the board for clean push cuts, julienne and brunoise. Lightweight wa-handle: The paulownia wood handle is exceptionally light, which keeps the balance in the blade for fine, controlled work. Choosing an Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 180mm Usuba adds length for larger vegetables such as cabbage and daikon. For a Yellow Paper carbon steel alternative, see the Masahiro Traditional Carbon 180mm Usuba. Learn More

Masahiro Shiro-Ko 180mm Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 180mm Usuba is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife sized for professional prep and larger produce. The extra length handles whole cabbages, daikon and long cucumbers in full strokes, and the tall, thin blade separates each push cut cleanly from the next. Features White #2 carbon steel: Shiro-ko (White Paper #2) is a high-purity carbon steel that takes an exceptionally keen edge and sharpens quickly on waterstones. It is not stainless. Single-bevel urasuki grind: The bevel on the face and the slightly concave back reduce friction in dense vegetables and allow paper-thin slicing and katsuramuki, the rotary peeling of daikon into long, continuous sheets. Straight edge profile: The flat edge makes full contact with the board for clean push cuts, julienne and brunoise. Lightweight wa-handle: The paulownia wood handle is exceptionally light, which keeps the balance in the blade for fine, controlled work. Choosing an Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 165mm Usuba is easier to handle on smaller boards. For a Yellow Paper carbon steel alternative at this length, see the Masahiro Traditional Carbon 180mm Usuba. Learn More

The Také 165mm (6.5 inch) deba is especially well sized for processing fresh water fish and small to medium sized salt water species. It is also very well sized for processing poultry. Hand-forged Kasumi Shiro-ko White Paper #1 carbon steel takes an extremely fine edge that cleaves through flesh without tearing. Edge retention is moderately less than a blue steel, but considerably improved from yellow or SK5 steels, this blade is hard enough to hold a very fine edge, but less prone to chipping. Think of this as the goldilocks deba in terms of size and steel composition.  Wash and dry immediately after use to prevent rust. Learn more about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives.  Learn More

The Minonokuni Také 165mm Deba Left-Handed Deba is primarily used for breaking down whole fish and poultry. This knife features a thick, heavy blade that is used tp cleave fillets from the bone with ease. The 165 mm Deba has a fair amount of weight which is very helpful for tracing the spines on tuna and salmon. This particular model is made with White steel which is often considered the Goldilocks of Carbon steel (not too hard and not too soft). It takes a razor sharp edge and holds it very well, but is less prone to chipping that harder blue or stainless steels. In terms of size the 165mm blade offers versatility as it is long enough to use on large species of salt or fresh water fish, but not so large that it cannot be used on smaller game birds or fresh water species.  This is an all around great choice. This knife is designed for use in the left hand. We also carry a right handed model (available here). Learn More

Blade Width: 7 mm Blade Height: 55 mm Weight: 11.5 ounces Steel type: kasumi shiro-ko (white paper #2)(not stainless) The Deba (fat knife) is primarily used for breaking down whole fish and poultry. They are thick, heavy and very efficiently cleave fillets from the bone. The choice between 165 and 180mm sizes really comes down to comfort in controlling the knife and size of fish to be cut. Learn More