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Minonokuni Knives
Authentic Japanese blades (hochoes) hand-forged using traditional Japanese methods of old-world craftsmanship; Minonokuni knives are part of a project designed to preserve and protect the master/apprentice relationship. Even as demand for Japanese knives has grown; the skilled masters are aging, and it has been difficult to keep apprentices. While the methods of construction mastered over the centuries have changed very little, the methods of bringing the pieces to market is dramatically different. Then Knife Merchant was asked to assist by bringing knives from various masters in different types of material to market, so that the craftsmen can concentrate on their work and keep the apprentice fully employed, without the burden of stopping production to make sales. Minonokuni is the name of a prefecture (state) that existed in the days of the Samurai. It encompassed a wide area including Seki-City and Sakai, which are the areas of Japan in which our craftsmen are making these blades. This is why we have chosen this as a brand name to represent these knives. You will find the quality to be far superior to comparable material types. When the knife maker has his name on the blade (instead of working for a company), there is greater pride and care taken in little details that make a great difference in final quality. Minonokuni knives are now available in a variety of grades to suit every need and price point.
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Minonokuni Take 180mm Left-Handed Deba
The Minonokuni "Take" Deba is the authentic, purpose-built tool for the left-handed chef dedicated to the art of fish butchery. This is not simply a handle swap; the blade is forged and ground with a true single-bevel on the left side, providing the correct geometry for clean, precise work. It completely eliminates the steering and binding that happens when a lefty is forced to use a right-handed Deba, allowing you to break down a whole fish with confidence and control. At the heart of the "Take" (Bamboo) series is the use of premium Shirogami #2 (White Paper #2) high-carbon steel. This pure steel is prized by professional chefs for its ability to take on an incredibly sharp edge, far exceeding that of standard stainless steels. This exceptional sharpness is crucial for a Deba, allowing you to make clean cuts through fish heads, collars, and bones with minimal effort and without damaging the delicate flesh. The 180mm size is a versatile powerhouse, perfect for a wide range of fish. As a traditional carbon steel knife, it requires proper care and will develop a beautiful patina over time. It must be washed and dried by hand immediately after use to prevent rust. This is the correct, high-performance tool for the left-handed user who refuses to compromise. Learn More -
Minonokuni Take 165mm Left-Handed Deba
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$295.00 -
Minonokuni Take 210mm Kama-Usuba
For the chef who moves beyond simple slicing into the realm of true culinary sculpture, the Minonokuni Take 210mm Kama-Usuba is the ultimate instrument. This is the Kansai-region evolution of the traditional Usuba, designed for a higher level of artistry. The defining feature is its kama, or sickle-shaped tip, which provides a delicate point for the most intricate tasks. This elegant curve allows for precise scoring, decorative carving (mukimono), and detailed peeling with the finesse of a paring knife, all without ever putting the main blade down. At the heart of this specialized tool is a blade of Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel), a steel celebrated by master chefs for its phenomenal sharpness and incredible edge retention. This premium material allows the long, flat portion of the 210mm blade to glide effortlessly through vegetables, creating whisper-thin sheets and perfect cuts with minimal cell damage. The generous length provides confident stability for board work, while the unique tip offers unparalleled agility. The Minonokuni Take Kama-Usuba is not just a knife; it is a declaration of skill and a tool for the uncompromising culinary artist. Learn More$245.00 -
Minonokuni Take 180mm Left-Handed Kama-Usuba
Designed to chop, slice and cut vegetables, the Minonokuni Take 180mm Left-Handed Kamagata Usuba is truly a work of art. Hand-forged in the methods originally developed for sword making, this is a traditional single sided Japanese knife. This model favors left handed users. At 180mm in length this blade is easy to maneuver and control. It offers enough length to be used when create thin vegetable sheets for sushi wrapping, but is small enough to quickly tap chop without fatigue. This is a White Steel Carbon Blade. It takes an extremely sharp edge, but is less delicate than Blue Steel alternatives that offer longer edge retention but are more brittle and require more aggressive abrasives when sharpening. This is an extremely functional knife for the working sushi chef. Learn More$265.00 -
Minonokuni Take 180mm Kama-Usuba
The Minonokuni Take 180mm Kama-Usuba is a traditional single-bevel Japanese vegetable knife crafted for precision and control. Designed with a distinctive sickle-shaped tip, this knife excels at detailed vegetable work, fine cuts, and intricate garnishes, while also performing beautifully for katsuramuki and thin peeling tasks. Forged by skilled artisans, the Take series features high-carbon steel that sharpens to a razor edge, ensuring clean, consistent cuts that preserve texture and freshness. The natural wood handle provides a comfortable, balanced grip, making it an ideal choice for professional chefs and dedicated home cooks who value traditional Japanese technique and superior craftsmanship. Learn More -
Minonokuni Take 210mm Usuba
Master the art of vegetable preparation with the Minonokuni Take 210mm Usuba, a traditional Japanese blade designed for ultimate precision. As the essential tool for any chef serious about their craft, the Usuba excels where other knives cannot. The defining feature is its traditional single-bevel grind and razor-sharp edge, allowing for unparalleled control when creating paper-thin sheets (katsuramuki), delicate garnishes, and precise cuts. The flat profile and substantial 210mm length provide the stability and surface area needed to work through vegetables cleanly and efficiently, without cracking or bruising them. Learn More$245.00 -
Minonokuni Take 180mm Left-Handed Usuba
For the discerning left-handed chef who accepts no compromises, the Minonokuni Take 180mm Left-Handed Usuba represents the pinnacle of vegetable preparation. This is a tool forged for the artist, where superior materials and meticulous craftsmanship converge to create an unparalleled culinary experience. The heart of this Usuba is its blade, expertly crafted from Aogami #2 steel, or Blue Paper Steel—one of the most revered high-carbon steels in Japanese cutlery. This premium steel provides an exquisitely sharp, long-lasting edge that glides through produce with breathtaking ease, preserving the integrity and flavor of every ingredient. Engineered specifically for the left-handed user, this Usuba eliminates all compromise. The true single-bevel grind ensures perfect, clean cuts that track true, allowing you to perform the most demanding techniques, from creating paper-thin katsuramuki sheets to executing intricate decorative work, with flawless precision and intuitive control. As part of the "Take" (Bamboo) collection, this knife signifies a higher level of performance and refinement. It is not just a tool for cutting; it is a statement of dedication to the culinary craft. Learn More -
Minonokuni Take 180mm Usuba
The Také 180mm Usuba is a vegetable knife used for making extremely precise cuts with clean lines. Hand-forged by master blacksmiths from Kasumi Shiro-ko carbon steel this knife will take an extremely sharp edge, but is forgiving enough to be used in a chopping motion where the entire blade makes contact with the board.
Learn more about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon steel knives. Learn More$195.00 -
Minonokuni Take 330mm Yanagi
This is not merely a knife; it is the pinnacle of the slicer's art, a tool reserved for the chef who commands the sushi bar. The Minonokuni Take 330mm Yanagi is an instrument of breathtaking scale and singular purpose: to achieve the perfect, uninterrupted slice. Its extraordinary length is its defining feature, allowing you to draw the blade through the largest fillets of tuna, salmon, or yellowtail in one single, continuous pull—the ichi-hiki. This exacting technique is the secret to sashimi that is glossy, pristine, and texturally perfect, preserving the delicate flesh without the slightest hint of friction or tearing. The soul of this master's blade is its core of Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel), a legendary high-carbon steel prized for its otherworldly sharpness and exceptional edge retention. This premium steel ensures the long, willow-leaf blade remains impeccably sharp through the most demanding service. As a flagship of the "Take" (Bamboo) collection, this Yanagi represents the highest standards of performance and material purity. To wield the 330mm Yanagi is to embrace the final word in precision, transforming the act of slicing fish into a mesmerizing, fluid, and masterful performance. Learn More$300.00 -
Minonokuni Take 300mm Yanagiba
Minonokuni Také 300 mm (11.8 in) Yanagi slicer. The Yanagi is a one sided, hand forged, pure carbon steel slicer. This knife is ideal for slicing meats and fish with precision. This larger 300mm Yanagiba is typically used by the very experienced chef and can be used to extract fillets from larger fish.
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