Minonokuni Take 13-inch (330mm) Yanagi

The 330mm is the longest yanagi Minonokuni makes in the Take line. It is a specialist’s knife for large fish, such as whole loins of tuna and wide sides of salmon, where even a 300mm blade would need a second stroke to finish the slice.

The length gives a long, slow stroke, and the cook controls the thickness of each slice through the angle of the blade. On a board of ordinary depth, it can be unwieldy, so we suggest it for a sushi counter or a kitchen that slices large fish daily.


Why Take

The Take line uses white steel. It is good enough for professional use and less brittle than blue steel, and on a blade this long, a little extra tolerance in the edge is worth having. White steel also returns to a keen edge quickly on a waterstone, which shortens the time spent maintaining a long single bevel.

For a more manageable length, see the Take 300mm yanagiba or the Take 240mm yanagiba. The knife shapes guide covers the yanagi and other slicers.

As with every Take knife, the blade is forged and finished by hand, and minor marks from that work are a normal part of the knife.

SKU: Take-1562

Availability: In stock

$300.00
  • Details

    Specifications

    • Series: Minonokuni Take
    • Shape: Yanagiba (single-bevel sushi and sashimi slicer)
    • Blade length: 330mm (13 inches)
    • Steel: Shirogami #2 (White #2) carbon steel, kasumi construction; not stainless
    • Hardness: 60-62 HRC
    • Grind: Single bevel with an urasuki (hollow-ground) back, ground for right-handed use
    • Handle: Oval (D-shaped) oiled ho (Japanese magnolia) wood with a buffalo horn ferrule
    • Item number: Take-1562
    • Made in: Japan

    Take Yanagiba Sizes

    KnifeBladeHandSuited to
    Take 8.3-inch (210mm) Yanagiba210mm (8.3 in.)RightHome boards, small sushi stations
    Take 8.3-inch (210mm) Left-Handed Yanagi210mm (8.3 in.)LeftHome boards, small sushi stations
    Take 9.4-inch (240mm) Yanagiba240mm (9.4 in.)RightStandard sushi counter length
    Take 9.4-inch (240mm) Left-Handed Yanagi240mm (9.4 in.)LeftStandard sushi counter length
    Take 10.6-inch (270mm) Yanagiba270mm (10.6 in.)RightWide blocks of fish, volume slicing
    Take 10.6-inch (270mm) Left-Handed Yanagi270mm (10.6 in.)LeftWide blocks of fish, volume slicing
    Take 11.8-inch (300mm) Yanagiba300mm (11.8 in.)RightLarge blocks, long single strokes
    Take 13-inch (330mm) Yanagi330mm (13 in.)RightWhole tuna loins, wide salmon sides

    Matsu, Take and Ume Compared

    LineSteelHardnessBest for
    MatsuAogami #2 (blue)63-65 HRCExperienced single-bevel users; longest edge retention, most delicate
    TakeShirogami #2 (white)60-62 HRCThe sweet spot; professional use, less brittle than blue
    UmeSK-4 (yellow)58-60 HRCNovices; most forgiving and the best for learning to sharpen

    About a Hand-Forged Knife

    Take knives are forged by hand, so no two are identical. Small hammer marks, uneven shading in the kasumi finish and minor variation in the bevel line are normal results of handwork rather than defects, and they have no effect on the edge.


    Before First Use

    Wash and dry the blade before slicing any fish. The knife arrives sharp, but a yanagiba reaches its best after the edge is refined on a fine finishing stone.


    Tips for Best Results

    • Slice with one long pull from heel to tip; avoid sawing or pressing down.
    • Wipe the blade between slices so fish does not dry on the steel.
    • Never cut through bone or frozen fish with a yanagiba.
    • Sharpen the bevel side on waterstones and flatten the burr with light strokes on the back only.

    Care

    • Wash by hand and dry right away. Keep the knife out of the dishwasher and out of standing water.
    • This is a reactive carbon steel. It will darken with use and form a patina, and it will rust if left wet.
    • Before storing it for a while, wipe on a light coat of camellia oil.
    • See our guide to the care and maintenance of carbon steel for more detail.

    Additional Info

    Blade Length (Inches) 13 in.
    Blade Length (mm) 330 mm
    Blade Width (inches) No
    Grind Urasuki Chisel
    Steel Type White #2 Carbon Steel
    Rockwell Hardness 60-62
    Stainless No
    Handle Material Oiled Japanese Magnolia (Ho) Wood with a Buffalo Horn Ferrule
    Spine Thickness (mm) No
    Brand Minonokuni
    Country of Manufacture Japan
    SKU Take-1562
    Manufacturer's Part Number 1562
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $380.00

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