New Old Stock Yoshikane 240mm Gyuto SKD Tsuchime Ho & Horn Handle (D-Shape)

Old stock from a collection purchased at Bernal Cutlery between 2013 and 2017 and are in unused condition with original handle and box and are a throwback to older production. Yoshikane's old stainless clad SKD has the nicest looking tuschime hammer-marked finish in my opinion and the forging and grinding was and remains top shelf.

SKD steel is a nearly stainless carbon steel with approx 11-12% chromium content (13% and the chromium is able to bond with itself forming a stain resistant film) it is sometimes referred to as 'semi stainless' as it rusts slowly and has low reactivity with flavors.

Hardened to 64 HRC, these knives hold a keen edge for a long time, owing to their excellent heat treatment and despite this hardness they have a good degree of toughness and are very easy to sharpen. Being ground with a wide, kiriba primary bevel, they also allow for easy thinning down the road, especially as Yoshikane kireba grinds are especially flat.

The core of this knife is 'semi-stainless' and has a certain degree of rust resistance, but as it is not completely stainless, it should be dried immediately after use. The core will develop a patina with use, but any orange rust should be removed with a light abrasive.

Yoshikane is headed by Kazuomi Yamamoto the fourth generation to operate this family run forging and grinding operation in Sanjo, Niigata which has been making kitchen knives since 1919. They deserve their good reputation for excellent forging and heat treatments, which make for easy sharpening and great edge life for both single and double bevel knives. This is especially true about the thin grinds provided on their double bevel knives. For middleweight Japanese knives, they cut like a much thinner blade.