Skip to product information
Japanese vegetable prep knife with damascus-style blade and ebony handle
1/8
Slide 1 of 8

Yoshihiro Suminagashi Blue #1 High Carbon Steel Edo Usuba Japanese vegetable Prep Chopping Chef Knife Ebony wood Handle

SKU:

ASMUSED195EH
$899.99
Sale price  $899.99 Regular price 
Blade Length

High-Carbon Care

This item is made from high-carbon steel. It offers excellent sharpness but can rust or develop a patina if not kept dry and properly maintained.

64 HRC
No
Free Magnolia Saya Cover Included

Blade Hardness

HRC (Rockwell Hardness) measures how hard the blade's steel is. Kitchen knife steel typically falls in the high-50s to mid-60s on this scale. Harder steel is built to hold a fine edge over long use, while softer steel favors flexibility and easy resharpening. The right HRC depends on the steel and design, not a single higher-is-better number.

Stain Resistant

This steel is not stain resistant. High-carbon steel can rust or develop a patina if not kept dry and cared for, in exchange for the sharper edge it holds.

Saya Cover

This knife comes with its saya cover included at no additional cost, shaped to its exact blade for the same custom fit customers pay extra for on other knives.

Full Specifications

Blade

Knife Type
Usuba (Vegetable Knife)
Primary Use
Vegetable cutting
Blade Metal
Blue Steel #1
Grade
Suminagashi
Construction
Multi-Layer Damascus (Suminagashi)
Blade Hardness
64 HRC
Blade Edge Type
Single Bevel
Blade Finish
Plain
Stain Resistant
No

Handle

Handle Material
Ebony
Handle Shape
Octagonal
Bolster Material
Water Buffalo Horn (Color Varies)
Tang Type
Partial Tang
Product Details

Suminagashi translates as "floating ink," describing the stunning marbled, wave-like patterns that extend across the blade from tip to heel. These intricate designs reveal a new mosaic with every sharpening, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship involved in creating such complex formations. Only the most skilled artisans can forge these metals together to fashion knives of the highest caliber, blending both aesthetics and performance.

Our handmade Yoshihiro Blue High Carbon Steel Suminagashi knives are crafted with extraordinary skill by our master artisans. These knives exemplify the most intricate techniques of forging, layering, and hammering. The Aoko Blue Steel #1, with a hardness of 64 on the Rockwell scale, is forged with iron to create an elaborate, functional finish. The distinctive Suminagashi pattern, with its wave-like design, extends through the blade, creating a visually stunning knife that maintains peak performance.

The Yoshihiro Blue High Carbon Steel Suminagashi knives are complemented by a traditional Japanese-style handcrafted Ebony wood handle, affixed with a Water Buffalo horn bolster. A Saya, a protective wooden sheath, is included to protect the blade and enhance its appearance when not in use.

One of the most sought-after knives in the Japanese kitchen, and a fast-growing essential companion to the chef's knife, is the traditional Edo Usuba. Resembling a small cleaver, the Edo Usuba has a blunt tip, making it ideal for tasks like cutting the eye out of a potato. This knife is cherished for its ability to chop through root vegetables and slice delicate tomatoes with precision. From prepping greens for a salad to chopping vegetables for a main dish, the simplest tasks are elevated with a handcrafted knife that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Care & Origin
Country of Origin
Japan
Care Instructions
Hand wash only.
Dry immediately.
Avoid the dishwasher.
Sharpening Method
Sharpen by hand using whetstones. Do not use honing rods.

Related items