The nakiri is purpose built for vegetables, and pairing it with Blue #1 steel makes a strong argument for serious vegetable prep in a professional or ambitious home kitchen. Aogami #1 takes a keener edge than most carbon steels and holds it well, which translates directly into cleaner, more effortless cuts through dense produce over extended sessions.
Michikuni Tokaji forges this nakiri in Tosa, Japan, in a san mai construction with Aogami #1 at 61 HRC wrapped in soft iron cladding and finished in kurouchi. At 165mm blade length and 49mm tall it has plenty of knuckle clearance, and the flat edge and squared tip encourage efficient push cutting through a full range of produce. The octagonal oak handle with burnt urushi finish is a refined touch on an otherwise rustic knife.
Care Instructions: Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
Michikuni Tokaji forges this nakiri in Tosa, Japan, in a san mai construction with Aogami #1 at 61 HRC wrapped in soft iron cladding and finished in kurouchi. At 165mm blade length and 49mm tall it has plenty of knuckle clearance, and the flat edge and squared tip encourage efficient push cutting through a full range of produce. The octagonal oak handle with burnt urushi finish is a refined touch on an otherwise rustic knife.
Care Instructions: Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
- Brand: Karaku
- Blacksmith: Michikuni Tokaji
- Location: Tosa, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Aogami #1 (Blue #1) Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- HRC: 61
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Photo)
- Engraving: Stamped on Both Sides
- Handle: Octagonal Oak with Burnt Urushi Finish
- Weight: 5.7 oz (162 g)
- Blade Length: 165 mm
- Total Length: 317 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 49 mm
