Blue #2 - Hitachi Aogami #2 - earns its place in professional kitchens through a combination of edge sharpness, retention, and toughness that makes it one of the most trusted carbon steels in the Japanese knife tradition. Katsuto Tanaka heat-treats it to 62-63 HRC at Tanaka Kama Kogyo in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture - a four-generation blacksmith shop whose roots trace back over 800 years. Stainless cladding protects the flanks while the carbon edge does the cutting work. CKTG carries the Matsubara line exclusively and Mark knows the Tanaka family personally.
Ming calls it the best gyuto he ever bought - loves the weight, balance, and size. Holds an edge for a long time, easy to sharpen, easy maintenance - almost a perfect knife. At 215mm blade length, 6.3 oz, 57mm height and 4mm spine. Five five-star reviews - one of the most consistently praised knives in the Blue #2 line. Even 50/50 double-bevel grind. CKTG exclusive US source for Matsubara. Free US shipping over $100.
What Customers Are Saying: Five five-star reviews. Ming calls it the best gyuto he ever bought - loves the weight, balance, and size. Holds an edge for a long time, easy to sharpen, easy maintenance. Almost a perfect knife. Multiple reviewers describe the 57mm blade height as one of the key advantages for large produce prep.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel - the stainless cladding protects the flanks but the exposed carbon edge will patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only, never dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #2 at 62-63 HRC sharpens easily and rewards good technique. Strop regularly between sharpenings.
Ming calls it the best gyuto he ever bought - loves the weight, balance, and size. Holds an edge for a long time, easy to sharpen, easy maintenance - almost a perfect knife. At 215mm blade length, 6.3 oz, 57mm height and 4mm spine. Five five-star reviews - one of the most consistently praised knives in the Blue #2 line. Even 50/50 double-bevel grind. CKTG exclusive US source for Matsubara. Free US shipping over $100.
What Customers Are Saying: Five five-star reviews. Ming calls it the best gyuto he ever bought - loves the weight, balance, and size. Holds an edge for a long time, easy to sharpen, easy maintenance. Almost a perfect knife. Multiple reviewers describe the 57mm blade height as one of the key advantages for large produce prep.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel - the stainless cladding protects the flanks but the exposed carbon edge will patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only, never dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #2 at 62-63 HRC sharpens easily and rewards good technique. Strop regularly between sharpenings.
- Blacksmith: Katsuto Tanaka
- Workshop: Tanaka Kama Kogyo
- Location: Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2) Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless
- HRC: 62-63
- Finish: Nashiji
- Edge Grind: Even 50/50 Double Bevel
- Handle: Walnut Octagonal
- Weight: 6.3 oz (180g)
- Blade Length: 215mm
- Total Length: 375mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 4mm
- Blade Height: 57mm
Reviews
5 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Great knife WAW! ChefPosted By: Raz - verified customer
14 people found this review helpful
First I must say chefknifetogo is by far the best place to order knife from Mark was amazing the patience for my questions the caring he had was something rare to c those days you can say that those guys do it out of love out of caring for the customer and I want to say thank you for that...the knife is amazing I asked for sharping and it came super sharp this knife can hold an edge it's amazing beautiful the holding of the knife is extremely comftible have no bad word to say about it just pure fun...I know that from now I'll get my knifes only from you guys many thanks
14 people found this review helpful
First I must say chefknifetogo is by far the best place to order knife from Mark was amazing the patience for my questions the caring he had was something rare to c those days you can say that those guys do it out of love out of caring for the customer and I want to say thank you for that...the knife is amazing I asked for sharping and it came super sharp this knife can hold an edge it's amazing beautiful the holding of the knife is extremely comftible have no bad word to say about it just pure fun...I know that from now I'll get my knifes only from you guys many thanks
Just wanted to reiteratePosted By: Frank stevens - verified customer
15 people found this review helpful
This knife is amazing. Its been months since I bought it, and its been the easiest kitchen work I've done. I've only had to use a stone 3 times. With the amount of work i put it through, that is great. I'm just about to sharpen it and was just thinking of how great it is and wanted to put a second review on it. I hope the crafter Katsuto Tanaka sees this and knows how great of a job he did. I love this knife. I hope to have the money soon to buy a second of his knives, maybe a different style. I'm sure it would be just as amazing.
15 people found this review helpful
This knife is amazing. Its been months since I bought it, and its been the easiest kitchen work I've done. I've only had to use a stone 3 times. With the amount of work i put it through, that is great. I'm just about to sharpen it and was just thinking of how great it is and wanted to put a second review on it. I hope the crafter Katsuto Tanaka sees this and knows how great of a job he did. I love this knife. I hope to have the money soon to buy a second of his knives, maybe a different style. I'm sure it would be just as amazing.
AwesomePosted By: Frank Stevens - verified customer
14 people found this review helpful
The knife came in super sharp, and ready to go. Ive had it for about 2 weeks and it has done everything I've asked of it. I work in a high volume/high prep kitchen. We make everything from scratch. I've been working 60-70 hours a week with it, these past couple weeks. Ive finally gotten to the point where I need to put it to a stone. Every other knife I have used goes dull within a week in my kitchen, if not less. I'm very proud of the craftsmanship in this knife, and its durability. I absolutely love this knife, and my co-worker that showed me this site is jealous of the knife's look,feel, and ability. 100%recommend this knife for any person of culinary pursuasion. Would stay sharp with only home cooking for well over 2 months without needing touch ups.
14 people found this review helpful
The knife came in super sharp, and ready to go. Ive had it for about 2 weeks and it has done everything I've asked of it. I work in a high volume/high prep kitchen. We make everything from scratch. I've been working 60-70 hours a week with it, these past couple weeks. Ive finally gotten to the point where I need to put it to a stone. Every other knife I have used goes dull within a week in my kitchen, if not less. I'm very proud of the craftsmanship in this knife, and its durability. I absolutely love this knife, and my co-worker that showed me this site is jealous of the knife's look,feel, and ability. 100%recommend this knife for any person of culinary pursuasion. Would stay sharp with only home cooking for well over 2 months without needing touch ups.
