- Knife Brands
Knife Brands- Anryu Hamono
- Artifex
- CCK Cleavers
- Chopper King
- Daovua Knives
- Doberman Forge
- Doi Knives
- Enami Knives
- Enjin Knives
- Gihei Knives
- Harukaze Knives
- Hatsukokoro Knives
- Hinokuni Knives
- Ishikawa Knives
- Kamo, (Katsuyasu)
- Kamo, (Shiro)
- Kanehide Knives
- Kanjo Knives
- Karaku Knives
- Katayama Knives
- Kato (Yoshimi)
- Kikuichi Knives
- Kikumori Hamono
- Kitaoka Knives
- Kobayashi Knives
- Kohetsu Knives
- Konosuke Knives
- Kotetsu Knives
- Kurosaki Knives
- Kurotori Knives
- MAC Knives
- Makoto Knives
- Masakage Knives
- Masamoto Knives
- Masui Knives
- Masutani Knives
- Matsubara Knives
- Mikisyo Hamono
- Misuzu Knives
- Myojin Knives
- Knife Types
- Accessories
Accessories
- Add On Items
- Blade Guards
- Carbon Steel Post & Pans
- Chef Equipment
- Chopsticks
- CKTG Close Outs
- Cutting Boards
- Higo Folders, Hunters
- Gift Ideas
- Hand Held Sharpeners
- Kitchen Tools
- Kitchen Shears
- Knife Bags
- Knife Sharpeners
- Knife Sharpening Service
- Knife Storage
- Magnifiers
- Peelers & Graters
- Sayas
- Sharpening Accessories
- Sharpening Steels
- Sharpening Stones
- Spatulas
- Spoons
- Stickers
- Strops
- Swag
- Tenugui Towels
- Shop All
- Shop by Steel
- Suppliers
- New Arrivals
- Resources
- forum
Masakage is a collective of knife makers whose goal is to produce beautiful and functional examples of handmade Japanese cutlery. This 210mm gyuto from Masakage’s Mizu line is made by Takefu Village blacksmith Katsushige Anryu, a craftsman with over 50 years of knife making experience. The knife is clad construction with Aogami #2 steel hardened to 62-64 HRC in the core wrapped in a reactive cladding and wearing in a refined deep blue/black kurouchi finish. As both Aogami #2 and the cladding layer are reactive, the knife will patina with normal use and may rust if abused. The handle is oval in shape and made of Japanese cherry wood with a resin ferrule. Fit and finish are very good.
Brand: Masakage
Line: Mizu
Blacksmith: Anryu
Location: Echizen, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Cladding: Iron
Edge Steel: Blue #2
Finish: Kurouchi
Weight: 5.8 ounces
Blade Length: 217 mm
Overall Length: 359 mm
Thickness at Heel: 3.8 mm
Blade Height: 46.4 mm
Reviews
24 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Great knife!, March 12, 2020 First Japanese gyuto, first purchase on CKTG, March 7, 2020Posted By: Sean - verified customer
Great knife with amazing sharpness out of the box that's very aesthetically pleasing. Makes veggie and meat prep a breeze (haven't used to debone a chicken). Highly recommend and look forward to purchasing another knife from Masakage and CKTG
Great knife with amazing sharpness out of the box that's very aesthetically pleasing. Makes veggie and meat prep a breeze (haven't used to debone a chicken). Highly recommend and look forward to purchasing another knife from Masakage and CKTG
I've had it for a few years now, November 14, 2019Posted By: cw
I use it every day in the kitchen at home. It is my main knife. I have been getting better at sharpening it and now I can get it razor sharp about every third time. I sharpen it about once a month and use a ceramic rod here and there in between. So... gets sharp, stays sharp, even if you're not that great at sharpening. Plus it is very comfortable to use. It has fit very naturally to my hand. It did come very, very sharp from the box and the blue finish was beautiful. That has all rubbed off, but I'm fine with that. I am not a collector. it also is very reactive, so rinse and wipe it off. If you forget, a little vinegar and a green scratchy pad will remove any staining. So.... really good knife, really good price.
I use it every day in the kitchen at home. It is my main knife. I have been getting better at sharpening it and now I can get it razor sharp about every third time. I sharpen it about once a month and use a ceramic rod here and there in between. So... gets sharp, stays sharp, even if you're not that great at sharpening. Plus it is very comfortable to use. It has fit very naturally to my hand. It did come very, very sharp from the box and the blue finish was beautiful. That has all rubbed off, but I'm fine with that. I am not a collector. it also is very reactive, so rinse and wipe it off. If you forget, a little vinegar and a green scratchy pad will remove any staining. So.... really good knife, really good price.
Very nice , June 12, 2019 Superb steel, April 23, 2019Posted By: Nick - verified customer
The star of the show here is the steel...Came screaming sharp out of the box and it only takes a few strokes on my ceramic rod or a high grit stone to get it back to that level. You can cut just about anything to translucent-thin. I've been using it on the line with no issues with discoloration so far, though I've been good about wiping it down. Not the biggest fan of the handle/ferrule for a few reasons, but for the price I've ignored that in my rating. The finish on the handle is kind of slick so if your hands are at all oily it's a problem, and it doesn't line up perfectly with the ferrule. Still, I use a pinch grip and that hasn't really been an issue. Awesome blade.
The star of the show here is the steel...Came screaming sharp out of the box and it only takes a few strokes on my ceramic rod or a high grit stone to get it back to that level. You can cut just about anything to translucent-thin. I've been using it on the line with no issues with discoloration so far, though I've been good about wiping it down. Not the biggest fan of the handle/ferrule for a few reasons, but for the price I've ignored that in my rating. The finish on the handle is kind of slick so if your hands are at all oily it's a problem, and it doesn't line up perfectly with the ferrule. Still, I use a pinch grip and that hasn't really been an issue. Awesome blade.
Very happy with this purchase, October 1, 2018 Lovely, January 7, 2018 Lovely, January 7, 2018 Excellent no frills gyuto, May 6, 2017 Excellent no frills gyuto, May 6, 2017
close but finish is quite lacking on mine - unfortunate, March 12, 2017Posted By: Kevin Rosinbum - verified customer
I'd like to give it 3.5 with room to grow to 4 but I'm going to round down for the time being I'm afraid. Overall, this gyuto cuts very well. It takes and edge easily and holds it decently. For the most part I only strop and rarely if ever steel it in the kitchen. It doesn't quite release as well as I'd hoped but it isn't bad. I love the handling of it and weight is light but with some heft to it, balanced just slightly forward. My main gripe however is truly in the KU finish of the knife - while I purchased this to be a working knife no doubt, I went with this knife for the love Mizu deep water blue finish shown on the videos and all the photos, as well as photos of even other copies of this line (made by KatsushigeAnryu) found on another seller's inventory pages. On my copy (not unlike the previous review perhaps) that lovely mizu finish it only found at the very back corner of the blade right above the choil before it enters handle, and the transition is quite abrupt, rather than the smooth lovely looking work of the shown samples. The lacquer finish as was also mentioned is applied rather poorly as well with drip marks in a couple places. Truly this doesn't detract from the usefulness of the knife, but we all like to admire the craftsmanship and finish of our knives, and this one simply didn't live up to the other examples of the Masakage Mizu line shown.
I'd like to give it 3.5 with room to grow to 4 but I'm going to round down for the time being I'm afraid. Overall, this gyuto cuts very well. It takes and edge easily and holds it decently. For the most part I only strop and rarely if ever steel it in the kitchen. It doesn't quite release as well as I'd hoped but it isn't bad. I love the handling of it and weight is light but with some heft to it, balanced just slightly forward. My main gripe however is truly in the KU finish of the knife - while I purchased this to be a working knife no doubt, I went with this knife for the love Mizu deep water blue finish shown on the videos and all the photos, as well as photos of even other copies of this line (made by KatsushigeAnryu) found on another seller's inventory pages. On my copy (not unlike the previous review perhaps) that lovely mizu finish it only found at the very back corner of the blade right above the choil before it enters handle, and the transition is quite abrupt, rather than the smooth lovely looking work of the shown samples. The lacquer finish as was also mentioned is applied rather poorly as well with drip marks in a couple places. Truly this doesn't detract from the usefulness of the knife, but we all like to admire the craftsmanship and finish of our knives, and this one simply didn't live up to the other examples of the Masakage Mizu line shown.
close but finish is quite lacking on mine - unfortunate, March 12, 2017Posted By: Kevin Rosinbum - verified customer
I'd like to give it 3.5 with room to grow to 4 but I'm going to round down for the time being I'm afraid. Overall, this gyuto cuts very well. It takes and edge easily and holds it decently. For the most part I only strop and rarely if ever steel it in the kitchen. It doesn't quite release as well as I'd hoped but it isn't bad. I love the handling of it and weight is light but with some heft to it, balanced just slightly forward. My main gripe however is truly in the KU finish of the knife - while I purchased this to be a working knife no doubt, I went with this knife for the love Mizu deep water blue finish shown on the videos and all the photos, as well as photos of even other copies of this line (made by KatsushigeAnryu) found on another seller's inventory pages. On my copy (not unlike the previous review perhaps) that lovely mizu finish it only found at the very back corner of the blade right above the choil before it enters handle, and the transition is quite abrupt, rather than the smooth lovely looking work of the shown samples. The lacquer finish as was also mentioned is applied rather poorly as well with drip marks in a couple places. Truly this doesn't detract from the usefulness of the knife, but we all like to admire the craftsmanship and finish of our knives, and this one simply didn't live up to the other examples of the Masakage Mizu line shown.
I'd like to give it 3.5 with room to grow to 4 but I'm going to round down for the time being I'm afraid. Overall, this gyuto cuts very well. It takes and edge easily and holds it decently. For the most part I only strop and rarely if ever steel it in the kitchen. It doesn't quite release as well as I'd hoped but it isn't bad. I love the handling of it and weight is light but with some heft to it, balanced just slightly forward. My main gripe however is truly in the KU finish of the knife - while I purchased this to be a working knife no doubt, I went with this knife for the love Mizu deep water blue finish shown on the videos and all the photos, as well as photos of even other copies of this line (made by KatsushigeAnryu) found on another seller's inventory pages. On my copy (not unlike the previous review perhaps) that lovely mizu finish it only found at the very back corner of the blade right above the choil before it enters handle, and the transition is quite abrupt, rather than the smooth lovely looking work of the shown samples. The lacquer finish as was also mentioned is applied rather poorly as well with drip marks in a couple places. Truly this doesn't detract from the usefulness of the knife, but we all like to admire the craftsmanship and finish of our knives, and this one simply didn't live up to the other examples of the Masakage Mizu line shown.
Good, but not consistent. , January 24, 2017Posted By: Euclides Netto - verified customer
Good knife but not very consistent for Masakage standards. I bought 2 knives from this line, one came very well finished and sharp, Masakage are known for they sharpness and excellent grinds, but the second one came pretty dull on the tip area and the resin as poorly applied. Needed some work on the edge, nothing huge, expected on this line. Still a very good knife for this price, would buy again for sure.
Good knife but not very consistent for Masakage standards. I bought 2 knives from this line, one came very well finished and sharp, Masakage are known for they sharpness and excellent grinds, but the second one came pretty dull on the tip area and the resin as poorly applied. Needed some work on the edge, nothing huge, expected on this line. Still a very good knife for this price, would buy again for sure.
Good, but not consistent. , January 24, 2017Posted By: Euclides Netto - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
Good knife but not very consistent for Masakage standards. I bought 2 knives from this line, one came very well finished and sharp, Masakage are known for they sharpness and excellent grinds, but the second one came pretty dull on the tip area and the resin as poorly applied. Needed some work on the edge, nothing huge, expected on this line. Still a very good knife for this price, would buy again for sure.
1 people found this review helpful
Good knife but not very consistent for Masakage standards. I bought 2 knives from this line, one came very well finished and sharp, Masakage are known for they sharpness and excellent grinds, but the second one came pretty dull on the tip area and the resin as poorly applied. Needed some work on the edge, nothing huge, expected on this line. Still a very good knife for this price, would buy again for sure.
Excellent knife, November 28, 2016 Excellent knife, November 28, 2016 Great knife buy one, July 28, 2016Posted By: Joshua Hedquist - verified customer
I got this knife around fathers day and have put it threw its paces. This blade makes prep work and other tasks a breeze. I have cleaned fish and cut up whole ribeyes with out a problem. The finish helps keepthe rust at bay but just rember to wipe it when your done useing it to keep it looking good. I love tjis nice feels good in the hand and is perfect for a pinch grip. I highly recomend getting one to any one.
I got this knife around fathers day and have put it threw its paces. This blade makes prep work and other tasks a breeze. I have cleaned fish and cut up whole ribeyes with out a problem. The finish helps keepthe rust at bay but just rember to wipe it when your done useing it to keep it looking good. I love tjis nice feels good in the hand and is perfect for a pinch grip. I highly recomend getting one to any one.
Great knife buy one, July 28, 2016Posted By: Joshua Hedquist - verified customer
I got this knife around fathers day and have put it threw its paces. This blade makes prep work and other tasks a breeze. I have cleaned fish and cut up whole ribeyes with out a problem. The finish helps keepthe rust at bay but just rember to wipe it when your done useing it to keep it looking good. I love tjis nice feels good in the hand and is perfect for a pinch grip. I highly recomend getting one to any one.
I got this knife around fathers day and have put it threw its paces. This blade makes prep work and other tasks a breeze. I have cleaned fish and cut up whole ribeyes with out a problem. The finish helps keepthe rust at bay but just rember to wipe it when your done useing it to keep it looking good. I love tjis nice feels good in the hand and is perfect for a pinch grip. I highly recomend getting one to any one.
most incredible ever!!!, July 8, 2016Posted By: Joshua Cooper - verified customer
This was the first knife I bought from CKTG. It is beyond anything I could have imagined. The FF is near perfect. This knife was bought for my bride, she loves it. She told me that she had some doubts that it would just be a really good knife, but she now has a different opinion. She text me one day saying that she was sad that she didn't have more prep work to cut. She actually want to cut more produce. She says the knife falls through produce. The rustic look of the knife is beautiful. It was super shape out of the box, and hones really well. The handle is also wonderful. All in all, the knife is nearly perfect.
This was the first knife I bought from CKTG. It is beyond anything I could have imagined. The FF is near perfect. This knife was bought for my bride, she loves it. She told me that she had some doubts that it would just be a really good knife, but she now has a different opinion. She text me one day saying that she was sad that she didn't have more prep work to cut. She actually want to cut more produce. She says the knife falls through produce. The rustic look of the knife is beautiful. It was super shape out of the box, and hones really well. The handle is also wonderful. All in all, the knife is nearly perfect.
most incredible ever!!!, July 8, 2016Posted By: Joshua Cooper - verified customer
This was the first knife I bought from CKTG. It is beyond anything I could have imagined. The FF is near perfect. This knife was bought for my bride, she loves it. She told me that she had some doubts that it would just be a really good knife, but she now has a different opinion. She text me one day saying that she was sad that she didn't have more prep work to cut. She actually want to cut more produce. She says the knife falls through produce. The rustic look of the knife is beautiful. It was super shape out of the box, and hones really well. The handle is also wonderful. All in all, the knife is nearly perfect.
This was the first knife I bought from CKTG. It is beyond anything I could have imagined. The FF is near perfect. This knife was bought for my bride, she loves it. She told me that she had some doubts that it would just be a really good knife, but she now has a different opinion. She text me one day saying that she was sad that she didn't have more prep work to cut. She actually want to cut more produce. She says the knife falls through produce. The rustic look of the knife is beautiful. It was super shape out of the box, and hones really well. The handle is also wonderful. All in all, the knife is nearly perfect.
Lacking in fit and finish, January 23, 2015Posted By: Tom J. - verified customer
The knife was very sharp out of the box and performs well, but the fit and finish are not nearly as good as shown in the picture or video. There is a sharp ridge where the ferrule meets the wood of the handle, and several places where the kurouchi finish was scraped away during grinding. The lacquer coating on the blade is quite thick and has several runs that add a lot of thickness to the blade. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful knife in the picture and video, but receive one that is rather sloppy.
The knife was very sharp out of the box and performs well, but the fit and finish are not nearly as good as shown in the picture or video. There is a sharp ridge where the ferrule meets the wood of the handle, and several places where the kurouchi finish was scraped away during grinding. The lacquer coating on the blade is quite thick and has several runs that add a lot of thickness to the blade. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful knife in the picture and video, but receive one that is rather sloppy.
Lacking in fit and finish, January 23, 2015Posted By: Tom J. - verified customer
The knife was very sharp out of the box and performs well, but the fit and finish are not nearly as good as shown in the picture or video. There is a sharp ridge where the ferrule meets the wood of the handle, and several places where the kurouchi finish was scraped away during grinding. The lacquer coating on the blade is quite thick and has several runs that add a lot of thickness to the blade. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful knife in the picture and video, but receive one that is rather sloppy.
The knife was very sharp out of the box and performs well, but the fit and finish are not nearly as good as shown in the picture or video. There is a sharp ridge where the ferrule meets the wood of the handle, and several places where the kurouchi finish was scraped away during grinding. The lacquer coating on the blade is quite thick and has several runs that add a lot of thickness to the blade. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful knife in the picture and video, but receive one that is rather sloppy.
Product Review, August 30, 2013
