The Shimo line name comes from the Japanese word for frost, and every knife in this series earns it: the soft iron Damascus cladding on Yu Kurosaki blades is hammer-finished to produce patterns that closely resemble frost formations on winter glass. No two blades are identical. Behind that distinctive surface sits Shirogami (white paper steel) #2 - one of the purest carbon steels used in Japanese kitchen knives, capable of a very acute edge that sharpens quickly on quality water stones. Kurosaki is among the most respected blacksmiths working in Echizen today, and the Shimo line reflects both his technical precision and his ability to make something genuinely beautiful.
The santoku - three virtues, named for meat, fish, and vegetables - suits Kurosaki grind philosophy well. The convex cross-section he uses on all his knives is ultra-thin behind the edge, blending into a generous convex section through the mid-blade: not a laser, but a blade that moves through soft and dense produce alike without wedging. At 171mm blade length and 46mm height, this is a light and nimble knife at 4.3 oz with a flat heel section transitioning to a gentle belly - suited to push-cutting, comfortable in a pinch grip. 3mm spine at the heel. Maple octagonal handle with black pakka ferrule. Hand engraved. One important detail: both the White #2 core and the iron cladding are reactive - the entire blade requires wiping and drying during and after every use.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer bought with the CKTG finish sharpening service and describes the result as exceptionally well done. Fit between handle and blade is noted as excellent with no gaps. Balance favors a pinch grip and the knife is described as extremely light and controllable. The verdict: would buy other knives in the Shimo line without hesitation.
Care Instructions: Shirogami (white paper steel) #2 core and iron cladding are both highly reactive - more reactive than most knives on the site. Wipe and dry during and after every use. Avoid acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones.
The santoku - three virtues, named for meat, fish, and vegetables - suits Kurosaki grind philosophy well. The convex cross-section he uses on all his knives is ultra-thin behind the edge, blending into a generous convex section through the mid-blade: not a laser, but a blade that moves through soft and dense produce alike without wedging. At 171mm blade length and 46mm height, this is a light and nimble knife at 4.3 oz with a flat heel section transitioning to a gentle belly - suited to push-cutting, comfortable in a pinch grip. 3mm spine at the heel. Maple octagonal handle with black pakka ferrule. Hand engraved. One important detail: both the White #2 core and the iron cladding are reactive - the entire blade requires wiping and drying during and after every use.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer bought with the CKTG finish sharpening service and describes the result as exceptionally well done. Fit between handle and blade is noted as excellent with no gaps. Balance favors a pinch grip and the knife is described as extremely light and controllable. The verdict: would buy other knives in the Shimo line without hesitation.
Care Instructions: Shirogami (white paper steel) #2 core and iron cladding are both highly reactive - more reactive than most knives on the site. Wipe and dry during and after every use. Avoid acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones.
- Brand: Masakage
- Line: Shimo
- Blacksmith: Yu Kurosaki
- Location: Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Shirogami (White Paper Steel) #2
- Cladding: Reactive Iron Damascus
- Finish: Hammered Frost Pattern
- HRC: 62
- Edge Grind: Even Convex
- Engraving: Hand Engraved
- Handle: Maple Octagonal
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 4.3 oz (122 g)
- Blade Length: 171mm
- Total Length: 315mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) AmazingPosted By: Ben
8 people found this review helpful
This knife was put together extremely well. Handle was mated nicely with the blade and no gaps in the handle. Balance works more towards a pinch grip and is extremely light and controllable. I am not sure about the out of the box blade sharpness since I purchased mine with a CKTG finish sharpening. Sharpening was amazingly done by Mark. I would by the other Kurosaki Knives ->Masakage Shimo knives in a heart beat.
8 people found this review helpful
This knife was put together extremely well. Handle was mated nicely with the blade and no gaps in the handle. Balance works more towards a pinch grip and is extremely light and controllable. I am not sure about the out of the box blade sharpness since I purchased mine with a CKTG finish sharpening. Sharpening was amazingly done by Mark. I would by the other Kurosaki Knives ->Masakage Shimo knives in a heart beat.
