Masutani VG1 Red Gyuto 180mm

Our third addition to the new Masutani knife line is this great mini gyuto. Masutani is a small blacksmith shop located in Echizen in the Fukui Prefecture. They are a new addition to our ever growing catalog of kitchen knives and they are gaining favorable reviews from our customers. This great looking gyuto is a perfect knife for home cooks or pro chefs seeking a blade that is easy to use and maintain.

The knife featured here is made from VG1 stainless steel. It is a close cousin to the very popular VG-10 steel found in many commercial kitchen knives made by the “big boys” of the Japanese knife industry. Unlike VG-10, VG1 contains nickel. However, the steel properties are very similar to VG-10 with maybe slightly less stain resistance but just as much durability and ease of sharpening. The inner core is clad in a softer stainless steel which helps protect the VG1 steel while increasing the stain resistance of the blade. The cladding receives a very attractive hammered finish which, together with the lovely yo-style Western handle made from a single piece of rosewood, creates a very attractive package.

The shorter length of this gyuto is perfectly suited to chefs working with smaller ingredients or in restricted spaces. It is also a good length for novice knife users to hone their cutting skills. The reduced length also makes for a very rigid blade that feels quick and precise in use.

Blacksmith: Masutani

Location: Echizen, Japan

Construction: Laser Cut, San Mai

Cladding: Hammered Stainless

Edge Steel: VG1 Stainless

Edge Grind: Even

Handle: Yo (Western) Single Piece Rosewood

Weight: 5.1 oz (146 g)

Blade Length: 187 mm

Total Length: 314 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 1.9 mm

Blade Height: 47.3 mm