Shibata Koutetsu R2 Battleship Gyuto 195mm

The Battleship Gyuto is Takayuki Shibata pushing the Koutetsu design further. The original Koutetsu reverse tanto tip was inspired by the bow of the first ironclad warship in the Japanese Navy. This knife keeps that design signature but gives the tip a more pronounced angle and a sharper point - a refinement that adds capability at the tip without changing what makes the Koutetsu profile work so well through the rest of the blade. Shibata-san builds this in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, with R2 powdered stainless and the same laser-thin hammer-forged construction that defines his lineup.

At 195mm this is a shorter format than the standard Koutetsu gyutos - nimble and precise while still handling the full range of daily prep tasks. The R2 (SG2) core at 62-63 HRC provides exceptional edge retention and stainless behavior in daily use. The grind on the Battleship is particularly notable for food release - the geometry and the convexity of the blade road combine to create a surface that sheds food with minimal sticking. The fit and finish are among the finest in the Koutetsu line, with the spine, choil, and handle all executed to a standard that reads as premium. Shibata-san keeps production numbers on this knife very limited.

What Customers Are Saying: Food release is the quality that comes up first and most emphatically across the review set - described as insane and a genuine performance differentiator over other high-end knives. One buyer keeps this knife stowed for personal use only, which says something about how seriously they take it relative to the rest of their collection. Another describes it as scary sharp and notes it outperforms knives at twice the price through vegetable prep. The 195mm length earns specific praise from home cooks as a perfect balance between maneuverability and capability.

Care Instructions: R2/SG2 powdered stainless is highly stain resistant but hard and chip-prone at high HRC. Hand wash and dry after use - avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only - avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Strop regularly between sharpenings and use consistent angle and light pressure at the stone to maintain the acute edge geometry. Free shipping over $100.

• Blacksmith: Takayuki Shibata
• Location: Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan
• Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
• Edge Steel: R2/SG2 Powdered Stainless
• HRC: 62-63
• Cladding: Stainless
• Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
• Blade Length: 195 mm