The 180mm gyuto (Japan's all-purpose chef knife) is a format that rewards the right construction. Short enough to stay precise and maneuverable, long enough to handle most proteins and vegetable prep without repositioning, it is the format many professional cooks reach for first in a tighter kitchen environment. Shizu Hamono builds the Gen line from Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture with VG10 stainless at the core, stainless Damascus cladding, and a kurouchi (black finish, as-forged surface) finish that gives the blade a visual character well beyond what a plain polished stainless knife can offer. The low-maintenance stainless construction combined with the dark, handmade aesthetic makes this a practical choice for cooks who want both.
At 183mm with 39mm blade height and a 2mm spine, this is a lean, fast knife - light in the hand and thin enough to move through produce with minimal resistance. VG10 at 60-61 HRC holds a good working edge through regular kitchen use and responds well to a quality ceramic rod between sharpenings. The D-shaped pakka wood handle and black pakka ferrule complete the package cleanly. This is a no-fuss daily knife from a manufacturer that clearly understands what a working gyuto needs to do.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
At 183mm with 39mm blade height and a 2mm spine, this is a lean, fast knife - light in the hand and thin enough to move through produce with minimal resistance. VG10 at 60-61 HRC holds a good working edge through regular kitchen use and responds well to a quality ceramic rod between sharpenings. The D-shaped pakka wood handle and black pakka ferrule complete the package cleanly. This is a no-fuss daily knife from a manufacturer that clearly understands what a working gyuto needs to do.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
- Maker: Shizu Hamono
- Knife Line: Gen
- Location: Sanjo City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Roll Forged
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- Finish: Kurouchi (Black Finish)
- HRC: 60-61
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: D-Shape Pakka Wood
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.0 oz (142g)
- Blade Length: 183mm
- Total Length: 323mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 39mm
