At 80mm this petty sits at the paring knife end of the format - built primarily for in-hand work, detail tasks, and precision cuts where a longer blade gets in the way. What makes the Shibata Koutetsu version unusual is how much capability Takayuki Shibata packs into that compact length. The R2 core, the laser-thin grind, and the reverse tanto tip combine to produce a small knife that performs well beyond what its size implies.
Shibata-san builds these in his shop in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, using hammer-forged san-mai construction with R2 (SG2) powdered stainless at the core. R2 at 62-63 HRC is one of the hardest and most wear-resistant alloys in Japanese knife production - in an 80mm blade that hardness translates into an edge that holds through extended in-hand work without frequent touch-ups. The reverse tanto tip, the design signature of the Koutetsu line, is inspired by the bow of the first ironclad warship in the Japanese Navy. On a paring knife it adds a precise point for scoring, peeling around curves, and detail tasks. The knife is notably stiff for its size - a characteristic that aids control in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: One buyer describes this petty as diabolically sharp and notes it handled deboning a stack of pig trotters without flinching - a task well beyond what most paring knives are expected to manage. The stiffness gets a specific callout as a feature rather than a drawback, and the visual quality is described as even more striking in person than in photos. Another buyer immediately drawn to the distinctive shape notes it cuts wonderfully and plans to expand into more of the Koutetsu line.
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.
Shibata-san builds these in his shop in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, using hammer-forged san-mai construction with R2 (SG2) powdered stainless at the core. R2 at 62-63 HRC is one of the hardest and most wear-resistant alloys in Japanese knife production - in an 80mm blade that hardness translates into an edge that holds through extended in-hand work without frequent touch-ups. The reverse tanto tip, the design signature of the Koutetsu line, is inspired by the bow of the first ironclad warship in the Japanese Navy. On a paring knife it adds a precise point for scoring, peeling around curves, and detail tasks. The knife is notably stiff for its size - a characteristic that aids control in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: One buyer describes this petty as diabolically sharp and notes it handled deboning a stack of pig trotters without flinching - a task well beyond what most paring knives are expected to manage. The stiffness gets a specific callout as a feature rather than a drawback, and the visual quality is described as even more striking in person than in photos. Another buyer immediately drawn to the distinctive shape notes it cuts wonderfully and plans to expand into more of the Koutetsu line.
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: 80 mm
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Superlative Knife, January 15, 2026Posted By: Cameron
While yes, it is probably intended for fine detail work, bear in mind that this thing can also debone a stack of pig's trotters without flinching. It is diabolically sharp, surprisingly stiff, and even more beautiful in real life than the pics and video suggest.
While yes, it is probably intended for fine detail work, bear in mind that this thing can also debone a stack of pig's trotters without flinching. It is diabolically sharp, surprisingly stiff, and even more beautiful in real life than the pics and video suggest.
