The laser grind that defines all Shibata Koutetsu knives is felt most immediately in the petty format. At 150mm there is less blade mass to begin with, and when Takayuki Shibata thins it further to his characteristic geometry, the result is a knife that feels almost weightless in the hand. That lightness is not fragility - it is the product of deliberate geometry on a hard, wear-resistant R2 core, and it makes this petty one of the most effortless prep tools in the Koutetsu line.
Shibata-san builds these in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, using hammer-forged san-mai construction with R2 (SG2) powdered stainless at 62-63 HRC. R2 is manufactured by Kobelco Steel and is the same alloy as SG2 from Takefu Specialty Steels - widely regarded as one of the best balances of hardness, edge retention, and stainless behavior available in production knife steel. At 150mm this petty handles board work for proteins, herbs, and smaller produce as well as in-hand tasks for peeling and trimming. The reverse tanto tip adds a precision point that a rounded petty tip cannot match. The overall profile is distinctively modern - recognizable immediately as a Shibata knife.
What Customers Are Saying: One buyer making a first foray into R2 steel describes this petty as thin, light, and nimble - noting you hardly notice it in the hand, which is a quality that reveals itself immediately at the cutting board. The edge was very sharp out of the box and edge retention has been strong enough that the knife had not needed sharpening through regular use - a meaningful data point for an R2 blade at this HRC. The distinctive modern look earns a specific callout as easy on the eyes alongside the practical performance.
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 Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, using hammer-forged san-mai construction with R2 (SG2) powdered stainless at 62-63 HRC. R2 is manufactured by Kobelco Steel and is the same alloy as SG2 from Takefu Specialty Steels - widely regarded as one of the best balances of hardness, edge retention, and stainless behavior available in production knife steel. At 150mm this petty handles board work for proteins, herbs, and smaller produce as well as in-hand tasks for peeling and trimming. The reverse tanto tip adds a precision point that a rounded petty tip cannot match. The overall profile is distinctively modern - recognizable immediately as a Shibata knife.
What Customers Are Saying: One buyer making a first foray into R2 steel describes this petty as thin, light, and nimble - noting you hardly notice it in the hand, which is a quality that reveals itself immediately at the cutting board. The edge was very sharp out of the box and edge retention has been strong enough that the knife had not needed sharpening through regular use - a meaningful data point for an R2 blade at this HRC. The distinctive modern look earns a specific callout as easy on the eyes alongside the practical performance.
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: 150 mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Product ReviewPosted By: Jason - verified customer
40 people found this review helpful
This knife thin light and very nimble. You hardly notice it in your hand. Out of the box the edge was very sharp. I've never had a knife made of R-2 but was very impressed and a great option for something stainless and high edge retention. It seems to retain its edge for a long while as I haven't had to sharpen it yet so I can't comment on it's ease of sharpening. I think this knife is perfect as a petty. Also it has quite a distinctive modern look to it that's easy on the eyes
40 people found this review helpful
This knife thin light and very nimble. You hardly notice it in your hand. Out of the box the edge was very sharp. I've never had a knife made of R-2 but was very impressed and a great option for something stainless and high edge retention. It seems to retain its edge for a long while as I haven't had to sharpen it yet so I can't comment on it's ease of sharpening. I think this knife is perfect as a petty. Also it has quite a distinctive modern look to it that's easy on the eyes
