Takayuki Inox Wa Yanagiba 270mm

Yanagibas are one of the most iconic Japanese kitchen knives. Their long slender blades give the knives a very purposeful look, more reminiscent of a sword than a chef knife. The yanagiba is sometimes referred to as the willow blade as this is the literal translation from the Japanese word. (The knife’s slender blade resembles the long, narrow leaves of a willow.) Yanagiba knives are designed so that the chef gently pulls it through the food using just the weight of the blade itself to do the cutting. The incredible sharpness of the blade reduces loss of the natural juices and creates the cleanest cuts imaginable.

Coming in at about 258mm, the Takayuki Inox Sujihiki 270mm is a good size for many users and kitchen spaces. While the yanagiba is most often used for slicing raw fish for sashimi and for slicing sushi rolls, it is also perfect for cutting cooked proteins or butterflying meats. This length makes these operations possible in a single slicing action.

These knives are hammer forged from a stainless steel that the maker calls Inox. While this is a generic term for many stainless alloys, this knife is made from AUS8A, a tough and corrosion resistant steel that takes and holds a very fine edge. The stainless nature of the steel makes this a very easy to use knife with less concern given to rusting or staining. Of course it is a single bevel design so it is only usable by right-handed users. It is coupled to a well-made traditional D-shaped ho wood handle which has a buffalo horn ferrule.

Weight: 6.2 ounces

Blade Length: 258 mm

Total Length: 412 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 3.7 mm

Blade Height: 32.6 mm