Tojiro has been one of the most trusted names in Japanese cutlery for decades, built out of Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture - a region with a blade-making history that stretches back centuries. They are known for extracting exceptional performance from VG10 stainless steel at prices that make serious Japanese knives accessible to a wide range of cooks. The VG10 Hammered line is a good example of that approach: quality materials, honest construction, and a finish that works as well as it looks.
At 180mm, this gyuto sits at the compact end of the format - short enough for tight board space or smaller hands, nimble enough for garnish work and detail cutting, and still capable of handling the full range of prep tasks a chef knife is expected to cover. The VG10 core is clad in a softer stainless steel finished with a tsuchime (hammered) kurouchi surface that aids food release and gives the blade its distinctive character. The Western-style handle is comfortable in a standard grip and well-suited to cooks who are new to Japanese knives or who prefer a familiar feel.
What Customers Are Saying: One customer put this knife through conditions well beyond the kitchen - cutting rope, rubber tubing, and performing field tasks during a stretch of difficult weather - and reports it held up without complaint. The edge stayed intact, the finish kept its look, and the knife proved more capable than its price suggests. The finishing service from CKTG gets a specific callout as a worthwhile addition to the order.
Care Instructions: VG10 stainless is low maintenance and easy to live with. Hand wash and dry after use - avoid the dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly to maintain the edge. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials that can chip the edge at high hardness. Free shipping over $100.
At 180mm, this gyuto sits at the compact end of the format - short enough for tight board space or smaller hands, nimble enough for garnish work and detail cutting, and still capable of handling the full range of prep tasks a chef knife is expected to cover. The VG10 core is clad in a softer stainless steel finished with a tsuchime (hammered) kurouchi surface that aids food release and gives the blade its distinctive character. The Western-style handle is comfortable in a standard grip and well-suited to cooks who are new to Japanese knives or who prefer a familiar feel.
What Customers Are Saying: One customer put this knife through conditions well beyond the kitchen - cutting rope, rubber tubing, and performing field tasks during a stretch of difficult weather - and reports it held up without complaint. The edge stayed intact, the finish kept its look, and the knife proved more capable than its price suggests. The finishing service from CKTG gets a specific callout as a worthwhile addition to the order.
Care Instructions: VG10 stainless is low maintenance and easy to live with. Hand wash and dry after use - avoid the dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly to maintain the edge. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials that can chip the edge at high hardness. Free shipping over $100.
- Maker: Tojiro
- Location: Sanjo City, Niigata, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless
- Finish: Tsuchime (Hammered) Kurouchi
- Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
- Handle: Western
- Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g)
- Blade Length: 180 mm
- Total Length: 310 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Surprisingly good utility knifePosted By: Chaz - verified customer
22 people found this review helpful
Due in large part to mother nature taking particular offence with the gulf coast region, I've been using this thing as a work knife more that a kitchen knife. Cutting ropes, tie downs, rubber tubing, vines, clothes, zip tiesMties,bags, shaving feather sticks to start fires, shaving my face etc. It's holding up great and I regret not getting a saya when I ordered it, but am supremely happy I got the finishing service. Eventually I'll get around to using it for actual food prep but for now it's the best utility knife I could ask for.
22 people found this review helpful
Due in large part to mother nature taking particular offence with the gulf coast region, I've been using this thing as a work knife more that a kitchen knife. Cutting ropes, tie downs, rubber tubing, vines, clothes, zip tiesMties,bags, shaving feather sticks to start fires, shaving my face etc. It's holding up great and I regret not getting a saya when I ordered it, but am supremely happy I got the finishing service. Eventually I'll get around to using it for actual food prep but for now it's the best utility knife I could ask for.
Surprisingly good utility knifePosted By: Chaz - verified customer
22 people found this review helpful
Due in large part to mother nature taking particular offence with the gulf coast region, I've been using this thing as a work knife more that a kitchen knife. Cutting ropes, tie downs, rubber tubing, vines, clothes, zip tiesMties,bags, shaving feather sticks to start fires, shaving my face etc. It's holding up great and I regret not getting a saya when I ordered it, but am supremely happy I got the finishing service. Eventually I'll get around to using it for actual food prep but for now it's the best utility knife I could ask for.
22 people found this review helpful
Due in large part to mother nature taking particular offence with the gulf coast region, I've been using this thing as a work knife more that a kitchen knife. Cutting ropes, tie downs, rubber tubing, vines, clothes, zip tiesMties,bags, shaving feather sticks to start fires, shaving my face etc. It's holding up great and I regret not getting a saya when I ordered it, but am supremely happy I got the finishing service. Eventually I'll get around to using it for actual food prep but for now it's the best utility knife I could ask for.
Sharp and great looking!Posted By: Matt - verified customer
28 people found this review helpful
Received knife in a timely manner, great shipping. The blade was very sharp out of the box! handle was not smooth as pictured but a little rough, I lightly sanded and put on a coat of poly. Overall very happy with the purchase!
28 people found this review helpful
Received knife in a timely manner, great shipping. The blade was very sharp out of the box! handle was not smooth as pictured but a little rough, I lightly sanded and put on a coat of poly. Overall very happy with the purchase!
