Yoshimitsu Fugen White #1 Gyuto 240mm

The Yoshimitsu Hamono Company was founded by five brothers who made a name for themselves due to their use of Tamahagne steel, which they smelt themselves in a classic Tatara from locally sourced iron sands. We were drawn to these makers because of their use of the old techniques like Tamahagane and hand forged awase (cladding), much of which is now performed by the big steel mills before sending the clad steel to their customers.

Now only one of their nephews survives, and he has continued the business. The Fugen White #1 line he makes for us is constructed with an inner core of Hitachi White #1 steel, which is clad in a soft iron. This outer layer is left with its carbon coating to help protect the knife from corrosion and provide a surface with better food release. This coating is known as kurouchi. Of course, as the knife is not stainless steel, it will require drying between uses.

This is a classic gyuto in terms of its proportions and basic profile. It comes in at just over the advertised length at 245mm and has a nice height of 53mm for extra hand clearance. There is a flat area from the heel to almost the halfway point on the edge. The tip is very finely crafted and is quite thin behind the edge. The knife comes with a simple octagonal handle with a burnt urushi finish.

Knife Brand: Yoshimitsu Fugen

Blacksmith: Yoshida San

Location: Shimabara, Japan

Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai

Cladding: Soft Iron

Finish: Kurouchi

Edge Steel: White #1

HRC: 61

Edge Grind: Even (see choil photo)

Knife Type: Gyuto

Weight: 6.3 oz (206 g)

Edge Length: 245 mm

Total Length: 400 mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 4 mm

Blade Height: 51 mm