Kousuke Muneishi is a third generation blacksmith from Tosa, Japan, whose grandfather founded the Muneishi Cutlery company in 1955 to make farming and forestry tools. His father continued that work using mainly Aogami #2 steel, and Kousuke has now begun making kitchen cutlery, branding the line Yusaku, a name built from the kanji for saku, meaning work, paired with a character that can be read as yu or suke, so the name reads roughly as the work of Kosuke.
This 180mm nakiri is made from Blue #2 steel, also called Aogami #2, laminated with stainless cladding through the san mai method, with a sand blasted nashiji, or pear skin, finish across the blade face. The grind is thin behind the edge with a well realized, sophisticated profile suited to most cutting styles, and the handle is an octagonal oak with an urushi finish. The overall package of careful grinding, good fit and finish, and an all purpose design makes this a strong value for both professional and home cooks.
Care Instructions:Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after each use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention.
This 180mm nakiri is made from Blue #2 steel, also called Aogami #2, laminated with stainless cladding through the san mai method, with a sand blasted nashiji, or pear skin, finish across the blade face. The grind is thin behind the edge with a well realized, sophisticated profile suited to most cutting styles, and the handle is an octagonal oak with an urushi finish. The overall package of careful grinding, good fit and finish, and an all purpose design makes this a strong value for both professional and home cooks.
Care Instructions:Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after each use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention.
- Brand: Yusaku
- Blacksmith: Kousuke Muneishi
- Location: Tosa, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2)
- Cladding: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Nashiji
- Edge Grind: Even
- Finish: Nashiji / Sand Blasted Shinogi
- Handle: Oak Octagonal with Urushi Finish
- Weight: 6.9 oz (196 g)
- Blade Length: 181 mm
- Total Length: 337 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
- Blade Height at Heel: 48.5 mm
