Name: Masakage Shimo Gyuto 180mm
Brand: Masakage
SKU: 1854
Price: 175.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

The smallest of the Gyutos in this range, the light and thin blade stays sharp and is a joy to look at as well as use. A beautiful knife.

The gyuto is the Japanese equivalent of a chef's knife and there's not a lot it cannot do. Longer than a santoku the extra blade length means cutting meat is easier as it can be done in one pass. This shorter version of the gyuto is also at home chopping veg and performing precise work using the pointed tip. You could get away with having this as your only knife!

First Impressions

Top notch performance as you'd expect from a knife of this level, the Shirogami #2 steel keeps its edge very well and the thin blade runs through various food types very easily and consistently.

Beauty

There's no doubt this is a lovely knife. "Shimo" represents a design of frost on a window and indeed the blacksmith Kurosaki san even created a custom X shaped hammer to create the unique shape on the blade.

The overall matt finish matched with the very light octagonal magnolia handle and black pakka wood collar combine nicely overall.

In Hand

Light, thin and comfortable with a range of jobs, we had no concerns about using this for a range of tasks.

Durability

The hard blade will keep its edge for a long time and last longer between sharpening than many other knives although as it's a thin cutting edge there's a compromise to be struck between that sharpness and cutting with care and attention.

Ease of Care

The Shimo is not a stainless knife and if not kept dry between uses it will develop a yellow patina across the blade. This doesn't affect the use of the knife but it is a consideration, if this concerns you then maybe look for a knife that is clad in stainless steel.

Our Verdict

In our opinion the Shimo represents a great balance between quality, looks and price so is a great investment if it's your first Japanese knife but is also perfectly at home in experienced hands that want something that stands out in a collection.

Product details

Blade Length: 180mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Length: 327mm (Blade + Handle)
Blade Height: 42mm (Heel to spine)
Total Weight: 113 grams
Core Steel: White #2
This knife is made from a reactive carbon steel which is not stainless and therefore has some special care instructions and properties.

Read the carbon steel care guide
Order a carbon steel care kit
Cladding Steel: Stainless
Hardness: 61-63 (HRC)
Handle Style: Japanese
Handle Material: Octagonal white magnolia with black pakka wood bolster
Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)

Product SKU: 1854

Our aim is to measure and photograph all our products as accurately as possible but due to the handmade nature of many items, please be aware that there may be some variance in the measurements and that things such as blade and knife handle patterns can vary and presentation boxes may differ from those shown but we will always endeavour to provide the most accurate measurements, photos and descriptions of our products.

Some measurements such as HRC are provided by the manufacturer and should therefore be used as a guide.

Blacksmith Profile

Yu Kurosaki

The youngest blacksmith to be granted the title of Master Nokaji and senior teacher at Takefu Knife Village, the skill and craft put into each of his knives is clear to see.

View all knives from Masakage

Masakage Shimo Gyuto 180mm