Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Gyuto 240mm

With its aggressive taper and taller overall profile the larger sized 240mm gyuto from Mazaki-san is a truly impressive workhorse with superb geometry and an excellent all-rounder for daily use.

The traditional kurouchi running into to a lovely hazy kasumi also looks incredible when a patina has developed on the White #2 core steel.

 

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Product Code: MAZ-011-##

First Impressions

Mazaki-san's knives are some of our all time favourite Sanjo knives. They tick so many boxes for quality, performance, profile, looks and edge performance it's hard not to love them! 

You'll find across the range a very traditional Sanjo workhorse profile featuring an aggressive distal taper, very thin tip for intricate work and a high performance edge.

Beauty

Available in a range of finishes from the traditional kurouchi, kurouchi with nashiji pattern and the polished finish there's something to suit most tastes when it comes to looks and while we've definitely got our favourite, we think they're all superb examples of traditional craft finishes. 

In Hand

In hand, the White #2 is a knife that looks like it should be quite heavy due to both the height and thickness along the spine but where other similarly large knives might feel a little on the heavy side, the balance and comfort of the blade is nicely considered and designed and across the range (mainly as you get to the all rounders and slicers), they feel very light and nimble in hand.

With a balance point just at the base of the kanji and Mazaki san's attention to detail in rounding off the edges of the spine and heel notch for a larger gyuto you'll enjoy and appreciate the comfort and nimble handling.

Durability

White #2 is a widely used steel for a good reason, it's easy to sharpen and retains an excellent edge and with Mazaki's knives, he treats them at the upper levels of practical hardness so at around 64-65HRC you can expect the edge retention to be excellent.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

It's a carbon steel knife with a non stainless cladding and so our normal carbon steel care instructions apply but beyond that, just follow the couple of standard care steps and this is a blade that's going to last you a long time indeed.

For long term care we recommend our carbon steel care kit.

Our Verdict

Mazaki-san's skill and experience show through across the range and for the serious knife enthusiast and cook, his knives represent an excellent opportunity to own a knife that's been hand forged and sharpened by one person from start to finish to ensure his vision and ideas how a knife should look and perform are met. 

If you're looking for knives featuring the traditional Sanjo profile that are robustly made yet nimble in hand and will hold an edge for longer prep jobs or larger quanties of food then this range should definitely be on your radar.

Knife Measurements - Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Gyuto 240mm

  • Blade Edge Length: 250mm / 9.84" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Knife Length: 410mm / 16.14" (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 53.8mm / 2.12" (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 5.0mm / 0.2" (Spine width above the heel) 2.4mm / 0.09" (Measured halfway along spine) 1.1mm / 0.04" (Measured 15mm from tip)
  • Total Weight: 212 grams / 7.48 oz

Range Specifications

  • Core Steel: Shirogami White #2
  • Cladding Steel: Soft Iron
  • Hardness: 64-65 (HRC)
  • Handle Style:
  • Handle Material: Octagonal magnolia with black buffalo
  • Left or Right handed: Suitable for both (Double Bevel)

Our aim is to measure and photograph our products as accurately as possible but due to many items being handmade, finished or using natural materials, there can be minor variance in measurements and finishes.

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

Meet the maker

Naoki Mazaki

Naoki Mazaki is an independent blacksmith working from Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, a region renowned for its long history of fine blade making. Known for his commitment to traditional craftsmanship, Mazaki handles every step of production himself, from forging and heat treating to sharpening and finishing. This hands-on approach gives each of his knives a distinct personality and exceptional level of quality.

Mazaki’s knives are forged using traditional Japanese steels such as White #2 and Blue steel, chosen for their sharpness and edge retention. His finishes often retain a natural character, highlighting the beauty of the forging process and the texture of the steel. Each blade is shaped with care to achieve a fine balance between cutting performance and durability.

Although relatively young, Naoki Mazaki has earned a strong reputation among knife enthusiasts and professionals. His dedication to working alone and preserving Sanjo’s blacksmithing traditions sets his work apart for both its authenticity and precision.

View all Naoki Mazaki products

How to choose the perfect knife

We've helped thousands of customers choose their perfect knife since 2011 and we're here to help you too.

Read our guide to choosing a Japanese knife and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!