Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm
Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm

Naoki Mazaki White #2 Kurouchi Sujihiki 240mm

£255.00

The shorter White #2 slicer from Mazaki-san benefits from the high level of hardness of his White #2 heat treatment to make a blade that is screaming sharp and has edge excellent retention ideal for those long single slices.

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

Currently out of stock

Product Code: MAZ-012-##

Knife & Range Specifications

Knife Measurements
  • Blade Edge Length: 247mm / 9.72" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Knife Length: 397mm / 15.63" (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 39.8mm / 1.57" (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 4.1mm / 0.16" (Spine width above the heel) 2.0mm / 0.08" (Measured halfway along spine) 0.9mm / 0.04" (Measured 15mm from tip)
  • Total Weight: 136 grams / 4.8 oz

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.

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

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

Naoki Mazaki - White #2

Our in-depth range review

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.

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