Yu Kurosaki Houou Rainbow Damascus Gyuto 240mm

Yu Kurosaki Houou Rainbow Damascus Gyuto 240mm

Name: Yu Kurosaki Houou Rainbow Damascus Gyuto 240mm
Brand: Yu Kurosaki
SKU: 10754
Price: 340.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Stunning layering of alternating brass and copper create a wonderful visual along the highly versatile mid sized gyuto.

🗝 This is an archive item. It's either so unique it's never coming back into stock, extremely difficult to source or discontinued.

If we able to source more of this knife, it will be restocked in the all knives collection and we will share details via our newsletter and Instagram.

Product variants

Knife Measurements

Blade Edge Length: 244mm / 9.61" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Knife Length: 396mm / 15.59" (Blade tip to handle end)
Blade Height: 51.9mm / 2.04" (Heel to spine)
Blade Thickness: 1.63mm / 0.06" (Spine width above the heel)
Total Weight: 159 grams / 5.61 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.

Yu Kurosaki - Houou Rainbow Damascus

Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

The houou is a thinner, flater grind than some of the other Kurosaki ranges and so sharpness right out of the box is impressive as you would expect and food release on the smoother polished finish will be good.

Beauty

We're committed fans of the design and unique finishes on all Kurosaki knives and this range is no different. The rainbow damascus layering is created by the alternating brass and copper running through the knife.

It's not as pronounced as the rainbow damascus seen on the Tsukasa Hinoura knives but the contrasting layering change between that brass and copper is fantastic and something you'll find yourself looking closely at!

Durability

The VG10 and stainless cladding that is widely used by Kurosaki in their knives is reliable and durable and so you won't have any problems keeping a wicked edge on your knife.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

As it's a stainless knife, care tips would simply follow our normal instructions and you'll have no issues. For a knife like the houou we'd definitely recommend showing it off on a rack or block when you're not using it.

Our Verdict

Overall, this is another one from Yu Kurosaki's workshop that's going to be very popular.

Obviously his skill in knife making is top notch but it's his ability to create new and interesting designs and finishes that adds to the value of his knives as both high performance kitchen knives and pieces of visual art that look great on your wall once you've finished food prep.

We fully expect demand to wildly outstrip supply of this range for some time!

Meet the maker

Yu Kurosaki

Yu Kurosaki is one of Japan’s most celebrated modern blacksmiths, known for combining bold design with the refined precision of traditional Echizen craftsmanship. Born in Fukui Prefecture, he began his apprenticeship in 2002 under master craftsman Hiroshi Kato at Takefu Knife Village, a collective dedicated to preserving the ancient art of Echizen Uchihamono. After years of intensive training, Kurosaki became the youngest smith in the region to be recognized as a Certified Traditional Craftsman of Echizen.

His knives are admired for their exceptional sharpness, durability, and unique hammered finishes that blend artistic expression with technical performance. From the Shizuku and R2 Senko series to the VG XEOS Gekko line and his work with other brands like Masakage, each blade reflects Kurosaki’s mastery of advanced steels, attention to balance, and commitment to creating tools that are as beautiful as they are functional.

View all Yu Kurosaki products