Utility Knife (Petty) - Tsuchime Shirogami #1 (Carbon Steel) - 5 1/3 in. (135mm)

Product Description for Utility Knife (Petty) - Tsuchime Shirogami #1 (Carbon Steel) - 5 1/3 in. (135mm)

Maker: Yoshimune (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 97538
Blade length: 5.75 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.25 in.
Total length: 10.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.33 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 3.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 5.4 oz.
Blade: Hand forged shirogami #1 carbon steel set between layers of hammer finished (tsuchime) stainless steel
Bolster: Black pakkawood
Handle: Macassar ebony with a stainless steel spacer
Description: A utility knife is between a chef’s knife and a paring knife, with a narrower and straighter blade. This makes it perfect for a multitude of small tasks where more precise cuts are needed, such as trimming broccoli, green beans, or other smaller vegetables. Some cooks like to use it in their hand, too—almost like a large paring knife. Others like its smaller size as an alternative to the chef’s knife. Utility knives are sometimes called sandwich knives because they work well on almost everything that goes into a sandwich—from thin-skinned vegetables such as tomatoes, to meats and cheeses.
Sumio Kawamura is a third generation bladesmith working in a small forge in Niigata. Born in 1948, he began making knives at 25 years old. Though he used to work with his father and others, as they retired, he began working by himself. His brand name, Yoshimune, was founded in 1916.
Kawamura-san forges his knives by hand, beginning with a high performing shirogami #1 carbon steel core. The high carbon content of Shirogami #1 (1.3%), combined with Kawamura’s exceptional heat treatment, creates a cutting edge that is both exceptionally keen, and long lasting.
Making the knife easier to care for, the carbon steel core was forge welded between protective layers of stainless steel. While it is much easier to care for this knife than a full carbon steel knife, it still must be hand washed and dried to avoid rusting the core. We recommend using

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