Vintage Kikusuga Kitaro Gyuto Knife 270mm Carbon Steel 2289

Experience Reach and Precision - The Kikusuga Kitaro 270mm Gyuto

At 270mm, this is a chef's knife that means business. Forged by Kikusuga Kitaro - a single craftsperson whose name is stamped directly on the blade - this vintage Japanese gyuto brings serious length and carbon steel character to the cook who wants an authentic working knife with history behind it.

The Specs

• Steel: Carbon steel (hand-forged)
• Style: Gyuto (Japanese chef's knife)
• Blade length: 270mm
• Origin: Japan
• Maker: Kikusuga Kitaro - single craftsperson stamp
• Condition: Vintage / second-hand - one-of-a-kind piece

Heritage and Character

The gyuto - Japan's answer to the French chef's knife - emerged in the Meiji era as Japanese bladesmiths adapted western knife profiles to their own metallurgical traditions. The result was a thinner, harder, more acute blade than its European counterpart. Kikusuga Kitaro's personal stamp on this knife is significant: it means the blade was made and signed off by one person, not a production line. Carbon steel at this length rewards skill and patience - it takes a razor edge on water stones and holds it through serious prep work. The 270mm gyuto is the preferred length for professional cooks who work with large proteins or want maximum leverage in rocking cuts.

Care and Maintenance

• Hand wash only - never dishwasher
• Dry immediately after use to prevent rust
• Hone regularly on a smooth steel or fine ceramic rod
• Sharpen on Japanese water stones (1000/3000 grit)
• Store on a magnetic rack or in a knife roll - never loose in a drawer