Vintage Minamoto Masahiro Yanagiba Knife 160mm Carbon Steel Magnolia Wood Handle 2255

Experience the elegance of a named Sakai yanagiba - a vintage Minamoto Masahiro carbon steel blade in a compact 160mm format, purpose-built for precise sashimi work in the Japanese tradition.

The Specs

• Steel: Carbon steel
• Blade type: Yanagiba (single-bevel, right-handed)
• Blade length: 160mm
• Handle: Magnolia wood (wa-style)
• Origin: Sakai, Osaka, Japan
• Condition: Pre-owned
• Maker: Minamoto Masahiro
• SKU: 2255

The name Minamoto Masahiro evokes the classical Japanese tradition of naming blades after noble lineages - a practice that signals both pride of craft and regional identity. This compact 160mm yanagiba is a single-bevel blade built for the drawing cuts that define Japanese raw fish preparation: long, fluid strokes that produce clean, translucent slices without compressing the flesh. At 160mm it is nimble and precise, well-suited to smaller fish and detail work. Carbon steel takes a keener edge than stainless and develops a natural patina with use. The magnolia wood wa-handle keeps the balance forward and the feel authentically Japanese. A refined collector's piece from Sakai's knife-making tradition.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only - never dishwasher
• Dry immediately after use to prevent rust
• Hone on the flat (ura) side only - single-bevel geometry
• Sharpen on Japanese water stones (1000/3000 grit)
• Store on a magnetic rack or in a knife roll - never loose in a drawer