Vintage Japanese Yanagiba Knife 200mm Carbon Steel 1683

Experience Traditional Sashimi Preparation with a Vintage Japanese Yanagiba

This pre-owned Japanese Yanagiba pairs a 200mm carbon steel blade with a wood handle. Its recorded single bevel offers a dedicated slicing format for controlled sashimi preparation.

The Specs

• Maker: Unbranded in the original notes
• Knife type: Yanagiba
• Steel: Carbon steel; exact alloy not recorded
• Recorded hardness: 58 HRC
• Blade length: 200mm
• Overall length: 320mm
• Bevel: Single bevel; handedness not recorded
• Recorded construction: Fully forged, full tang
• Handle: Wood
• Recorded knife weight: Approximately 100g
• Origin: Japan
• Condition: Vintage, pre-owned

The Willow-Blade Slicing Format

Yanagiba means willow blade and describes Japan's dedicated sashimi knife format. Its long, single-bevel blade is designed to slice raw fish with a drawing stroke, helping create clean cuts for texture and presentation.

This example retains the unbranded identification and Japanese origin recorded in the original notes. No maker history, production date or specific steel grade is assigned. Carbon steel can take a keen edge and rewards careful whetstone maintenance, prompt drying and protective oiling.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only, never in the dishwasher
• Dry immediately after washing to help prevent rust
• Do not soak the wood handle
• Apply a light coat of food-safe camellia oil after drying, particularly before storage
• Preserve the existing single-bevel geometry; do not sharpen both sides as a double-bevel knife
• Professional sharpening by a specialist familiar with single-bevel Japanese knives is recommended
• Store in a suitable saya or on a magnetic rack to protect the edge