Vintage Sakai Yujiro Funayuki Knife 150mm Carbon Steel Wood Handle 2243

Experience a signed piece of living Sakai history - a vintage Funayuki knife bearing the hand-engraved kanji signature of master smith Yujiro, forged in Japan's knife-making capital.

The Specs

• Steel: Carbon steel
• Blade type: Funayuki, single-bevel, right-handed
• Blade length: 150mm
• Handle: Wood (wa-style)
• Origin: Sakai, Osaka, Japan
• Condition: Pre-owned
• Signature: Hand-engraved kanji "勇次郎作" (Yujiro-saku, "made by Yujiro")
• SKU: 2243

What sets this Funayuki apart is the hand-chiselled kanji signature "勇次郎作" - a mark of personal pride from the smith who forged it. The first three characters, 勇次郎 (Yujiro), identify the master artisan or workshop; the final character, 作 (Saku), means "made by" or "crafted by." These marks were executed entirely by hand using a miniature hammer and tool steel chisel before final heat treating - an un-erasable guild signature proving individual craftsmanship over factory stamps. Sakai has been Japan's knife-making capital for over 600 years, with its world-renowned quality built on a guild system where separate masters handle forging and polishing. The Funayuki style - a versatile single-bevel blade suited to fish, vegetables, and fine prep work - is here rendered in carbon steel with a traditional wood wa-handle. A rare, signed collector's piece.

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