Vintage Tsunemaru Saku Yanagiba Knife 200mm Carbon Steel Magnolia Handle 2264

Experience a Rare Collaborative Masterpiece of Japanese Sashimi Craftsmanship

A fascinating and collectible find, this Vintage Tsunemaru Saku (恒丸作) Yanagiba 200mm carries the marks of two prestigious Japanese cutlery lineages. Hand-chiseled by the Tsunemaru artisan and forged on the Masahiro steel blank - a collaboration born from the traditional Japanese wholesale guild system, where master bladesmiths and specialist artisans shared production to achieve the finest possible result.

The Specs

• Steel: Japanese high-carbon steel (Masahiro-forged blank)
• Blade type: Yanagiba (single bevel, right-handed)
• Blade length: 200mm
• Handle: Magnolia wood (wa-style)
• Stamps: Hand-chiseled 恒丸作 (Tsunemaru Saku) + stamped 正廣作 (Masahiro Saku)
• Origin: Japan
• Condition: Pre-owned, vintage
• SKU: 2264

Heritage

The dual-stamping on this blade tells a rich story. Tsunemaru (恒丸) - meaning "eternally round/complete" - was the artisan's registered mark, applied by hand-chisel using the Tagane-bori technique. Masahiro (正廣) supplied the high-grade, fully forged steel blank - one of the most respected steel producers in traditional Japanese cutlery. Under the guild system, Masahiro provided the underlying structure and Tsunemaru completed the specialist hand-sharpening and profile grinding. The result is a collaborative blade of exceptional pedigree: the Masahiro steel core delivers outstanding edge retention and whetstone response, while the Tsunemaru finishing ensures the precise hollow-ground Urasuki geometry essential for tearless, single-pull sashimi slicing.

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