Zakuri Aokami Steel Kuro Nakiri 165mm - Made in Tosa, Japan
Zakuri Aokami Steel Kuro Nakiri 165mm - Made in Tosa, Japan
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Experience Tosa Blacksmithing at Its Purest in a Kurouchi Nakiri
The Zakuri Aokami Steel Kuro Nakiri 165mm is hammer-forged in Tosa, Japan by blacksmith Michikuni Tokaji. A San Mai construction with an Aogami #1 carbon steel core and soft iron cladding, finished in raw kurouchi. One of the finest carbon steels available, in a dedicated vegetable knife built for precision and edge retention.
The Specs
- Steel: Aogami #1 (Blue Steel #1) carbon steel
- Construction: San Mai, hammer forged
- Cladding: Soft iron
- Finish: Kurouchi (blacksmith's finish)
- Blade length: 165mm
- Blade height: 45mm
- Spine thickness at heel: 3.0mm
- Edge grind: Even (50/50)
- Blacksmith: Michikuni Tokaji
- Origin: Tosa, Japan
The Zakuri Difference
Zakuri is a small workshop in Tosa - a region of Japan with a centuries-long tradition of blade-making distinct from the more famous centres of Seki and Sakai. Blacksmith Michikuni Tokaji hammer-forges each knife individually using San Mai construction, where a hard Aogami #1 core is clad between layers of soft iron. Aogami #1 (Blue Steel #1) is among the highest-grade carbon steels used in Japanese knife-making - a tungsten and chromium-enriched high-carbon alloy that takes an exceptionally fine edge and holds it through sustained hard use. The kurouchi finish - the raw blackened surface left from the forge - is left intact on the blade flats, giving the knife a rugged, honest character and offering slightly better rust resistance than a fully polished carbon blade. The nakiri's flat rectangular profile is purpose-built for vegetables, with a tall blade height for full knuckle clearance through the full length of the cut.
Care and Maintenance
- Hand wash only - never dishwasher
- Dry immediately after use - Aogami #1 will rust if left wet
- Apply a light coat of food-safe oil if storing for extended periods
- Expect a natural patina to develop with use - this is normal and protective
- Do not cut frozen food or bones - the edge will chip
- Sharpen with a whetstone to maintain the edge
- Store on a magnetic strip or in a knife block
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