Sakai Blue #2 Usuba 180mm. This usuba is traditinally ground with a convex front side and a hollow ground urasuki on the back side. Like all usubas this knife has a flat edge, with virtually no curve. It is tall, to allow knuckle clearance when chopping on a cutting board.
Usuba literally means "thin blade," which is required for cutting through firm vegetables without cracking them. Due to its height and straight edge, usuba are also used for specialized cuts such as katsuramuki (shaving a vegetable cylinder into a thin sheet). This particular knife shape is known as a Kamasaka Usuba.
The blade is made from Blue #2 carbon steel. The inner core steel takes and keeps a good edge and it is quite easy to sharpen. But do remember that this is a single bevel blade as so it is only suitable for righties!
The simple ho wood handle has a D-shaped profile and is attached to the blade with a buffalo horn ferrule. A really nice custom saya and pin complete the package.
Weight: 5.8 ounces
Blade Length: 173 mm
Total Length: 320 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3.8 mm
Blade Height: 44.4 mm