Yusaku Blue #2 Nashiji Nakiri 180mm

A young blacksmith named Kousuke Muneishi makes this nakiri, and he is a 3rd generation bladesmith heralding from Tosa, Japan. His grandfather started the Muneishi Cutlery Mfg company in 1955 to produce farming and forestry tools. His son took over management of the business and continues making these specialized cutting tools using mainly Aogami #2 steel.

Now, grandson Kousuke has begun making kitchen cutlery to expand the family business and add to his blade-making skills. We are very impressed with these first efforts and have high hopes of a long relationship with this talented young man.

We have named these knives Yusaku, and the kanji on the blade reflects this branding. The last character is pronounced Yu but also can be pronounced as Suke when used in a name. The first kanji is Saku, and it means work. So Yu-Saku means the work (or produced by) of Kousuke!

The first offering is a nice 180mm nakiri made from Blue #2 steel that is laminated with stainless cladding. He uses the san-mai method and this one has a sand-blasted finish (nashiji) on the blade face. The grind is very well realized and quite sophisticated. It is thin behind the edge and has an excellent profile to match most kinds of cutting styles.

These are high-value knives that belie their keen price. The overall package of well-executed grinds, good fit and finish, and an all-purpose design add up to a knife that will appeal to many users, both professional and home-based.

Brand: Yusaku

Blacksmith: Kousuke Muneishi

Location: Tosa, Japan

Constrcution: Hammer Forged, San Mai

Edge Steel: Hitachi Blue #2

Stainless Clad

Finish: Nashiji/Sand Blast Shinogi

Edge Grind: Double Bevel (See Choil Shot)

Weight: 6.9 oz (196g)

Blade Length: 181 mm

Overall Length: 337 mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm

Blade Height at Heel: 48.5 mm

Handle: Oak Octagonal with Urushi Finish