Yusaku Blue #2 Kurouchi Kiri Cleaver 180mm

Yusaku Blue #2 Kiri Cleaver is basically a tall nakiri with a tip in the style of a kiritsuke. It's made by a young up-and-coming blacksmith we have recently discovered. His name is Kousuke Muneishi and he is a 3rd generation blacksmith heralding from Tosa. His grandfather started the Muneishi Cutlery Mfg company in 1955 to produce farming and forestry tools. His father 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 blademaking skills. We are very impressed with his 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!

This offering is made especially for CKTG made from Blue #2 steel that is laminated with a soft iron. He uses the san-mai method and leaves the forger’s scale (kurouchi) on the blade face. The grind is very well realized and quite sophisticated. It is thin behind the edge and has a nice profile. This one comes with a beautiful blue Urushi octagonal handle. Please note that the kiri cleaver saya does not fit this knife well.

Blacksmith: Kousuke Muneishi

Location: Tosa, Japan

Construction: San Mai / Hammer Forged

Edge Steel: Blue #2

Cladding: Soft Iron

Finish: Kurouchi

Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Shot)

Weight: 9.6 oz (272 g)

Blade Length: 183 mm

Overall Length: 329 mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 3.2 mm

Blade Height: 73.5 mm

Handle: Burnt Urushi Octagonal

Please note that an epoxy is applied to the top of the handle to protect and secure the blade; this is intentional but can sometimes appear to be in excess.