Yu Kurosaki Nakiri Fujin VG-10 165mm (6.5″)

Kurosaki Nakiri Fujin is a uniquely looking blade from a talented master blacksmith Yu Kurosaki. The knife incorporates well-tested VG-10 steel, which undergoes a heat treatment process to achieve a hardness of 61 HRC. Named after the Japanese God of Wind, Fujin, this Nakiri knife is a powerful reminder of the beauty of nature.

BLADE SHAPE:
The Nakiri blade, a traditional Japanese knife shape, is specifically designed for cutting vegetables. Its flat edge and squared-off tip allow for efficient chopping and slicing, making it a preferred choice for prep cooks who handle a substantial volume of vegetables daily. The blade’s straight edge provides optimal and stable contact with the cutting board and allows for fluid movement, providing the user with enhanced control and maneuverability. If you find yourself facing a mountain of veggies to prep, the Nakiri blade is a total game-changer!

STEEL:
VG-10 (V for Vanadium, G for “gold” as in “gold standard”) is made by Takefu Special Steel Company, a relatively small steel company that around 60 years ago managed to find just the right balance of different elements to create the most popular Japanese knife making steel today. VG-10 steel is stainless steel with relatively high Carbon (C) content (1%), 15% Chromium (Cr), 1% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.3% Vanadium (V)  and 1.5% Cobalt (Co). The combination of Cr, Mo, and V forms a lot of hard carbides, making the steel abrasion resistant, which translates to long-lasting, smooth sharpness. Heat treated to the hardness of 60-61 HRC.

LAMINATION:
The excellent VG-10 steel core is clad into 10 layers of softer stainless steel – this lamination technique is called san-mai damascus.

BLADE FINISH:
The Kurosaki Fujin blade consists of a unique combination of a tsuchime (hammered) finish and a captivating damascus pattern (11 layers). The narrow and straight lines create a sense of motion, evoking the image of swirling winds. This distinctive texture not only enhances the visual charm of the blade, but also reduces food sticking to the blade. 

Fujin is the god of wind and one of the oldest Shinto gods in Japanese mythology. The unique hammered finish on the knife beautifully captures the essence of a windy storm, infusing it with an intriguing aesthetic and a touch of elemental power.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (50/50 symmetrical) blade.

HANDLE:
The handle is made from beautiful dark rosewood, and because of its symmetrical octagonal shape, it is perfect for both left- and right-handed users.

BLACKSMITH:
Yu Kurosaki is a young, talented master blacksmith, located in Takefu Knife Village, close to the city of Echizen. His knives are well known in Japan and around the world for their beautiful, special-looking design and great quality. Hammer’s dents on the blade are his unique signature, and like snowflakes, not a single dent is alike. Needless to say (but we will say it anyway), his knives not only look great, they are made of high-quality steels and come with a razor sharp, long-lasting edge.

Before opening his own smithy, Kurosaki-san was the apprentice of Hiroshi Kato, a master blacksmith with more than 50 years of knife making experience. Kato-san is one of the founders of the Takefu Knife Village, where now more than 10 master blacksmiths make handmade knives on display for visitors to observe and learn more about their craft. Kurosaki-san is the youngest blacksmith to be granted the title of Master Nokaji by Takefu Knife Village Association and is the senior teacher there.

☝️When you visit Japan, make sure to put the Takefu Knife Village to your itinerary!

Here’s a short video of Kurosaki’s workshop: