Tojiro Shippu Black 10 Chef (Gyuto) – Seattle Cutlery

June 14,2024

Gyūtō (牛刀), meaning "beef knife," is the Japanese term for a French-pattern chef’s knife. Also known as the yo-boucho (洋包丁), “Western chef’s knife,” the gyuto was developed in Japan after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. The fusion of European form with Japanese steel and construction makes the gyuto a highly versatile.
Gyūtō (牛刀), meaning beef knife, is the Japanese term for a French-pattern chef’s knife. Also known as the yo-boucho (洋包丁), “Western chef’s knife,” the gyuto was developed in Japan after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. The fusion of European form with Japanese steel and construction makes the gyuto a highly versatile, effortlessly handled knife and an invaluable complement to any kitchen. Function Originally designed to process large cuts of beef, this blade shape is now the most popular general-purpose knife in the Western kitchen. In addition to slicing meat, the gyuto is also particularly suited for chopping produce near the heel and for making finer cuts with the narrow tip. Chef’s knives are available in a range of sizes. Smaller sizes offer better agility and larger sizes allow longer, more powerful cuts, but each user will develop their own preference based on hand size and technique. The 270 mm (10.6”) gyuto is a large knife best suited for taller users and for cutting larger items. It can be paired with a smaller, nimbler chef’s knife or utility knife to best suit your needs. Form Damascus steel was first developed in India over 2,000 years ago and quickly established a reputation not only for its beauty, but also as one of the greatest metallurgical innovations in history. Swords forged in Persia and sold in the Syrian city of Damascus inspired legends of their ability to slice through a gun barrel or part a hair falling across the blade. Although the ancient technique was lost to history around 1900, modern metallurgists have succeeded in reproducing the effect with state-of-the-art alloys to bring performance to the next level. Tojiro Shippu and Shippu Black blades are forged from 63-layer (all larger knives) or 37-layer (paring, peeling, and petty knives) Damascus steel, which is made by repeatedly folding and forge welding two stainless steels with different carbon contents. The resulting material bears the elegant, wavelike pattern produced by its many fine layers—a testament to its strength, flexibility, and durability. This Damascus envelops a core of harder VG-10 cobalt alloy steel, a high-carbon stainless steel developed in Japan. Hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 62, it accommodates a long-lasting, razor-sharp edge. Shippu Black blades are additionally treated with a black oxide conversion finish, which anodizes a microscopic layer of metal on the surface to chemically stable magnetite (Fe3O4). Often used on medical implements, this treatment improves the steel’s resistance to saltwater and is popular on boats or in coastal areas. The handle is crafted from lightweight chestnut wood, which provides a secure grip without upsetting the knife’s balance. The wood is fire-blackened, enhancing its durability and water resistance, and secured with a ferrule (collar) of polypropylene resin. Its D-shaped shinogi profile maximizes comfort and ease of control.