Black X Hado Gyuto 240mm SanMai, 135Cr3, Wrought Iron, Ebony and Brass

The Black X Hado Gyuto is an exceptional knife, born from the collaboration of world-class craftspeople and designed exclusively for Modern Cooking’s MCX design studio. Limited to a rare batch of just ten pieces, this Gyuto exemplifies precision, artistry, and innovation. The blade is forged in the UK by the esteemed British blacksmith Joel Black, renowned for his craftsmanship and attention to detail. After forging, the blade journeys to Japan, where Hado Knives’ master sharpener Tadataka Maruyama applies his signature touch—an ultra-fine, flat grind paired with a chamfered heel and elegantly rounded spine. These details create a blade that balances performance with beauty, embodying the finest elements of culinary tool design.

The handle of this Gyuto is crafted in Austria by Tobias Hangler, bringing another layer of refinement to this extraordinary knife. Made from premium ebony and featuring a custom-fitted brass front bolster, the handle is shaped in the elegant tapered Rokkaku Hanmaru style, a Modern Cooking favorite for its ergonomic and aesthetic appeal. The blade’s classic pointed Gyuto profile, combined with a subtly radiused edge and tapered spine, ensures effortless cutting performance and a nimble, balanced feel in hand. Forged from 135Cr3, a high-carbon, low-alloy tool steel, this blade delivers exceptional sharpness and edge retention, making it a truely high performance, precision cutting tool.

This project is a celebration of the challenges and rewards of global collaboration, bringing together artisans from four countries—spanning the UK, Japan, Austria, and Germany—over a period of six months. Each knife reflects the collective expertise and dedication of its makers, from forging and sharpening to handle craftsmanship and design. At Modern Cooking, we are immensely proud to have worked with such a talented network of artisans, including Joel Black, Tadataka Maruyama, and Tobias Hangler. The Black X Hado Gyuto is more than just a knife; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when passion, skill, and collaboration unite. With only ten pieces available, this Gyuto represents a rare and extraordinary achievement in modern knife-making.