Nakiri 160mm Kitaeji Damascus Clad Carbon Steel

$1,997.00

A Nakiri 160mm Kitaeji Damascus Clad Carbon Steel knife from Shigefusa is a testament to the art and precision of Japanese knifemaking. This knife is crafted by Izuka-san, one of the most respected knifemakers in Sanjo, Niigata, Japan. Esteemed chefs like Masashi Yamamoto and knife makers like Bob Kramer have lauded Izuka-san for his exceptional skills, making Shigefusa knives some of the most coveted in the world.

Izuka-san's training under masters like Kosuke Iwasaki and Nagashima-san has equipped him with a deep understanding of steel and knifemaking techniques. This extensive background allows him to create knives that are not only functional but also works of art. The Kitaeji series features a core of high-carbon steel, providing outstanding sharpness and durability. The blade is meticulously clad in multiple layers of hand-forged Damascus steel, known for its beautiful, wavy patterns and added resilience​.

The knife is distinguished by its superior craftsmanship and unique construction methods. Izuka-san forges his own Damascus steel, called Kitaeji, from Swedish carbon steel, which he prefers for its similarity to traditional tamahagane. Additionally, he uses a sen, a small blade with handles on either side, to precisely shave nanometres of steel, ensuring unparalleled sharpness and precision. Due to the meticulous and time-consuming process involved, acquiring a Shigefusa knife can take up to five years, but the result is a truly exceptional tool that is well worth the wait​.

Condition: New, never sharpened

 

Product Specification

Blade Type: Nakiri

Overall length:

Edge Length: 160mm

Spine Heel: 3.68mm

Spine Mid: 2.5mm

Spine Tip (20mm before): 1.84mm

Blade Height: 51.97mm

Weight: 204g

Cutting Edge Steel: High Carbon Steel

Stainless: No

HRC: 64

Blade Construction: 3 Layer (San Mai)

Blade Finish: Kasumi, Satin Polish, and Acid Etched (Forced Patina)

Grind: Convex

Handle Construction: Hidden Tang

Handle Materials: Magnolia, Water Buffalo Horn

Handedness: Right

Saya, Hand Crafted Storage or Display Included: No

Shipping & Returns

Shipping

We process orders 5 days a week (Monday - Friday) and ship from our shop in Berlin, Germany. We ship with FedEx, UPS and Deutsche Post.

We are happy to offer free international shipping on a variety of orders depending on location and order value. You can check to see where things sit for you here.

Returns

At Modern Cooking we want our customers to be inspired and delighted by the products they purchase through our shop.

However, we understand that you may need to return products occasionally. If you are not entirely happy, you can return your purchase in its original condition within 14 days for a refund. Please email if you wish to return any goods.

In the unlikely event that you receive faulty goods or your order is damaged in transit, please contact us for instructions on how to return the goods as in this case we will meet the cost of return postage, though only if this is arranged through our authorised carriers. Any claim for refund or exchange resulting from faulty goods or goods damaged in transit must be raised within 5 business days.

All Modern Cooking logistics partners provide insurance in case of damage, but the coverage is only valid if we are notified within 5 business days. Please make sure to inspect your order immediately upon receipt to ensure that there is no damage.

Once we have the goods back, we will issue a full refund or send replacements where possible, as you prefer.

Product Care:

Cleaning: Clean by hand with warm water. Avoid wetting the handle when possible. 

Sharpening: We advise using whetstones to sharpen your knives and a honing rod or steel to maintain the burr between sharpening sessions. 

Reactive Steels: Reactive steels like Aogami Super, Apex Ultra or one of the many premium reactive German and Swedish steels are susceptible to rust if not properly cared for. In this case we advise that you keep the knife dry between uses and when storing the knife for longer periods wiping the knife blade with Tsubaki oil or another food safe oil is a wise choice. This will not stop a patina forming on the blade, but it will stop rust. A patina can be a beautiful personal feature on your knife and helps to stop rust forming. So, dry your knife regularly between uses, store in a dry place and apply some Tsubaki oil from time to time when storing for long periods. 

A reference guide to steel types

Handle Care: If you have a knife with a non-stabilised wooden handle, you can apply Tsubaki oil or another food safe oil to your handle from time to time. Food safe wax can be applied to both stabilised and no-stabilised wooden handles. Never apply hot wax or oil as you risk warping or damaging the handle.