Shibata Knives

In my kitchen I was using a gyuto knife. It was a beautiful knife. But it was a little too curved for my liking. Didn't make enough contact with the food. So I switched to a straight-edged nakiri. Better for chopping vegetables. But when I was cutting meat, then I wanted to go back to my gyuto. Hmm, I thought. Somebody should make a new type of knife, one that falls between a gyuto and a nakiri. And then, as I am a knife maker, I thought that I should make it. So I did.

I gave it a slightly curved edge. Too-straight produces too much friction. Too-curved reduces contact with the food. This slight curve is my attempt at a happy medium.

I also gave it a sharp point. This is very nice for scoring vegetables, or squid, or chicken.

The spine of the knife has a very high mirror-polish. This maximizes friction between your fingers and the blade, for better control, comfort, and safety.

The sides of the knife have a rough finish, to minimize friction between the food and the blade. This is especially noticeable with foods that have a high water content. My knife's rough sides break up the water's surface tension, allowing the blade to slide through more easily.

I had my new knife. Now I wanted to give it a name. The shape eminded me of something...what was it?

The Kotetsu

Japan's first ironclad ship. Her name means, literally, "Ironclad." The Kotetsu had a very unusual bow. It looks like my knife.And the Kotetsu was the first in her class, and she used a pioneering, "cutting-edge" design - just like my knife.

The Kotetsu was formidable - just like my knife. And the Kotetsu was ironclad - somewhat like my knife. My knife is actually steel clad with steel. Inside I put SG-2 stainless powder steel. Outside, I have clad it with stainless steel sides. This 2-steel combination is easier to sharpen, and it keeps its edge better, and it resists damage better.

Shibata Knives

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Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka
Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka

Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka

$245.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 180mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto
Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto

Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto

$290.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 210mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 270mm Sujihiki
Shibata Kotetsu R2 270mm Sujihiki

Shibata Kotetsu R2 270mm Sujihiki

$335.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 270mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 80mm Paring Knife
Shibata Kotetsu R2 80mm Paring Knife

Shibata Kotetsu R2 80mm Paring Knife

$205.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 80mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 240mm Gyuto
Shibata Kotetsu R2 240mm Gyuto

Shibata Kotetsu R2 240mm Gyuto

$315.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 240mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto with Custom Handle
Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto with Custom Handle

Shibata Kotetsu R2 210mm Gyuto with Custom Handle

$290.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 210mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Two Tone Spalted Tamarind


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom handle
Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom handle

Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom handle

$360.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 180mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: "Leopardness" by The Culinary Craftsman


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 135mm Ko-Bunka
Shibata Kotetsu R2 135mm Ko-Bunka

Shibata Kotetsu R2 135mm Ko-Bunka

$230.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 135mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Rosewood Wa


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Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom PiBrid Handle
Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom PiBrid Handle

Shibata Kotetsu R2 180mm Bunka with Custom PiBrid Handle

$395.00

Steel: R2 Stainless (SG2) HRC: 63 Construction: Sanmai Laminate Length: 180mm Finish: Machine Finished   Blacksmith: Ikeda-San and Takayuki Shibata Handle: Custom PiBrid


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