Yanagiba
Wabi Yanagiba
Material
White Steel #2
Length
300mm
Origin
—
Finish
Kasumi
Description
Shirogami #2 with hon-kasumi finish — the traditional hand-ground transition from soft iron to sharp carbon. Natural wood handle, 300mm blade. Stripped back to what matters in a yanagiba.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
WHAT MAKES THIS KNIFE SPECIAL
Blade Type
Yanagiba
Blade Material
White Steel #2
Blade Length
300mm
Blade Finish
Kasumi
The sashimi knife — one pull, one slice.
Long single-bevel blade, 270–330mm; clean cuts that preserve raw fish texture.
QUALITATIVE SPECIFICATIONS
WHY CHOOSE THE YANAGIBA
柳刃 ⎯ YANAGIBA ⎯ SUSHI/SASHIMI KNIFE
Overview
The yanagiba is a sashimi knife — long, single-bevel, built for slicing raw fish to order. At 270–330mm, it provides the reach for a single clean draw through a full fillet. No serration, no rocking, no back-and-forth. One pull, one slice. The reference knife for Japanese raw fish preparation.
Single-pull slicing
Designed for a single uninterrupted draw — one motion from start to finish. Sawing is a workaround; the correct technique is a clean pull cut through a properly sharpened blade. The length is calculated for this motion.
Sashimi-grade
A properly sharpened yanagiba produces sashimi cuts with minimal cell damage — the flesh separates cleanly, texture is preserved, presentation is exact. This is not achievable with a general-purpose knife. The yanagiba is the correct tool for the job.
Extended reach
Extra length that translates directly to fewer strokes and cleaner results. More blade means completing the cut in a single motion without repositioning. The length is a functional choice, not an aesthetic one.
Single bevel
Ground on one side only. The flat back provides a reference surface and directional control; the bevel side creates extreme cutting acuity. Single-bevel geometry achieves a level of sharpness and separation that double-bevel knives can't match.
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
Dry thoroughly
After each use, wash the knives promptly and dry it thoroughly to bid farewell to any lingering moisture.
Gentle hand-wash only
Treat the knives with love by avoiding dishwashers. Hand-wash it with care, ensuring its longevity.
Be mindful of hard objects
Steer clear of bones or frozen food to protect the edge from chipping.
Use the right cutting board
Wooden cutting boards are highly recommended as they are gentle on the blade. They help preserve sharpness and extend the knife’s life.
Craftsmanship Guaranteed
ZAKU Knives are meticulously hand-crafted in Japan by skilled, generational artisans across Sakai, Seki, and Echizen regions.
Trusted by Professionals
Sakai proudly produces nearly all blades trusted by elite professional chefs, ensuring top-tier kitchen performance.
Promoting Tradition
We honor centuries of heritage by sharing authentic Japanese forging techniques with culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to choose the perfect knife?
The first key point in choosing a knife is what you cook and how you cut.
Knives come in many shapes and sizes. Choosing the right one for your cooking style greatly improves comfort and cutting performance.
The best knife is the one that feels right to you—The one you actually want to pick up and use. While performance varies slightly, your choice is primarily about personal style, comfort, and maintenance habits.
What payment methods are available?
We currently accept payments via PayPal and all major credit cards. All transactions are processed through our secure checkout, and we ensure that your details are never shared with third parties.
Prepaid gift cards and debit cards can also be used, but please note that they may occasionally encounter issues during approval, such as expiration dates or insufficient balances. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that prepaid cards, even those with a Visa logo, will always be approved. We recommend checking the balance of your prepaid card before enrolling if it’s your chosen payment method.
Does shipping fee include custom fees and taxes?
We recommend double-checking your country’s customs regulations before placing your order. Customs fees and taxes vary from country to country, so it’s important to be aware of your local rules. If you are charged any customs fees or taxes, please note that we are not responsible for covering these costs. These charges are determined by your local government, and unfortunately, we do not have control over the import taxes or customs procedures.
How should I choose between stainless and carbon?
Choosing a steel type is less about “sharpness” (both can be razor-sharp!) and more about your lifestyle. Generally, stainless steel is easy maintenance, and carbon steel is easy to sharpen.
When will my order ship?
All orders placed with us are typically processed within 72 hours (3 business days). Please note that processing time is separate from the shipping method you select and does not affect the estimated delivery time.
If, for any reason, we are unable to prepare your order for shipping within 72 hours, we will notify you via email with an update. Additionally, please be aware that Japanese holidays do not count as business days, as most businesses and services are closed during these periods.
What is your warranty and return policy?
Please note that certain natural characteristics of handcrafted products are not considered defects. We do not accept returns or exchanges for any reason related to customer preference.
Visit our FAQ page for a more detailed breakdown of our warranty and return policies.