6" Low-Rust Carbon steel Petty Knife with Wood and Bone Handle
Made in Japan by Tsukiji Aritsugu, a family-owned knife manufacturer and blacksmith with 16th century roots in swordmaking. They’re located in Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji fish market and bring 400 years of knife making experience to their product and offer great quality at moderate prices. Wipe and dry during use and immediately after washing.
Carbon steel is the traditional material used for creating Japanese knives. The key difference is that traditional japanese carbon steel knives are strong (literally harder than stainless steel) with a sharp edge that stays sharp for longer than stainless knives. Despite being a harder metal, carbon steel knives are also easier to sharpen (with a whetstone) than stainless steel knives, and a much sharper blade is possible.
Because of the alloys used, carbon steel knives may discolor, patina, and sometimes even rust if not properly washed and dried after use. Single bevel knives cannot be sharpened with a pull-through sharpener, so they must be sharpened with a whetstone.
Tsukiji Aritsugu's High Carbon knives are made from medium-rust resistant steel. This has a higher carbon content than stainless steel knives for strength, but they have less carbon than Tsukiji’s more traditional Japanese blades, so they are more resistant to patina and rust.