Tsukiji Aritsugu 5.5" White Carbon Usuba

Featuring white carbon steel, this traditional Japanese usuba has a double bevel which creates a razor sharp edge for slicing through hard vegetables such as carrots. The 5.5" usuba is also the ideal knife for creating thin ribbons of daikon.

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 a low contaminant, high carbon steel known for its ease of sharpening and ability to take a very fine, razor sharp edge. More difficult to forge and temper properly, this type of steel is a testament to the skill of the craftsman. Beloved by sushi chefs for its super fine edge, but it is highly reactive and will oxide (rust) easily. In addition, this brittle steel will lose its edge more quickly and require additional sharpening to maintain its razor-sharp edge.