Yoshihiro Honyaki Aoko Blue Steel Mirror Finished Yanagi Sushi Sashimi Japanese knife with Ebony Handle

Our Yoshihiro Honyaki Aoko Mirror-Finished knives epitomize the highest quality in Japanese knife craftsmanship. The Ao Honyaki process is a meticulous method of pure water quenching that enhances the hardness of refined steel while imbuing it with exceptional resiliency, ensuring consistent performance in the most demanding conditions. The term Honyaki translates to "true forged," reflecting the timeless art of Japanese sword making. Crafted from a single piece of Blue Steel #2 with a hardness rating of 65 HRC, each knife is heated in furnaces that reach thousands of degrees and quenched using the Ao Honyaki technique to achieve remarkable hardness and durability. The blade is polished to a brilliant mirror finish, with incandescent wisps of light dancing across the surface of the blade’s edge, known as the Hamon.

Our Honyaki Aoko knives are elegantly complemented by a traditional Japanese handle made from the finest Ebony, secured with a Water Buffalo horn bolster. This knife is accompanied by a protective lacquered magnolia wood saya, which is not only easy to clean but also resistant to stains and odors. This specific saya cover encases each knife beautifully, enhancing its appearance when not in use. For care, simply hand wash with a mild cleanser; all knives are NSF approved and handcrafted by skilled tradesmen in Japan.

The Yanagi is a long slicing knife specifically designed for creating thin slices of fish for sushi and sashimi, making it an essential tool in the arsenal of many chefs. The length and shape of the blade allow for long, uninterrupted strokes, preserving the freshness and integrity of the ingredient. The elegance of its thin blade, combined with its functionality, makes the Yanagi a powerful component in traditional Japanese cuisine, elevating even the simplest tasks to extraordinary levels.