Kai Kinju Yanagiba Knife 27 cm Carbon Steel 58 HRC

KAI Seki Magoroku KK Kinju Yanagiba 27 cm – Professional Knife for Sushi and Sashimi

The KAI Yanagiba Seki Magoroku KK Kinju 27 cm (cod. KK-0027) is the traditional Japanese knife par excellence for raw fish preparation: high-carbon steel blade at 58 (±1) HRC, single bevel kataba and octagonal pakka wood handle in black. An indispensable tool for professional sushi chefs, Japanese restaurants and high-level foodservice facilities.

The Blade: High-Carbon Steel, 58 HRC

The 27 cm blade is hand-forged from high-carbon steel with hardness 58 (±1) HRC on the Rockwell scale. Compared to standard stainless steels, this composition guarantees a thinner and more durable edge, excellent response to traditional Japanese sharpening stones and clean cuts that fully preserve the texture of raw fish.

The finish is satin and matte along the blade's flanks, with the sharp edge gleaming in the light: a visual contrast that testifies to KAI's craftsmanship. A soft decorative wave runs along the entire splay from heel to point, a distinctive aesthetic element of the Kinju series.

Single Bevel Kataba: The Japanese Technique of Perfect Cutting

The KK Kinju Yanagiba features a single bevel (kataba), sharpened exclusively on the right side, following Japanese tradition. This geometry allows the blade to glide through fish with minimal resistance, separating fibres without crushing them. The result is perfectly uniform sashimi slices and smooth cut surfaces, impossible to achieve with a Western double-bevelled knife.

Important: this knife is designed for right-handed users. For left-handed users, a version with inverted bevel is required.

Octagonal Pakka Wood Handle: Ergonomics and Control

The 12.5 cm handle in matte black pakka wood with octagonal cross-section is not purely aesthetic: the traditional Japanese form ensures a secure and oriented grip, eliminating involuntary rotation during precision cuts. The overall weight of 212 g ensures the right balance between blade and handle for prolonged work sessions.

Professional Uses

The KAI Yanagiba KK-0027 is the reference tool for:

• Sashimi – paper-thin slices of salmon, tuna, sea bass, gilt-head bream and other raw fish
• Nigiri sushi – precise cutting of fish for impeccable nigiri
• Fish carpaccios and tartares – uniform slices and perfect cubes
• Filleting – removing skin and preparing fillets

KAI Corporation: Seki, 1908

KAI Corporation was founded in Seki, Japan's blade city, in 1908. Over a century of continuous professional knife production, with direct roots in the tradition of katana master smiths. The Seki Magoroku KK (Kinju) series represents the balance between artisanal quality and professional accessibility: hand-made knife performance, consistent reliability in the foodservice setting.

The knife meets the requirements of European standards for food safety and material quality, making it suitable for use in restaurants, luxury hotels and gastronomic laboratories requiring certified tools.

Technical Specifications

• Series: Seki Magoroku KK Kinju
• Article code: KK-0027
• Type: Yanagiba – Japanese knife for sashimi
• Blade length: 27 cm
• Handle length: 12.5 cm
• Blade material: High-carbon steel
• Hardness: 58 (±1) HRC
• Bevel: Single (kataba) – for right-handed users
• Handle material: Black pakka wood, octagonal cross-section
• Weight: 212 g
• Production: Hand-made
• Barcode: 4901601002003

Maintenance and Storage

Cleaning: rinse with hot water on first use. After each use wash immediately with neutral detergent, dry with a soft cloth from spine to edge. Rinse immediately after contact with acidic foods (lemon, vinegar). Do not wash in dishwasher – hand washing only.

Sharpening: use exclusively Japanese sharpening stones (not steels), respecting the single bevel. Have professionally sharpened when necessary. Do not immerse the wooden handle for prolonged periods; oil periodically with neutral vegetable oil or camellia oil.

Storage: store in a knife block, drawer with blade guard or magnetic bar, avoiding contact with other metal objects. With correct maintenance, the high-carbon steel of the KAI KK-0027 guarantees superior cutting performance for decades.