Matsuba 12 cm Hideo Kitaoka Shirogami#2 Black

• Blade Steel Type: Carbon Steel Shirogami#2 (Core) enveloped by iron
• Handle: Rose wood
• Hardness Rockwell (HRC): 61-63
• Total length: 25,2 cm
• Blade length: 12,0 cm
• Blade width: 2,4 cm
• Spine thickness: 3,3 mm
• Weight: 74 g

Made in Japan

KNIFE CARE

Carbon steel requires much more care than stainless steels. The basic principle of the maintenance of carbon steel knives is to wipe them dry, leaving a dirty knife even for a moment will quickly cover it with a patina. After wiping the knife dry, it is best to lubricate it with a small amount of camellia oil, which will additionally protect the blade. Leaving a wet knife to dry on its own will result in the appearance of small spots of rust. It is completely unacceptable to wash the knives in a dishwasher, chemicals and high temperature will negatively affect the handle and the blade, it can also lead to permanent damage to the knife. The knife is used only for cutting soft, boned and non-frozen products. If the blade comes into contact with the bone, it can chip. When cutting, do not twist the knife from side to side, as it may break the tip if the knife is jammed in the product. The wood and plastic boards recommended by us, cutting on glass or stone boards is prohibited, it will lead to an accelerated process of blunting the knife and possible nicks. The knife should only be used as a cutting tool, the thin, sharp design perfectly cuts the products, but when you try to open the jars, the blade may chip.

STEEL

Shirogami #2 (whitesteel)

Composition:

• Carbon: 1,05-1,15%
• Manganese: 0,20-0,30%
• Silicon: 0,10-0,20%
• Phosphorus: 0,025%
• Sulfur: 0,004%

It can also be found under the names Shiro-Ko 2 and Shiro-ni-ko. Its composition is similar to Shirogami 1 steel, only the carbon content differs. It is a high-carbon steel with the highest level of purity. It has a very simple chemical composition, does not contain a lot of carbides, but a lot of elemental carbon. High cleanliness and simple composition translates into extremely easy sharpening, thanks to which the blade can be made to have a mirror effect and reduce the sticking of the cut products to the knife surface. However, this steel can be hardened to very high hardness, thanks to its high hardness and abrasion resistance it can stay sharp for a long time. Note, like all carbon steels, it can rust, so it's worth spending time and attention on its maintenance - cleaning and oiling. Covering the knife with a patina prevents corrosion.