The Masakage Shimo Gyuto - Kevin's knife

The Masakage Shimo Gyuto - Kevin's knife

"This is my Masakage Shimo gyuto. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Masakage Shimo gyuto is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Masakage Shimo gyuto is useless. Without my Masakage Shimo gyuto, I am useless. I must sharpen my Masakage Shimo gyuto true."
-From a famous film about philosophical chefs in tight situations

This knife is made by Kurosaki san. He is a younger blacksmith, but just killing it now. He is making knives like an old master blacksmith can and he’s in his mid-forties. It’s clear that he loves making knives. 

The blade is fat and rugged enough for my restaurant abuse (please keep in mind that I’m not overly abusive on knives) and sharpens so easily that it’s always crazy sharp, like a white carbon laser beam. The carbon steel takes on a patina quickly and starts looking bad ass and unique quickly. I can pick mine from a lineup of 10 others. It is mine.

Kevin Kent's Masakage Shimo Gyuto

About the Blacksmith: Yu Kurosaki

Kurosaki-san started his blacksmithing career young. He dropped out of school at 16 to work in a car factory. Then, when he was only 17, he started working at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen. While he was there, he apprenticed under Hiroshi Kato and Katsushige Anryu before becoming the youngest Master Blacksmith in Knife Village.

In 2015, Kurosaki-san spread his wings and opened his own workshop. He built his factory and showroom on the other side of the Knife Village parking lot. Striking out on your own doesn’t mean you have to move across the country. The new workshop is clean, so clean. It hasn’t had the decades of coke dust, engine grease, and steel powder to make it a filthy, loveable mess yet. Give him time. The shop is also set up for speed. It is organized. Everything has a place and it’s all very logical. I like how he works. 

Kurosaki-san is the poster boy for the future of blacksmithing in Japan. His knives are sexy, cool and unique. He’s successful and stylish, and he has customers around the world.

Read more about Yu Kurosaki and Shop for a Masakage Shimo here.

B
Brian C.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/24/20
Amazing Knife
Review by Brian C. on 24 Apr 2020 review stating Amazing Knife
This is such an incredible knife...it's my first 240mm so the size was pretty extreme when I first opened it up. It feels so solid and the pattern is amazing. Mine wasn't *that* sharp out of the box but passable. I haven't tried sharpening it yet but I suspect it'll go very well.

The knife is quite reactive - I have blues and yellows on mine. You definitely want to stay on top of the blade, keeping it clean and dry. I also got the wooden saya to store it, which is great.

Overall, I love the knife and it'll be even better once i sharpen it up a bit
B
Brian C.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/24/20
Amazing Knife
Review by Brian C. on 24 Apr 2020 review stating Amazing Knife
This is such an incredible knife...it's my first 240mm so the size was pretty extreme when I first opened it up. It feels so solid and the pattern is amazing. Mine wasn't *that* sharp out of the box but passable. I haven't tried sharpening it yet but I suspect it'll go very well.

The knife is quite reactive - I have blues and yellows on mine. You definitely want to stay on top of the blade, keeping it clean and dry. I also got the wooden saya to store it, which is great.

Overall, I love the knife and it'll be even better once i sharpen it up a bit
B
Brian C.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/24/20
Amazing Knife
Review by Brian C. on 24 Apr 2020 review stating Amazing Knife
This is such an incredible knife...it's my first 240mm so the size was pretty extreme when I first opened it up. It feels so solid and the pattern is amazing. Mine wasn't *that* sharp out of the box but passable. I haven't tried sharpening it yet but I suspect it'll go very well.

The knife is quite reactive - I have blues and yellows on mine. You definitely want to stay on top of the blade, keeping it clean and dry. I also got the wooden saya to store it, which is great.

Overall, I love the knife and it'll be even better once i sharpen it up a bit
S
Scott L.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/13/19
LOVE THIS KNIFE!!!
Review by Scott L. on 13 Mar 2019 review stating LOVE THIS KNIFE!!!
The staff answered all my questions and were EXTREMELY knowledgeable throughout the purchase process. As for the Masakage Shimo...everthing they said it would be. Pure, razorsharp joy ootb!!! I'm researching my next Japanese knife purchase atm and Knifewear is now my goto purveyor of fine cutlery.
S
Scott L.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/13/19
LOVE THIS KNIFE!!!
Review by Scott L. on 13 Mar 2019 review stating LOVE THIS KNIFE!!!
The staff answered all my questions and were EXTREMELY knowledgeable throughout the purchase process. As for the Masakage Shimo...everthing they said it would be. Pure, razorsharp joy ootb!!! I'm researching my next Japanese knife purchase atm and Knifewear is now my goto purveyor of fine cutlery.
R
Rick C.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/06/19
Prime Rib + Masakage Shimo Sujihiki = Happy
Review by Rick C. on 6 Mar 2019 review stating Prime Rib + Masakage Shimo Sujihiki = Happy
I immediately forced a patina, and then christened this knife by slicing up a prime rib roast. Beautiful results all around. I am a happy camper and I recommend this knife for anyone in the market for a protein slicer.
C
Colin T.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
02/19/19
Great knife!
Review by Colin T. on 19 Feb 2019 review stating Great knife!
After several weeks of use the knife is performing great. Rumours of how hard the Shimo line is to care for are pretty overblown. A quick wipe is all that's been necessary, and a lovely patina started to form within days of use. I did decide to treat the mahogany handle with tung oil, mostly for durability and aesthetics, but that was also really easy. Also, purchasing experience at Knifewear was great. I can't wait to add another blade like this to my collection.
K
knifewear
05/20/16
Yu Kurosaki is one of the youngest blacksmiths we represent. The Shimo, one of the knives he produces for Masakage, is a perfect example of a classic Japanese knife. It's got carbon cladding over a Shirogami core, and is ground nice and thin to give you that "woosh" feeling while gliding through food! $194 #knifewearyeg #stayfrosty
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007lovefood
03/14/18
Sharp knife rock #masakage #knifes #chefknife #knifeporn #knifewear
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knifewear
04/14/16
The Shimo has a unique pattern from an X shaped hammer Kurosaki designed! Masakage Shimo Santoku $194! #knifewearYOW #sharpknivesrock 613.695.4200
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alana e.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
09/12/18
Love it
Review by alana e. on 12 Sep 2018 review stating Love it
Bought this knife for my boyfriend for his birthday. He wanted a sushi knife but the knowledgeable staff was able to educate me on the importance of starting out with a chef's knife and getting a feel for what you want in the tool.

The knife itself is beautiful, has a good weight, and is super sharp. We love the case it comes in and it's a definitely something we love showing off at parties.

I'll be back to purchase the sushi knife next year!
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connor m.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/26/18
New Knife for work
Review by connor m. on 26 Jul 2018 review stating New Knife for work
As always the staff are what really make the experience memorable. Giving there best insight and recommendations and are great to talk too. The knife itself is beautiful it’s my first carbon Steel knife and I plan to stick with carbon steel for the rest of my purchases. For the all wood handle and amazing carbon steel that looks frosted the knife is a great value. My only minor complaint is the knife is definitely as not as sharp as I would expect straight out of the box. This is only minor though as you get a free sharpening with every purchase. Thank you knifewear
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knifewear
03/11/16
Yu Kurosaki may have only started making knives in 2002 but it sure doesn't feel like that. Sasame, Shimo and The Kurosaki Specials are some of the finest blades to have ever graced our presence. He may be young but his blades will be the stuff of legends. #knifewearYOW
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julieleclerc1
07/21/18
Picked up another knife during our visit to Knifewear Vancouver last week -Masakage Shimo Nakiri. #knifewear
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simont08
02/14/18
Welcome to the family ! #knives #knifewear #masakage #masakageknives
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