Crows Nest store now open, in store specials!

Mazaki  |  SKU: MAZA_W2HONDM_GY24_Y24

EOFY2025 SPECIAL: Mazaki White 2 Hon-Sanmai Gyuto 240mm with Saya

$799.95

IMPORTANT: Carbon steel knives can rust or patina quickly if not cared for properly. They require regular cleaning, drying, and oiling. If you are unfamiliar with carbon steel maintenance, we recommend choosing a stainless steel option instead.

Add a saya or K&S Knife Roll to receive $20 bundle discount!

Detailed Specifications
Line Mazaki White 2 Migaki
Profile Gyuto / Chefs Knife
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 283 g        9.98 oz
Edge Length 250 mm   .9.84 inch
Heel Height 55 mm     .2.17 inch
Width @ Spine 5.5 mm     0.22 inch
Width @ Mid 2.3 mm     0.09 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.0 mm     0.04 inch
Steel White 2 / Shirogami #2 | Carbon
Blade Construction Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad
Hardness (HRC) 60 - 64
Surface Finish Migaki
Handle Octagonal Ebony
Region Sanjo
Best for
  • Enthusiasts
    • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
    • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


    Naoki Mazaki's Shirogami #2 (White #2) line showcases his mastery of traditional knife-making techniques. These knives are hand-forged from high-carbon Shirogami #2 steel, known for its exceptional sharpness and edge retention. Each blade is meticulously finished with a kurouchi or migaki finish, highlighting its rustic elegance. The handles, often crafted from magnolia wood with walnut ferrules, provide a comfortable and balanced grip. Perfect for both professional chefs and culinary enthusiasts, Mazaki's Shirogami #2 knives are celebrated for their precision, durability, and timeless craftsmanship.

    Mazaki also loves to use other high carbon steel as well, notably Hitachi White #1, Blue #1 and Blue Super.

    Pros Cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Workhorse grind
  • Great OOTB
  • Need extra care
  • Prone to rust
  • Relatively hard to sharpen

  • Care Instruction
    1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
    2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
    3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
    4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
    5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
    6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
    7. Oil the (carbon) knife if storing for an extended period of time to prevent rust.

    Mazaki

    Mazaki is a one-man operation based in Sanjo, Niigata. His knife is artistically beautful, and from the very beginning with very high level of Fit and Finish. I didn't look further into it as its cutting style was not my preference. 

    A while ago I was able to sample his latest work and was thoroughly impressed by how much it has improved. His knife now cuts much better than his earlier ones. I am particularly impressed that Mazaki's knife is largely finished on a stone by hand, while it is a much more time consuming process, such process ensures the knife is straight and flat with minimal low spots. We are talking about a type of finishing that is very much like Shigefusa's final handle sharpening process (albeit not the same level of polishing), rather than a water grinder sharpening process, which creates uneveness and low spots along the blade road, and sometimes even worse: over-grind. Given the effort that Mazaki-san has put in, the production is understandably very limited, and given the low price, I am sure his work will be highly thought after veyr soon. 

    • Profile: Gyuto

      Chefs Knife

      A Japanese chef's knife is known as a gyuto (牛刀 ぎゅうとう) gyūtō?), literally meaning 'beef knife'. Its blade resembles a flatter version of a French chef's knife. Japanese cutlery is known for sharpness due to its acute blade geometry, and the hardness of the steel used, sometimes exceeding 60 HRC on the Rockwell Scale A typical western chef's knife may be sharpened to an edge angle of 20-22°, while a Japanese gyuto generally has a sharper edge angle of 15-18° (or even lower), which requires a harder, more brittle grade of steel. In recent years Japanese gyuto have gained in popularity with western chefs.

      A modern chef's knife is a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and disjointing large cuts.

      Slide for more >>

    • Steel: White 2 / Shirogami #2

      White Steel No.2, also known as Shirogami #2 or White Paper #2, is long regarded as the go-to choice for crafting high-grade Japanese kitchen knives. This steel is celebrated for its capacity to be fashioned into knives that exhibit a sharp cutting edge, moderate tenacity, and long-lasting sharpness, alongside being notably easy to sharpen. While it possesses a slightly lower carbon content (C: 1%) compared to White Steel No.1 (C: 1.3%), it still requires a high level of craftsmanship to manipulate effectively. The expertise of a skilled blacksmith is crucial in transforming this material into a premium quality kitchen knife. Despite its excellent qualities, White Steel No.2 is known to be very reactive; hence, knives made from this steel demand meticulous care, including immediate wiping and drying after use, to prevent corrosion.

      Sanjo and Sakai are known to widely utilise Shirogami #2 in their mainstream kitchen knives.

      Manufacturer:

      • Hitachi Special Steel, Japan

      Nature: Carbon

      Hardness: 60- 64

      << Slide for more >>

    • Construction: Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad

      Sanmai iron cladding is a traditional Japanese knife construction technique where a hard steel core is sandwiched between two layers of softer iron or steel. This method combines the superior edge retention and sharpness of high-carbon steel with the durability and ease of maintenance provided by the softer outer layers. The sanmai structure offers a balanced knife that is both flexible and resistant to breaking, ideal for precision cutting tasks. The softer outer layers also facilitate easier sharpening and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the knife through the development of a unique patina over time. While sanmai-clad knives require careful maintenance to prevent rust, their exceptional performance and distinctive appearance make them often a desirable feature of Japanese knives.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Finish: Migaki

      "Migaki" means "polished" or "shined" in Japanese, The term "Migaki finish" in the context of Japanese kitchen knives indeed does not exclusively refer to a mirror polish but encompasses a broader range of polished finishes that can vary from semi-gloss to a more refined, subtle sheen, rather than a highly reflective surface. The primary goal of a Migaki finish is to enhance the knife's functionality and aesthetic appeal, focusing on a smooth finish that improves resistance to corrosion and minimizes drag during cutting, rather than achieving a purely mirror-like appearance.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Handle Specs

      Profile: Octagonal WA

      Material:

      • Ebony

      This handle, crafted from a single piece of ebony, exemplifies minimalist elegance and functional design. Its unique octagonal shape, featuring a subtle taper, offers a comfortable grip and a visually appealing geometric profile. The ebony wood, known for its deep, rich color and durability, has been meticulously milled from a single block, ensuring a seamless construction that highlights the wood's natural beauty and grain. The handle's surface has been highly polished, achieving a glossy finish that not only enhances the ebony's luxurious dark hue but also provides a smooth, tactile experience for the user. This design choice reflects a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity, quality, and usability. The combination of the octagonal shape with the taper adds a modern twist to the classic material, making it a standout piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

      << Slide for more

    Mazaki

    EOFY2025 SPECIAL: Mazaki White 2 Hon-Sanmai Gyuto 240mm with Saya

    $799.95

    Part of the BFCM2024 promotion. Mazaki White 2 Hon-Sanmai Gyuto 240mm, comes with single metal spacer ebony marble horn handle and a Jiu Stuido magnetic knife guard. 

    PS, don't buy a saya. Our "Thick Spine Mazaki Saya" no longer fits the 2024 profile :/ 

     

    View product