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Sukenari  |  SKU: SUKE-VGXEOS-NIM-YA30EB

Sukenari VG XEOS Nimai Yanagiba 300mm, Ebony Handle with Brass Ferrule

Regular price $749.95

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Availability

  • St Peters, NSW —
    2 Bishop St, Unit 2, St Peters NSW 2044
  • Crows Nest, NSW —
    107 West St, Shop 1, Crows Nest NSW 2065
    Pickup only
  • Prahran, VIC —
    180 Commercial Road, Shop 1, Prahran VIC 3181
    Pickup only
Detailed Specifications
Line Sukenari VG XEOS Nimai Mirror Finish
Profile Yanagiba
Bevel Type Single Bevel
Weight 248 g | 8.7 oz
Edge Length 293 mm | 11 17/32″
Heel Height 35 mm | 1 3/8″
Width @ Heel 3.6 mm | 9/64″
Width @ Mid 3.1 mm | 1/8″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.1 mm | 3/64″
Steel VG XEOS | Stainless
Blade Construction Nimai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC) 62 - 63
Surface Finish Mirror Polish
Handle
Region Toyama
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
  • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


Carbon steel is the traditional choice for a yanagiba, but it isn’t the only one worth considering. The VG XEOS Nimai line from Sukenari brings a modern stainless steel into a familiar single-bevel format. For those who enjoy preparing sashimi but would rather spend less time worrying about a reactive cutting edge, the appeal is straightforward.

Developed by Takefu Special Steel, VG XEOS is designed to combine high corrosion resistance with hardness and wear resistance. Its special melting process produces a fine microstructure, although Takefu keeps the exact composition undisclosed. Here, it forms the cutting steel in a traditional nimai construction—two layers, with a softer cladding supporting the hardened steel. It’s a combination of modern metallurgy and the established Japanese approach to building a single-bevel knife.

The yanagiba is all about the draw cut: using the length of the blade to slice through a piece of salmon or tuna in one controlled movement, rather than sawing back and forth. This remains a specialist tool, though. Single-bevel sharpening takes some learning, and the fine edge is intended for boneless fish and delicate slicing, not cutting through bones or frozen ingredients.

I’d put this line on the shortlist for chefs and enthusiasts who want traditional yanagiba geometry with a stainless cutting edge. Stainless doesn’t mean maintenance-free, so washing and drying after use still matter, but the core steel is less demanding than White or Blue steel. For sushi chefs and keen home cooks alike, that offers a practical reason to consider something beyond the traditional carbon-steel options.

Pros Cons
  • Great for professionals
  • Easy to look after
  • Mirror polish can be hard to maintain
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.

Sukenari

Sukenari: The Toyama Forge That Tames Steel No One Else Can

Sukenari(佑成), a brand with a trademark written in two Kanji, one is "to support" or can be broken down to "human and its right side", the other one is "become, achieve). According to the current Representative Director Nobuo Hanaki, this name is filled with the desire of making product that will become an inseparable part in the right hand of those who cook.

Eversince the founding of the company in Showa 8th (1933), Sukenari have been renowned for its products utilizing the hardest manufacturing technique of Honyaki. This applies not only to the traditional carbon steel, but also to modern stainless alloy steels, or even powder metallurgy steels. It is quite safe to say Sukenari, is one of the most, if not the most pioneering Japanese company in terms of new steel selection, with glorious track records of forging with steels never seen on any other kitchen knives.

Read more

Sukenari(佑成), a brand with a trademark written in two Kanji, one is "to support" or can be broken down to "human and its right side", the other one is "become, achieve). According to the current Representative Director Nobuo Hanaki, this name is filled with the desire of making product that will become an inseparable part in the right hand of those who cook.

Eversince the founding of the company in Showa 8th(1933), Sukenari have been renowned for its products utilizing the hardest manufacturing technique of Honyaki. This applies not only to the traditional carbon steel, but also to modern stainless alloy steels, or even powder metallurgy steels. It is quite safe to say Sukenari, is one of the most, if not the most pioneering Japanese company in terms of new steel selection, with glorious track records of forging with steels never seen on any other kitchen knives.

ZDP-189, YXR7 and HAP-40, these are the steels with extreme performance that was never considered by the industry to be suitable for knife making, yet Sukenari was daring enough to experiment with them, which lead to the adoptation by the industry. Without this company, we are likely unable to get our hands on some of the extreme performer knives today. It is great to see a Japanese company with rich history can breake the stereotype of lacking in innovation, and show us there are still potential for improvement. Just like the current company owner, 3rd-generation Hanaki - Mr. Nobuo Hanaki said: "we are willing to work hard to improve our skill and technique, so we can be relied upon by those who cook."

“The knife behind the knife — and the steel no one else dares.”

Est. 1933 | 昭和8年
Known for Forging the "unforgable" powdered steels
Website sukenari.jp Instagram @sukenari_official Read more about Sukenari
Sukenari — Toyama

Knife details

Profile: Yanagiba
Profile

Yanagiba

The Yanagiba, often simply called Yanagi, stands as a quintessential knife in the Japanese culinary realm, specifically designed for the artful preparation of sashimi, sushi, and sliced raw fish and seafood. As a member of the Sashimi hōchō family, it is celebrated for its long, slender blade that ensures precision cuts with minimal effort. Blade lengths start at approximately 210mm and can extend up to 360mm, with the 240mm and 270mm sizes being the most favored for home use, while professional kitchens frequently opt for 300mm and larger. This knife's design is not just about aesthetics but about fulfilling the precise requirements of Japanese cuisine, making it a vital tool for both amateur and seasoned chefs.
Steel
VG XEOS
Category
Stainless
Manufacturer
Takefu Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
Hardness
62–63 HRC
Steel

VG XEOS

  • Manufacturer
    • Takefu Special Steel, Japan
  • Nature Stainless
  • Hardness62–63 HRC
A new grade of steel for blades that combines high corrosion resistance and high hardness at a high dimension, which had been difficult to achieve in the past, with a fine microstructure created by a special melting method that improves wear resistance, strength, and quenching properties.
Construction: Nimai - Stainless Clad
Construction

Nimai - Stainless Clad

Nimai(Two Piece) is the Japan's traditional approach to the kitchen knife making, this construction method is typically found on knives with native Japanese origins like Yanagiba, Deba and Usuba. When constructing a Nimai knife, a piece of soft cladding metal will be placed onto a core steel, the two pieces of metal are then forgewelded and shaped into the knife.

The Nimai knives are usually sharpened in single-bevel fashion, with hardened core steel exposed on the flat/hollow-ground side and soft cladding warping over the other side and over the spin. The soft cladding offers support for the harder yet more brittle core steel so the knive can have a thin, sharp edge while have some overall strength. Since the single bevel Japanese knives usually don't have a secondary bevel, the combination of soft cladding and hollow-grind have made the sharpening process easier than Monosteel and Honyaki knives.

In recent years, knifemaker have been trying to utilize stainless claddings on the traditional Nimai knives, which were typically forged withcarbon steel. But unlike the Sanmai construction, the core steel will still be exposed on the hollow-ground side even the stainless cladding can protect the other side. The Stainless Clad Nimai knives seen on the market now would typically use a stainless core to pair with the stainless cladding, making the Nimai and traditional single bevel knives much more approachable for users who are interested in them.

Finish: Mirror Polish
Finish

Mirror Polish

Mirror Polish is a simplistic yet hightly demanding process, where the roughness of the metal surface is gradually removed with higher and higher grit abrasives, leading to a extremly smooth surface with only specular reflection, just like a mirror.

The Mirror Polish can be applied to various constructions, ranging from Damascus to Honyaki. It can reveal the beautiful Hamon on the Honyaki blade, and form textural contrast on damascus. The perfect surface is highly appreciated, but it also means a lot of care must be give to avoid it being scratched.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a yanagiba knife used for in sushi preparation?

A yanagiba is a single-bevel knife designed specifically for slicing sashimi and raw fish into flawless, clean cuts without crushing the delicate flesh.

This tool is defined by its long, slender profile and single-bevel geometry, which allows for the precision required in sushi preparation. K&S offers yanagiba in steels such as White #2, Blue #2, and Inox. For a practical starting point, the Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Yanagiba 210mm is available at a mid-range price, offering a standard entry size. Professionals or those seeking larger blades can look at the Nigara Anmon Blue 2 'Nejiri' Twist Bar Damascus Yanagiba 270mm at the premium end, which provides the length needed for larger fish fillets.

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