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Tojiro Zen Black Slicer (Sujihiki)

Tojiro Zen Black Slicer (Sujihiki)

FD-1569

Regular price $158.00
Regular price $210.00 Sale price $158.00
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The sujihiki (筋引), literally “muscle puller,” or slicer, is a traditional Japanese knife specialized for slicing meat. Elegant but functional, the light, narrow blade is known for the unparalleled quality of its cut when trimming, slicing, and filleting, and makes an invaluable addition to the arsenal of any omnivore.

Function

Thanks to its thin, narrow blade, the sujihiki encounters little resistance when slicing through any cut of meat or boneless fish. Its length and sharpness carry it through even large pieces with a single draw cut—combined with the acute angle of the edge, finer than on most Western knives, this allows it to create flawless slices with minimal cellular damage on the cut surface.

Form

The blade is made using the centuries-old san mai (“three-layer”) construction technique, in which a hardened steel core is forge welded to a jacket of softer steel for strength. Tojiro Zen and Zen Black blades are forged with a core of VG-10 cobalt alloy steel, a high-carbon stainless steel developed in Japan. Hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 60, it accommodates a long-lasting, razor-sharp edge. The core is clad in 13 chrome stainless steel, which strengthens the blade and guards against corrosion.

Zen Black blades are additionally treated with a black oxide conversion finish, which anodizes a microscopic layer of metal on the surface to chemically stable magnetite (Fe3O4). Often used on medical implements, this treatment improves the steel’s resistance to saltwater and is popular on boats or in coastal areas.

The handle is crafted from lightweight chestnut wood, which provides a secure grip without upsetting the knife’s balance. The wood is fire-blackened, enhancing its durability and water resistance, and secured with a ferrule (collar) of polypropylene resin. Its D-shaped shinogi profile maximizes comfort and ease of control.

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Specifications

Length: 210 mm (8.3") blade, 355 mm (14.0") overall

Weight: 120 g (4.2 oz)

Blade: VG10 cobalt alloy steel clad in 13 chrome stainless with black oxide conversion finish

Edge: Double bevel

Handle Material: Fire-blackened chestnut wood with polypropylene resin ferrule

Handle Shape: D-shaped (shinogi)