Tojiro Shippu Black Petty Knife

The petty or utility knife is a small, multipurpose blade that offers the versatility of a chef’s knife in a smaller package. Developed in Japan in the late 19^th century with influence from European patterns, this knife is suited for most smaller items or for any task that requires a nimble blade. It can be paired with a gyuto (chef’s knife) to cover the majority of your needs in the kitchen.

Function

The petty knife is similar in form to a large paring knife, making it useful for paring fruits and vegetables. The gently curved blade, much like the chef’s knife, is also useful for slicing meat and for chopping small produce.

Form

Damascus steel was first developed in India over 2,000 years ago and quickly established a reputation not only for its beauty, but also as one of the greatest metallurgical innovations in history. Swords forged in Persia and sold in the Syrian city of Damascus inspired legends of their ability to slice through a gun barrel or part a hair falling across the blade. Although the ancient technique was lost to history around 1900, modern metallurgists have succeeded in reproducing the effect with state-of-the-art alloys to bring performance to the next level.

Tojiro Shippu and Shippu Black blades are forged from 63-layer (all larger knives) or 37-layer (paring, peeling, and petty knives) Damascus steel, which is made by repeatedly folding and forge welding two stainless steels with different carbon contents. The resulting material bears the elegant, wavelike pattern produced by its many fine layers—a testament to its strength, flexibility, and durability. This Damascus envelops a core of harder VG-10 cobalt alloy steel, a high-carbon stainless steel developed in Japan. Hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 62, it accommodates a long-lasting, razor-sharp edge.

Shippu 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.