Tojiro Zen Peeling Knife

The peeling, tourné, or bird’s beak paring knife is a specialized paring knife designed for the tourné cut, a staple of fine French cuisine, as well as for other fine garnish work and for peeling fruits and vegetables.

Function

The tourné knife’s uniquely curved blade excels at precisely peeling curved fruits and vegetables. Its narrow tip allows it to easily slide under the skin of an onion or potato. In skilled hands, it can be used for other intricate garnish work.

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.

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.