Tojiro Shippu Black 4-Piece Set with Magnetic Stand

If you’re looking for lightweight, finely balanced knives that cut like no other, look no further. Shippu Black is Tojiro’s flagship line of traditional Japanese knives and features premium forged Damascus steel blades and fire-blackened chestnut wood handles, all handmade in Tsubame, Japan and imported exclusively by Seattle Cutlery. Our four-piece set includes just the right knives for nearly any task.

What you get

240 mm (9.4") Chef's Knife: Also known as a gyūtō (牛刀), meaning "beef knife," the chef's knife is your go-to tool for larger tasks. Originally designed for processing red meat, it can also be used to chop vegetables near the heel.

165 mm (6.5") Nakiri: Meaning "knife for cutting greens," the nakiri bōchō (菜切り包丁) is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife. While the gyuto's narrow blade and fine tip are better for cutting meat, the nakiri excels at chopping and dicing vegetables thanks to its broad, rectangular blade, which provides even chopping power along the full length of the blade. The rounded tip facilitates rock chopping.

130 mm (5.1") Petty Knife: This is the Japanese version of the European utility knife and is an excellent tool for any smaller tasks. It can be used for slicing and chopping meat, fish, and vegetables, as well as for carving poultry, paring fruits and vegetables, and cutting tough foods like cured meats.

90 mm (3.5") Paring Knife: The smallest knife typically found in the chef's arsenal, the paring knife is also the most agile. Perfect for paring fruits and vegetables, its narrow tip also makes it handy for garnish work and for fine tasks such as deveining shrimp. Tojiro’s Japanese paring knife is set apart from Western counterparts by the straight, angled blade, which also allows the knife to be used on a cutting board while maintaining clearance between the handle and cutting surface.

Magnetic Bamboo Knife Stand: This stand of our very own design, normally $39.90, is included with the set as our gift to you. It stands freely on your counter and securely holds up to five knives with blades of up to 9.5". We offer it in two shades—pick your favorite!

Materials & Design

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.