Tojiro Zen Black 10" Chef (Gyuto)

Function

Originally designed to process large cuts of beef, this blade shape is now the most popular general-purpose knife in the Western kitchen. In addition to slicing meat, the gyuto is also particularly suited for chopping produce near the heel and for making finer cuts with the narrow tip.

Chef’s knives are available in a range of sizes. Smaller sizes offer better agility and larger sizes allow longer, more powerful cuts, but each user will develop their own preference based on hand size and technique. The 270 mm (10.6”) gyuto is a large knife best suited for taller users and for cutting larger items. It can be paired with a smaller, nimbler chef’s knife or utility knife to best suit your needs.

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.