Yu Kurosaki Knives

Yu Kurosaki Knives
Yu Kurosaki (黒崎 優) has become one of the best knife makers in Japan. He has received the most prestigious awards for his hand-forged knives. His Tsuchime and Suminagashi finishes have earned him particular acclaim. He started making knives as a teenager. When he was 23, he began a 12-year apprenticeship with master Hiroshi Kato. The master recognized his talent and started exhibiting his knives at international fairs and taking on the most demanding projects. In 2014, Yu Kurosaki founded his own workshop, conquering the industry with his skills and innovative approach to knife finishing. This brought him not only awards but also recognition in the Land of the Rising Sun and beyond its borders.

It’s worth paying attention to the Tsuchime finish, which is the art of hand-hammering patterns on the soft cladding (jiagne) to enhance the aesthetics of the blade. This is a painstaking process, but it can often be found in Japanese art and craftsmanship. It requires very high skills and full concentration to achieve a random yet uniform pattern. The classic Tsuchime finish manifests as small, round indentations on the knife blades. However, this type of finish in Yu Kurosaki’s execution is definitely distinguished by its uniqueness, which is particularly visible in his Shizuku and Fujin collections. They impress with high aesthetic values and also with functionality, as they significantly reduce the problem of food sticking to the blades. This finish resembles carving rather than hammering and takes the form of deep, diamond-shaped cuts, creating clearly marked, beautiful patterns.

Drawing on over 700 years of knife-making history by outstanding Japanese craftsmen from Echizen, Yu Kurosaki has poured his energy into creating tools that provide an extraordinary experience for their users and the pleasure of cutting. Currently, the knives of one of the most talented makers are produced in small batches.