The Japanese Chef Knife (Gyuto) originated in Japan in the Meiji era.. It is now a favorite of cooks and chefs across the globe. This knife is a close counterpart of the traditional western chef’s knife.
The Japanese term “gyuto” literally translates to “cow blade,” “cow saber,” or “cow sword,” meaning that the gyuto knife was introduced to cut beef.
4 uses of the gyuto
Cutting with precision
Gyuto have a fine edge, making them precise. This makes them an ideal choice for uniform and precise cuts. The gyuto can also be used for the push/pull cutting style, or rock chopping. Meat, fish, or vegetables can easily all be tackled with your gyuto.
Slicing and dicing
Gyuto perform well during the slicing of meat or vegetables, especially garlic, shallots and onions given the sharp tip. The thin blade allows for fine slicing and dicing of various types of food with ease, due to the overall thin blade.
Mincing
It comes as no surprise that gyuto knives are good for mincing meat for applications such as tar-tar or hand-chopped burgers. The well balanced nature of the gyuto makes it a pleasure to use.
Multipurpose
The most attractive part of the gyuto is just how versatile it is. Whether you are a home cook or professional, owning at least one quality gyuto is recommended. Butcher fish, portion steaks, prepare veggies or cut the cake, the gyuto is our number one choice for a “do-all” knife.
Facts about gyuto knives
Gyuto are all-purpose kitchen knives and are the chef’s best friend; they are also referred to as a chef’s knife.
The gyuto has a flat, long blade that helps with balance, making it agile. The blade is slightly curved with a pointy tip; it can be made of carbon steel or stainless steel. A wooden handle is typical on a gyuto, but you can find synthetic variants as well.
While gyuto blades can range from 180mm to 360mm in length, 200mm to 270mm is the most widely used length. The hardness can vary between 58~67 HRC.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party for friends or just making warm comfort food for your family on a cold day, take your pick of knives from The Cook’s Edge, a store that offers Atlantic Canada’s largest selection of beautiful handcrafted Japanese knives. Pick the best handmade Japanese Chef Knife (Gyuto) for your needs. The store also offers knife-sharpening services.