Tsunehisa AS Kurouchi Tsuchime Petty 150mm

For anyone curious about carbon steel but hesitant about the maintenance commitment, the Tsunehisa AS Kurouchi Tsuchime line makes a very accessible entry point. The stainless cladding keeps the majority of the blade protected, leaving only the exposed Aogami Super (Blue Super) edge to look after — a quick wipe-down after use goes a long way, and it's a good habit to build if you're new to carbon steel. The edge will develop a patina over time, which is normal and actually helps stabilise the steel's reactivity once it settles in.

The steel itself is Aogami Super, the highest performing of Hitachi's carbon steel lineup in terms of edge retention. It takes a very sharp, aggressive edge that stainless steels at this price range simply can't match, and holds it well through extended use. The trade-off, as always with carbon steel, is that the exposed edge needs attention — but the stainless cladding makes that trade-off much more manageable than a fully reactive iron-clad knife would.

The geometry is honest about its priorities. The flat primary bevel does produce a noticeable change in angle at the Shinogi line where it meets the Kurouchi Tsuchime finished Hira — this transition does useful work in encouraging food to peel away from the surface as the slice reaches it. There is some thickness behind the edge, which means the knife isn't the smoothest to enter dense produce, but in exchange the edge has decent strength against minor misuse — a reassuring quality for users still building their knife habits. The spine sits at around 2mm above the heel, keeping wedging in denser food to a reasonable level.

The Kurouchi Tsuchime finish gives this line a classic forged Japanese knife aesthetic — textured, characterful and unpretentious. At this price point, with Aogami Super steel and stainless cladding, it competes well against similarly priced carbon steel lines and offers a more distinctive look than many alternatives in the same bracket. A solid first carbon steel knife, and a genuine workhorse for professionals who already know what they're after.