170mm Right-Handed Usuba – Yanagi Nishio
Specs:
Blade length: 170mm
Overall length: 320mm
Weight: 177g
Style: Usuba (single bevel, right-handed)
Steel: Likely carbon steel core (traditional usuba construction)
Maker/Brand: Yanagi Nishio (柳西尾), Seki City production
Handle: Traditional ho wood wa-handle with resin ferrule
Origin: Japan (Seki City)
Condition: Brand new in original presentation box
The usuba is a highly specialized Japanese vegetable knife, prized in professional kitchens for its ability to perform katsuramuki (thin rotary peeling) and delicate vegetable cuts. This right-handed, single-bevel 170mm model carries the inscription 柳西尾 (Yanagi Nishio), paired with 切打 (forged construction), indicating traditional forging methods.
At 177 grams, it has the solid, deliberate feel expected of a single-bevel usuba, giving the user stability and control for precision vegetable work. The ho wood wa-handle keeps the balance forward toward the blade, a hallmark of traditional Japanese kitchen tools.
The box labeling emphasizes its Seki City heritage, tying it to Japan’s centuries-old blade-making tradition.
This usuba is aimed squarely at chefs and enthusiasts who appreciate the precision of traditional Japanese vegetable knives. With its single-bevel grind, classic wa-handle, and Seki craftsmanship, it’s a piece that delivers authenticity and functionality in equal measure.
