We finished this one at the shop… and yeah, it hits different. Mounted on a fluorescent green handle you almost never see — especially on a blade like this. Rare on rare.

This one comes from the Shinkiro line by Takahiro Nihei out of Fukushima. 240mm Gyuto built around Aogami Super carbon steel — one of those steels that just delivers. Takes a stupid sharp edge, holds it, and gives that raw, direct cutting feel that people chasing performance are after.

The blade itself is iron-clad Damascus with a kurouchi finish. Dark, almost smoky look with layering sitting underneath. Not loud, not flashy — it’s depth. And over time, it’ll build its own patina and keep evolving.

Where this one really stands out is the grind and feel. This is not a laser. It’s a proper workhorse. Thick spine around 4.2mm at the heel, tapering down toward the tip. You feel that weight and stability right away, but it still thins out enough up front to stay precise. Add a taller heel around 52mm and you get serious board presence with tons of clearance.

On the board, it feels planted. Confident. But it still moves clean through product — that balance of power and control Nihei does so well.

This isn’t a beginner knife. It’s a piece with character, weight, and a very specific feel. The kind you don’t just use… you grow into. If you know Nihei, you already get it.