The Kazan Arare SG2 by Shibata is part of an exciting new collection created in collaboration with Takayuki Shibata, maker of the renowned Shibata Koutetsu line. Combining high level craftsmanship with premium materials, this hand-forged gyutou delivers the performance and refined feel serious cooks look for in a Japanese chef knife.
The blade is forged from SG2 powdered stainless steel, known for excellent edge retention, toughness, and exceptional cutting performance. Each knife is forged by the same skilled blacksmith team in Takefu that also produces the Shibata Koutetsu knives. The blade is then sharpened, fitted, and finished by Shibata-san and his team in Fukuyama, ensuring excellent fit and finish.
The octagonal handle is crafted from ebony with a decorative Corian ring. Dense, durable, and naturally resistant to moisture and bacteria, ebony has long been favored for high-end Japanese knives for its durability, comfort and aesthetic.
We are proud to introduce the Kazan Arare collection—an exceptional new series built for cooks who appreciate precision, performance, and modern Japanese craftsmanship.
Why we love it: these beautiful knives perform like a $400 knife but at a much friendlier price.
About this shape
Gyutou are the Japanese equivalent of a typical European chef’s knife. They are the ideal all-purpose kitchen knives and can be used for most tasks. Japanese gyutou are typically lighter and thinner than a European knife, are made out of a harder steel and as a result, hold a better edge. The design features nothing to obstructing the edge of the handle end of the blade, so it can be sharpened and thus used entirely. The word gyutou in Japanese means ‘beef knife’.
