Petty • 150 mm • VG10 steel • Japanese Wa handle with keyaki • For Left- and Right-Handed Users

Features of Fukube Kurouchi

This Fukube knife is made from VG10 steel and features a kurouchi finish. Kurouchi literally means “black-forged,” meaning that the top portion of the blade is left unpolished after forging: the steel retains the dark oxidation layer formed during the forging process. This finish is traditionally seen on carbon steel knives, but here it is applied to stainless steel for a handcrafted, rugged look.

Due to the unpolished finish and hammered texture, the spine of the blade is slightly thicker, shifting the balance point forward. This provides a stable and controlled cutting experience. The knife has a round, black symmetrical handle made from keyaki wood (Japanese zelkova). Normally, keyaki wood has a golden-brown hue, but with black urushi lacquer, the handle takes on a beautiful dark finish.

Elwin de Veld on Fukube

For me, Fukube is a perfect example of what Japanese craftsmanship truly means. This traditional forge from the Noto region has existed since 1908 and has been run by the same family for four generations. Originally, they mainly made tools for farmers and fishermen, and that mindset is still reflected in their knives today.

What appeals to me about Fukube is that they do not strive for showiness, but for reliability and functionality. Each knife is hand-forged with respect for classical techniques and materials. These are knives made for daily use, built to last, and to improve over time.

Fukube knives are honest, robust, and thoughtfully crafted!

VG10 – Takefu – Steel

Very Gold 10, better known as VG10, is one of the most common steel types on today’s knife market. The steel is produced by Takefu Special Steel in Echizen, Japan. VG10 is popular with both knifemakers and users thanks to its well-balanced combination of performance and ease of use.

It is a stainless steel with a high carbon content, alloyed with elements such as chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and cobalt. Chromium provides corrosion resistance, while vanadium contributes to wear resistance during intensive use.

Although VG10 is widely used, there are clear differences in quality and performance. During the production process, various techniques can be applied to make the steel harder and refine its structure. Factors such as additional ingredients, the hardening process, and heat treatment all play an important role. In addition, the knowledge and skill of the knifemaker during the grinding process are crucial for the knife’s final sharpness and cutting performance.

At Slijperij Rangelrooij, we are big fans of VG10 steel. It can be brought to a very high level of sharpness and retains that sharpness for a long time. Despite the wide availability of VG10, we always pay close attention to blade geometry as well. Both aspects are extremely important and can strongly enhance each other—something our makers clearly distinguish themselves with compared to others.