Katana to Kitchen

Bevel Type Analysis

RyobaOuter IronOuter IronCenter Steel Edge

Double Bevel (Ryoba)

Double-bevel (Ryoba) blades are ground symmetrically on both sides. This splits the cutting force evenly, making them intuitive, easy to guide straight down, and highly versatile for home cooks cutting meats, veggies, and general ingredients.

Cutting Mechanics

Single vs Double Bevel Cut Mechanics

Single-Bevel (Kataba)Ingredient (Fish / Daikon)Straight CutPushes Slice Away✓ Clean slices without crushing delicate fibersDouble-Bevel (Ryoba)Ingredient (Meat / Vegetables)Equal Splitting Force✓ Intuitive straight cuts, easy for all home cooks
knife

Pankiri (Bread Slicer)

Pankiri

Description

Pankiri is the Japanese bread knife. It is characterized by its long blade with serrated teeth, designed to grip and saw through hard bread crusts or delicate, soft cake layers without crushing the soft interior.

Best For

✓ Hard bread crusts
✓ Soft cakes
✓ Slicing tomatoes
✓ Sandwiches

Blade Characteristics

  • Double-bevel (Ryoba) profile with scalloped or pointed serrations.
  • Blade length usually ranges from 200mm to 270mm.
  • Specialized grind that minimizes crumb creation.
  • Usually made of high-quality stainless steel for easy cleaning.

Steel Recommendations

For this type of blade, professional makers typically suggest: VG-10, SG2 (Powdered High Speed Steel), or AUS-10 stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance and robust daily use without chipping.

Famous Regions

This cutlery type is famously forged and crafted in:

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Knife Anatomy

Parts of a Traditional Japanese Knife

Tip (Kissaki)Fine slicing & piercingSpine (Mune)Back ridge of the bladeRidge Line (Shinogi)Cutting Edge (Ha)Primary sharp slicing edgeHeel (Ago)Eye coring & heavy prepNeck / Gap (Machi)Handle-to-blade clearanceCollar (Kakumaki)Buffalo horn / collar bandHandle (E) & TangMagnolia wood + inserted tang