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

Petty (Utility Knife)

Peti

Description

The word 'Petty' comes from the French 'petit', meaning small. It is a petite double-edged utility knife. Perfect for peeling, coring, and delicate hand-held work where a large chef's knife would be too clumsy.

Best For

✓ Peeling fruit
✓ Detail carving
✓ Slicing garlic
✓ Trimming fat

Blade Characteristics

  • Double-bevel (Ryoba) with a narrow, pointed shape.
  • Blade length typically ranges from 90mm to 150mm.
  • Extremely light weight and easy to control with fingertips.
  • Very thin blade profile for sharp, frictionless slicing.

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