{"product_id":"simon-krichbaum-kurouchi-apex-ultra-tall-gyuto-240mm","title":"Simon Krichbaum kurouchi Apex Ultra tall gyuto 240mm","description":"\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.8em; font-style: italic;\"\u003eThis is the first non-Japanese knife we have carried. We are primarily a Japanese knife shop, but occasionally something comes along that is worth making an exception for. Simon made this batch for Zahocho. We left all the decisions to him -- finish, geometry, handle. He kindly offered to add a Zahocho stamp alongside his engraving; we passed, preferring just the maker's own mark, same as with our Japanese custom orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-forged in Austria by Simon Krichbaum, this 240mm go-mai gyuto has an Apex Ultra core steel clad in 12C27 stainless, with a nickel shim between the two that prevents carbon migration during the weld. Apex Ultra shares its compositional roots with Aogami Super, but with higher edge retention and better toughness, thanks to a purer, more homogeneous structure and finer carbides. It sharpens with the same ease on stones despite the added hardness, and this one is hardened to 66 HRC.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExecution on this batch is exceptional, from the blade to the handle work. The low bevels are stone finished, with subtle, faint banding on the 12C27 clad. Distal taper is excellent, running from around 4.0mm at the heel down to 1.5mm midway and 0.5mm near the tip.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sheoak handle was entirely Simon's decision, one that happens to match what we would have picked ourselves -- something understated and minimal. Its reddish tone complements the kurouchi nicely, and the proportions work well for a 240mm blade, not undersized, not bulky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-forged in Austria by Simon Krichbaum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e238mm (9.4\") cutting edge, 60mm heel height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApex Ultra core (~66 HRC) with 12C27 stainless cladding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4.0mm at the heel to 1.5mm midway and 0.5mm near the tip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKurouchi finish with stone finished bevels\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOctagonal sheoak handle, takedown construction with a single pin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0; margin-top: 36px; margin-bottom: 36px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlacksmith\u003c\/strong\u003e: Simon Krichbaum\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducing Area\u003c\/strong\u003e: Austria\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type\u003c\/strong\u003e: gyuto\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e: kurouchi\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore Steel\u003c\/strong\u003e: Apex Ultra\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHRC\u003c\/strong\u003e: ~66\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteel Type\u003c\/strong\u003e: carbon steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCladding\u003c\/strong\u003e: stainless clad (Sandvik 12C27)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBlade \u0026amp; Handle Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Length\u003c\/strong\u003e: 370mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length - heel to tip\u003c\/strong\u003e: 238mm (9.4\")\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Height at Heel\u003c\/strong\u003e: 60mm \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt the Handle\u003c\/strong\u003e: 6.3mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt the Heel\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4.0mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMidway\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1.5mm \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1cm from the Tip\u003c\/strong\u003e: 0.5mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 205g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalance point:\u003c\/strong\u003e at the pinch grip\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandle\u003c\/strong\u003e: octagonal mono sheoak\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand Orientation\u003c\/strong\u003e: ambidextrous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaya\/Sheath\u003c\/strong\u003e: none\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #f5f5f5; padding: 28px 24px 24px 32px; margin-top: 16px; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 0.85em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"padding-left: 0; margin-left: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEach knife is hand-forged, so no two are exactly alike. The photo shows a randomly selected piece from our stock. \u003cstrong\u003eIf you'd like to see the exact knife you'll receive, email us at info@zahocho.com.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinor variations in finish, surface marks, and measurements are normal in handcrafted knives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle is fitted by the maker and shipped as-is. We don't offer handle swaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon Krichbaum","offers":[{"title":"Dark","offer_id":47971347300588,"sku":"SKKAUTG240","price":273000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"Light","offer_id":47971347333356,"sku":"SKFKAUTG240","price":273000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0248\/5075\/9729\/files\/simon-krichbaum-kurouchi-apex-ultra-stainless-clad-gyuto-240x60-full-profile.webp?v=1784532533","url":"https:\/\/zahocho.com\/products\/simon-krichbaum-kurouchi-apex-ultra-tall-gyuto-240mm","provider":"Zahocho Knives Tokyo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}