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| Blade Length | 160 mm |
| Total Length | 290 mm |
| Steel | VG-10 Stainless |
| Handle | Pakka wood |
| Ferrule | Pakka wood w/ Steel Inserts |
| Rockwell | 61-62 |
| Height Spine to heel | 34 mm |
| Width at Spine | 2 mm |
| Weight | 100 grams |
| Bevel | Double (50/50) |
Ittetsu Tafu
Ittetsu is the shops house brand and we've been working for a long time to find high performing, affordable knives to offer our customers. These are made for us in the Echizen region. The name Tafu translates to "tough" and they're just that! A full stainless blade, water resistance pakka wood handle/ferrule and steel tang inserts not only make this knife a tank, but also will offer a bit more weight and confidence in the hand! However, the utilization of heavier materials in the handle/tang construction allows the knife to maintain a mid weight cutting feel despite its more robust feel.
The Knife
The Ittetsu Tafu is a great knife for beginners to Japanese knives, or professionals that work in high output/fast paced environments. With enough meat behind the edge to resist chipping, water resistant handle, and a stainless blade these knives are there when you need them, and never something you have to worry about.
The petty knife is great for all the little random tasks you come across in your day to day life in the kitchen. If you're a professional looking for something compact and nimble you can use on the line during service, perform various butchery tasks and small vegetable prep this is a great option. Likewise if you're a home cook these make great knives to leave out on the counter during the day to help with small breakfast and lunch tasks like cutting up fruit, maybe slicing a tomato and cutting a sandwich in half, before getting the Chef's knife out for larger dinner prep. These are great little knives that are an essential for both home cooks and professionals.
Follow these care recommendations for your Japanese knives to protect the edge and keep them sharp as long as possible:
All products are shipped within 24 hours. We offer same day shipping for products ordered by 12pm. Please allow 4-7 business days for your shipment to arrive with standard shipping. Expedited shipping options are also available at checkout.
We offer free shipping on orders within Canada over $150 CAD and free shipping on orders to the US over $200 USD.
Curbside pick-up is available at both our Hamilton and Etobicoke locations.
To make sure our customers are always satisfied, we offer full refunds on products for 14 days after receiving them. See our full return policy for details.
More questions? Check out our shipping policy, our return policy, or reach out to us directly.
The petty knife is the Japanese equivalent of a utility knife. They typically range in size from 90 mm (3.5 inches) to 150 mm (6 inches) and have a slender, easy-to-control, short blade. They are a perfect accompaniment to a Gyuto, Santoku, or Bunka, as they facilitate smaller tasks. Shorter versions are great for in-hand use. Longer versions are great for fine chopping and managing small ingredients on a cutting board. They also handle butchery tasks with ease.
Likely the most widely used Japanese stainless steel, it provides great rust resistance, very good edge retention, and is relatively easy to sharpen. Because of how many companies use this steel to produce their knives, it can sometimes get a bad rep, but we have had nothing but positive experiences using and sharpening it. Knives made from this steel are generally a bit more affordable compared to those made from steels like R2 and ZDP189 while still offering fantastic performance and easy maintenance.
Chemical Composition:
C 0.95-1.05% | Cr 14.5-15.5% | Mo 0.9-1.2% | V 0.1-0.3% | Co 1.3-1.5%
LOW MAINTENANCE
Stainless steel Japanese knives are made in a process called “Sanmai” or “Forge welding” where two softer layers of stainless steel are laminated around a harder core layer of stainless steel. All three of these layers are rust resistant and therefore are not susceptible to rust or discoloration. The softer outer layers of steel are used to make the knife more durable and flexible while the harder core layer is used to provide better edge retention to the blade.
Ittetsu works to create high-performing, affordable knives for entry-level cooks around the world. Their blades are machine-forged, then assembled, sharpened, and polished by hand. This process ensures each knife meets their standard of durability and quality, while offering great value. Their knives are extremely consistent, hold up in the kitchen, and also make great gifts.