Kurouchi
kurouchi
A rustic black, unpolished forged finish left on some carbon-steel blades, which also helps protect the steel from oxidation.
Kurouchi (黒打ち, “black-forged”) refers to the dark, textured scale layer left on a carbon-steel blade straight from forging, rather than polishing it away to bare steel. Beyond its distinctive rustic look, this layer acts as a light protective coating that slows down rust and oxidation on the carbon steel underneath — though it isn’t a substitute for drying the blade properly after use.
Related products
Akira-Saku Blue #2 Nakiri 165mm
USD 146 (checked Sep 8, 2026)
- Fully hand-forged by craftsman Shoji Yoshida in Shimabara, Kyushu
- Kurouchi (black-forged) finish helps protect the carbon steel from oxidation
- An accessible entry point into fully hand-forged Japanese carbon-steel knives
Yoshida Hamono Ryo-Deba Kuro-uchi 170mm
EUR 150 (checked Sep 8, 2026)
- Hand-forged at an accessible price point for a carbon-steel deba
- 63-64 HRC makes it easier to resharpen at home than harder powder steels
- Double-beveled, so it suits both right- and left-handed cooks, unlike a traditional single-bevel deba