Otaru 小樽 8″ Damascus Steel Gyuto Japanese Chef Knife
£149.99
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Otaru 小樽 8″ Damascus Steel Gyuto Japanese Chef Knife 牛刀
Introducing the Otaru 小樽 by Shimeru, a premium 8″ gyuto knife that commands attention with its striking beauty and formidable performance. Named after the historic port city renowned for its artisan craftsmanship, the Otaru is forged for those who believe a chef’s knife should be as bold as the dishes it creates.
67-Layer Damascus Steel Mastery The Otaru’s blade is forged from 67 layers of premium Damascus steel surrounding a VG10 core, delivering exceptional sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance. The captivating wave pattern across the blade is unique to each knife, a signature of traditional Damascus forging techniques. The hammered finish minimises drag and food adhesion, ensuring clean, precise cuts through any ingredient.
Vibrant Resin and Burl Wood Handle The handle is a showpiece of artisan design, blending rich burl wood with vivid crimson resin that catches the light with every movement. A turquoise mosaic pin adds a subtle accent, while polished steel bolsters frame the composition with refined elegance. This ergonomic handle offers a secure, comfortable grip and outstanding moisture resistance, built to perform in demanding kitchen environments.
Commanding Versatility At 8″, the Otaru gyuto is the definitive chef’s knife, versatile enough for delicate slicing, robust enough for confident chopping, and agile enough for intricate knife work. Its balanced weight distribution provides effortless control, making it equally suited to everyday cooking and ambitious culinary endeavours.
Make a Statement The Otaru 小樽 8″ Damascus Steel Gyuto Japanese Chef Knife is crafted for chefs who refuse to blend in. For those who appreciate boldness, artistry, and uncompromising performance, the Otaru will become the centrepiece of your kitchen—a blade that inspires confidence and creativity with every cut.
| Weight | 0.35 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 44.3 × 6.8 × 3.1 cm |
Nic Cole (verified owner) –
Brilliant knife, exactly what I needed. Lovely edge on it and the damascus steel looks even better in person. Slices through onions like they’re not there.
Olivia R. (verified owner) –
Got this for my husband’s birthday and he’s absolutely chuffed. He’s been using it daily for a couple of weeks now and the VG10 edge hasn’t needed a touch up yet, stays razor sharp. The damascus pattern is proper stunning, pictures don’t do it justice at all. He broke down a whole chicken with it the other day and said it went through the joints like butter. Massive upgrade from his old Sabatier, he wont stop going on about it.
Phoebe W. (verified owner) –
Got this for my husband and he’s over the moon with it. The damascus pattern is absolutely stunning in person, photos don’t do it justice. I’ve used it a few times myself for veg prep and it just glides through onions and peppers like they’re soft butter. Edge is scary sharp out the box and after a month of daily use it’s still holding up well. Came in a lovely presentation box too which was a nice touch. He keeps going on about how it’s a massive upgrade from his old Victorinox.
Charlotte Hart (verified owner) –
Its a decent knife but im not blown away tbh. The damascus cladding is pretty but a bit more subtle than the listing photos made out. Handle feels a bit narrow for my hands and took a while to get used to. Cuts well enough, no complaints there, but for £150 I was expecting something that felt a bit more special in the hand. If I’d paid half this I’d be happier. Not bad by any means, just not sure its worth the premium over a cheaper gyuto.
Callum M. (verified owner) –
Really good knife overall. Sharp as anything out the box and the blade looks class. Its a bit heavier than my previous gyuto which took a couple days to get used to but now I actually quite like the weight. Only wish it came in a 240mm version as I’ve got big hands and sometimes feel like I want a touch more length. Still, for the price this is a solid bit of kit and I’d happily recommend it to a mate.
Carl (verified owner) –
Got this for myself after months of umming and ahhing. Bloody lovely knife. The damascus pattern is even nicer in person, and it slices through onions and tomatoes like they’re not there. Used it to break down a whole chicken last night and it handled it no bother. Edge seems to be holding up well after a week of daily use. Came really well packaged too, proper presentation box. Massive upgrade from my old supermarket knife.
Lee Wright (verified owner) –
Decent enough knife for the money I suppose. Holds an edge alright but tbh I was expecting something a bit more special given all the layers and whatnot. Handle feels nice in the hand, no complaints there, but its a bit heavier than what I’m used to. Been using it for a couple weeks now and its fine, just not the revelation I’d hoped for.
Lisa Rose (verified owner) –
got this as a pressie for my dad who’s a proper home cook. he absolutely loves it. said it’s the sharpest thing he’s ever used out the box. the pattern on the blade is well nice too, looks proper posh. I had a go when I was round his and slicing through veg was effortless. delivery was speedy and it came in a smart looking box, made a great gift tbh.
Chris (verified owner) –
Got this for my husbands birthday and hes over the moon. The pattern on the blade is stunning, looks even better than the pictures. We tested it on some tomatoes and it sliced through like butter. Came really well packaged too so that was a nice touch. Only had it a week but so far so good.
Daisy Turner (verified owner) –
I’ve been using a Victorinox chefs knife for years and finally decided to treat myself. Blimey what a difference. This knife is proper sharp out the box and the balance feels really nice in my hand. Did a big batch of veg prep for a curry and it was effortless. The damascus pattern is proper eye catching, keeps looking better when its cleaned. Edge has held up well after a fortnight of daily use, haven’t needed to sharpen it yet. Only thing is its a bit heavier than what I’m used to but I actually prefer it now, feels more solid. If you’re on the fence just get it.
Shaun Harrison (verified owner) –
It’s an okay knife but honestly for seventy five quid I was expecting a bit more oomph. It’s sharp out the box sure but after a fortnight of normal home cooking it’s started to lose that razor edge quicker than my old wusthof. The handle’s comfy enough and the look of the blade is smart but performance wise I’m not blown away. Might go back to my cheaper victorinox for daily veg prep if I’m honest.
Abby Ward (verified owner) –
Got this knife a few weeks back and its been my go-to for pretty much everything. The damascus pattern looks dead nice, even better in person. Holds an edge well so far, I’ve only needed a quick strop. Only downside for me is the handle feels a bit on the chunky side, but I’ve got smaller hands so your mileage may vary. Still, for the price its a cracking bit of kit.
Daz Knight (verified owner) –
Bought this as a birthday present for my dad and he was dead chuffed with it. He said its much better than the cheap set he had. Only giving it 4 stars because I wish it came in a 10 inch version as well, hes a big bloke and prefers a longer blade. But the quality is undeniable.
Harry P. (verified owner) –
Sharp as anything out the box and makes quick work of onions and tomatoes. The Damascus pattern is really attractive too. Im only knocking a star off because I think the price is a touch high for what it is, but then again you do get good steel for the money. Overall happy with it.
Ryan P. (verified owner) –
Been using this daily for about a month now and its still got a great edge on it. I’ve got a VG10 santoku from another brand that cost twice this and honestly this is just as good if not better. The handle is a bit different shape to what Im used to but it actually fits my hand really nicely. Love it.
Carl Roberts (verified owner) –
Its a decent knife, does the job. Sharp out the box and looks nice with the pattern. But Ive used better knives for similar money if Im honest. The balance is ok but not amazing, and it doesnt feel as premium as I hoped. Good for a starter Japanese knife though.
Emma Bennett (verified owner) –
Brilliant knife, exactly what I needed. I do a lot of prep for Sunday roasts and this handles veg, meat, even the odd bit of fish no bother. The Damascus pattern is just a bonus really, it cuts like a dream and holds its edge way longer than my old Victorinox. Proper upgrade.
Jen Thompson (verified owner) –
Got this to replace a Wusthof and its alright but not a massive step up. The blade is sharp but I expected a bit more from Damascus steel maybe? Edge seems to dull a bit quicker than I thought it would. Its fine for everyday chopping but not blown away. Would probably try a different brand next time.
Gavin (verified owner) –
Ok so the knife itself is brilliant, cuts like a dream and looks gorgeous. But its a bit lighter than I expected for a gyuto, took me a few days to adjust my chopping style. Once I got used to it though its fine. Also the box it comes in is really nice, proper presentation.
Kev (verified owner) –
So I was a bit sceptical spending seventy quid on a knife if Im honest, but after using it for a couple weeks I get it now. Its so sharp out the box I nearly nicked myself just looking at it. Rocking motion for herbs is lovely and it feels really nimble. Cant fault it really.
Alison Mason (verified owner) –
Really good knife for the money, no complaints about the sharpness or how it looks. My only small gripe is the handle feels a tiny bit slick when my hands are greasy, but its not a deal breaker. Would have liked it a bit heavier actually, but I prefer a heavier knife. Still recommend it.