Prahran, VIC store now open from Friday to Tuesday, 10am till 6pm.

Best on

What knives use this finish

Ukiba is a specialty finish found on premium Japanese kitchen knives where the maker wants to visually emphasize the cutting edge zone — often seen on higher-end gyuto, sujihiki, and slicer profiles from select makers.

Care

How to maintain it

The polished area requires migaki-style care (wipe to prevent water spots and fingerprints), while the hazy edge band is essentially a kasumi finish requiring only standard hand-wash-and-dry care. The contrast between the two zones may evolve subtly over years of sharpening.

Questions answered

Frequently asked about Ukiba

What is Ukiba finish on a Japanese knife?

우키바(浮き刃, 떠 있는 날) 피니시는 칼날 대부분을 미가키/브러시드 마감으로 처리하고, 클래딩 라인 바로 위쪽에 샌드블라스팅을 통해 흐릿한 무광 띠를 적용한 매우 특정한 외관을 의미합니다. 광택이 나는 심재와 클래딩 위의 무광 띠가 대비를 이루며 날 부분을 강조합니다. 클래딩 라인은 대개 물결 모양이기 때문에 날이 구름 위에 떠 있는 것처럼 보여 이 마감에 우키바라는 이름이 붙었습니다.

How is the Ukiba finish produced?

An ukiba (浮き刃, "floating edge") finish is produced by polishing most of the blade to a migaki/brushed finish, then leaving a deliberate hazy band of unfinished or kasumi-style polish along the cutting edge area. The visual effect makes the cutting edge appear to "float" against the polished body of the blade.

What knives typically feature a Ukiba finish?

Ukiba is a specialty finish found on premium Japanese kitchen knives where the maker wants to visually emphasize the cutting edge zone — often seen on higher-end gyuto, sujihiki, and slicer profiles from select makers.

How do I care for a knife with a Ukiba finish?

The polished area requires migaki-style care (wipe to prevent water spots and fingerprints), while the hazy edge band is essentially a kasumi finish requiring only standard hand-wash-and-dry care. The contrast between the two zones may evolve subtly over years of sharpening.

Explore the catalog

Japanese knives with the Ukiba finish

13 knives in our current range