Limited "Spider" Edition!
Katsumoto 怖いクモ Kowai Kumo, Nakiri/Chuka-bocho 180 mm (vetatable knife), AUS8 steel
Katsumoto 怖いクモ (Kowai Kumo – “Scary Spider”) Nakiri / Chuka-Bocho
A special edition of the Katsumoto Nakiri.
This double-beveled, laminated (Sanmai) blade is crafted from Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel at its core, clad between two layers of softer steel. One side of the blade features an intricate engraving of a spider, while the reverse bears the Japanese characters 怖いクモ (Kowai Kumo), which literally translates to “Scary Spider.”
怖い (Kowai) means scary or frightening
クモ (Kumo) means spider
The outer layers are made of a softer stainless steel with a beautiful misty pattern, enhancing both durability and aesthetic depth.
Specifications:
- Blade length: 180 mm
- Overall length: 370 mm
- Weight: 180–190 g
- Blade thickness: 2.0 mm
- Steel: Core of Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel (Sanmai forged with 2 softer cladding layers)
- Hardness: Approx. 60 HRC
- Handle: Octagonal black/brown ebony wood with matching brown ebony bolster
- Packaging: Elegant acacia wooden box with engraved spider motif
The corrosion resistance of stainless steel knives depends on many factors, including usage and maintenance. Steels containing more than 11% chromium are considered stainless and provide good protection against rust.
However, these knives are not dishwasher-safe and should never be used on frozen or extremely hard foods.
About the Nakiri Knife
The Nakiri (菜切包丁) is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife, recognizable by its straight edge and rectangular shape. Unlike a cleaver, the Nakiri is thin and finely balanced, designed for precise, straight-down chopping without rocking. Its flat profile ensures complete cuts through vegetables, making it ideal for slicing, dicing, and mincing produce like cabbage, carrots, or herbs with exceptional control and speed.
Many chefs appreciate the Nakiri for its efficiency in plant-based cooking and its ability to retain delicate textures—an essential tool in Japanese cuisine where presentation and uniformity matter.
About AUS-8 Steel
AUS-8 is a high-quality Japanese stainless steel known for its excellent balance between edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It contains around 0.75% carbon and 14% chromium, giving it higher hardness and stain resistance compared to standard stainless steels.
AUS-8 blades are relatively easy to sharpen to a razor edge and maintain that sharpness well, making them ideal for daily use in both professional and home kitchens.
In short, AUS-8 offers a practical combination of durability, sharpness, and ease of maintenance, perfectly suited for a refined utility knife like the Kowai Kumo Nakiri.
