Paste an eBay or Yahoo! Auctions Japan listing. We read what we know about it and hand back a clean link to buy.
Sealed finds first, then ranked by asking price against the estimated value. Only listings that carry a ranking appear in this order. Switch to Newest to see every listing.
Surface rust on carbon steel can be cleaned easily, but the kasumi finish will show cosmetic abrasions from the removal process. Minamoto Akitada (源昭忠) at $184 sits under its market, roughly $356 typical by its researched range.
San-mai construction wraps a hard carbon core in softer cladding, balancing edge retention with easier sharpening on waterstones. Seki Magoroku at $95 is in line with its market, roughly $76 typical across 29 comparable asks.
Tsuchime hammered finishes create air pockets that prevent starchy vegetables from sticking to the flat of the blade during prep. Kanetsune at $204 is in line with its market, roughly $193 typical across 6 comparable asks.
Masamoto Sohonten Usuba Japanese Vegetable Kitchen Knife 210mm Used
usuba · 210 mm · carbon
Asking
$145
Estimated worth
$191
$205 with shipping
1.3× the asking price · floor $132
42 comparable listings
identified, moderate confidence
Kasumi finish reveals the soft iron cladding line above the harder carbon steel edge during sharpening. Masamoto Sohonten at $145 sits under its market, roughly $191 typical across 42 comparable asks.
Original Thin Blade Knife 180mm, Unused, Long Storage Condition
usuba · 180 mm · carbon
Asking
$326
Estimated worth
$267
$351 with shipping
0.8× the asking price · floor $190
42 comparable listings
identified, moderate confidence
San-mai construction pairs a brittle high-performance core with supportive cladding for easier sharpening. Masamoto Sohonten at $326 is in line with its market, roughly $267 typical across 42 comparable asks.
Professional-grade Tsukiji Aritsugu thin-bladed knife, specially made forged.
usuba · 285 mm · carbon
Asking
$184
Estimated worth
$160
0.9× the asking price · floor $100
28 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Single-bevel geometry requires specialized sharpening technique to maintain the flat uraoshi on the reverse side. 築地有次 (Tsukiji Aritsugu) at $184 is in line with its market, roughly $160 typical across 28 comparable asks.
Masamoto Sohonten Kirituke Usuba Japanese Kitchen Knife 170mm with Box
usuba · 170 mm · carbon
Asking
$275
Estimated worth
$180
$370 with shipping
0.7× the asking price · floor $120
42 comparable listings
maker taken from the listing title
San-mai carbon construction pairs a hard reactive edge steel with softer supportive outer cladding for easier sharpening. Masamoto Sohonten (per the title) at $275 sits above its market, roughly $180 typical across 42 comparable asks.
Masamoto Sohonten Kiritsuke Usuba Chef Knife 170mm Buffalo Horn Handle Box Japan
usuba · 170 mm · carbon
Asking
$319
Estimated worth
$180
0.6× the asking price · floor $120
50 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Single bevel carbon steel requires diligent drying and oiling to prevent active corrosion along the primary grind. Masamoto Sohonten at $319 sits above its market, roughly $180 typical across 50 comparable asks.
Aritsugu Tsukiji Japanese Kitchen Usuba Knife 210mm / 375mm + Saya Used
usuba · 210 mm · carbon
Asking
$170
Estimated worth
$139
$230 with shipping
0.8× the asking price · floor $87
28 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
San-mai carbon construction in a kasumi finish pairs reactive core steel with softer cladding that requires careful drying after use. 築地有次 (Tsukiji Aritsugu) at $170 is in line with its market, roughly $139 typical across 28 comparable asks.
Sukenari Honyaki Usuba Japanese Kitchen Knife 200mm Mirror Finish Saya
usuba · 200 mm · carbon
Asking
$680
Estimated worth
$235
$795 with shipping
0.3× the asking price · floor $171
6 comparable listings
identified, moderate confidence
Honyaki blades lack softer cladding layers, making them entirely rigid and demanding expert sharpening technique. Sukenari at $680 sits above its market, roughly $235 typical across 6 comparable asks.
Tsukiji Aritsugu Usuba Japanese Kitchen Knife 210mm Bessei Wooden Case Used
usuba · 210 mm · carbon
Asking
$197
Estimated worth
$139
$242 with shipping
0.7× the asking price · floor $87
28 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Carbon steel requires prompt drying after use to prevent active red rust from forming on the bevel. 築地有次 (Tsukiji Aritsugu) at $197 is in line with its market, roughly $139 typical across 28 comparable asks.
Tsukiji Masamoto Aogami Blue Steel Usuba Kitchen Knife 220mm Professional Tool
usuba · 220 mm · carbon
Asking
$364
Estimated worth
$124
$439 with shipping
0.3× the asking price · floor $82
7 comparable listings
maker taken from the listing title
Single-bevel usuba geometry excels at precise vegetable work like katsuramuki but demands specialized sharpening technique. Masamoto Tsukiji (per the title) at $364 sits above its market, roughly $124 typical across 7 comparable asks.
Masamoto Honkadama Shirodo Unagiri Knife 24cm, Japanese Chef Knife New
usuba · 240 mm · carbon
Asking
$543
Estimated worth
$208
$581 with shipping
0.4× the asking price · floor $138
51 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Kasumi finish reveals the weld line where soft iron cladding meets harder carbon steel at the core. Masamoto at $543 sits above its market, roughly $208 typical across 51 comparable asks.
Aritsugu Usuba Knife 210mm Japanese Vegetable Chef Knife Used Japan
usuba · 210 mm · carbon
Asking
$237
Estimated worth
$109
$277 with shipping
0.5× the asking price · floor $68
27 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Thin from sharpening indicates reduced blade height, which changes the rigidity and clearance of the edge. Aritsugu at $237 sits above its market, roughly $109 typical across 27 comparable asks.
Sugimoto Kamagata Usuba Knife 172mm Single Bevel Japanese Kitchen Knife
usuba · 172 mm · carbon
Asking
$200
Estimated worth
$181
$250 with shipping
0.9× the asking price · floor $72
55 comparable listings
identification confirmed by hand
Carbon steel takes a fine edge easily but will form a reactive patina and requires prompt drying. Sugimoto at $200 is in line with its market, roughly $181 typical across 55 comparable asks.
Aritsugu Honyaki Usuba Japanese Vegetable Kitchen Knife 210mm Culinary Tool
usuba · 210 mm · carbon
Asking
$611
Estimated worth
$139
$726 with shipping
0.2× the asking price · floor $87
27 comparable listings
identified, high confidence
Patina and surface scratches are normal cosmetic developments on carbon steel vegetable knives and do not affect performance. Aritsugu at $611 sits above its market, roughly $139 typical across 27 comparable asks.
the heavy surface rust and pitting concentrated near the edge will require aggressive thinning and stone work to restore cutting performance. Masamoto Sohonten (per the title) at $55 sits under its market, roughly $111 typical across 44 comparable asks.
Active rust on the reactive carbon edge requires abrasive stone restoration rather than a simple touch-up. Aritsugu Kyoto at $61 sits under its market, roughly $135 typical across 14 comparable asks.
Traditional kasumi construction shows a distinct line where the soft iron cladding meets the hard carbon steel core along the bevel. Masamoto Sohonten at $73 is in line with its market, roughly $78 typical across 43 comparable asks.
Carbon steel single bevel usuba blades excel at thin vegetable cuts and push-cuttings, though they require careful maintenance to avoid oxidation. Masamoto Sohonten (per the title) at $192 is in line with its market, roughly $190 typical across 42 comparable asks.
Kasumi finishes reveal the weld boundary between hard carbon steel and soft iron cladding on traditional single bevels. Masamoto at $304 sits above its market, roughly $190 typical across 43 comparable asks.
Honyaki construction features a differential quench that creates a visible temper line and demands expert skill on water stones to maintain the hard edge. Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide (per the title) at $610 sits above its market, roughly $133 typical across 9 comparable asks.
Edge chips and deep pitting demand substantial stone work to re-establish a functional profile. Sugimoto at $190 sits above its market, roughly $87 typical across 55 comparable asks.
