Are you looking for a high-end Japanese Miyabi knife? Then you must have come across Miyabi birchwood or Miyabi black. These two are the most high-end knives of Miyabi with eye-catching design, quality materials, and incredible sharpness with long-lasting edge retention.
In this comparison of Miyabi Birchwood vs Black, we will go through all the differences and similarities between these two beautiful knives.
Quick Overview: Miyabi Black vs Miyabi Birchwood
This two knife differs in a lot of features along with a few similarities. The main differences are:
- In Miyabi birchwood, the blade core is made with micro carbide Sg2 powder steel. And miyabi black core is made with micro carbide MC66 powder steel.
- Miyabi birchwood the core is wrapped by 50 layers of stainless steel on each side. Whereas Miyabi black has 66 layers on each side of the core.
- Miyabi birchwood has a shiny flower Damascus pattern. And in Miyabi Black balde has a more dark blackish color than birchwood and flower, wavy Damascus pattern.
- Birchwood has a 63 Rockwell hardness and black has 66 Rockwell hardness that’s super hard.
- Miyabi birchwood handle is made with Karelin birchwood and has a whitish shiny color. On the other hand, Miyabi black’s handle is made with bigleaf maple and black ash. And black has a dark ash color.
- As both knives are most high-end Miyabi knives, both have long edge retention. But miyabi black has longer edge retention than birchwood as it has more hardness.
- Black is more lightweight than miyabi birchwood.
- Miyabi Black knives are more pricey than Miyabi birchwood knives.
You will find some similarities between these two knives as they are made by the same knifemaker.
- Miyabi birchwood and miyabi black knife both have the same razor-sharp cutting edge. Each knife is hand-honed to an extreme 9.5 to 12-degree cutting angle.
- Both knives have the same straight rounded handle shape. And you will find a steel end cap with a miyabi logo and mosaic pin in both knives.
- Both of these miyabi knives have a full tang.
- In terms of cleaning both knives are only hand wash safe.
- Miyabi Black and birchwood both come with a limited lifetime warranty for any kind of manufacturing defects.
Both Miyabi Birchwood and Miyabi Black are part of our Best Miyabi Knives Review List
Comparison Table: Miyabi Birchwood vs Black
| Miyabi Birchwood | Miyabi Black | |
| Where it’s made | Seki, Japan | Seki, Japan |
| Blade Material | Sg2 micro carbide powder steel core | Micro carbide MC66 powder steel |
| Blade Construction | Core is wrapped by 50 layers of stainless steel on each side | Core is wrapped by 66 layers of Damascus steel on each side |
| Blade Design | Flower Damascus Pattern | Dark flower Damascus pattern |
| Handle Material | Birchwood | Bigleaf maple and black ash |
| Handle Design | Rounded handle with stainless steel end cap and red accents. | Rounded handle with stainless steel end cap and black accents. |
| Handle Color | Shiny white wooden color | Black ash color ( dark blackish-brown) |
| Sharpness ( Edge angle) | 9.5 -12 | 9.5 -12 |
| Rockwell Hardness | 63 | 66 |
| Full Tang | Yes | Yes |
| Edge retention | Long-Lasting | Long-Lasting |
| Cleaning | Hand wash | Hand Wash |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
| Price | Less Expensive ( Check Price on Amazon) | More Expensive ( Check Price on Amazon |
Differences Between Miyabi Birchwood and Black Knives
I have briefly mentioned the key difference between miyabi black and miyabi birchwood sg2. There are some other differences so let’s dive deep into it.
Difference 1: Blade Material
Though both knives have different blade core materials, both of the materials are high quality and tough hard. Moreover, both of the knives use powder steel with high carbon.
Miyabi Birchwood Blade core is made with Sg2 high carbide powder steel. Sg2 is known as the super gold steel for knives. The high amount of carbon component adds more durability and hardness to the knife.
On the other hand, Miyabi black knife uses micro carbide MC66 powder steel. It is known as one of the hardest powder steel for knife making. Components of this steel like carbon, chromium, cobalt ensure extreme strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. And in comparison between sg2 and MC66, MC66 will always remain one step ahead.
Difference 2: Blade Construction
In both black and birchwood knives, the blade core is wrapped by other layers of stainless steel that protect the core from the pressure of damage. Even these layers add more flexibility and durability to the knife.
Miyabi Birchwood chef’s knife has 50 layers of Damascus stainless steel on each side of the core. These layers are made with two types of material one softer layer than another harder steel layer, exactly how Katana knives were made. So, Considering the core there is a total of 101 layers of steel in miyabi birchwood.
And In Miyabi Black knife MC66 steel blade core is wrapped by 66 layers of Damascus steel on each side. So, with the core, the miyabi black blade gets a total of 133 layers of steel. It’s also made with soft and hard steel.
Difference 3: Blade Design
Both of the miyabi knives have almost the same Japanese thin blade profile and the same structure. Moreover, both of the knives have a unique Damascus pattern on their whole body. But the look and Damascus pattern differs from each other.
Miyabi birchwood has a shiny whitish look. And it has a flower Damascus pattern through its whole body.
On the other hand, Miyabi Black has a more dark and blackish look. And the Damascus pattern is has a wavy shape more than the flower Damascus pattern. As each knife is hand-made so each knife has a unique pattern.
Difference 4: Hardness
Edge retention and the durability of a knife depend on the hardness of its material. Miyabi Black and Miyabi Birchwood both knife has a rock-solid hardness that you will hardly find in any other knife.
Miyabi Birchwood has 63 Rockwell hardness. That is considered a very tough hard blade with durability.
On the other hand, Miyabi Black has 66 Rockwell hardness that you will rarely find in any kind of Japanese or western chef knife. It is the hardest Miyabi knife.
Difference 5: Handle Material
Miyabi Birchwood handle is made with natural wood which is Karelian birchwood as its name refers. Birchwood is known as a premium knife handle material. And blade smiths consider it as the while diamond knife handle because of its while wooden look. Natural wooden characteristics like curves, lines are properly visible.
Whereas miyabi Black knife uses Bigleaf maple and black ash. It’s a unique knife handle material. The whole handle has a beautiful black ash color that is dark brown. As this material makes the knife water-resistant the handle is very durable and long-lasting.
Difference 6: Edge Retention
As the two most high-end miyabi knives, these two knives retain their edge longer than any other miyabi knives. You won’t need to sharpen any of these knives so often. But Black has more layers of protecting steel that protects the core and more hardness than miyabi birchwood. So, Miyabi Black has a little longer edge retention when there is a comparison between Miyabi birchwood vs Miyabi Black.
Difference 7: Weight
Though both knives have the same size and almost the same structure they differ in weight. Miyabi Black is more lightweight when there is a comparison between Miyabi black vs birchwood.
Miyabi Black has 30% less weight than Birchwood. So, Miyabi Black ensures fatigue-free working for a long time without creating pain in your wrist. But like miyabi black, miyabi birchwood has proper weight distribution and balance so you won’t feel the extra weight of birchwood creating any pressure in your hand. Moreover, the extra weight may be helpful for you by providing pressure-free cuts.
Difference 8: Price
As both knives are the two most high-end knives of miyabi the price may look a little costly. Even there is a noticeable difference between the price of miyabi Black vs birchwood sg2.
Miyabi Black knives have 30% more price than Miyabi Birchwood knives.
Difference 9: Product Offering
When it comes to the product offering, Miyabi Birchwood and Block both line has different varieties of knife and knife sets.
Click on ‘Available’ to check the price of the knife.
| Knife/ Set | Birchwood | Black |
| chef’s knife | Available | Available |
| Santoku knife | Available | Available |
| Rocking Santoku | Available | Available |
| Nakiri Knife | Available | Not Available |
| Shotoh knife | Available | Not Available |
| Prep knife | Available | Available |
| Slicing Knife | Available | Available |
| Bread Knife | Available | Available |
| 9.5” Gyutoh | Not Available | Available |
| Paring Knife | Available | Available |
| Steak knife set | Available | Not Available |
| 8/7 piece knife set | Not Available | Available |
| Sharpening Steel | Available | Not Available |
Similarities Between Miyabi Birchwood and Miyabi Black Knife
We have gone through almost all the differences between these two knives, not let’s talk about the similarities of both of these knives.
Similarities 1: Sharpness and Edge
Both of these knives feature an extremely sharp hand-honed katana edge finish. Miyabi black and birchwood both have extremely sharp 9.5 to 12 cutting angle that is twice time sharper than other Japanese or western knife. Both of these are double bevel knife so they have the same cutting angle at both sides.
The traditional Honbazuke method is used to ensure this sharpness. This process has mainly 3 steps. In the first two steps knife is sharpened in vertical and horizontal stone. Finally, it is polished on leather. Both these knives will provide you effortless and precise cut.
Similarities 2: Handle Design ( Shape)
When it comes to the handle design, both of this knife has rounded straight handle. This shape provides a slipless grip in hand. And as there is no curve or D shape at any one side, both black and birchwood handle is comfortable for both left and right-handed users.
There are similarities in other parts of the handle like both knife has steel end cap with miyabi logo and mosaic pin at the center of the handle. You will also find strips that add the final touch to the beauty.
But there is a difference in handle color. Miyabi Black knife has black ash color which is close to blackish brown and miyabi birchwood has a whitish wooden color. In Black, there are black strips but in birchwood, you will find two beautiful red strips.
Similarities 3: Tang
The Tang of a knife is the part of the blade that goes through the knife handle. In a full tang knife, the tang goes all the way through the handle so a full tang knife is more durable than a half tang knife. Miyabi Black and miyabi Birchwood both are full tang knives. It contributes to knife balancing.
Similarities 4: Clean And Maintenance
Both Miyabi Birchwood and Black are only hands wash safe. So, just wash the knife with water after light uses and use soap with a cloth after heavy use. Never put the knife into the dishwasher that may damage the edge and cause a chip.
To store this two knife you can use an extra sheath or a wooden knife block. Be careful about putting a knife in the drawer without a sheath.
Similarities 5: Where they are made
All miyabi knives are handcrafted in Seki, Japan which is known as the knife-making capital of japan. For almost 700 years, swords and knives are being crafted in Seki using Japanese knife-making techniques.
Though all knives of miyabi are made in japan, miyabi is owned by famous german knife maker Zwilling. So, modern german technologies are used with traditional Japanese knife-making techniques. Each knife takes more than 100 steps and almost 42 days to come to its final look.
Similarities 6: Warranty
Miyabi Birchwood and Miyabi Black chef’s knife both come with a limited lifetime warranty.
MIyabi uses all premium quality material and modern german technologies for every piece of the knife. So, they have full confidence on their every piece of the knife. For any kind of manufacturing defect, miyabi provides warranty service.
Conclusion ( Should You Buy Miyabi Birchwood or Black Knife? )
You must have got a proper idea about the differences and similarities between Birchwood and black from this full Miyabi Birchwood vs Black comparison. Now, it’s time to decide which one is best for you.
If you want a knife with a white shiny look then you will love miyabi Birchwood. But if you want a knife with dark blackish premium looks then miyabi black is for you.
If you want a knife with a natural wooden handle then miyabi birchwood is better for you. On the other hand, the black handle is made from the composite of black ash and bigleaf maple which is not raw wood.
Miyabi black is more lightweight, it will be helpful for you if you are used to using a lightweight knife.
Both knives have the same razor-sharp edge and retain their edge for long. But as Miyabi black has more layers of steel and more hardness it provides one step better edge retention than birchwood.
Finally comes affordability. As both of the knives are high-end knives of miyabi, both of them are a little pricy. But birchwood can be considered as a middle-range high-end knife so it is more affordable than black. And as the most high-end miyabi knife, it is normal for Miyabi Black to cost more.
If you want to read a particular review about these two beautiful knives. Then here is the full Miyabi Birchwood SG2 Review and Miyabi Black Chef’s Knife Review.
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