Blade Line Types
Evidence-bounded guide to choku-ba, sasa-ba, and yanagi-ba vocabulary. Compare blade line, section, edge, inner relief, and exact-model evidence without a universal ranking.
A line name needs a maker, plane, radius basis, and zone
The same Japanese or translated label can cover different radii and intended uses across makers. Apply to Blade Line Types
- 01 Wording Keep the source language, maker, model, market, and date.
- 02 Measurement Record radius with blade or chord length and measurement basis.
- 03 Scope Identify uniform or zoned curve and plan or vertical plane.
- 04 Context Add section, edge, width, pairing, and maker-stated use.
Do not inferStraight, willow, bamboo, leaf, oval, propeller, yanagiba, sasaba, or 800R is not a cross-maker performance scale.
A blade line is the heel-to-tip path of a blade in a declared side or plan view. It is one part of a finished shear, not a complete description of how the tool is made or how it will behave.
Japanese-language and translated catalogues may use 直刃 choku-ba, 笹刃 sasa-ba, and 柳刃 yanagi-ba. Treat these as vocabulary to verify on the exact maker and model, not as a universal three-step curvature scale.
Quick reference
| Term | Common translation | Safe catalogue cue | Still unresolved without model evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 直刃 choku-ba | Straight blade or straight blade line | Comparatively straight line wording within the cited maker’s system | Mathematical straightness, radius, measured zone, section, edge, intended use, and result |
| 笹刃 sasa-ba | Bamboo-leaf blade | Bamboo-leaf line, plan-form, or family wording as the maker defines it | Width distribution, curve, radius, section, edge, technique match, and result |
| 柳刃 yanagi-ba | Willow blade | Willow line or family wording as the maker defines it | Curve amount, radius, transition, section, edge, technique match, and result |
Kamaba or sickle wording also appears in some catalogues, but it should not be forced into a universal fourth position. Verify whether the maker uses it for a blade line, a local curved zone, a broader blade type, or another construction detail. See the Sickle Blade reference.
Keep four geometry fields separate
| Field | Record | Do not infer |
|---|---|---|
| Blade line | Heel-to-tip path, declared view, measurement zone, drawing, and any published radius basis | Body section, final edge, inner relief, technique, or quality |
| Body cross-section | End-on form of each blade half and the maker’s exact term | Heel-to-tip curve or final working edge |
| Edge or grind | Maker-stated working surface, finish, honing, and serration | Complete blade body, partner-blade geometry, or service method |
| Inner geometry | Relief, hollowing, contact lands, pairing, set, and current condition | Universal maintenance interval or performance verdict |
A translated word can cross catalogue categories. Hamaguri wording, for example, can appear in section or outer-grind descriptions depending on the maker. Record the source’s stated axis instead of assigning one from the English label alone.
Compare exact models
Use one row per current model and size:
| Comparison field | Model A | Model B |
|---|---|---|
| Maker, model, code, size, and handed variant | ||
| Current official product source and market | ||
| Original term and maker-supplied translation | ||
| Declared view and heel-to-tip line evidence | ||
| Published dimensions, coordinates, or radius basis | ||
| Body cross-section for each blade | ||
| Final edge, finish, honing, or serration | ||
| Inner relief, contact, partner blade, and pivot | ||
| Maker-stated use and limitations | ||
| Condition and service history | ||
| Trial, return, warranty, and service terms |
Do not fill a blank with data from another maker, model, size, market, photograph, or similarly named line.
Evaluate technique claims
A maker’s technique statement can document intended use for a named model. It does not prove a cross-brand result. Keep these evidence layers separate:
- maker wording for the exact current model;
- seller wording and transaction terms;
- a drawing or measurement with its declared view and datum;
- the individual tool’s configuration and condition; and
- a controlled observation tied to one user, task, material, and session.
Do not convert a family name into a star rating, fatigue claim, hair-type prescription, or universal recommendation.
Service boundary
Blade-line vocabulary does not prescribe pivot tension, sharpening equipment, abrasive, angle, pass direction, or service interval. Follow current instructions for the exact model and use a provider who can identify and preserve its line, section, edge, inner relief, pairing, and set.
Related topics: Blade Types • Blade Cross-Section • Edge Types • Scissor Anatomy • Sharpening
Sources Reviewed
2 scoped sources behind this entry- Secondary 🇯🇵 SisRma — Scissor Information Portal (industry reference)
- Secondary 🇯🇵 JapanCut-a-Blog — Slide Cut Methods (specialist blog)
Frequently Asked Questions
3 answers you can open one at a timeWhat do choku-ba, sasa-ba, and yanagi-ba mean?
Choku-ba (直刃) is commonly translated with straight-blade wording, sasa-ba (笹刃) with bamboo-leaf wording, and yanagi-ba (柳刃) with willow-blade wording. They are useful catalogue terms, but they do not supply universal radii, dimensions, technique rankings, or performance results.
Is blade line the same as blade cross-section or edge type?
No. Blade line records the heel-to-tip path in a declared view. Body cross-section records the broader blade form viewed end-on. Edge or grind records the working surface near the cutting edge, while inner relief and contact geometry form another field. A maker may layer or translate terms differently, so preserve the exact wording and stated axis.
Which blade line is best for a cutting technique?
No family name establishes a universal best match. Compare the exact model’s drawing, maker-stated use, line, section, edge, partner blade, adjustment, condition, and handed configuration, then use a controlled trial within the seller’s hygiene and return terms.