what kind of Japanese knife do I have?

[bobh]

I was given a knife which was purchased about 25 years ago in San Francisco. It looks like a nakiri, the blade is rectangular, 1 1/2" x 6", the sharpened edge is straight and beveled on one side. What's unusual is the blade is not completely flat, it has a slight outward curve. Does anyone know what's called and what its intended use might be?

 

[Matus]

Welcome to the forums

 

[stringer]

I was given a knife which was purchased about 25 years ago in San Francisco. It looks like a nakiri, the blade is rectangular, 1 1/2" x 6", the sharpened edge is straight and beveled on one side. What's unusual is the blade is not completely flat, it has a slight outward curve. Does anyone know what's called and what its intended use might be?

It is probably a usuba. A specialty vegetable knife for sushi/Japanese cuisine. Welcome.