Hitohira Tanaka Kyuzo Blue #1 Migaki Kiritsuke Gyuto 240mm Taihei Ebony Handle (Extra Height)

Detailed Specifications:

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片)
Smith: Tanaka Blacksmith 田中打刃物製作所
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan
Profile: Kiritsuke Gyuto
Size: 240mm
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Steel: Yasuki Blue (Aogami) #1, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Taihei Ebony & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Total Length: 392mm
Edge Length: 232mm
Handle to Tip Length: 243mm
Blade Height: 50mm
Thickness: 1.9mm
Handle Length: 144mm
Weight: 203g
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Sharpener: Kyuzo
Handle Maker: Taihei

Measurement and photos are based on a random sample from available inventory.
Please understand that each item has a unique profile and colour as they are handmade and utilise natural materials.

Sharpener: Kyuzo

Kyuzo’s father Heihachi is one of the busiest sharpeners in Sakai. Heihachi’s workshop room and corridor were always filled with knives waiting to be sharpened. Although Kyuzo initially worked under his father to learn the foundation of rough sharpening, eventually he became a student of Kambei, known as one of the best sharpeners in Sakai because he knew best how to sharpen wide double bevel knives. After a few years of training, he built his style based on both his father and Kambei’s respective styles. Today, Kyuzo is one of only a few people who can sharpen wide double bevel with really good Shinogi-line in Sakai, one of the most challenging techniques in sharpening.

Message from Craftsman

Tanaka uses charcoal to quench when treating the knife, which does not produce a Kurouchi dark finish. So in order to produce the finish, which is both aesthetically pleasing and useful in protecting against rust, sharpener uses a special and secret technique that has been used in Sakai for a long time and etches the surface of the knife.
This way of finishing creates the dark and beautiful Kurouchi finish found on this special line. While both types of Kurouchi finishes can fade over time, the etching technique used by sharpener may fade faster.
This is not signed that anything is wrong with the blade. so please do not worry if this happens, as it is natural.