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Hitohira

Hitohira Tanaka Kyuzo Blue #1 Kurouchi Petty 165mm Yakusugi Cedar Handle

Regular price
€386,00 EUR
Regular price
Sale price
€386,00 EUR
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Description

Tanaka Uchihamono is one of Sakai’s leading and most renowned forgeries, producing high quality single- and double bevel knives for over decades. Internationally famed for his Blue #1 because of it’s excellent edge retention and sharpening ease. Tanaka Uchihamono’s methods are very traditional: using only carbon steel, relying only on eyesight to determine steel temperatures, using pine charcoal in the forge and straw ash for annealing and normalizing cycles ect. It is in these techniques the Tanaka forgery show incredible skill and mastery of temperatures, steel and knowledge that creates their celebrated quality. Tanaka forged knives paired with some of Sakai’s best sharpeners and the Hitohira touch make these some of the finest blades we see. In the west Tanaka gyutos are most desired and sought after while this workshop has been making some of Japan’s highest single bevel knives for many years.

Kyuzo is a sharpener from Sakai. Son of one of the busiest sharpeners in this region and student of one of the most legendary and influential sharpeners. His style is a combination of these two teachings and is most known for this wide-bevel sharpening with a crisp and visible shinogi line. An extremely challenging way of grinding where symmetry is the most important factor. Kyuzo’s blades are characterized by their exceptional cutting performance and easy to maintain bevels. These pronounced wide bevels are easy to follow when thinning the blade resulting in better performance over time. In addition to the high level grind and sharpening these knives feature comfortably chamfered spine and choil increasing the overall quality of the blade.

This series is ideal for anyone in search of extraordinary performance by the hands of two of Japan's most well known craftsmen. In both steel quality, geometry and performance this series is among the finest we have to offer. It is noteworthy to mention that to achieve these levels of quality a thin edge is required and although in their own league these knives are very strong it is always important to wield them with a delicate touch and use the proper techniques.

What kind of knife is this?

Petty knives (Utilty) have a similar profile as the Gyuto but smaller, commonly ranging from 12 to 15cm. A shape most often used next to any larger all-purpose blade (gyuto & santoku) although there are many households where this is the go-to knife. Very suitable for the smaller cutting tasks such as cleaning, portioning and peeling fruits and vegetables and cleaning smaller cuts of meat or fish. 

Pairing knives are more used for in-hand tasks such as peeling, trimming, scoring and cleaning and fruit or vegetable. 

Care Instructions

This is a carbon steel knife. That means this knife is made of non-stainless steel. There is no or an insufficient amount of chromium and/or nickel to protect this steel against oxidation. Steel such as this will react to moisture and oxygen. That on itself is not a bad thing, you might even argue it’s a great thing. The knife will form a wonderful patina, it will sharpen easily and the edge life will not disappoint.

The care for a carbon steel knife such as this is not very elaborate, and very comparable to any other knife. Always store your knife clean and dry, no dishwasher, don’t let it air-dry and avoid extremely hard products like frozen foods or bones. With carbon steel you want to dry your knife also during cooking, never leave it moist or wet for too long. Often a quick wipe a dry cloth or towel is more than enough. A carbon steel knife can rust if not taken care of properly. Rust can removed but it is of course something we want to avoid.

Please note that there are many different carbon steels, just like stainless steels, each with its own properties and characteristics. Each should be judged individually.

Message from Craftsman

Because Tanaka's way of quenching, knife does not produce a Kurouchi dark finish enough. 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.

Horn colour can be different then pictures  

Detailed Spec

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: Petty
Size: 165mm
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Steel: Yasuki Blue (Aogami) #1, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Yakusugi Cedar & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Total Length: 298mm
Edge Length: 158mm
Handle to Tip Length: 167mm
Blade Height: 40mm
Thickness: 2.5mm
Handle Length: 128mm
Weight: 94g
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Sharpener: Kyuzo
Update: October 7, 2021

*Please understand that all pictures on our website are made of random samples and as most products are made with natural materials by hand the color, appearances and even measurements can slightly vary. Please contact us if you wish to see the exact item we have on hand.