Nigara Aogami Super Matt Migaki Tsuchime 165mm Bunka with White Antler Handle

Hand-crafted using Aogami Super carbon steel core, clad in stainless steel, this Bunka is beautifully grinded with superb thinness behind-the-edge supported by the 62-63 HRC hardness. Being a guru of steel manipulation and expert on steel construction, Nigara Hamono created a unique S-shaped Tsuchime pattern. The finish of the jigane is truly unique on this knife - while the tsuchime patterns have an almost matt nashiji-like texture, giving this knife a sophisticated accent. As with all Nigara knives, the fit and finish of this knife are second to none, one example being the extremely smooth choil. Paired with a rare handle made of white stag horn with a Kuchiwa made of wood and a Turquoise Tsukajiri.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Nigara Hamono
• Craftsman: Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤 剛)
• Knife Type: Bunka
• Blade
• Construction: San Mai
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami Super (Blue Super)
• Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel
• Hardness: 62-63 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Tsuchime (Hammered)
• Kasumi Polish
• Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")
• Blade Height (at heel): 50mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 2.3mm
• Middle: 2.2mm
• Handle
• Shape: Marugata (Oval-shaped)
• Material: White Antler (Stag Horn)
• Kuchiwa: Wood
• Tsukajiri: Turquoise Resin
• Length: 127mm
• Overall Length: 308mm
• Weight: 192g (6.77oz)
• Engraved Mark: In Japanese Kanji "Nigara Made" (二唐作)

About Nigara Hamono 二唐刃物

With 350 years of history, starting from making swords for Tsugaru clan in the early Edo period, Nigara Hamono has passed down know-how and skills for eight generations. Its 5th generation blacksmith Kunitoshi Nigara was a legendary sword maker, earning a long list of accolades, honorary titles, and knighthood. The current (8th) generation blacksmith — Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa is supported by his father Toshiju Yoshizawa who has a keen interest in art and music. Nigara’s famous Anmon design is the result of Toshiju’s love for Andy Warhol’s artworks. The family business’ expansion into construction steelworks has given Nigara unmatched access to in-house know-how when it comes to advanced finishing. All these set Nigara apart as one of the most special knife makers in Japan.

Care:

Aogami Super (Blue Super) steel is considered the most superior Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. It is not stainless, therefore you must wipe your knife dry after each use, in particular the core steel not covered by the stainless cladding. Patina will develop over time, which will appear as “discoloration” on the cutting edge, but that is the nature of carbon steel - not a defect. The stainless cladding covers a large part of the blade, making maintenance easier but still preserving the cutting and sharpening pleasure of the Aogami Super core. Avoid cutting into bones, frozen foods, hard fruit pits.

Cutting Surface:

Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethylene make acceptable cutting surfaces, and will help protect and prolong knife’s edge. AVOID glass, metal, countertops, and other rigid, non-forgiving surfaces.

Sharpening:

We recommend sharpening all quality Japanese knives on whetstones, as we believe they yield the best results for your knives.