Shoichi Hashimoto Aogami #2 / Shirogami #2 Black Damascus 240mm Gyuto with Eternal Woodgrain Handle

Extremely rare piece of art handcrafted by “Damascus Artist” Shoichi Hashimoto (橋本 庄市) using Aogami #2 and Shirogami #2 carbon steel core, clad with soft iron. Hashimoto’s creativity can be seen from how he created the usual Damascus pattern by mixing two types of steels, and his attention to detail is showcased in the matching pattern on the blade and the D-shaped handle made of stabilized wood. Decorated with marble buffalo horn, three silver ginmakis and two mosaic pins, the knife is a true piece of art that the “Damascus Artist” spent months to create. 

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Perfecture, Japan
• Artist: Mr. Shoichi Hashimoto
• Knife Type: Gyuto
• Blade
• Construction: San Mai
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami #2 (Blue #2) & Shirogami #2 (White #2)
• Jigane (Cladding): Soft Iron
• Hardness: Unknown
• Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Artistic Damascus
• Kurosome (Black Etched)
• Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
• Blade Height (at heel): 53mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 3.5mm
• Middle: 2.3mm
• Handle
• Premium Custom Handle
• Shape: Marushinogi (D-shaped)
• Material: Stabilized Wood
• Color: Dark Brown with tree growth ring pattern
• Maki: Marble Buffalo Horn
  
• Ginmaki: Silver (x3)
  
• Decorative: Mosaic Pin
• Length: 141mm
• Overall Length: 393mm
• Weight: 216g (7.62oz)

About Shoichi Hashimoto 橋本 庄市

Born in 1982, Mr. Shoichi Hashimoto (橋本 庄市) developed a strong interest in steel work while pursuing an arts degree in design and modelling. So after graduation, he stayed in academia as Researcher in metal arts and design. He spent his spare time making insanely beautiful Damascus knives under the direction of Master Takanori Mikami. He was particularly excited about creating unusual Damascus patterns by mixing different steel types together. He once compared the process of creating Damascus patterns with that of drawing a portrait, and he was particularly excited about the similarities between Damascus patterns and how plant cells look like under a microscope. Feeling that his forging skills are not good enough, this humble knifemaker in his 30s doesn’t call himself an “Artisan”, instead a “Damascus Artist”. He said that the appreciation shown by his customers and the general public has been the most important element that supported him along the journey of becoming a “Damascus Artist”.

Care:

Aogami #2 (Blue #2) steel and Shirogami #2 (white #2) are premium Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. Despite some corrosion resistant quality (for a carbon steel), it is not stainless, therefore you should wipe your knife dry after each use. Patina will develop over time. Rust may develop if left in prolonged contact with water or acidic food. Use a rust eraser to clean if rusts develop. 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 polyethene 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.