Mutsumi Hinoura Aogami #2 "Sentsuchi Hyakuren" 240mm Gyuto with Charred Chestnut Handle

This is a limited edition top-of-the-line "Sentsuchi Hyakuren" Hinoura gyuto with Aogami #2 steel core and stainless cladding, by Mutsumi Hinoura - the fourth generation of Hinoura with over 100 years of knife making history. Hinoura is known for their Kurouchi finish typically on white #2 steel, but this time Mutsumi-san has made a small batch of polished blades on blue #2, which are very unique to Hinoura collection and exceeds the "Hyakuren" collection as the top-of-the-line Hinoura. The blade has a fine brushed polish, and the charred chestnut handle adds a great character to the knife. Hinoura's forging focuses on easy sharpening by knife owners, and as a result these knives often achieve extraordinary level of sharpness with ease of sharpening. Once sold out, we do not expect another delivery of this collection for the next three years. 

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Sanjo, Niigata Perfecture, Japan
• Craftsman: Mr. Mutsumi Hinoura
• Brand: Hinoura Hamono
• Knife Type: Gyuto
• Blade
• Construction: San Mai
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami #2 (Blue #2)
• Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel
• Hardness: 62-63 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Kasumi
• Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
• Blade Height (at heel): 49mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 2.8mm
• Middle: 2.4mm
• Handle
• Shape: Marugata (Oval-shaped)
• Material: Charred Chestnut
• Kuchiwa: Black Buffalo Horn
  
• Length: 148mm
• Overall Length: 410mm
• Weight: 206g (7.26oz) 
• Hand chiselled mark: In Japanese Kanji "Sentsuchi Hyakuren" literally "Hammered a thousand times, and forged a hundred times" (千鎚百煉)

About Hinoura Hamono 日野浦 刃物

Hinoura Hamono is a knife making workshop by Tsukasa Hinoura (日野浦 司) & Mutsumi Hinoura (日野浦 睦), the father and son team. Knife making by Hinoura can be traced back to Meiji era when first generation Hinoura, Shintaro Hinoura founded the knife forging business. Having moved to Sanjo city in Niigata in 1912, the Hinouras have been making knives there for over 100 years. Tsukasa Hinoura is a very discerning and low profile Echigo forgesmith, who is high respected by top tier knife artisans in Japan. Taking over the family career at around age of 22 back in 1978, he excelled in every level and his works are greatly admired by artisans in Sanjo, not only because of the beauty of his knives, but also his expression of that artisan soul. His son, Mutsumi Hinoura entered the lifelong career of bladesmithing in 2001, and the father and son team have been making knives that are highly valued in both Japan and overseas.

Care:

Aogami #2 (Blue #2) steel is a premium 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 #2 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 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.