Nigara Honyaki Aogami #2 300mm Sujihiki with Blue Stabilized Wood Handle

This extraordinary sujihiki knife is honyaki-forged with Aogami #2 steel, by Nigara's 7th generation owner Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa. Being the steel guru of Japan, Nigara Hamono has created this knife using honyaki forging, yet adding a forged Damascus finish above the Hamon line. The forged monosteel Aogami blade is first heat-treated using the Honyaki differential heat-treatment to create a tougher spine and a ripple hamon line in the shape of Mount Fuji. Then house-forged Damascus soft steel with exquisite pattern is then layered above the hamon line, onto the blade before being grinded into a beautiful geometry. It's an absolute wonder how they manipulated steel to create such a stunning suminagshi finish before kurosome etching are applied. The finished knife is like no others. The beautiful thin grind and thinness behind-edge supported by Aogami #2 make this blade a winner of cutting performance. Paired with a premium octagonal handle made of blue stabilized wood, with triple nickel-copper ginmaki. Only one available.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Nigara Hamono
• Craftsman: Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤 剛)
• Knife Type: Sujihiki
• Blade
• Construction: Honyaki (with Damascus layers)
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Steel Type: Aogami #2 (Blue #2)
• Hardness: 64 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Damascus ("Anmon" Pattern)
• Kurosome (Black Etched) shaped as Mt. Fuji 
• Blade Length: 300mm (11.8")
• Blade Height (at heel): 42mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 4.3mm
• Middle: 2.8mm
• Handle
• Premium Custom Handle
• Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal)
• Material: Blue Stabilized Wood
• Kuchiwa / Tsukajiri: Blue Stabilized Wood
• Ginmaki: Nickel Copper (x3)
• Divider: Blue Stabilized Wood
• Length: 146mm
• Overall Length: 456mm
• Weight: 232g (8.18oz)
• 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 the 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 #2 (Blue #2) steel is a 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.