Yoshikazu Ikeda / Sakai Hokushin Honyaki Shirogami #3 Mt. Fuji with Full Moon Mirror 240mm Gyuto

This handcrafted mirror-polished Gyuto is hand-forged by top Sakai blacksmith Yoshikazu Ikeda with Shirogami #3 steel in Honyaki construction. The knife has a superb level of fit and finish with mirror polish on both sides, and an exquisite Mount Fuji full moon ripple hamon that’s both unique and aesthetically amazing. The beautiful edge geometry and distal tapering ensure an incredibly smooth cutting performance. Paired with a premium wa-handle made of blue stabilized wood and imitation-ivory with triple nickel copper ginmaki.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Sakai Hokushin 堺北辰
• Workshop: Ikeda Tanrenjo 
• Craftsman: Yoshikazu Ikeda 池田 美和
• Knife Type: Gyuto
• Blade
• Construction: Honyaki
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Steel Type: Shirogami #3 (White #3)
• Hardness: 63 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Kyomen (Mirror)
• Hamon Ripple (Mt. Fuji with full moon)
• Blade Length: 240mm (9.4") 
• Blade Height (at heel): 51mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 3.0mm
• Middle: 2.6mm
• Handle
• Premium Custom Handle
• Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal)
• Material: Blue Stabilized Wood
• Kuchiwa / Tsukajiri: Resin (Ivory-effect)
• Ginmaki: Nickel Copper (x3)
• Divider: Blue Stabilized Wood
• Length: 145mm
• Overall Length: 395mm
• Weight: 239g (8.43oz)
• Engraved Mark: In Japanese Kanji "Sakai Hokushin Honyaki" (堺北辰 本焼)

About Yoshikazu Ikeda 池田 美和

Yoshikazu Ikeda (池田 美和) started forging knives in 1967 as an apprentice to his father Kameo Ikeda (池田 亀夫), the 2nd generation blacksmith of Yoshikazu Tanrenjo. Whilst his elder brother Tatsuo Ikeda (池田 辰男) took over their father’s workshop and became the 3rd generation blacksmith, Yoshikazu Ikeda founded his own workshop Ikeda Tanrenjo (池田鍛錬所) in 1983. He once joked that his hands were stubborn and clumsy, so he wouldn’t feel bored doing the same thing over and over again. As a result, he laser-focused on mastering his skills in forging and crafting for decades, and captured many awards in Japan.

Care:

Shirogami #3 (white #3) steel is one of the popular types of high carbon steel found in Japanese kitchen knives (Wa Knives). It is not stainless, therefore you must 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.