Mizuno Tanrenjo / Minamoto Akitada Ginsan (Silver #3) Kiritsuke

This is a traditional Kiritsuke knife from Mizuno Tanrenjo's Ginsan steel range. Hand-forged by 5th generation Mizuno master blacksmith Jun Mizuno, this Kiritsuke has superb grinds that are exceedingly smooth, with beautiful satin-shiage and kasumi finishes. The Ginsan blade benefits from Mizuno's outstanding heat treatment skills, ensuring superior edge retention and easier maintenance than their Aogami DX series. For right-handed use 

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Minamoto Akitada Hontanren 源昭忠 本鍛練
• Workshop: Mizuno Tanrenjo
• Craftsman: Jun Mizuno 水野 淳
  
• Knife Type: Kiritsuke
• Blade
  • Construction: San Mai
  • Grind: Single-Bevel with Hiratogi (Right-handed)
  • Hagane (Core Steel): Ginsan (Silver #3)
  • Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel
  • Hardness: 60-62 HRC
  • Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
  • Satin-Shiage
  • Kasumi Polish
• Blade Length: 230mm (9.1") / 260mm (10.2")
• Blade Height (at heel): 41mm / 44mm
• Spine Thickness
  • Above heel: 3.4mm / 3.6mm
  • Middle: 3.2mm / 3.4mm
• Handle
  • Shape: Marushinogi (D-shaped)
  • Material: Japanese Magnolia (Ho Wood)
  • Kuchiwa: Marbled White Buffalo Horn
  • Length: 138mm / 142mm
• Overall Length: 380mm / 420mm
• Weight: 212g (7.48oz) / 240g (8.47oz)

About Mizuno Tanrenjo 水野鍛錬所 / Minamoto Akitada 源昭忠

Established in 1872, the Mizuno Tanrenjo workshop is one of the most prestigious blacksmith workshops in Japan. Five generations of Mizuno blacksmiths have worked on projects of cultural significance and won accolades for their craftsmanship. The works of 2nd generation blacksmith Masanori Mizuno still hangs on top of the pagoda at Japan's first UNESCO site, and the 3rd generation Akiharu Mizuno - a portage of Japan's national treasure blacksmith Teiichi Tsukiyama - has won a prestigious award for his honyaki yanagiba. The Mizuno family workshop has received two royal visits by Prince Mikasa of Japan, who is personally a fan of their craftsmanship. Today Mizuno Tanrenjo is led by 5th generation master blacksmith - Jun Mizuno (a.k.a. Noritada Mizuno) whosesuperior craftsmanship and extraordinary honyaki works have been recognized by two of Japan’s top Ichinomiyas (shrines) which have commissioned his katanas to become the shrines’ permanent collections.

Care:

Ginsan (Gin3 or Silver #3) is a stainless carbon steel, with 14% added Chromium. Retaining the character of Japanese carbon steel, with similar hardness of Shirogami #2, Ginsan is stainless. It's edge retention is only slightly inferior to Shirogami #2, but the fact that it combines ease of sharpening, carbon steel character as well being stainless makes it a great choice for those who wish to have a Japanese carbon steel knife that is easy to maintain.

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.