Kyohei Shindo works alone in Kami City, Kochi Prefecture - in the Tosa region of Japan, a place with a long tradition of blade-making that produced tools and knives long before kitchen cutlery became its own specialty. He forges every knife himself, which means production is limited and batches sell out quickly. The brand name he chose for his kitchen line reflects that working environment: Enjin, combining "en" (flame) and "jin" (blade). It is an accurate description of how these knives are made.
The 120mm petty is the most compact knife in the Enjin range - sized for in-hand work, peeling, trimming, and the precise small tasks that a full-size knife would overpower. At 126mm blade length and 33mm height it tracks cleanly in hand and on the board, with enough rigidity for controlled detail work. The SRK8 steel core is a Hitachi-made alloy similar in character to Shirogami (white paper steel) #2 but with small additions of chrome and nickel for better toughness - heat-treated to HRC 63+, which provides good edge retention and responds well on quality water stones. San mai construction puts the SRK8 inside soft iron cladding finished with the distinctive Enjin surface treatment: kurouchi (black as-forged) on the upper blade road fading into a sandblasted matte lower section, with the polished SRK8 core showing clearly at the edge. Burnt oak octagonal handle with urushi (lacquer) finish. 3.1 oz.
Care Instructions: SRK8 is a reactive carbon steel - wipe and dry after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones.
The 120mm petty is the most compact knife in the Enjin range - sized for in-hand work, peeling, trimming, and the precise small tasks that a full-size knife would overpower. At 126mm blade length and 33mm height it tracks cleanly in hand and on the board, with enough rigidity for controlled detail work. The SRK8 steel core is a Hitachi-made alloy similar in character to Shirogami (white paper steel) #2 but with small additions of chrome and nickel for better toughness - heat-treated to HRC 63+, which provides good edge retention and responds well on quality water stones. San mai construction puts the SRK8 inside soft iron cladding finished with the distinctive Enjin surface treatment: kurouchi (black as-forged) on the upper blade road fading into a sandblasted matte lower section, with the polished SRK8 core showing clearly at the edge. Burnt oak octagonal handle with urushi (lacquer) finish. 3.1 oz.
Care Instructions: SRK8 is a reactive carbon steel - wipe and dry after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones.
- Brand: Enjin
- Blacksmith: Kyohei Shindo
- Location: Kami City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: SRK8 Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Kurouchi (Black As-Forged) / Sandblast / Polished
- Edge Grind: Even
- HRC: 63+
- Handle: Oak Octagonal, Burnt Finish, Urushi Lacquer
- Weight: 3.1 oz (88 g)
- Blade Length: 126mm
- Total Length: 260mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 5mm
- Blade Height: 33mm
