Omura City sits in Nagasaki Prefecture in the south of Japan - not a city that appears on most Japanese knife maps, but home to Tanaka Kama Kogyo and four generations of blacksmith craft with roots going back over 800 years. Katsuto Tanaka is the principal blacksmith and the craftsman behind the Matsubara line.
The Matsubara Blue #2 Nashiji Cleaver combines rustic beauty with exceptional cutting performance. Tanaka-san has become well known for producing stout, confident tools with refined forging work and expressive finishes, and this cleaver continues that tradition. The blade receives Tanaka-san’s signature nashiji (pear skin) finish, giving it a tactile, organic look that helps with food release and highlights the hand-forged character of the knife. This cleaver has a broad, flat profile that powers through vegetables and proteins with stability and efficiency, yet still handles comfortably thanks to its balance and moderate weight. A walnut octagonal wa handle completes the build with a natural feel in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: One five-star review from Emerson, who tried the CCK small cleaver first but found the edge retention lacking. The Matsubara Aogami #2 delivers the edge holding he wanted. He calls it incredible. An honest comparison from someone who tried the main alternative first.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel - the stainless cladding protects the flanks, but the exposed carbon edge will patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only, and never use the dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #2 at 62-63 HRC sharpens easily and rewards good technique. Strop regularly between sharpenings.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.Blacksmith: Katsuto Tanaka
Workshop: Tanaka Kama Kogyo
Location: Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Edge Steel: Blue #2 Carbon Steel
Cladding: Stainless Steel
HRC: 62-63
Finish: Nashiji
Edge Grind: Even (50/50), Double Bevel
Handle: Walnut Octagonal
Weight: 11.7 oz (330 g)
Blade Length: 218 mm
The Matsubara Blue #2 Nashiji Cleaver combines rustic beauty with exceptional cutting performance. Tanaka-san has become well known for producing stout, confident tools with refined forging work and expressive finishes, and this cleaver continues that tradition. The blade receives Tanaka-san’s signature nashiji (pear skin) finish, giving it a tactile, organic look that helps with food release and highlights the hand-forged character of the knife. This cleaver has a broad, flat profile that powers through vegetables and proteins with stability and efficiency, yet still handles comfortably thanks to its balance and moderate weight. A walnut octagonal wa handle completes the build with a natural feel in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: One five-star review from Emerson, who tried the CCK small cleaver first but found the edge retention lacking. The Matsubara Aogami #2 delivers the edge holding he wanted. He calls it incredible. An honest comparison from someone who tried the main alternative first.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel - the stainless cladding protects the flanks, but the exposed carbon edge will patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only, and never use the dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #2 at 62-63 HRC sharpens easily and rewards good technique. Strop regularly between sharpenings.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Awesome, January 30, 2026Posted By: Emerson
Never paid this much for a knife but I thought I would get something for my birthday. Tried out the CCK small and enjoyed it. Very light but didn't really hold an edge for as long as I would like, so i decided something like this would get me what I wanted. This knife is great. It weighs a bit more but you adapt pretty quickly after a bit of use. Takes a keen edge quickly and holds onto it for longer. The moritaka AS cleaver looks awesome but I have heard they are a bit of a project to get properly thinned, and i heard the kurouchi finish comes off pretty easily. Havent had issue with wedging through any larger vegetables with this cleaver. Maybe this is the cleaver for you
Never paid this much for a knife but I thought I would get something for my birthday. Tried out the CCK small and enjoyed it. Very light but didn't really hold an edge for as long as I would like, so i decided something like this would get me what I wanted. This knife is great. It weighs a bit more but you adapt pretty quickly after a bit of use. Takes a keen edge quickly and holds onto it for longer. The moritaka AS cleaver looks awesome but I have heard they are a bit of a project to get properly thinned, and i heard the kurouchi finish comes off pretty easily. Havent had issue with wedging through any larger vegetables with this cleaver. Maybe this is the cleaver for you
