Ikeda-san works out of Takefu Village, the famous knife making cooperative in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, where a group of highly skilled blacksmiths share facilities and knowledge while each maintaining their own distinct style. His Mizu line for Masakage is defined by one unusual choice: the outer cladding is soft, reactive iron rather than the stainless steel more commonly used in san mai construction. The result is a blade that patinas fully and develops genuine character across its entire face over time, not just at the edge.
This 180mm gyuto is hammer forged in a san mai construction, with a Blue #2 carbon steel core hardened to 62-64 HRC wrapped in that reactive iron cladding and given a kurouchi, or black as-forged, finish. The blade is fairly stout at the spine compared to a laser grind, which gives it authority through denser produce while still finishing with a geometry thin enough for real cutting performance. The cherry oval handle with marbleized plastic ferrule is simple and functional in the traditional Japanese workshop style.
Care Instructions: The Mizu line uses a fully reactive iron cladding over the Blue #2 core, so the entire blade face develops a patina with use, not just the edge. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after use, avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
This 180mm gyuto is hammer forged in a san mai construction, with a Blue #2 carbon steel core hardened to 62-64 HRC wrapped in that reactive iron cladding and given a kurouchi, or black as-forged, finish. The blade is fairly stout at the spine compared to a laser grind, which gives it authority through denser produce while still finishing with a geometry thin enough for real cutting performance. The cherry oval handle with marbleized plastic ferrule is simple and functional in the traditional Japanese workshop style.
Care Instructions: The Mizu line uses a fully reactive iron cladding over the Blue #2 core, so the entire blade face develops a patina with use, not just the edge. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after use, avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
- Brand: Masakage
- Line: Mizu
- Blacksmith: Ikeda-san
- Location: Echizen, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Soft Iron (Reactive)
- HRC: 62-64
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Cherry Oval
- Ferrule: Plastic Marbleized with Lip
- Weight: 4.7 oz (134 g)
- Blade Length: 185 mm
- Total Length: 327 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 4 mm
- Blade Height: 47 mm
