Hiroyuki Nagaike was born in 1939 and is one of the last two traditional kogatana blacksmiths still working in Miki City, Japan, where dozens of kogatana makers once operated. His family business, Mikisyo, has become synonymous with the finest kogatana blades available, and his work has earned recognition well beyond Japan.
This 65mm kogatana is the larger of the two standard Mikisyo blade sizes, and it comes with a fitted saya that allows you to safely take it on the road to work, cooking school, or into the field. The blade is hammer forged from Blue #2 carbon steel with a soft iron cladding in a ni-mai, or two-layer, construction, ground to a single bevel right-sided edge that is traditional for kogatana. At 68mm blade length and 24mm tall it is precise and useful across a wide range of small cutting tasks.
What Customers Are Saying: Two reviewers, both strongly positive. One bought it on a whim and calls it awesome - bigger and nicer in person than expected, now among the coolest knives they own. Their partner shares the assessment. A second reviewer bought it as an unboxing gift for their wife and notes it was exactly that kind of fun discovery.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel. Wipe and dry the blade after each use, avoid leaving moisture or acidic materials against the blade, and apply a light coat of camellia or food-safe oil before storage. Hand wash only.
This 65mm kogatana is the larger of the two standard Mikisyo blade sizes, and it comes with a fitted saya that allows you to safely take it on the road to work, cooking school, or into the field. The blade is hammer forged from Blue #2 carbon steel with a soft iron cladding in a ni-mai, or two-layer, construction, ground to a single bevel right-sided edge that is traditional for kogatana. At 68mm blade length and 24mm tall it is precise and useful across a wide range of small cutting tasks.
What Customers Are Saying: Two reviewers, both strongly positive. One bought it on a whim and calls it awesome - bigger and nicer in person than expected, now among the coolest knives they own. Their partner shares the assessment. A second reviewer bought it as an unboxing gift for their wife and notes it was exactly that kind of fun discovery.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel. Wipe and dry the blade after each use, avoid leaving moisture or acidic materials against the blade, and apply a light coat of camellia or food-safe oil before storage. Hand wash only.
- Business Name: Mikisyo
- Location: Miki City, Japan
- Blacksmith: Hiroyuki Nagaike
- Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Edge: Single Bevel, Right Sided
- Includes: Saya
- Weight: 3.7 oz (104 g)
- Blade Length: 68 mm
- Total Length: 250 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 24 mm
2 review(s) 
