Nigara Hamono traces its history to the early Edo period, when the city of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture was a castle town with over one hundred forging shops. Nigara is one of those original Tsugaru blacksmith shops - a tradition that has kept traditional forging techniques alive across centuries rather than decades. The SG2 Damascus line is where that history meets a modern steel: SG2 powdered stainless at the core, clad san-mai in 25 layers of folded stainless Damascus, finished with the Anmon pattern that Nigara named after the Anmon Waterfalls cascading from the foot of the World Heritage Shirakami Mountains adjacent to Hirosaki. The rippling raindrop pattern that emerges from those 25 layers is different on every knife - no two are identical, because each is made and finished by hand.
The petty is the most compact format in the Nigara SG2 Damascus lineup. At 140mm and 62g with a 2mm spine, it is a light and precise knife built for in-hand work on fruit and aromatics and fine board detail where a larger knife cannot perform accurately. SG2 at 62+ HRC delivers excellent edge retention and a very fine possible edge while remaining fully stainless - no patina, no reactive surface care, just the Damascus pattern and the SG2 performance working together in the same knife. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule is a refined combination that suits the character of the blade. Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
Care Instructions: SG2 is stainless and resistant to rust, but hard and somewhat chip-prone at this HRC. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Strop regularly and use quality water stones for full sharpenings.
The petty is the most compact format in the Nigara SG2 Damascus lineup. At 140mm and 62g with a 2mm spine, it is a light and precise knife built for in-hand work on fruit and aromatics and fine board detail where a larger knife cannot perform accurately. SG2 at 62+ HRC delivers excellent edge retention and a very fine possible edge while remaining fully stainless - no patina, no reactive surface care, just the Damascus pattern and the SG2 performance working together in the same knife. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule is a refined combination that suits the character of the blade. Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
Care Instructions: SG2 is stainless and resistant to rust, but hard and somewhat chip-prone at this HRC. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Strop regularly and use quality water stones for full sharpenings.
- Maker: Nigara Hamono
- Location: Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
- Edge Steel: SG2 Stainless Steel
- Cladding: 25-Layer Stainless Damascus (Anmon - Raindrop)
- HRC: 62+
- Edge Grind: Double Bevel, Even
- Handle: Wenge Octagonal
- Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
- Weight: 2.2 oz (62g)
- Blade Length: 140mm
- Total Length: 265mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 32mm
