Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan carries a 350-year tradition of blacksmithing, originally producing weapons and tools long before kitchen cutlery entered the picture. Nigara Hamono is a direct continuation of that tradition - one of the few shogun-recognized noble swordsmith lineages in Japan, with Nigara Kunitoshi earning particular recognition during the Showa period. After World War II, the US military banned traditional swordsmithing, forcing many blacksmiths to pivot toward gardening tools and kitchen cutlery. Nigara survived that transition and today produces some of the finest cutlery coming out of northern Japan.
This butcher knife is forged by Yoshizawa san using SG2 stainless steel hardened to 62-63 HRC - a powdered steel known for exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. The cladding is finished in tsuchime (hammered) stainless, a textured surface that reduces food adhesion and reflects the centuries of craft behind the blade. At 165mm blade length this is a capable, precise butcher knife suited to detailed meat and protein work. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule gives the knife a dark, substantial presence that matches its serious heritage.
Care Instructions: SG2 stainless is low maintenance. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Sharpen on quality water stones as needed.
This butcher knife is forged by Yoshizawa san using SG2 stainless steel hardened to 62-63 HRC - a powdered steel known for exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. The cladding is finished in tsuchime (hammered) stainless, a textured surface that reduces food adhesion and reflects the centuries of craft behind the blade. At 165mm blade length this is a capable, precise butcher knife suited to detailed meat and protein work. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule gives the knife a dark, substantial presence that matches its serious heritage.
Care Instructions: SG2 stainless is low maintenance. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Sharpen on quality water stones as needed.
- Brand: Nigara
- Blacksmith: Yoshizawa San
- Location: Aomori Prefecture, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: SG2 Stainless Steel
- HRC: 62-63
- Cladding: Stainless Tsuchime
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Wenge Octagonal
- Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
- Weight: 4.2 oz (118 g)
- Blade Length: 165mm
- Total Length: 302mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 35mm
