Shizu Hamono is based in Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture - one of Japan's most respected metalworking regions, producing everything from kitchen knives to agricultural tools with a craft tradition that runs deep. The Gen line is their VG10 stainless offering: san mai construction with a VG10 core clad in stainless Damascus and finished with a kurouchi (black finish, as-forged surface) treatment that gives the blade a dark, understated character while keeping the Damascus pattern subtly visible underneath. It is an unusual and appealing combination - the low-maintenance practicality of stainless steel with the visual character normally associated with carbon steel.
At 131mm the petty is the most compact knife in the Gen lineup, built for precision in-hand work on fruit, aromatics, and small ingredients, and for detail cuts at the board where a longer knife is simply too much. The VG10 core at 60-61 HRC delivers solid edge retention and sharpens back readily on quality water stones. The 2mm spine is thin throughout - light and nimble in hand, fast to maneuver, with no sense of thickness or drag during use. The D-shaped pakka wood handle with black pakka ferrule is a clean, ergonomic fit for both pinch and handle grip.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
At 131mm the petty is the most compact knife in the Gen lineup, built for precision in-hand work on fruit, aromatics, and small ingredients, and for detail cuts at the board where a longer knife is simply too much. The VG10 core at 60-61 HRC delivers solid edge retention and sharpens back readily on quality water stones. The 2mm spine is thin throughout - light and nimble in hand, fast to maneuver, with no sense of thickness or drag during use. The D-shaped pakka wood handle with black pakka ferrule is a clean, ergonomic fit for both pinch and handle grip.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
- Maker: Shizu Hamono
- Knife Line: Gen
- Location: Sanjo City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Roll Forged
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- Finish: Kurouchi (Black Finish)
- HRC: 60-61
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: D-Shape Pakka Wood
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 2.8 oz (80g)
- Blade Length: 131mm
- Total Length: 251mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 29mm
