Shizu Hamono is based in Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture - one of the 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.
With a blade length of just over 130mm, this 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 a 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-Shaped Pakka Wood
Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
Weight: 2.8 oz (80 g)
Blade Length: 131 mm
Total Length: 251 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 29 mm
With a blade length of just over 130mm, this 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 a 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.
