Tabata Hamono operates a small blacksmith shop on Tanegashima Island, south of Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu - an island best known historically as the place where Portuguese traders introduced firearms to Japan in 1543. CKTG is the first and only US dealer for Tabata Hamono, and this cleaver carries the unmistakable character of a hand-forged, small-batch knife.
This cleaver is built from Blue #2 carbon steel with a soft iron cladding and a kasumi finish, giving it both visual presence and the keen, easy-to-sharpen edge that Blue #2 is known for. With a blade length of over 210mm and an 85mm height, it has serious chopping authority and the kind of board presence a cleaver should have, while remaining maneuverable enough for everyday kitchen tasks beyond just heavy chopping. Our cleaver saya does not fit this knife; we recommend the felt blade guard instead.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls this cleaver genuinely special, praising the clean blade aesthetic, the very clean kanji, and the relatively mild reactivity of the cladding. He notes a uniquely fun detail: tapping the blade with a knuckle makes it ring like a bell, and he finds himself reaching for it constantly. A second reviewer simply calls it a big cleaver with a big handle and nice weight, reporting fast shipping and zero complaints, and is ready to put it to work in a professional prep kitchen.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel at the edge. Wash and dry the knife promptly after use and avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods. Do not cut frozen foods, bones, or hard materials. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements will vary.Blacksmith: Tabata Hamono
Brand Name: Tanegashima
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Location: Tanegashima, Japan
Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2)
Cladding: Stainless Clad
Bevel: Double Bevel
Edge Grind: Even
Finish: Kasumi
Handle: Oak Octagonal with Black Painted Ferrule
Weight: 12.5 oz (354 g)
Blade Length: 212 mm
Total Length: 360 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3 mm
Blade Height: 85 mm
This cleaver is built from Blue #2 carbon steel with a soft iron cladding and a kasumi finish, giving it both visual presence and the keen, easy-to-sharpen edge that Blue #2 is known for. With a blade length of over 210mm and an 85mm height, it has serious chopping authority and the kind of board presence a cleaver should have, while remaining maneuverable enough for everyday kitchen tasks beyond just heavy chopping. Our cleaver saya does not fit this knife; we recommend the felt blade guard instead.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls this cleaver genuinely special, praising the clean blade aesthetic, the very clean kanji, and the relatively mild reactivity of the cladding. He notes a uniquely fun detail: tapping the blade with a knuckle makes it ring like a bell, and he finds himself reaching for it constantly. A second reviewer simply calls it a big cleaver with a big handle and nice weight, reporting fast shipping and zero complaints, and is ready to put it to work in a professional prep kitchen.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel at the edge. Wash and dry the knife promptly after use and avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods. Do not cut frozen foods, bones, or hard materials. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements will vary.
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Rings like a bellPosted By: Ryan C
33 people found this review helpful
This cleaver is special. Really nice handle and love the clean blade aesthetic. Kanji is very clean. The reactive cladding is mild so (relatively) won't rust easily if negligent. What's really unique is if you tap your knuckle on it the blade will ring like a bell. Actually very beautiful and I can't help but reach for it every time. Love, love, love it.
33 people found this review helpful
This cleaver is special. Really nice handle and love the clean blade aesthetic. Kanji is very clean. The reactive cladding is mild so (relatively) won't rust easily if negligent. What's really unique is if you tap your knuckle on it the blade will ring like a bell. Actually very beautiful and I can't help but reach for it every time. Love, love, love it.
