Yuzou Tani is a second-generation blacksmith working in Sakai, Japan. Born in 1962, he has been blacksmithing for over 35 years at the shop his family name has carried for 50 years. We have a particular fondness for smiths who do most of the work themselves, and Tani-san not only makes every blade by hand but laminates the steel himself as well.
For this yanagiba, his steel of choice is the popular Shirogami #2 high carbon steel - an alloy favored by many blacksmiths and knife users, especially in the making of traditional yanagiba. The inner core is hammer forged ni-mai style with a soft iron cladding. The single bevel blade is finished to the highest standards, with a lovely transition at the primary grind between the cladding and the blade edge. All of the work on this knife was carried out by Tani-san himself. The octagonal handle is keyaki wood with a brown pakka wood ferrule - a very fine yanagiba, entirely made by one man, at a genuinely affordable price.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use to prevent rust. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
For this yanagiba, his steel of choice is the popular Shirogami #2 high carbon steel - an alloy favored by many blacksmiths and knife users, especially in the making of traditional yanagiba. The inner core is hammer forged ni-mai style with a soft iron cladding. The single bevel blade is finished to the highest standards, with a lovely transition at the primary grind between the cladding and the blade edge. All of the work on this knife was carried out by Tani-san himself. The octagonal handle is keyaki wood with a brown pakka wood ferrule - a very fine yanagiba, entirely made by one man, at a genuinely affordable price.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use to prevent rust. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
- Blacksmith: Mr. Tani
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai
- Edge Steel: White #2
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Migaki (Polished)
- Edge Grind: Right-Sided Traditional Grind
- Weight: 7.3 oz (208 g)
- Blade Length: 266 mm
- Total Length: 414 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 4 mm
- Blade Height: 33 mm
- Handle: Octagonal Keyaki Wood
- Ferrule: Brown Pakka Wood
