Blue #1 carbon steel is prized for the very fine, screaming sharp edge it can take in skilled hands, and Yoshikazu Tanaka is widely regarded as one of the best heat treaters working with it in Sakai today. This 150mm petty is a good showcase of that reputation in a smaller, more versatile size.
The core is set into a soft iron jigane through traditional construction, finished in kurouchi with the dark upper blade contrasting against a sand blasted lower face along the shinogi. Tanaka forges for many well known brands and resellers in addition to his own name, and his knives carry a wider, more visible clad line between the core and cladding than most other makers leave exposed. The handle is an octagonal rosewood with a colored pakka wood ferrule. As with most Sakai knives, the actual measurements run a little shorter than the size in the name, so check the spec list below for the true dimensions.
Care Instructions:Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel and the soft iron cladding is reactive as well, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones, since Blue #1 rewards careful technique and holds an edge for a long stretch once it is properly set.
The core is set into a soft iron jigane through traditional construction, finished in kurouchi with the dark upper blade contrasting against a sand blasted lower face along the shinogi. Tanaka forges for many well known brands and resellers in addition to his own name, and his knives carry a wider, more visible clad line between the core and cladding than most other makers leave exposed. The handle is an octagonal rosewood with a colored pakka wood ferrule. As with most Sakai knives, the actual measurements run a little shorter than the size in the name, so check the spec list below for the true dimensions.
Care Instructions:Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel and the soft iron cladding is reactive as well, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones, since Blue #1 rewards careful technique and holds an edge for a long stretch once it is properly set.
- Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Sharpener: Tsuyoshi Yauchi
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #1 (Aogami #1)
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Hardness: 62-64 HRC
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Colored Pakka Wood
- Weight: 2.6 oz (74 g)
- Blade Length: 146 mm
- Total Length: 270 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 30 mm
