Yoshikazu Tanaka Blue #1 Petty 150mm

Yoshikazu Tanaka works in Sakai City forging knives for some of the top brands and resellers. He is particularly well known for his blue steel knives, his heat treatment and his forging skills. His use of pine charcoal when quenching knives allows for a more gentle and slow heat treatment. He also works at a more leisurely pace as regards daily output.

Our first batch of knives are Kurouchi versions which are made from Blue #1 steel that have a soft iron jigane featuring a very smooth finish. The dark upper blade contrasts perfectly with the sand-blasted lower face along the shinogi. This is highlighted by a more intricate cladding line between the hagane and jigane compared to other makers, with more core steel exposed.

Tanaka-san has employed Blue Paper #1 carbon steel in the making of this blade and his screaming edges, fine grinds, and precise balance are a testament to this great steel and his masterful skills. He has hardened the steel to between 62-64 Rockwell and then applied a beautiful kurouchi finish. The smooth black forger’s scale finish aids in ease of maintenance while adding an aesthetic appeal that is hard to resist! The knife is finished with a classy custom octagonal handle with stabilized maple burl.

Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka

Location: Sakai, Japan

Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged

Profile: Petty

Edge Steel: Blue #1

Cladding: Soft Iron

Finish: Kurouchi

Handle Type: Octagonal

Handle Wood: Maple Burl

Total Length: 275mm

Edge Length: 145mm

Blade Height: 30mm

Thickness: 2.5mm

Weight: 3.6oz / 106g

Hardness: 62-64 HRC