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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