Yoshikazu Tanaka works in Sakai City forging knives for some of the top brands and resellers. 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.
This batch of knives are kurouchi versions which are made from White #2 steel that has a soft iron jigane a rough, blacksmith finish so he can make a great cutting knife at a large discount to his finished blades. Scratches and imperfections are the norm.
Tanaka-san has employed White Paper #2 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 62 Rockwell and then applied the kurouchi finish.
Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka
Sharpener: Tsuyoshi Yauchi
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Profile: Gyuto
Edge Steel: White #2
Cladding: Soft Iron
Finish: Kurouchi
Hardness: 62 HRC
Handle Type: Octagonal
Handle Wood: Oak
Weight: 7.1 ozs / 202g
Blade Length: 229mm
Overall Length: 384mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 3.2mm
Blade Height at Heel: 49.9mm