Nigara Hamono AS Tsuchime Migaki Kiritsuke Gyuto 195 mm

The Blacksmith

Nigara Hamono is located in Hirosaki city, Aomori Prefecture, on the west coast of the very northern tip of the main island of Honshu, Japan. Their family has a 350 year old history of making knives and swords and more recently has expanded into structural steel beams for use in construction. Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa stands as the 8th generation smith in the lineage of blacksmiths at Nigara Hamono and creates knives with his younger brother and two other craftsmen.

Nigara Hamono knives are characterized by their signature tsuchime pattern, as well as play with stainless damascus. These knives stand out for their aesthetic appeal, thinness behind the edge, and functionality, given they make their steel in house, and work primarily with high powdered stainless steels. They produce uniquely versatile profiles, ranging from very flat “kiritsuke nakiris” to aggressively curved “kiritsuke gyutos”.

The Knife

The Kiritsuke is very similar to the Gyuto but differs in the shape of the tip. They feature what is referred to as a "reverse tanto" or "k-tip" which gives the shape its unique and distinct aesthetic. They come in both double beveled and single beveled versions and historically have been reserved for use by only the head chef in restaurants - we won't tell anyone if you're not a head chef though! - The single beveled versions are said to be the most versatile shape available (though the Gyuto would give it a run for its money) as they are adept at butchery, slicing and vegetable prep once they are mastered. The double beveled versions are much more user friendly. This knife is double beveled and therefor functions much like any other chefs knife you may have used. 

Knife Care (Stainless Clad)

• This knife is made from 3 layers of steel using a technique called Sanmai (Forge welding). It involves laminating a piece of Carbon steel with two pieces of Stainless steel giving the knife all the benefits of the carbon steel (Edge retention, ease of sharpening, cutting feel) and the Ease of Maintenance from Stainless steel. 2-3 millimeters of the carbon steel is exposed at the edge of the knife and is susceptible to rust and discouloration if not properly maintained.
• Simply Wipe the knife with a damp cloth immediately after use to keep it from rusting or discouloring.
• Wash with regular dish soap and warm water using a none abrasive sponge or cloth.
• Never put your knife in the Dishwasher. The extreme heat will ruin the wooden handle.
• Highly acidic ingredients (Onions, Tomatoes, Citrus) Will cause rust and oxidation to happen faster, thus the user must ensure the knife is wiped clean immediately after working with such an ingredient.
• Should any rust form it can be removed using a rust eraser or a mixture of Baking soda and water to simply scrub it clean.
• Avoid Bones, Frozen foods, nuts and hard candies, parmesan rinds, woody stems or anything other than fruits, vegetables and proteins.

Follow these care recommendations for your Japanese knives to protect the edge and keep them sharp as long as possible: 

• Do not put them in the dishwasher or soak them in water, as this may ruin the wooden handle and rust the blade. 
• Wash with soapy water and wipe dry after each use, especially after handling acidic ingredients, to minimize the risk of rusting.  
• Don’t cut through anything you wouldn’t bite through, like frozen foods, hard candies, or bones, as this may chip or damage the knife. 
• Don't torque the blade, as this may chip the knife. Use it in a forward and back, up and down motion without twisting.
• Don’t scrape the cutting board with your knife, as this will cause it to dull quickly and ruin your edge. 
• Use an end grain wooden cutting board or hi-soft rubberized cutting board if you can to protect your edge. Glass, bamboo, and granite are terrible materials for cutting boards, and plastic is only slightly better. 

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