Hakata CK1

Product detail

Shigeki Tanaka is one of the recognized names in Japanese handicrafts. Don't look for his headquarters in Seki, Sakai, Takefu or Kochi. You can find it in Miki City near Osaka. It is another important place where knives are still forged in the traditional way. This knife not only has an unusual name but also a shape. This is a certain alternative to Bunka, or if you want Kengata. Unlike the Bunka, the blade is wider and resembles a Nakiri knife. But it also has a typical "K-tip", which you can use when working with meat and fish. It got its name from the city of Hakata on the island of Kyushu, where similar knives were produced in the past.

Master Shigeki Tanaka made the blade masterfully. Irregular shinogi and hamon divide it into three parts, each a different shade of silver. The top has a nashiji /pear flesh/ texture, the middle is kasumi /hazy/ and the bottom is polished. On the blade you will find unmistakable signs of handwork and a signature stamped in kanji characters. The experience is to observe the spine and its changing thickness. The core is forged from "silver" Gingami No.3 from Hitachi Metals. Its carbon content is similar to its siblings Aogami and Shirogami, but unlike them, it is anti-corrosion steel. It is usually hardened to 60-62 HRC. Since it is a San Mai construction, it is lined with a layer of mild steel on the sides. The knife is sharper than you would expect from a hand forged one. This is thanks to the symmetrical Hamaguri blade with an extra steep end. Hakata is, of course, Wa-Bocho, a traditional Japanese half-tang. The octagonal walnut handle is complemented by a buffalo horn ferrule.

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